Montage Hotels & Resorts
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | January 2002 |
| Founder | Alan Fuerstman |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California , United States |
Area served | United States, Mexico |
Key people | Alan Fuerstman (Founder) |
| Products | Hotels and resorts management |
| Website | www |
Montage International—also known as Montage Hotels—is a premier hotel and resort management firm established by Alan Fuerstman and based in Irvine, California. By 2022, the company oversees 14 properties throughout the United States and Mexico, evenly divided between its Montage Hotels and Resorts label and the lifestyle-focused Pendry Hotels and Resorts brand.
History
Alan Fuerstman founded Montage International in January 2002. The company's initial significant acquisition occurred in June 2002, when it purchased the Laguna Beach Colony development for $190 million in collaboration with the Athens Group. This deal represented the highest per-room valuation for a U.S. hotel that year. The first Montage property, Montage Laguna Beach, opened its doors in 2003.
In 2005, Montage obtained city approval to construct a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills, which debuted in 2008 before being sold to the Maybourne Hotel Group. The third resort under the Montage banner, Montage Deer Valley located in Park City, Utah, commenced operations in 2010.
Financial support from Ohana Real Estate Investors—established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar—helped secure ownership stakes in several Montage locations including Laguna Beach, Beverly Hills, and Deer Valley. In 2013, Montage expanded its portfolio into Hawaii by assuming management of Kapalua Bay and rebranding it as Montage Kapalua Bay.
The company further broadened its reach in 2014 by acquiring the management contract for the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina. That same year marked the introduction of Pendry Hotels and Resorts, a lifestyle brand spearheaded by Michael Fuerstman, Alan’s son. Pendry’s inaugural hotel launched in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter in 2017.
Montage Laguna Beach was sold in January 2015 to Strategic Hotels & Resorts for $360 million, setting a new record for per-room pricing in California; however, Montage retained operational management rights. The company announced its first international resort would open in Los Cabos, Mexico, debuting in 2018.
In 2020, Montage acquired Matt Lowe Cay in the Bahamas with intentions to develop a new resort, signaling ongoing expansion and entry into global markets.
Properties
Under the Montage and Pendry brands, Montage Hotels and Resorts manages fourteen hotels located across the United States and Mexico. Many of these properties include residential offerings such as single-family homes, condominiums, or villas. Each location features a luxury spa branded as "Spa Montage," with the Laguna Beach spa distinguished as the first recipient of a 5 Star Spa award. As of 2022, seven hotels operate under the Pendry Hotels and Resorts brand.[1]
Montage Laguna Beach
Serving as the flagship property, Montage Laguna Beach is designed in the Craftsman architectural style and situated on a 30-acre site adjacent to the Pacific Ocean near downtown Laguna Beach. The resort comprises 250 guest rooms including 60 suites, alongside 37 beach bungalows and branded residences. Its art collection includes works by William Wendt and Edgar Alwin Payne. Since opening in 2003, it has earned numerous five-star accolades. In 2015, a Chicago-based real estate investment trust acquired it for $360 million before selling it later that year to The Blackstone Group during their $6 billion purchase of Strategic Hotels & Resorts. In 2022, billionaire Tilman Fertitta became the new owner of the property.[2][3]
Montage Deer Valley
Established in 2010 in Park City, Utah, Montage Deer Valley comprises 154 guest rooms, 66 suites, and 81 branded residences. The resort provides a range of amenities including both indoor and outdoor event venues, a ski shop known as Compass Sports, a spa, a bowling alley, and four distinct dining establishments.
Montage Kapalua Bay
Montage took over operations of Kapalua Bay resort in 2013, committing around $15 million towards expanding and rebranding the site. The refurbishment introduced a hotel exclusively featuring suites with 50 units, alongside 56 branded residences. Reopening officially in June 2014, the resort boasts beachfront access near Kapalua Bay and showcases an art collection by Pegge Hopper.
Montage Palmetto Bluff
After assuming management in 2014, Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina, expanded its offerings by adding 150 new luxury guest rooms to complement the existing 50 cottages. The property also enhanced its amenities by incorporating a spa, fitness center, and upgraded dining options along the scenic May River.
Montage Healdsburg
Launched in December 2020 within California’s renowned wine region, Montage Healdsburg features 130 bungalow-style accommodations and 40 residences available for purchase. Positioned as an ultra-luxury destination, it caters to discerning travelers seeking sophisticated experiences in wine country.
Montage Los Cabos
Situated in Cabo San Lucas and inaugurated in 2018, Montage Los Cabos consists of a 122-room resort coupled with 52 branded residences. It has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond designation, affirming its standing within the luxury hospitality sector.
Montage Big Sky
Located approximately 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, Montage Big Sky offers 100 rooms with direct ski access and includes a private golf course. The property also features The Inn Residences at Montage Big Sky, providing upscale residential accommodations.
Recognition and awards
Since its inception in 2003, Montage Hotels & Resorts has garnered multiple prestigious honors. Montage Laguna Beach has been acknowledged by Andrew Harper Travels and Travel + Leisure, holding a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide across its hotel, spa, and restaurant. It also secured a "Gold" ranking from Condé Nast Traveler as one of the World's Best Places to Stay and received the AAA Five Diamond Award. In 2015, Montage Deer Valley was ranked as the 17th top luxury hotel in the United States and was also awarded a AAA Five Diamond distinction. That same year, all five Montage properties were recognized in Condé Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for The Best Hotels & Resorts in the World, highlighting the brand’s strong position and competitive edge within luxury hospitality.
External links
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedLASaleTimes - ↑ "Tilman Fertitta busy Montage Laguna Beach Resort Hotel". Houston Chronicle. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.