Winners of the ALIS Awards were announced on January 19, 2005, during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa in Los Angeles, Calif. Co-hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), the ALIS awards are presented for outstanding performance in four categories.

The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center received the award for the Development category. Opened in April 2004 at the cost of $500 million, the 1,511-room property, has over 2.2-million square-feet of hotel, convention and meeting spaces, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues. The resort is the latest grand interpretation of the Gaylord brand concept of everything in one place under one roof.

CNL Hospitality Properties Inc.’s acquisition of KSL Recreation Corp. for $2.2 billion was chosen as the outstanding transaction in the Merger & Acquisition category. KSL is a La Quinta, California-based owner and operator of luxurious destination resorts. By obtaining KSL’s six resort properties, this transaction fits perfectly with CNL’s strategy of building a highly diversified, world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea SCP (Maui 5) Inc., received the award in the Single Asset Transaction category. The 377-room property was sold to MSD Capital, L.P. for $280 million in July 2004. The acquisition served as the cornerstone from MSD Capital’s newly formed $1 billion real estate platform. The resort has been awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award every year since opening in 1990 and, in 2004, it became the first Hawaiian hotel to earn a Mobile Five Star rating.

The inaugural presentation of the Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor award was presented to Lawrence “Lonny” Henry, senior managing director of Bear, Stearns & Co. Shaffer was a legendary advisor in the lodging business for decades and was the epitome of excellent client advice and representation. Lonny was instrumental in three large acquisitions made by The Blackstone Group in 2004: the purchase of Extended Stay America, Inc. for $3.1 billion; the purchase of Prime Hospitality for $790 million; and the purchase of Boca Resorts for $1.25 billion.

“These awards were created to honor the most interesting, innovative, and important deals of the year and the industry’s best transaction specialist. During a time when new business activities have regained momentum, these remarkable deals took place. These recipients set a high standard for future award winners,” said BHN President and Conference Chair Jim Burba.

In addition, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts Chairman of the Board and CEO Isadore Sharp received this year’s ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his accomplishments in the lodging industry as well as for his substantial contributions to the community. Also, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Executive Chairman Barry S. Sternlicht was presented with this year’s ISHC Pioneer Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions, vision, achievements, and improvements to hospitality industry.