Exciting changes at Nova Scotia’s Signature Resorts

HALIFAX, NS — For immediate release; March 5, 2010

New Castle Hotels and Resorts’ are excited to announce operational changes at the three Nova Scotia Signature Resorts, to better satisfy the changing expectations of consumers.

Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa is pleased to announce the rebranding of the Annapolis Dining Room. The aptly named Churchill’s Restaurant and Lounge is synonymous with the original founder of The Pines. The menu in the restaurant will be as creative and eclectic as its returning guests expect. The remodeled restaurant and lounge will offer a relaxed atmosphere and feature casual dining with a menu focused on locally produced ingredients.

Cape Breton’s pride, The Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa, will enhance its offering by better utilizing existing outlets. The elegant Purple Thistle will continue to serve the outstanding breakfasts that have made it famous, but will be now also offer an enhanced experience for travelers from around the world for conferences, weddings and private events throughout the rest of the day. The Atlantic Restaurant, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, will be rebranded Àrdan Restaurant and Bar (meaning height on the hill in Gaelic), and will continue to serve lunch and dinner to our guests, as well as the surrounding community. The space previously used as a gift shop will better serve customers as a lounge, allowing entertainment to play without interfering with the quite enjoyment of main lodge guests. The gift shop will continue to be well served by the eager front desk staff in the main lodge.

Liscombe Lodge Resort and Conference Centre is taking the opportunity to expand the Lone Cloud Lounge into a larger, more comfortable space to unwind. The new menu will encompass the lounge as well as the Riverside Dining Room, offering a casual dining experience to guests as well as tourists traveling the area. The gift shop’s move to the lobby will also allow conference guests the opportunity to utilize a private dining area in the main lodge.

These strategic initiatives will not only increase efficiencies at the Resorts, but will also better serve our guests. Any returning employees affected by the elimination of seasonal positions will have other opportunities at the resorts, resulting in a minimal (if any) reduction in the number of returning staff. The properties will be more competitive with similar resorts across Canada, while maintaining the exceptional service levels that customers have come to expect at these tourism icons.

“Consumer expectations have changed drastically in the past ten years” says Guido Kerpel, Regional Vice President of New Castle Hotels and Resorts. “We are pleased that our General Managers have listened to the requests and needs of our customers and addressed the changes.”

New Castle Hotels and Resorts own and manage 25 resorts and hotels in the United States and Canada. The hotel management company consistently ranks in the country’s top 100 hotel management and development companies in hospitality industry trade publications.

For more information on New Castle Hotels and Resorts, please contact Gerald P. Chase, president and chief operation officer, at (203) 925-8370 or visit the corporate website at www.newcastlehotels.com.