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118-122 DEST Quail Lodge_SU07 4/22/13 8:01 PM Page 2 D E S T I N AT I O N S QUAIL LODGE Car mel Valley, Calif. BY RENEE BRINCKS A s construction crews in Carmel Valley readied Quail Lodge for its March reopening, they brightened building exteriors with a fresh color of paint. They replanted flowers and created a striking new entryway with modern masonry and landscaping. Then, they made even bigger changes inside the hotel, completing thoughtful renovations as owners repositioned the property to serve a new generation of guests. The redecorated rooms, updated infrastructure and creative approach to service target travelers looking for a quality experience at an affordable price. "We've gone with something that is comfortably modern and hip. Guests can retreat, relax and reconnect, but still enjoy high-tech amenities like plasma screens and Wi-Fi," says Max Schroeder, director of sales and marketing at Quail Lodge. Owners spent $28 million on the recent renovations, updating a hotel that had been closed since late 2009. Throughout the planning process, they aimed to address a changing marketplace while also respecting the property's history. Edgar Haber led a group of investors who purchased the former dairy farm and constructed an 18-hole golf course there in the early 1960s. Quail Lodge followed in 1967, opening with 25 rooms adjacent to the course. The inn expanded in the early 1970s and, in subsequent decades, became popular for its location and amenities. The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, purchased Quail Lodge in 1997. Twelve years later, during a down economy, owners decided to close All photos: Quail Lodge the hotel. They explored options to sell the lodge, explains Schroeder, but eventually reconsidered. "They knew they had to invest heavily into the property to bring it back to what it needed to be," he says. "Now, the infrastructure is done and we're very excited to be reopening." C ARMEL MAGAZINEā¢SPRING/SUMMER 2013 119