Lake Placid, NY (September 27, 2010) - The Whiteface Lodge has named Jamie Costa, a native of Lake Placid, as its new Spa Director. Ms. Costa will oversee all operations and management of the award-winning 5,800-square-foot sanctuary, conveniently located in the Lodge's main building

Prior to her new position at the Whiteface Lodge, Ms. Costa served as a spa supervisor at the nearby Mirror Lake Inn where her responsibilities included overseeing marketing, promotions and advertising, as well as managing budgets, supervising spa product inventory and implementing employee training programs. In her ten years at the Mirror Lake Inn Spa, Ms. Costa was also responsible for creating and staging an ongoing series of spa-oriented events for guests and brides. Previously, she held the position of wedding coordinator at the Mirror Lake Inn.

" Jamie brings an impressive range of experience as well as a keen understanding of the spa industry overall. In fact, it's clear that she has an intuitive talent for the spa business and we're delighted to have her on board," said Phil Anderson, General Manger, The Whiteface Lodge. "We are revising some of the spa's programs and services to better serve our owners and guests and Jamie will lead this initiative, supported by a team of talented professionals."

 Among its many accolades, the Whiteface Lodge's Spa was ranked number 95 on Conde Nast Traveler's list of "The Top 240 Spas in North America, Hawaii, Central America and the Caribbean."  In 2009, one of the spa's treatments was named in a list of the "World's Top Ten Facials" developed by Departures Magazine, and Trip Advisor.com listed the Lodge as one of the "Top 10 Spa Destinations."

"We're proud of the achievements that our Spa has secured since it first opened in 2007," continued Mr. Anderson. "Our vision for evolving to the next level includes tailoring our treatments and services to reflect the one-of-a-kind Adirondack experience, such as a golfer's shoulder massage, a skier's foot soak and/or a hiker's back rub. We'll be revising our spa menu with plans to introduce a new one before the end of the year."

The Whiteface Lodge is managed by Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management and asset management company specializing in luxury and upscale urban hotels and complex resorts. Additionally, the Lodge is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. For information, please call 1-800-903-4045, visit www.TheWhitefaceLodge.com, follow us on Twitter @TheWFL or become a friend on Facebook.

About The Whiteface Lodge

Located in the woodland setting of the High Peaks region of Lake Placid, New York, The Whiteface Lodge is the only all-suite property in the Adirondacks, offering 94 guest accommodations .  The Lodge also offers a value-added experience unparalleled in the region, providing guests with access to a wide range of complimentary amenities, services and activities, including a sumptuous breakfast each morning in Kanu , the property's main dining area; a creative kids program called Kamp Kanu ; an onsite heated swimming pool; fishing in a stocked catch and release pond, with all equipment provided; basketball, tennis and paddle tennis courts; sophisticated fitness center; three-season ice skating rink; family game room with a two-lane bowling alley; nightly gratis s'mores campfire; and a 54-seat movie theater. Additionally, during the summer, Lodge guests receive complimentary access to the property's private lakefront " Canoe Club ," where kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats are all gratis.

Awards & Accolades

2010

• 2010 award of Excellence, Wine Spectator (4 years in a row)
• Travel+Leisure, World's Best Awards, #14, "Top 50 Resorts in the US & Canada" (Positioning The Lodge as the Number One Ranked Resort in the Northeast)
• Conde Nast Traveler, Ranked #95 on list of Top Resort Spas for "The Top 240 Spas in North America, Hawaii, Central America and the Caribbean"
• "One of the World's Top Ten Facials," Departures Magazine, January 2009
• Travel + Leisure, T+L 500, "Best Hotel by Region -- U.S."
• TripAdvisor.com, Ranked #3 on list of Top 10 American Spa Hotels
• About.com, Top Ski Resorts & Lodging
• AAA Four Diamond Rating
• Sherman's Travel, Editor's Pick  

2009

• Travel+Leisure featured the Resort as one of the 13 "Best Winter Lodges" in the U.S. and Canada
• Ranked #52 in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards: "Mainland U.S. Large Resorts."
• Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards: The Whiteface Lodge ranked #22 in the category "US & Canada: Top 50 Hotels and Resorts"
• "Stay List," National Geographic Traveler
• "Top 10: Spa Destinations," TripAdvisor.com
• Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
• AAA Four Diamond Rating  

2008

• "Top 50 Ski Hotels in North America," Conde Nast Traveler
• Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
• "Best Spas in North America and the Caribbean," Conde Nast Traveler
• "World's Top Hotels, Resorts and Spas," Zagat's Guide
• "Top Five Vacation Destinations," Town & Country Magazine (as reported on NBC's Today Show)
• "Recommended Hotels, Inns, Resorts & Spas - The Americas, Atlantic, Caribbean & Pacific," Condé Nast Johansen's Luxury Hotel Guide
• AAA Four Diamond Rating   

2007

• "World's Top Hotels, Resorts, and Spas," Zagat's Guide
• "Top 50 Ski Hotels in North America," Conde Nast Traveler
• "Top 100 Vacation Dream Homes," Travel+Leisure
• "Best Lake Placid Stay," Zagat Survey
• "Recommended Hotels, Inns, Resorts & Spas - The Americas, Atlantic, Caribbean & Pacific,"
• Condé Nast Johansens Luxury Hotel Guide
• AAA Four Diamond Rating