Tennis Star Hopes Hotel Is A Hit

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

09 Sep 2006 10:29 AM

You've heard of the countless celebrities who have opened their own restaurants. And, even of the famous movie star who is in the process of trying to create his own airport. But, it's not everyday that you hear that a legendary sports icon-make that two legendary sports icons-are in the final stages of developing a hotel.

It's true. Just days after retiring from the world of professional tennis (his emotional final appearance last week at the U.S. Open made me tear up), Andre Agassi is "serving up" a new travel venture. According to local newspapers, Agassi, along with his equally talented tennis-star wife Steffi Graf, have just finalized "an agreement to develop an Idaho hotel/condo project that will be managed by Fairmont." The luxury accommodations, which will include a Willow Stream Spa is scheduled to open in 2009 and will be located at the Tamarack Resort.

For those of you unfamiliar with the much-acclaimed property, Tamarack Resort is located in Central Idaho, roughly 90 miles north of the capital city of Boise. The resort itself is surrounded by the Frank Church Wilderness, which is considered the largest wilderness area in the continental United States. It spans six national forests and offers breathtaking views of unspoiled natural beauty.

The resort gets its name form the signature grove of Tamarack trees that sit on the mountainside just north of the resort's entrance. Since the Tamarack's are deciduous trees visitors are guaranteed spectacular views when the tree's needles transform to a brilliant gold during the autumn months.

But guests to the resort don't just come as spectators; they are there to take part in all of that Mother Nature has to offer in the great outdoors. Tamarack Resort boasts a world-class ski area, which includes more than 600 acres of groomed trails and 1,100 acres of beautiful, ski-able terrain.

The resort also caters to water enthusiasts. Tamarack overlooks Lake Cascade, which serves as the venue for a multitude of lake activities from water-skiing and wakeboarding to kayaking and sailing. In addition, there are also three designated bird sanctuaries on the nearby shoreline.

Agassi and Graff's new hotel/condo will join an 8-month-old boutique hotel called The Lodge at Osprey Meadows, plus about 150 cottages, chalets and homes.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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