Case Study : Auberge Resorts

In preparation for the July, ‘06 grand opening of its luxurious wine country facility—Solage Calistoga in Napa Valley—Auberge Resorts turned to AFP for its complete array of services. Club Solage needed to accommodate both short-stay travelers as well as a savvy long-term membership base of local area residents, so the widest array of training techniques and options needed to accommodated. From an outdoor strength-training patio that brought guests literally into the facilities gorgeous natural surroundings, to a group training room to accommodate pilates, kick boxing, yoga and Lotte Berke-inspired methods, to a spinning room looking out to the ancient oak tree that is the centerpiece of the property, AFP brought Auberge’s vision to life with Club Solage.

Facility Description

Auberge Resorts has established a timeless collection of exceptional properties, each with its own distinctive character that ensures a memorable experience. All of the company’s resorts are characterized by a set of common elements: intimate understated elegance, magnificent natural settings, inspire cuisine utilizing the very best regional ingredients, spa experiences to enhance one’s well being, and attentive yet unobtrusive service.

Project Summary

In preparation for the July, ’06 grand opening of its luxurious Northern California-based wine country facility, Solage Calistoga, Auberge Resorts turned to AFP for its complete array of services to develop a fitness center consistent with the quality and understated elegance of each of Auberge’s world-class resorts.

Auberge is known for facilities that reflect the natural beauty of the surrounding region (in this case the glorious Napa Valley wine country). Therefore, this project would require a unique level of first-class fitness amenities set within a sophisticated layout and design concept.

The need for the fitness center to be totally consistent with the level of elegance and natural beauty of the entire facility was paramount with this project. Solage Calistoga is characterized by its ranch-style setting, capturing the rustic tranquility and natural elegance of the wine country. Therefore, AFP was faced with a unique challenge of creating a fitness center that featured state-of-the-art equipment, accessories and entertainment services, while still maintaining an organic feel, reminiscent of the entire property.

Equipment and training amenities needed to be suitable for both individual training and group-training programming. Furthermore, with a clientele comprising both traveling guests and an affluent local membership base, Club Solage, needed to offer everything from basic weight training and cardio equipment, to alternative training methods such as pilates or yoga.

Results

Led by Northern California rep Betsy Jasny, AFP rose to the challenge presented with the Club Solage project, beginning in the earliest stages by specifying the required fitness space prior to architectural renderings. AFP effectively defined the physical and functional scope necessary for the fitness center, while working within the overall property design, characterized by its unique ranch theme and barn-like country aesthetic.

Careful attention was given to ensure that the layout of the various training stations capitalized on the natural beauty of the overall property. For example, the “spinning” area faces an expansive view of an ancient oak tree that is the center piece of the entire property. To tie the fitness experience directly into the natural and organic beauty of the entire property, AFP created an outdoor resistance-training patio (think muscle-beach for the wine country), looking out onto the rolling hills of Napa Valley and complete with a range of resistance-training machines, dumbbells and accessories.

With both short-stay travelers and long-term local members to accommodate, AFP provided equipment and amenities to support a wide range of exercise programming. From group pilates for visiting bridal parties, kick boxing and yoga, to Lotte Berk-inspired Bar Method or Dailey Method classes, the widest array of training preferences were addressed within this gorgeous fitness center.

The best in available training equipment was utilized for Club Solage. Included is a complete circuit of Paramount’s new European style SP line, highlighted by elegant silver framed, chocolate-toned upholstery to stay consistent with the organic natural tones of the facility; a full array of Precor’s finest cardio equipment, each piece featuring personal viewing screens; and even a Power Plate pro5, featuring state-of-the-art Advanced Vibration Techology.

The fitness center was completed on time for the facility’s early-July grand opening. Ultimately, Club Solage stands as an ideal example of AFP successfully bringing each of its core service offerings to bear to create a facility that is nothing short of world class.

Key Stats

• Experience Series Treadmills and Ellipticals
• Experience Series Upright and Recumbent Bikes
• Experience Series Personal Viewing Systems
• Full Line of Paramount SP Strength Equipment
• Full Range of TKO Dumbbells
• X-Wipe Equipment Cleaning System

Advantage Fitness Products has been instrumental in helping us launch several successful health clubs. Their expertise in equipment selection and optimum site layouts coupled with their ability to provide unparalleled pricing makes them the perfect one-stop shop for any health & fitness needs.

FitnessFacility.com is extremely valuable for my business. Time is what I never seem to have enough of, and FitnessFacility.com really speeds up the service, supply and product ordering process -no calling, leaving messages, waiting for return calls, etc. It's easy, efficient and IT WORKS! It absolutely improved the efficiency of product purchases and especially service requests. We receive phone verification the same day and we see the service tech within 2 to 3 days max. I'm very pleased with the program. It meets all of my business needs.

We look to Advantage Fitness Products to not only supply fitness equipment to all our resorts, but keep us updated on new technology and assist us with design and equipment layout. As a result, our guests have come to expect the best from their fitness center experience.