DENVER -- (September 2011) - Earlier this year, the hotel industry had a glimpse of the future with the launch of the first dedicated Experiential Hotel brand: Travaasa Destinations. The innovative hospitality brand combines an extensive selection of customizable programming with spectacular natural locations. The first Travaasa Destination, Travaasa Austin, opened May 5, 2011. The second property, formerly known as the legendary Hotel Hāna-Maui, opened as Travaasa Hāna on June 30, 2011. The collection will be adding additional properties in desirable ocean, desert, rainforest and mountain locales that feature signature rich cultural heritage.

Each property in the Travaasa Destinations collection delivers locally infused, robust programming within five core pillars: adventure, culinary, culture, fitness and spa. Guests of Travaasa Destinations choose their own schedule, with varying skill and fitness difficulty levels available.

"We developed a brand that captures the thrill of exploring something new and the magic of travel while eliminating the stress of planning.  Travaasa Destinations does exactly that by offering guests a variety of experiential programs and activities that are educational, local and authentic," said Joy Berry, president of Travaasa Destinations. 

Travaasa Destinations' portfolio consists of spacious campus-style hotel properties, each with less than 100 rooms, which blend harmoniously with natural surroundings and incorporate local flavor into all features of the property. Travaasa Destinations' current properties were acquired by Green Tea LLC., in 2010 for undisclosed sums.

Travaasa Austin is located on 210 acres of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve overlooking beautiful Lake Travis in Texas Hill Country, only 30 minutes from downtown Austin.  The property infuses Austin's strong musical background and Western roots throughout its selection of activities and comfortable décor to create an experience that reflects the culture of the region. Programming ranges from equine experiences at the on-site stables, cowboy poetry and storytelling at the fire pit and an outdoor challenge course designed by Outward Bound to fitness classes, yoga sessions, and spa treatments. Texas-fusion cuisine, such as the Executive Chef Benjamin Baker's signature Flourless Chipotle Chocolate Cake, immerse guests in local tastes while cooking demonstrations and skills courses allow visitors to take a little bit of Austin home with them.

Travaasa Hāna is located along the shoreline on 69 acres of Maui's lush eastern coast. The 70 spacious rooms include sprawling sea-ranch cottages and bungalow-style garden suites, offering dramatic ocean and mountain views, many featuring private lanai hot tubs. Whether participating in the hotel's calming health and wellness classes, enjoying cultural programming such as traditional lei making and net fishing, surfing Maui's legendary waves or hiking through lush tropical forests, Travaasa Hāna's upscale amenities and tranquil location make for countless memorable experiences for guests.

"With both Travaasa Austin and Travaasa Hāna, we saw an opportunity to take two solid properties, located in two beautiful destinations and transform them into a new breed of destination hotels," said Chris Manning, principal of Travaasa Destinations.  "We wanted to create an escape, not for people who are looking to be 'fixed' but a place for people who are looking to enrich their lives or try something new."

For more information on Travaasa Destinations, visit www.travaasa.com or call 855.TO.TRAVAASA (855.868.7282)

Green Tea LLC. is a subsidiary hotel acquisition, development and management company owned by Amstar, a leading real estate investment manager with more than $1.5 billion in assets. The Travaasa Destinations concept is the brainchild of Joy Berry, an executive director of Amstar and co-founder and president of Green Tea, LLC., and Chris Manning, a vice president of Amstar and co-founder and principal of Green Tea, LLC.