Colorado hotel’s conference center named in honor of departing chief
Antlers at Vail GM Rob LeVine has retired after decades of managing – and transforming – the Colorado condominium hotel. His name now graces the Antlers conference center.
Vail, Colorado – October 19, 2016 – The conference center at Antlers at Vail hotel has a new name, and therein lies a story. A 29-year fixture as the Vail, Colorado, hotel’s general manager – perhaps the longest time in a hotel GM position in the state – Rob LeVine has retired. In honor of LeVine’s decades at the helm, the Antlers at Vail board of directors voted to name the hotel’s meeting space the Rob LeVine Conference Center. Soon after it was christened, the sunlit room served as the party venue for a large gathering of people, from current and past Antlers employees to Vail community leaders, there to wish LeVine well and thank him for his years of innovation and service to both the Antlers and the larger Vail Valley.
“After all the many wonderful and gratifying experiences that I’ve enjoyed in the hospitality industry over the years, none outweighs the incredible honor of having the Antlers meeting facility bearing my name,” says LeVine. “Very simply, I am fortunate beyond words.”
Remarkably, Antlers at Vail is the only place LeVine has ever worked full time, starting there as a front desk clerk out of college some 38 years ago. Since then, “He managed to take a unique business model, grow it, transform a property that no one thought he could change and manage to stay happy in a position — hotel general manager — where five years at one facility is considered a long tenure,” wrote Ed Sealover in an article about LeVine’s career in the Denver Business Journal.
In the late ‘90s, LeVine undertook a complete makeover for the Antlers property, adding 24 new condominiums and underground parking – and serving as a catalyst for development in what has become Vail’s thriving Lionshead neighborhood. His decision to convert all of the hotel’s fireplaces from wood-burning to gas in 1992 led the charge in a Valley-wide effort that resolved air quality issues and was the first of numerous environmental efforts that have resulted in a slew of green hotel honors. Most recently, LeVine spearheaded a program of interior upgrades that won the Antlers Vail’s highest-possible Platinum lodging ranking.
With Antlers at Vail guests, LeVine is perhaps best known for his saying, “the answer is ‘yes’; now what was the question?” which has led to the hotel’s reputation for ultra-personalized customer service and an array of unique complimentary amenities from a loaner cappuccino machine and GoPro cameras for guest use to an electric car charger and an assortment of cruiser bicycles sporting antlers that can often be spotted around town.
Despite admitting she has “some big shoes to fill,” Antlers at Vail’s new General Manager Magdalena King promises to “keep alive Rob’s legacy for many years to come.” LeVine has mentored the Ecuadorian-born King through a 10-year career at the Antlers, including four years as assistant manager. And LeVine is happy knowing King’s in charge. “Leaving the only career I’ve ever known comes with a predictable amount of angst,” writes LeVine in a personal blog post on the Antlers website about the recent transition, “but as far as the future of the Antlers is concerned, there’s no way I could be more optimistic.”
About Antlers at Vail:
Antlers at Vail hotel offers a relaxed Vail lodging experience in a fabulous mountain setting and has achieved Vail’s Platinum lodging rating, the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and GreenLeader status, was ranked a “best ski hotel for families” by Curbed Ski and received the 2016 Community Impact Award from the Vail Valley Partnership. With condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four-bedroom penthouses, the Antlers has an A+ location on the banks of Gore Creek, just steps from restaurants, galleries, shops, free Vail town shuttle and the Lionshead Gondola. For more information and reservations visit www.antlersvail.com.
Media Contact: Anne McGregor Parsons, Word PR + Marketing, [email protected], 303.777.7667, Liana Moore, Antlers at Vail Marketing Director, [email protected], 970-790-5219
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