HAL TO ACQUIRE MCKINLEY CHALETS HOTEL

Holland America Line (HAL), through its subsidiary Holland America – Princess Alaska, has reached an agreement in principle to acquire the McKinley Chalets Hotel in Denali National Park from Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services. HAL will develop the property further for inclusion on its Land+Sea Journeys that combine an Alaska cruise with an overland tour to Denali National Park. Details of the purchase agreement and plans for future enhancements are ongoing with the purchase expected to be completed later this fall.

The agreement to purchase McKinley Chalets Hotel is part of an enhancement program that also will see modifications to Holland America Line’s Alaska hotels at Fairbanks, Skagway and Whitehorse. The renovations, which will take place over the next few years, will include extensive room updates and upgrades to soft goods and hotel décor. “Acquiring the McKinley Chalets Hotel provides Holland America Line with great potential for growth in Denali and enables us to expand the appeal of our brand as a leader in Alaska travel,” said HAL president Stein Kruse. “This purchase will help us deliver the finest destination resort and experience in Alaska at the highlight on Land+Sea Journeys — Denali National Park.”

Spanning more than 42 acres, the McKinley Chalet Resort features 345 rooms, fine and casual dining, an on-site dinner theatre, on-site raft departures and walking trails on the Nenana River. Holland America currently owns 26 acres adjacent to the chalets, including 135 additional guest rooms that have been operated by Aramark as part of the McKinley Chalets. Total rooms are 480. (http://www.hollandamerica.com)