Resort Hotel in Desert Holds Grand Opening : Indian Wells Destination Luxury Hostelry to Offer Wide Choice of Recreation Activities

The $120-million Grand Champions, Indian Wells resort is holding its grand opening this weekend.

Conceived by Charles Pasarell Jr., a former No. 1-ranked tennis professional, and his associate, Albert T. DeVaul, the resort is the flagship of a worldwide chain of luxurious destination-resorts.

The 340-suite hotel complex has several restaurants, a sunken, 10,000-seat tennis stadium, 11 other tennis courts, 4 swimming pools, 24 spas, 80,000 square feet of open lawns for garden parties, barbecues and special outdoor events; a private health club and spa, and 2,500 square feet of pool-side areas for fashion shows, breakfasts and cocktail receptions.

Designed by Robert Yamafuji of Corbin, Yamafuji & Partners in Newport Beach, the hotel has 294 parlor suites, 26 private penthouse suites with concierge, 20 Italian-style garden-villa suites with 24-hour butler service, and conference facilities.

Peridian Group of Irvine completed the landscape design, and Jeffrey Howard & Associates of Miami, Fla., completed the interior design.

Pasarell is president of the hotel company, and DeVaul is chief executive officer, with Bradley J. Blackman as chairman of the board and entertainer Alan King as vice chairman.