Keltic Lodge Welcomes New General Manager

Halifax, NS — April 8, 2008: New Castle Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the hiring of Tom Mason as general manager of Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa in Ingonish Beach. Originally from Scotland, Mason has worked in Ontario, with Holiday Inn and Radisson hotels, as well as with the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where he attended to visits from the likes of Prince Philip and Bill Gates. Before joining Keltic Lodge, Mason also spent time working in the Cayman Islands.

“We’re very excited to have Tom bring his experience to Keltic Lodge,” said Guido Kerpel, vice president, Canadian region, New Castle Hotels & Resorts. “His knowledge and enthusiasm are great assets and we are looking forward to Tom bringing his authentic Celtic touch to Keltic Lodge.”

Mason brings 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry to his new post. In addition to his time with Holiday Inn and Radisson, he spent three and a half years at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay before becoming general manager of the Clarion Resort Pinewood Park in North Bay, Ontario. During his tenure, the property was a Choice Hotels International Hotel of the Year finalist and honoured as a company of the year by the Northern Ontario Business Awards. While under Mason’s management, the hotel hosted Jean Chretien and his caucus for a week in 2004.

Mason also served for two and a half years as general manager at the award winning Comfort Suites Resort in the Cayman Islands before returning to Canada to begin his work at Keltic Lodge.

“Being at Keltic Lodge and in Ingonish is just like being back in Scotland,” said Mason. “The people are great and the scenery is spectacular. Every hotel manager dreams of managing a classic heritage resort hotel like Keltic Lodge because it has so much to offer our guests. Maybe I’ll even get an opportunity to play my bagpipes here.”

An avid golfer, Mason also looks forward to spending some of his down time at the Highlands Links golf course.

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About New Castle Hotels & Resorts

Keltic Lodge Resort & Spa is one of 31 resorts and hotels New Castle Hotels & Resorts manages in the United States and Canada. The hotel management company consistently ranks in the country’s top 100 hotel management and development companies in hospitality industry trade publications. New Castle celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005. For more information on New Castle Hotels & Resorts, please contact Gerald P. Chase, president and chief operating officer, at (203) 925-8370, or visit the corporate website at www.newcastlehotels.com.

Contact

Guido Kerpel, General Manager, Regional Vice President Canada
The Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, New Castle Hotels & Resorts
(902) 496-7410
gkerpel@westin.ns.ca
Note to editors: A photo of Mason is available upon request.