Durham, NC - October 30, 2008: October marks the 20th anniversary of the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. For two decades, the Inn has offered uncompromising service to Duke University, its faculty and students, dignitaries, actors, political leaders and blushing brides from across town and around the world. Throughout the years, the Inn has consistently demonstrated its passion for exemplary service, even as it has evolved to meet the needs of its guests. The Duke family is widely recognized for its service to others, a tradition that began with its patriarch, Washington Duke. Like the family and University that share its name, service is at the heart of everything the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club does.

The Inn opened its doors in October 1988. Constructed in the style of an English country estate, the Inn was strategically set amid rolling hills and tall Carolina loblolly pines near the Duke University campus. The property was built to the finest specifications, featuring 171 luxurious guest rooms and suites, fine dining and adjacency to the only Robert Trent Jones golf course in the region. Ever since, the Inn has been revered for its luxurious accommodations, unparalleled attentiveness and award-winning cuisine.

When Duke opted to build the Inn, it did so knowing it was making a sound investment in the University and in Durham. Its proximity to campus makes the Inn the natural place to court prospective faculty and students and to house University guests. And by offering impeccable accommodations to travelers, first class meeting and conference space to businesses and organizations, seamless special event service and a fantastic turn-of-the-century golfing experience, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club benefits the city’s reputation and economy as well.

Establishing a property of the Inn’s caliber also filled the void left by the removal of the Washington Duke Hotel, a ten-plus-story $1 million luxury hotel property built in 1924—the same year the Duke family established the Duke Endowment, and Trinity College was renamed Duke University in honor of Washington Duke. For decades, the architecturally impressive Washington Duke Hotel was the pride of Durham. By the mid-1970s, however, it had changed hands, fallen into a state of disrepair and was taken down. Being able to erect another, equally impressive landmark and gathering place was a challenge Duke gladly undertook.

Since the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club received its first guests on October 24, 1988, Duke University, its administration, alumni, faculty and students have embraced the Inn as its living room. As such, the hotel provides a luxurious home away from home to those connected with the University. On any game day, the property is abuzz with Blue Devil fans, be it watching the game in the hospitable Bull Durham Bar or dining afterwards in the wonderfully warm and elegant Fairview Dining Room.

Scott Selig, associate vice president for capital assets at Duke University is quick to point out how much the Inn means to Duke: “The Inn is a wonderful asset to the University and to the medical center,” he states. “Our success as an institution is, in part, due to the existence of this magnificent property, its first class cuisine, outstanding service and the spectacular Duke University Golf Course.”

Always proud of its Duke heritage, the Inn displays Duke family treasures and art in its lobby and down its hallways. The Inn’s crest, recognized as a symbol of quality and excellence, shares elements with the Duke family coat of arms. The hotel conveys its ties with the University by showcasing throughout the property historical images of the institution and by having ample supplies of Blue Devil sportswear and mementos in its gift and golf shops.

Randy Kolls has been the Inn’s general manager since 2004 and has provided essential leadership during a time when the property has experienced significant growth. “Successful hotels are always evolving to meet the needs of its guests, and the Inn is no different in that regard,” he explains. “But what sets us apart is that while we’ve made enhancements, we’ve remained true to our Duke heritage and to the core values to ensure excellence in everything we do.”

When Kolls says evolving to meet the needs of its guests, he is referring to the Inn’s 2005 total renovation and expansion and to growing its staff. Elements of the $25 million project included the addition of 100 new luxurious guest rooms and suites; a state-of-the-art executive conference center; a Presidential Suite; a second, larger ballroom; an expanded Fairview Dining Room and Bull Durham Bar; a delightful dining terrace; new practice facilities on the property’s award-winning golf course; a fitness center; and an indoor swimming pool. To maintain its level of excellent service in a new and larger facility, the Inn strategically expanded the number of people it employs. The Inn prides itself on hiring only the most qualified. Staff at the hotel now numbers 300 of the most qualified and adept personnel in the hospitality industry; four of whom have been with the Inn for its entire 20 years.

Behind-the-scene changes have occurred as well as the Inn perfects the guest experience. The hotel has increased its technological capabilities and now guests may go online to reserve rooms, select special services and make dining reservations. Additionally, the Inn has kept pace with today’s travelers’ global schedules by offering 24-hour in-room dining, high-speed and wireless Internet access and a complete business center. It has also launched Sustainability Inn Motion, a comprehensive initiative to reduce the property’s impact on the environment while increasing its competitiveness in today’s marketplace.

Since opening two decades ago, the Fairview Dining Room has been locally, regionally and nationally recognized for its seasonally inspired contemporary cuisine. Executive Chef Jason Cunningham leads the talented culinary staff that creates the restaurant’s AAA Award-winning fare, an honor the Fairview has received for 16 consecutive years. French, Italian and American wines comprise the restaurant’s wine collection, a list that consistently receives the Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. These attributes coupled with the Fairview’s exceptional service and glorious vistas of the prestigious Robert Trent Jones-designed Duke University Golf Course make dining there a transformative experience. Other guest favorites include Afternoon Tea, complete with mouthwatering handmade baked goods and sweets, and the Fairview’s Saturday Brunch and Sunday Jazz Brunch.Always committed to serving the greater Durham area, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is known as an outstanding location for hosting fundraising galas and charity golf tournaments. It’s also known for its dedication to partnering with local organizations to address pressing community needs. The hotel’s work in this area has benefited entities such as the Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center, the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity and the Durham Literacy Center. As it heads into the future, the Inn continues to channel resources towards this vital activity. It now has a full-time upper management position dedicated to nurturing and expanding its relationships with the Durham community.

The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is located on the campus of Duke University, only twenty minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and ten minutes from Research Triangle Park, and is the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in Durham. Nestled on 300 acres filled with tall pines and hardwoods, the Inn is known for its beautiful facility and grounds, 271 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, state-of-the-art Executive Conference Center, marvelous cuisine in the Four Diamond Award-winning Fairview Dining Room, the Bull Durham Bar, a Robert Trent Jones-designed 18-hole championship golf course, and convenience to local points of interest. It is set apart from other area hotels and conference centers by its unparalleled service, gracious staff, luxurious interiors and attention to detail. The Inn is owned by Duke University and is managed by The Continental Companies of Miami, Florida. For more information or reservations call 919.490.0999 or 800.443.3853, or visit www.washingtondukeinn.com.

# # #

Press inquiries please contact:

Jim Bressler
Director of Sales and Marketing
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
3001 Cameron Blvd.
Durham, NC 27705
919.313.2159
JBressler@wdigc.com

Wendy Shannon
Public Relations
Op5 Creative
100 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 990
Atlanta, GA 30339
770.226.0442
wshannon@opfivecreative.com