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By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley likes buying stuff.
His Foley Entertainment Group has bought Hotel Californian, a 121-room resort in Santa Barbara, California near the Pacific Ocean.
Included in the transaction is the hotel’s signature restaurant, Blackbird – an 88-seat, indoor/outdoor restaurant that will serve as the future home of a Foley Food & Wine Society tasting bar. The Foley Food & Wine Society tasting bar will be opening fall 2021.
When Foley told me six years ago he was a serial dealmaker, he wasn’t kidding.
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Foley created the Foley Entertainment Group to place his varied properties under one corporate banner.
And it’s quite the diverse portfolio.
Besides owning the NHL Vegas Golden Knights and American Hockey League Henderson Silver Knights, Foley just named his expansion Indoor Football League team, the Knight Hawks. The Silver Knights and Knight Hawks will play in a 6,000-seat arena, Dollar Loan Center, that is scheduled to open at the site of the old Henderson Pavilion in spring 2022.
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A Vegas Golden Knights press release delivered the news Thursday that Foley was buying the luxury hotel in Santa Barbara. The release said, in part, “The spectacular Hotel Californian is a wonderful addition to our growing portfolio of entertainment and hospitality assets.”
Yes, “growing portfolio,” is an accurate description of Foley’s collection of properties that range from a golf course development in Montana to wineries in California.
The release goes on to say, ““Hotel Californian’s reputation for five-star service perfectly aligns with the philosophy of Foley Entertainment Group and allows guests to experience true luxury at one of the finest oceanside properties in all of California. What makes the acquisition even more special for us is our family’s connection to and love for the city of Santa Barbara. It is a magnificent place.”
Just in case you weren’t convinced that this Foley acquisition was a rather impressive resort, the release noted this:
“The hotel features paseos, gardens, fountains, open plazas, and unparalleled venues. The venues include a rooftop deck with 360-degree views, a rooftop pool with ocean views, a stunning ballroom, together with best in class meeting and event spaces, a luxurious Moroccan-inspired spa, a spacious Presidential-level suite, and a myriad of fresh and distinctive dining options. A timeless adaptation of 1925 Spanish Revival architecture combined with cutting-edge interior design and state of the art technology, Hotel Californian is at the core of what makes Santa Barbara one of the most fascinating travel destinations and is embraced by Hollywood elite, stylish locals, and discerning international visitors.”
While you’re travelling to Santa Barbara, read my latest book.