The Villa Group Names New Corporate Director of Puerto Vallarta Resorts

Carlos E. Aquino To Oversee Three Area Properties

(San Diego, CA) October 17, 2006 - The Villa Group has announced the appointment of Carlos E. Aquino to the position of Corporate Operations Director, for its resort properties in Puerto Vallarta - Villa Del Palmar Puerto Vallarta, Villa del Palmar Flamingos Nuevo Vallarta and the upcoming Villa La Estancia Nuevo Vallarta. Aquino will oversee all resort operations in this region for the company, as well as assist with sales and marketing efforts. He will be based in The Villa Group’s Puerto Vallarta offices.

“We are pleased to welcome Carlos to The Villa Group and know that his extensive background in the hospitality industry makes him a tremendous asset to our company,” noted José Castelló, Corporate Director of the corporation’s Sales & Marketing Division. “With the upcoming opening of Villa La Estancia Nuevo Vallarta, Carlos is joining The Villa Group team at a time of great excitement and growth. His professional accomplishments play well with our company’s current and future plans.”

Aquino most recently served as the Caribbean Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Intercontinental Hotels Group company-managed properties in Aruba, Jamaica and St. Thomas. He previously served as General Manager at Intercontinental’s Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts in Palm Beach, Aruba and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Aquino is clearly excited about his new position with one of Mexico’s most admired privately held resort and real estate companies. “After spending over 15 years with a major hotel chain, I feel ideally positioned to make an immediate positive impact on the operations and marketing responsibilities for The Villa Group properties in Vallarta,” he said. “I am honored and look forward to working with ownership and employees alike to assist with the impressive growth the company is experiencing.”

In addition to his professional experience, Aquino is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Hotel Association, the founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aruba Hotel and Security Foundation, and the Board of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association. He is also a past recipient of the Bass Hotels Golden Lion Award given to hotel General Managers that display a high degree of success under extenuating circumstances or environments.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Aquino received a B.S. in Hotel Management from Cornell University in a joint program with Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is also currently working toward an M.B.A. in finance.

About The Villa Group

The Villa Group is one of Mexico's leading privately owned hotel, resort and real estate development companies. Their portfolio includes beachfront destination resorts, exclusive fractional and full ownership luxury real estate developments, and a secluded mountain top boutique spa retreat. The collection includes: Cabo San Lucas - Villa La Estancia, Villa del Arco, Villa del Palmar and Hotel Santa Fe; Puerto Vallarta - Villa del Palmar; Nuevo Vallarta - Villa del Palmar Flamingos and Villa La Estancia; Sierra Madre Mountain Range - Sierra Lago Resort & Spa. Additionally, Villa del Palmar and Villa La Estancia multi-property developments are scheduled to open in Cancun (2009) and Loreto (2009). For more information or reservations, call toll free from U.S. & Canada (877) 845-5247 or visit www.TheVillaGroup.com.

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