PALM SPRINGS, CA-Following a series of upgrades and additions, the KOR Hotel Group has renamed its Estrella Resort & Spa as Viceroy Palm Springs, effective this month.

KOR, whose hotels also include the Viceroy Santa Monica hotel, introduced additions to Estrella throughout 2002 and 2003, including the Estrella Spa and the restaurant Citron. As a result, KOR notes, Conde Nast Traveler selected the property as one of the 80 best new hotels in 2003.

Brad Korzen, CEO of KOR, says the renaming of the hotel marks the completion of the first phase of the company's plans for the Viceroy Palm Springs, which it envisions as a full-service destination resort. Korzen's company has also purchased the property north of Viceroy Palm Springs, which is at 415 S. Belardo Rd. KOR will unveil a new section of the resort in September 2004. The grounds will increase by one and one-half acres, including 16 additional guestrooms, an event and meeting center, a fitness pavilion, a yoga studio and a lap pool.