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Champagne in the Hot Tub and Gourmet Meals in Val d'Isere
If there’s one thing you want when you’re skiing – apart from snow, obviously – it’s decent food. Not only because all that physical exertion of swishing around builds up an appetite, but also because it’s a trial to find anything in the Alps that isn’t extortionately priced and comprised of at least 90% cheese.
This is why we’re quite excited by news from Le Chardon Mountain Lodges (a cluster of luxe chalets in Val d’Isere). They’ve just recruited a semi-celeb chef to head up their kitchens for the season: Oliver James, who was trained by Gordon Ramsay and has worked with Gary Rhodes (who was on British TVs, what, about 10 years ago).
On the menu: roast sea bass with celeriac truffle and suckling pig with smoked garlic mash, pea mousse and tarragon jelly. He’ll be running cookery classes as well, taking you through cupcakes and soups to proper full on meals. So you’ll come back with a skill you can actually use at home.
All this expertise comes at a price, of course – a week’s stay in one of the chalets costs from £995 per person. But it does include a personal chef, chalet manager, daily champagne receptions (possibly in the hot tub, by the looks of the picture), five course dinners and an open bar. So you really can get your money’s worth.
Oliver James will be based in Chardon, the biggest lodge, which sleeps 20. But if you don’t have sufficient friends, don’t fret: not only is he creating the menus for all the chalets, but he’s also available to cook in person on request for any of the smaller places. That way, there won’t be a fondu in sight.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Ski Hotels / Ski Resorts / Switzerland Hotels / Swiss Alps Hotels / → All Tags
Money's No Object For CK Verbier's New Chalet
You may be feeling impoverished at the moment, but the ski season is about to start and the Alps don’t do poor, darlings. Neither do the people who ski there – which is why ulra-lux chalet company CK Verbier is opening a fourth chalet for the 2009 season.
We say “chalet” but Sagittaire is more like a private hotel – for a start, it sleeps 31, and it’s split into three apartments with a pool, spa and gym to share between them.
Each chalet comes equipped with a 24-hour chauffeur, host and personal chef, as well as access to the CK Verbier wine cellar, which, they reckon, is “one of the finest private wine collections in the Alps”. Seeing as the lowly house bubbly is Krug (you get a bottle on arrival to start you off), we’re thinking their booze standards are pretty high.
Tags: Hotel Hype / Vail Hotels / Ski Hotels / Four Seasons Hotels / → All Tags
Four Seasons Resort Vail Aiming For a Summer 2010 Opening
Last time we mentioned the future Four Seasons Resort Vail, we'd heard you could be skiing up to the Four Seasons' door by 2009. Latest reports have the resort opening during summer 2010 (hmm, just not in time for the ski season!) but at least we can see on the Four Seasons Residence Club website that there is definite progress being made.
For the non-residential guest (that means most of us), the Four Seasons Vail will include a choice of 121 rooms, plus tons of amenities like a full service spa and fitness club, a 75-foot lap pool in a sunken courtyard, a ski and snowboard concierge, fine dining restaurant and plenty of parking and gear storage space.
There'll also be the Après Ski Lounge with a dual fireplace and floor to ceiling windows looking out to the Vail Mountain slopes. The resort is pretty much at the main entrance to Vail so it'll be easy to find. No word yet on room prices, but you can buy one of the residences instead if you've got a spare $405,900 lying around.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Hotel Opening Rates / Viceroy Hotels / Ski Hotels / Snowmass Hotels / → All Tags
The Viceroy Snowmass Will Open in November at $150 a Night (With 50% Off Additional Nights)
While the spoiled ski bunnies will have to wait another year for the Montage Deer Valley to open, in the meantime, they can have their personal assistants switch their itineraries to The Viceroy Snowmass in Colorado which still expects to open on November 25.
Also still in effect through December 23rd, is a special deal that gets guests who book one night there, any additional nights at 50 percent off. But wait, it gets even better still.
The opening rate on November 25 is only $150 a night for a studio residence with mountain views which includes a king-size bed, fireplace, a small kitchen, 42-inch flat screens and WiFi. The room sizes start at 375-square-feet which is a little on the small side for a "studio" room category but hey, the price is right. Just don't expect any fresh powder at your feet.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Lake Tahoe Hotels / Ski Hotels / → All Tags
Ritz-Carlton To Hit the Slopes By Lake Tahoe This December
Lake Tahoe is one of those mountainous Northern California (way North) destinations that is popular during the summer, but really bustling with activity during wintertime, what with the chance for visitors to channel their inner Jonny Moseley on the slopes.
The hotel scene in Tahoe, though, conjures up images of buffet breakfasts at Harrah's, though with resorts like Plumpjack nearby, there isn't a total lack of luxury.
But when The Ritz Carlton Highlands moves into town you'd better believe that the upscale stakes will be raised, which is what will happen when a Lake Tahoe location opens on December 9th of this year, a little later than the original fall opening that was announced.
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It's Not Too Late to Ski Portillo in Chile
Where: Chile
If we could tame our wanderlust ways, we’d consider holing up in the northern Chilean town of San Pedro de Atacama for a good long time. Earlier this year, we traveled everywhere--from Calama to Cape Horn (via the small cruise ship, Mare Australia--and simply could not get enough of the country, the people, and culture of Chile.
What we love best is that, as you know, when it’s summer here, it’s winter there. Depending upon how high the sweat factor’s been this summer (our condolences to Phoenix), we’re betting some of Northern Hemisphere dwellers would happily swap the final few weekends at the lake/river/beach/pool for a flight south of the equator and some last minute summer ski fun.
Tags: Hotel Opening Rates / Hotel Openings / Viceroy Hotels / Kor Hotels / Ski Hotels / Aspen Hotels / → All Tags
Viceroy Snowmass is Now Accepting Rezzies; Will Open By Ski Season
It's official: The dreamy Viceroy designs will be a-comin' round (to) the mountain. The Viceroy Snowmass has promised that it will be up and running by this coming ski season located in the new Base Village area, just a few minutes from Aspen.
The new Viceroy has 173 guest rooms and residences; some have mountain views, and all (duh) get to take advantage of the kickass ski-in, ski-out location. Also, the building is designed to meet LEED Silver standards, with a fine-dining restaurant (with a display kitchen and an 87-foot glass bar and lounge that spills into the lobby), an après-ski bar and lounge, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a swimming pool and pool café.
The hotel is now accepting reservations for the new season beginning November 25, and rates are starting from $370 a night (for a valley-view studio). And from the opening day until December 23, 2009, reserving one night will get you any additional nights at 50 percent off — which is a seriously good deal. Hit the website to reserve.
Tags: Hotel Renovations / Ski Hotels / Ski Resorts / France Hotels / → All Tags
Courchevel's Newest Refurb Adds a Snow Cave and Sexy Hot Tubs
Date for your diaries: December. Les Airelles in Courchevel has just been given five star status by FAGIHT, the Federation Autonome Generale de l’industrie Hoteliere Touristique (which, for those of us who don’t speak French, is an association of seasonal-opening hotels).
Les Airelles is one of six Courchevel gaffes on the FAGIHT’s books (there are 11 across the country) to be awarded five stars. And it’s not that surprising; it’s coming to the end of a three year, €35 million revamp, which will be unveiled when it opens for the season in December.
Rooms and suites have been refurbished, there’s a Valentino boutique, a 7000 square foot "spa and snow cave" (for between saunas), and a huge playroom for children. Best of all, though, is the 5900 square foot apartment on the top floor: it will have four bedrooms, a private movie theatre and spa, and a jacuzzi that fits eight on its 1600 square foot terrace. Sod the snow cave, we’ll be in the hot tub.
Tags: Hotel Contests / Ski Hotels / Mountain Hotels / Colorado Hotels / → All Tags
Lucky Shutterbugs Can Win an Inn in Leadville, CO
Okay, this is one of the wackier promotions we’ve heard of in awhile. The Leadville Inn is having a photography contest to give itself away. In a difficult economic market, owners Tracey Lauritzen and Dan Houtchens have gotten creative in their efforts to unload the property in an attempt to ultimately travel to the high-altitude town.
Here’s how it works: Snap a pretty picture (it looks like it can be a photo of anything, but no nudie shots, please!) and enter it into the contest by August 31st, 2009 (midnight Mountain Time) with an entry fee of $275. Contest organizers are only accepting 3000 entries and you must at least be 18 years old as of the date of entry. There is a whole lot of legalese on the online contest page, but it all looks legit, so give it a quick gander before you enter. Entries will be evaluated by three independent judges.
Tags: Facebook / Aspen Hotels / Ski Hotels / Kimpton Hotels / → All Tags
Aspen's Sky Hotel Dishes Out Deals For Snowbird Facebook Fans
The words “Aspen” and “affordable” typically don’t have any business sharing the same sentence, but Kimpton's Sky Hotel is doing its part to make this swank resort town slightly more affordable for its Facebook fans with last-minute hotel deals.
Dubbed "the sexiest ski lodge in North America" by Playboy magazine, this chic Kimpton property has racked up nearly 200 “friends” within days of its initial Facebook post. Although tech-savvy staffers are still in the beginning stages of getting their fan page off the ground, rumor has it there will be frequent deals to be had for those who sign on as a friend or fan.
Stay tuned when ski season rolls around (November 26th is the official opening date for the mountain) – spoiled Aspenites will be able to stay in the snow loop with real-time Facebook posts regarding snowfall amounts.
With all the money you save, maybe you can snag a pair of Muk Luks or a few pricey signature cocktails at the hotel’s hip 39 Degrees lounge.
Rooms start at $249; extra credit for being Fido-friendly.
Tags: Hotel Renovations / Aspen Hotels / Hotel News / Ski Hotels / → All Tags
Aspen's WASP-y Little Nell Will Be Spruced Up By Ski Season
Ah, Little Nell: our most favorite-est WASP ski hotel. An ultra-luxe Aspen classic that has been a fave of the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List time and time again (as well as where we assume Lauren Holly's character in Dumb and Dumber would have probably stayed), the place is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. And, as a birthday gift, it's getting an $18 million makeover.
Designer Holly Hunt will be overseeing the redesign of the hotel's guest rooms, junior suites, and corridors, infusing the decor "with a contemporary aesthetic that is indicative of the Holly Hunt brand." In addition to the decor, the hotel will implement some high-tech green practices as well:
LED lighting will ensure a soft, pleasant glow, and with one button, a cutting edge Control4 wireless system developed initially for residential homes, will shut down all energy use in the room. Sensors in each room will shut off all of the lights, fireplace, and reduce the temperature two to three degrees upon exiting.
The hotel will be closed for renovations from September 7th to December 1st, so these had better be done quickly (uh, we hope they can finish in under three months) — Aspen mountain opens on Novemeber 26th, so the spruce-up won't really cut into ski season if it's completed on time.
Tags: Hotel Construction / Snapshot / Lake Tahoe Hotels / Ski Hotels / → All Tags
Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe Looks Like It Will Be Ready By Ski Season
Lake Tahoe is getting a bit of its own Ritz-Carlton action, with the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe slated to open up this coming ski season. This shot of the construction — which Ritz-Carlton posted to their Twitter yesterday — is showin' that the hotel is topping off nicely, though we know by now not to judge a hotel's completion by its exterior (the permits can be major issues; we get it, blah blah).
Here's what we know: the 170-room luxe ski retreat is a ski-in, ski-out property that sits mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort, with its official opening date announced as "fall 2009." In addition to the ski concierge services, the place also boasts a restaurant by San Fran chef Traci des Jardins, a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center and "preferred access to the Old Greenwood and Coyote Moon golf courses."
Interestingly, this is the first "new-build resort development" to hit Lake Tahoe in a long, long time — and it's being touted as the most upscale in the region. No word yet on whether this hotel will be open year-round or close in the Spring — recall the brand's fancy ski retreat in the Vail area started closing for the slower season this year due to the poopy economy.
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