Archive for the ‘Vail Lodging Report’ Category
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
A trend is on the rise, the trend of fractional ownership. People are increasingly buying their second homes through fractional ownership, realizing the high benefits that come at a low cost. Fractional ownership is the share of an expensive asset (yacht, sports car, aircraft, etc), in this case a property. The property is owned and shared by several individuals who are allotted specific time periods for use. This is very popular with expensive vacation properties and resorts. Fractional ownership allows people to enjoy a beautiful, elegant vacation home in a premier location at a fraction of the price of full ownership. By participating in fractional ownership, the individual gives up the exclusive use and freedoms that come with whole ownership, but he is also minimizing costs and risks.
Fractionals present an ideal opportunity for a family or group of friends to join their resources together and afford something they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to. In most cases, a third party or management company takes care of the property’s upkeep, utilities, taxes and insurance. All the owners have to do is pay a monthly fee. The key to the success of Fractionals is their management.
Fractionals may sound like timeshares, but they are very different. Unlike timeshares, with Fractionals there is a deed involved (it’s just split up into shares), and the individual actually owns a part of the asset. This share can be passed down in a will or it can be sold. The deed of a fractional property is usually divided into fourths, eights or thirteenths.
To find out more about fractional ownership and properties available in the Rocky Mountains, contact Rocky Mountain Luxury Properties.
Tags: colorado, Fractional Ownership, investment, land, money, property, real estate, rockies
Posted in Vail Lodging Report, colorado, vail lodging | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Photo By: Derek Lichtfuss
My college roommates dropped through Vail this past weekend, which was clearly a pleasant surprise. They quickly forced me to realize how truly fortunate I am to be living in the mountains for the summer months. Complaining of 100 degree days in Baltimore and D.C. was the first step to this realization. Step two was noticing that due to the lack of extreme humidity, my friend Tommy was not sweating bullets. Step three was the presence of sunshine on a regular basis. Step four? All of it involves the weather.
Aside from the occasional storm that rolls through the Valley, the weather in the summer here is practically unbeatable. A slight breeze constantly trickles through my screened in doors, brushing against my puffy blonde afro. I cannot say how happy I am to not endure the humidity rocking the Chesapeake Bay region. In Colorado a common motto is: “If you don’t like the weather, wait twenty minutes”.
On a typical day you can see for what seems to be an eternity, and notice nothing but ecstatic blue skies, and rays beaming off of the oddly (well, to me…) white-capped Rockies. Within the next twenty minutes, a squall will have crept up, threatened, and gone on its merry way.
Over the weekend, we decided to head back to the Colorado River Center, where RMVR has taken several company rafting trip — connections. During our three hour float, I must say that the sun came and went at least 20 times. We experience heat, rain, wind, clouds, and vibrant sunshine: the full range of meteorological emotions. The motto certainly proved true to us. I have yet to visit Colorado in the winter, but I would imagine the weather is much the same, just a bit colder.
For more information about current conditions, summer or winter, as well as lodging deals throughout Colorado among other destinations, please contact our concierge service. Or visit our website at http://rockymountainvacationrentals.com or call 1-888-866-2305.
Posted in Vail Lodging Report, Vail Valley Happenings, Vail's Best Concierge, What's Happening in Vail, colorado, colorado travel, vail lodging | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is currently offering 25% off Fourth of July weekend vacations. You don’t want to miss the Fourth of July in the Vail Valley! Great family events, fireworks shows and a beautiful location are all planned for the weekend. Places sell out fast so book your trip today! 1-888-
Tags: book, fireworks, fourth of july, rockies, Summer, vacation rentals
Posted in Vail Lodging Report, Vail Valley Events, What's Happening in Vail, colorado, colorado travel | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Courtesy of TravelInParadise.com
- Travel during mid-week days. By avoiding busy travel times such as the weekends, you will save not only on flights but lodging rates, adventure tour discounts, and save time by avoiding long, and stressful lines. Many summer events, such as the Teva Mountain Games, South of the Border Fiesta, Vail Arts Festival, and Vail America Days are not restricted to the weekend only.
- Research staying in a vacation rental, where you will have extra sleeping space, a fully stocked kitchen (save by cooking a few meals), and plenty of other amenities. Have a very large family? Rather than reserving several rooms, look into a large family home. In resort areas, such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Breckenridge, and Keystone are lush with others’ large vacation homes that can sleep up to 20 people in some cases!
- Find a family of travel buddies! By traveling as a larger group, you can split up during the day so that everyone can enjoy their vacation! Perhaps one day one adult takes the children boating, rafting, biking or fishing while the other adults have spa treatment, and then switch off on the next day. All kinds of large groups receive discounts on dining, outdoors activities, and more. Plan you trip in advance and you will more than likely experience less fees.
Photo by Savvy Cafe.com
- Split up mom and dad bonding time. Take shorter trips, and take turns between parent and child. Mom can take the girls to the spa one weekend, and a few weeks later Dad can take the boys to learn golf or on a Jeep Adventure! Keep switching off until the family can find time and money for a longer ski trip next winter.
Large family homes such as this one are available for summer vacationing
- Join the locals! Ask about local events, farmers’ markets, and what locals do in general. They will know the best place for 50% of your meal, kid friendly parks, and easy day hikes that will take you off the tourist-beaten path. Don’t forget to ask how you need to be prepared for wildlife, safety, and weather. Attend a local church gathering, social club, visit the local library, or enroll in a onetime cooking lesson for a change of pace.
- Make a travel itinerary but be flexible! Running around trying to stick to a schedule can be a true buzz kill! If you travel to a destination, research your options that way when you arrive for your raft trip and the ever changing Colorado weather brings too much lightening, you will know where the nearest science or ski museum is located!
- Keep snacks in your travel bag. By keeping food readily available, you can intercept hunger (and tantrums) with them if you end up waiting longer than expected for your next meal. Apples, oranges, bananas, cheese and crackers, pretzels, granola bars, trail mix, and similar snacks will keep your family happy and healthy.
Life vests are a quick and easy safety precaution.
Tags: playground steeps deep bowls moguls mountains mountain 14'er fourteener 14'ers fourteeners mogul playgrounds steep hills, rockies
Posted in Aspen Colorado, Aspen Colorado Events, Vail Golf, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Premier Lodging, Vail Ski Vacations, vail lodging | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
The Teva Mountain Games are the nation’s largest mountain sport event. Celebrating mountain lifestyle, outdoor competitions and events and music concerts- the 2010 Teva Mountain Games hosted form June 3 to June 6 in the Vail Valley are gone be an incredible event you should not miss.
Top professional and also amateur athletes from all around the world will compete in eight different sports in overall 24 different disciplines for over $ 100,000 in prize money. The eight sports are biking, climbing, dogs competing, running, fishing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddling.
As of today, the 2010 Teva Mountain Games will start off on Thursday June 3 at 10am with the Bud Light Lime Steep Creek Championship which will be presented by Thule at the Homestake Creek, Red Cliff. Homestake Creek is dropping 480 feet per mile which makes this competition one of the most popular and interesting not only to race but also to watch. If you want to compete in the quarter mile creek race register fast- there is only a limited number of starter places for the first round- so make sure you get in there! The ten fastest female and the ten fastest male will then compete in a second round and the fastest time will determine the winners.
Registration for the race on race day opens at 8am at the Homestake Creek – Red Cliff. At 8.30am there will be the possibility to practice in the Steep Creek. At 9.30am the time trail will start. So if you are only there to watch the challenging race- try to make it there by 9.30am to see all competitors. And then at 10am the Steep Creek Championship will kick off. Check regularly the Teva Mountain Games website to see if there were any changes in the schedule!
The Steep Creek Championship is gone be a popular and promising competition since there will be professional athletes from all around the world to win the $ 2000 Price money for the first man and for the first woman. The second man and woman can each win $ 1000 and the third will get $ 500. The 2009 winners of the Steep Creek championship are Mike Dawson from New Zealand and Nikki Kelly.
To round the first day and the first competition of the 2010 Teva mountain games up- there will be a free concert in the heart of Vail Village. Starting at 7pm at Checkpoint Charlie there is gone be the first half of the Bud Light Mountains of Music show where DJs and Band will rock the village.
Try to make it to Vail to the first great day of the 2010 Teva Mountain Games. If you need some great lodging deal to stay for the whole games check this out!
Tags: Blog Vail, colorado, Colorado Skiing, fun, Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, rocky mountains, Summer, Teva Mountain Games, Things to do, Travel, Vacation, Vail, Vail Blog, Vail CO, Vail Colorado, Vail events, vail valley, Vail Valley Events, Vail Valley Happenings, winter
Posted in Aspen Colorado, Aspen Colorado Events, Breckenridge Events, Concierge Information, Local Vail Resources, Staying in Touch, Teva Mountain Games, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Valley Events, Vail Valley Happenings, Vail's Best Concierge, What's Happening in Vail, breckenridge, colorado, colorado travel, vail lodging | 4 Comments »
Monday, April 26th, 2010
Flying in Colorado
For some people traveling is something that happens year round, while others wait all year for that one special vacation. My personal philosophy is that the key to happiness is always having something to look forward to; for me that being a vacation. I thought I’d share of my personal travel tips- they are easy and will help you plan the perfect escape!
- When booking airfare domestically I always hop to Kayak.com first. It compares the prices airlines have listed, as well as prices being offered on 3rd party travel provider sites such as orbitz, so you know you’re getting the best deal around. Or, save some hassle and let a complimentary concierge take care of your flights for you!
- If your travel dates are flexible, use Bing when searching so that you can compare historical prices for the flight you’re looking for to help you know when a good time to buy is.
- Research special events happening in your destination before booking travel. I’ve found that the best way to save money while on vacation is to take advantage of local free events and activities.
- Plan ahead, but don’t plan too much. An itinerary can help keep the vacation flowing, but can also take away from the travel experience. Sometimes the best memories of a vacation are those experiences that come to you.
- Make an educated lodging decision. Are you looking to eat all or your meals out, or trying to save money by cooking at home during your stay? Most travelers automatically assume a hotel is the cheapest way to go, without considering the money they could be saving by booking a vacation rental fully equipped with a kitchen.
- Ask a local. Locals will always be a better informer than a guide book or review you read on the internet. Ask around when trying to find the best pizza, or most happening nightlife. Locals are in the know with events and specials and are usually happy to help lost tourists have a good time.
Happy travels!
Tags: Blog Vail, colorado, colorado travel, discounted lodging, eat in, Events, Group Travel, itinerary, kitchen, local guides, planning, rocky mountains, save, Ski, Summer, travling, Vacation, vacation rentals, Vail, Vail Blog, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Valley Events, Vail Valley Happenings
Posted in Concierge Information, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Premier Lodging, Vail Ski Vacations, Vail Valley Events, Vail's Best Concierge, What's Happening in Vail, colorado, colorado travel, vail lodging | 4 Comments »
Friday, April 9th, 2010
I didn’t know what to expect for the annual Lamb Cook-off, a part of the Taste of Vail going on now, but I gave myself a pat on the back after attending with some co-workers and friends- every dish we tried were from Vail’s best chefs and was accompanied by some of the best wine I’ve tried. To top it all off, we had warm spring weather and I actually had to take my coat off!
The Vail Lamb cook-off had some tough competitors, but Restaurant Kelly Liken took the first place position with lamb confit created by sous chef Hunter Smith. Unfortunately I arrived late and didn’t make it to their tent in time, which is why next year I will plan to arrive early, which is my number one tip is to get there early! Here are my recommendations for next year:
1. Get there early if you intend to try many samples! Long lines are guaranteed to form at the Kelly Liken, La Tour, Lodge at Vail, and Ocotillo. (the Lodge at Vail took third place this year with their lamb pastrami sandwich, while Ocotillo took second with unforgettable lamb tamales)
2. Grab an office-mate, friend, mother, sister, brother, father or a ski group, then pair up and you can find and split the tastings. You will both get to experience more and spend less on tickets.
3. Be green by bringing your own fork and cloth napkin. Use the recycle containers that can be found every 40 feet along Gore Creek Drive.
4. Spend the $60 for all access! It is more than worth it, by purchasing an all access pass you may taste every restaurant’s submission, as well as sample every attending winery. If you purchased a ticket for every place, it would add up to over $150.
5. Walk to the event! Trust me, after all of this wonderful food, you will be grateful for the walk back to your hotel, condo, villa, or vehicle!
Tags: Blog Vail, chef, chefs, colorado, Colorado Skiing, competition, cook off, event, Events, first, food, gore creek drive, kelly liken, lamb, lodge at vail, mountains, ocotillo, pastrami, restaraunts, rocky mountains, Ski Resorts, Snowboard, Snowboarding, Staff, stella, tamale, tent, Travel, Vail, Vail Happenings, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Valley Happenings, wine
Posted in Concierge Information, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Premier Lodging, Vail Ski Vacations, Vail Valley Events, Vail Valley Happenings, What's Happening in Vail, colorado, colorado travel, vail lodging | No Comments »
Monday, March 8th, 2010
I grew up in a family of five and can gratefully say that we had our share of family vacations; all of which were spent in a hotel. Twenty three years later my vacations have evolved from family time to group vacations with good friends.
This past weekend, myself and 12 friends rented a ski-in /ski-out vacation home in Breckenridge, CO. We arrived to find the home nestled high in the tress overlooking Breckenridge Mountain. The view was enough to make everyone want to stay longer…
As we toured the house I was pleased to find that the amenities of a hotel were still present in vacation rentals, plus some. I found that each bathroom was stocked with Aveda products, beautifully folded towels, laundry detergent was provided for the washer and dryer, and the house was stocked with plenty of comfortable blankets for everyone. I began to realize that this was the VIP experience, without the price!
One of the many advantages of a vacation rental vs. hotel stay is having a full kitchen to take advantage of. We didn’t waste any time to cook up a fest of steaks, tilapia, pasta, and veggies. Had we had gone to town and had such a wonderful meal; we would have been spending at minimum $25 a person. For less than $100 all 13 of us enjoyed a home cooked meal with leftovers to spare. Did I mention we weren’t spending $ 8 a cocktail?
Everyone seemed to agree that the back deck hot tub overlooking Breckenridge Mountain was the highlight of our vacation rental. After a day on the slopes, nothing felt better than skiing back to the house and jumping in the hot tub for a little relaxation. There was plenty to keep us occupied at the house; from the pool table, to board games, to just hanging out. It was such a good feeling to have the space and resources to spend time with one another, without that typical cooped up feeling that other accommodations give you. All groups should consider a renting a vacation home from Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for their next holiday.
CSA
Posted in Uncategorized, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Ski Vacations, colorado travel, vail lodging | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Families looking to plan their next vacation typically let one common denominator influence their decision on where and when to travel; price. These days it’s common for one to search Expedia or Hotels.com and take the quoted room rates at face value, book the hotel room and disregard what they have sacrificed for this booking. However, savvy vacation planners know that the buck doesn’t stop here and there are many things such as one’s health, the cost of food, privacy and the overall experience that comes into play when making a lodging decision.
Consider the trade-off of staying in a hotel room vs. renting a vacation rental from a reputed company such as Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. For arguments sake, let’s say a family of five books lodging at a standard hotel room in Vail, CO for 5 nights at $249.00 a night. Without a proper kitchen, this family will be spending at minimum $200 a day eating out (remember we’re in Vail). So the real cost of their hotel stay is closer to $500 a day. This is a large price to pay considering the sacrifices that are being made to ones diet, only to be cramped into a small space, competing for the next spot in the bathroom. Fun.
The wise consumer, who opts to stay in a professionally managed vacation rental property, receives the benefit of a fully functional kitchen, space for each family member and uncompromising privacy for under $400 a night. One $200 trip to the grocery store and a family has enough food to enjoy home cooked meals all week long in an intimate setting. For once the primary goal of quality family time isn’t lost by crowded restaurants, temptations, and the hustle and bustle of a hotel.
Any health conscientious individual can quickly weight the consequences of eating out every meal for five days. Living well shouldn’t stop because one is on vacation; vacationers’ remorse doesn’t have to come into play once back to the “real world”.
This market is saturated with competitive pricing options for vacation lodgings. But what one can’t comprise is the how the choice of lodging is responsible for the overall experience of a destination. So my advice is weigh your options, what you want to get out of your holiday and talk to a local from Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to get you exactly where you want to be.
CSA
Tags: discounted lodging vail, family travel, free stuff in vail, vacation home, vacation planners, vail concierge, vail lodging
Posted in Concierge Information, Uncategorized, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Luxury Rentals, Vail Premier Lodging, Vail's Best Concierge, colorado travel, vail lodging | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Girls love wearing fancy masks!
February 14-19 is Carnivail! I’ve noticed signs around town and can’t be more excited! After their Super Bowl win- I think all of America is pumped for Mardi Gras, and this is Vail’s own version! If you can’t make it to New Orleans, then what better way to spend it than in the mountains? Our stars alone are better than the fireworks, and the people know here know how to celebrate!
After finishing our own great event- Vail Gay Ski Week- we are rested and ready to participate in this once a year event in Vail! Come see our friends, the Frogs Gone Fishin’, at the Fat Tuesday Parade (free!)! We love these guys, and they are local favorites!
Missing that dirty south great cookin? Not a problem- join us in becoming fat kids again with the “World’s Highest Low Country Crawfish Boil” at Eagle’s Nest. Go skiing or riding afterward to burn those calories! Here’s the menu Vail has planned:
1 lb. Crawfish, Andouille Sausage, Corn, New Potatoes, Garlic Bread – $14.95
Bowl of Gumbo – $7.95
Crawfish Etouffee- $8.95
King Cake – $3.50
I will also be hitting up my favorite places in Vail- Sweet Basil, Samana, the Tap Room, and more. Email me if you want to plan meeting up!
janyce.brandon@vailgayskiweek.com
Tags: Blue Sky Basin, bud light, Carnivail, celebraion, celebrate, colorado, crawfish, drink, Eagle's Nest, event, Events, Fat Tuesday, february, free, high mountain, Mardi Gras, New Orleans, saints, Samana, Skiing, Snowboarding, super bowl, Tap Room, Vail, who dat
Posted in Aspen Colorado, Concierge Information, Staying in Touch, Uncategorized, Vail Gay Ski Week, Vail Lodging Report, Vail Premier Lodging, Vail Ski Vacations, Vail Valley Events, Vail Valley Happenings, What's Happening in Vail, What's good in Avon, colorado travel, vail lodging | No Comments »
