Luxury Real Estate

By: Randy Heinitz

Nestled in a cove on the southern end of The Coachella Valley on a plot of land once known as Happy Hollow, is The La Quinta Resort & Club. Originally built in 1926 as The Hotel La Quinta the structure remains an area historical icon and since its opening has been a key destination for the rich, the famous, and the serenity seeker.

Although many a famous Hollywood legend has booked a room there, none more special this time of year as Frank Capra. Back in the 1920’s Frank booked Suite 136 and wrote the screenplay for It Happened One Night. When that film went on to win five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay, Frank gave credit to his stay at The Hotel La Quinta. He returned to that very same suite to write Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Lost Horizon, You Can’t Take It With You and, of course, It’s a Wonderful Life. That very hotel room also houses the typewriter Frank used to write the scripts and it can be reserved by the general public.

So every year at Christmas time The LaQuinta Resort pays homage to Mr. Capra and turns the setting into Bedford Falls and decorates the entire premises in a holiday glaze. You see, it’s also rumored that Irving Berling also came up with the lyrics of I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas while staying at the hotel.

Many an aspiring writer will visit the hotel at all times of the year hoping to capture the muses that obviously mingle amongst the palms there.

Happy Holidays and may the season bring you much inspiration.

By: Rollie Jordan of The Kentwood Companies at Cherry Creek

The highly anticipated grand opening of the Four Season Hotel and Private Residences Denver is approaching. The building is set to open in September of 2010.

At $350 million, this property is set to be the most expensive building ever built in the Denver area. 45 floors of luxury comprise the building including 102 private residences and 240 guest hotel rooms. Over half the private residences have been sold ranging in price from $ 895,000 to $7.5 million.

The Hotel includes a 24-hour signature Four Seasons restaurant, full service spa and salon, and a 24-hour business center. Private residence owners in the building can expect to receive the same treatment as hotel guests with amenities like full room services and housekeeping.

“Everytime we build a new hotel, we’re able to take it to the next level,” said Thierry Kennel, the new hotel’s General Manager. “This is going to be, bar none, the best looking hotel we have.”

The building will be located in downtown Denver in the Theater District at, 1111 14^th St.

For more information on luxury real estate in Denver or the new Four Seasons residences please contact Rollie Jordan of the Kentwood Company.

Courtesy of: Summit Sotheby's International Realty

By: Andrew Kirk, of the Park Record

Management calls it one of the most 'grand' of the luxury brand

One of the most anticipated moments of the winter occurred Friday morning when the ribbon was cut on the St. Regis Deer Crest hotel ushering in a new era in which Park City is expected to have a higher profile and greater exposure among the most wealthy vacationers from the Northeast.

Michael Zaccaro, managing partner of the ownership group Deer Crest Janna, said the vision for an internationally-recognized, five-star-brand hotel was inspired by the site itself.

Perched above and to the east of the base of Deer Valley Resort, the site is adjacent to one of the ski runs in the private community of Deer Crest. From below the site can only be seen from a particular angle near the south tip of Jordanelle Reservoir.

With ski-in, ski-out access, incredible views of the Wasatch Back, situated in one of Park City's most upscale communities adjacent to a resort repeatedly voted No. 1 in America by affluent skiers, something like a St. Regis was the only thing deserving of the site, Zaccaro explained Thursday. The ownership group in conjunction with the developers, Stan Castleton and DDRM, chose Starwood Hotels' St. Regis brand because of the large and loyal following it has among elite travelers especially those in the Northeast.

General Manager Michael Hatzfeld said St. Regis is excited to be in Park City because being at the best addresses in the best destinations is core to its values. Deer Crest and Deer Valley is one of those addresses and Park City is one of those destinations.The St. Regis in Aspen, Colo. has been "an iconic ski destination" for the company, but it isn't ski-in, ski-out. Furthermore, the summer activities in Park City are superior to those in Aspen, he said."It's not just a focus on the three or four months of ski season, but the summer months can bring Fortune 500 companies to these destinations," he said.

So as not to overload Deer Crest with traffic, most guests and visitors are brought to the hotel by a funicular starting near the Deer Valley parking lot. A gondola just wouldn't have done, Zaccaro said. The smooth, roomy and unique experience the funicular ride provides is the perfect introduction to the hotel. It was a focal point in the planning process, he said. "It's not that much different than an elevator but far more spectacular," he said. It is the first commercial funicular in the United States, holds 15 people plus luggage and is a 90 second ride that is touted as energy efficient. The views are expansive as well. "Nothing else has the same impact," he said.

Zaccaro said the condominium-hotel industry was "given a black eye" by the start of the recession, but said the financial structure of the hotel is incredibly sound. The committed buyers are closing at a rate that has soothed fears, he explained. At the ribbon cutting, Hatzfeld and Starwood senior vice president of operations Carla Murray both said they had been general managers at the Aspen location and both agreed St. Regis Deer Crest was "a little grander." "This is by far the most spectacular and interesting (St. Regis) I've had the privilege to run in my career," Hatzfeld said. "Count on us," Murray said during her remarks. "We plan to be an active member of this community." Lt. Gov. Greg Bell addressed the crowd at Friday's ceremony and said he considered the hotel to be one of the country's most amazing structures. Conceptually, legally, financially and structurally it is a "remarkable" feat, he said, and called its completion despite the recession "miraculous."

As the hotel and its three competitors (Dakota Mountain Lodge, Stein Eriksen Lodge and The Montage) create more world-class amenities it will garner greater world-wide recognition, Zaccaro said adding, all four hotels are "looking forward to working with each other."

By Carina Sousa of IRG International Realty Group

IRG International Realty Group, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates in Portugal is selected to be the exclusive agent for the marketing and sales of the prestigious resort Madeira Palace Residences. In 2005 the Fibeira Group, owned by Engº Armando Martins bought the prestigious Madeira Palácio Hotel together with the project for Madeira Palace Residences. Designed by Ricardo Bofill Associated with Atelier Caires – João Francisco Caires e Associados, the Madeira Palace Residences are a striking example of the best in contemporary architecture and quality living.

With 100 homes ranging from one bedroom to four bedroom apartments, all with garage parking and storage, the development benefits from spectacular views over the Atlantic.

Constructed around an interior garden, where exotic water features play an integral role, the development has been designed to provide a restful and elegant environment and will be forecasted to be ready in the summer of 2010.

A serene and private haven, Madeira Palace Residences represents the best in luxury living. Residents will have access to the services of the adjacent five star renovated Madeira Palácio Hotel including spa, restaurants, room service, laundry and cleaning, and membership of the Beach Club.

The Hotel Madeira Palácio Hotel has a very rich history. It opened its doors in 1971 and was operated by Hilton Hotels between 1971 and 1973 owned by Robert Jabara Pereira Ganhão (Pastelaria Suiça), TAP and Hotel Palácio in Estoril.

In 1982 the hotel was bought by the Albaker Group that owned the Marriott (formerly known as Penta), Eden Hotel, Hotel do Mar and Hotel Palácio Estoril.

The renovation of the hotel has been designed by WATG associated with Atelier Caires – João Francisco Caires e Associados – Projectos de Arquitecture Lda.

An extensive program has been implemented to give the Madeira Palácio Hotel a five star luxury rating according to international demand including a sophisticated interior design for the rooms and public areas.

About IRG International Realty Group

IRG International Realty Group is one of the leading international brokerage companies in Portugal and specializes in sales of Portuguese high-end and luxury residential real estate. IRG is the exclusive affiliate in Portugal of Christie’s Great Estates, a worldwide real estate network and subsidiary of the world’s oldest auction house, Christie’s. IRG’s Head Office is located in the prestigious Avenida da Liberdade in the heart of Lisbon and there are also boutique offices in Quinta do Lago in the Algarve, Estoril and in Kensington, London, United Kingdom. www.irgportugal.com

About FIBEIRA SGPS, S.A.

FIBEIRA SGPS, S.A. is a managing group of social investments. Its strategically cores are present in the realm of Real Estate Development, Hotel Management, Services and

Media/Press, a wide variety of business activity sectors. In a Group that established itself in 1984 with the creation of FIBEIRA, the ability to expand and respond efficiently to all the new challenges was the key point for the current confident broadening of its interests into new business domains and lead to a solid presence in markets like the hotel industry.

Success and innovation have been a constant reward for the evolution of our companies which allowed them to work in different business areas with levels of performance much higher than the ones present at their creation. www.fibeira.pt

By Carina de Sousa of IRG International Realty Group

Portugal (March 2009) - The sale of the most exclusive, luxury residential condominium in Portugal was officially launched on March 5th at Hotel Palácio Estoril. At the event, this development’s particular location served as theme for a photographic exhibition featuring “Estoril yesterday, today… and tomorrow”, which illustrated a fascinating and historic retrospective of a unique place, historically viewed by Portuguese and European royal families as their chosen home.

The unparalleled Palácio Estoril Residências is composed of 27 luxury apartments, from two to four bedrooms and is adjacent to, linked and served by the famous Palácio Hotel, a founding member of Leading Hotels of the World. Owners at this unique address will enjoy a comprehensive range of elite privileges at the Palácio Hotel as will they at the magnificent Elements Spa by Banyan Tree, Estoril Golf Club and Cascais Marina. Concierge, Catering and Room Service are just some of the options provided by the hotel that are available to residents.
 

IRG International Realty Group is the proud and exclusive sales agent worldwide for Palácio Estoril Residências and will make use of the world’s most prestigious international real estate networks such as IRG’s exclusive affiliation to Christie’s Great Estates, EREN (European Real Estate Network), Luxury Portfolio, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and partners so as to provide the best possible exposure to the target markets for this unique project.

For information on Palácio Estoril Residências please contact IRG Estoril/Cascais Riviera Brokerage on Tel.: (+351) 21 464 3322, E-mail: palacioestoril@irgportugal.com or visit website www.irgpalacioestoril.com

About IRG International Realty Group

IRG International Realty Group is one of the leading international brokerage companies in Portugal and specializes in sales of Portuguese high-end and luxury residential real estate. IRG is the exclusive affiliate in Portugal of Christie’s Great Estates, a worldwide real estate network and subsidiary of the world’s oldest auction house, Christie’s. IRG’s Head Office is located in the prestigious Avenida da Liberdade in the heart of Lisbon and there are also boutique offices in Quinta do Lago in the Algarve, Estoril and in Kensington, London, United Kingdom. www.irgportugal.com

By Brian Langhorst

We have over 200 members from around the world joining us for the 13^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! The dates are October 12^th through 14^th at the historic Ritz-Carlton Hotel. We have members coming in from all across the United States and Canada, as well as Spain, Mexico, Australia, Argentina and Thailand! We very much hope you will join us as well! There are great room rates still available at the Ritz-Carlton.

Please contact me at 206.695.4846 or BLanghorst (at) LuxuryRealEstate.com to learn more about this industry-leading referral and networking event.

See you in Philly!

Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is Luxury Real Estate‘s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. Holy cow! Two blog entries about the Fall Conference on the same day. We must be getting close to that event. Be sure to save your spot soon.

By Robert Lockard

Rosita Sarnoff, the Executive Vice President of Stribling & Associates, Ltd., recently shared some great activities her company is planning for Luxury Real Estate members who are attending the Post-Conference Networking Trip to New York City from Oct. 14-16, 2008. This Networking Trip will begin right after the 13^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia.

From 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 15, Rosita said that Luxury Real Estate members will enjoy tours of magnificent luxury properties and a cocktail dinner in a $38 million Penthouse and at the newly renovated Plaza Hotel. “We’re going to give them a terrific afternoon,” Rosita said.

The afternoon will begin in a full-floor condominium overlooking Central Park that was recently offered on the market by Stribling & Associates. It includes 4,400 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a personal gym and library. After spending some time in that luxury home, they’ll head next door to the world-renowned Plaza Hotel. They’ll be given a grand tour of the hotel, eventually finding their way to the Rose Club restaurant, where they’ll enjoy gourmet food.

By the way, the Plaza Hotel was recently redesigned so that it now includes both hotel rooms and hotel condominiums. I wrote an article about hotel condos in the winter 2008 issue of LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine. Check it out if you’d like to know more about those interesting properties.

Only one Luxury Real Estate member from each geographic area will be able to attend this Networking Trip and reservations are sure to go fast, so be sure to sign up today! Brokers and agents will be able to speak freely and build relationships they otherwise might miss out on at both the Fall Conference and Post-Conference Networking Trip. We look forward to seeing you there.


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate's newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. Stribling & Associates is a member of the Board of Regents, an exclusive group of brokers that leads the Luxury Real Estate network. The photo of the Plaza Hotel is from www.flickr.com/photos/oquendo/2463578547 and it is the copyright of Oquendo.

By Andrew Harper

Many people have a list of places they’d like to visit before they move on to the next world; here are a few American suggestions of my own.

For conversation’s sake, I have avoided the obvious targets, but a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge or a trip up the Empire State Building is still definitely worth it.

Though we are lucky to live in a beautiful country, I have focused on smaller, man-made locales, simply because a catalog of pretty American places could stretch on forever.

This list is admittedly subjective, but it comes from 30 years of professional wandering. Some places are more well-known than others, but all share a sense of tranquility and wonder.

And since I review small boutique hotels for a living, I have included nearby recommended places to stay. Happy travels!

Madison Valley, Montana

Montana’s Madison Valley, which runs between the Madison and Gallatin ranges down to West Yellowstone, is magnificent Lewis and Clark territory. This is unspoiled land, vast and uncompromising – everything you hope Big Sky Country will look like. Harper Recommended Hotel: The Lodge at Sun Ranch.

San Francisco de Asis Church, Ranchos de Taos

Famously painted by Georgia O’Keefe and described by her as “one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards,” this handsome adobe mission a few miles outside of Taos Pueblo yokes together a staggering five centuries of American history. Harper Recommended Hotel: Casa de las Chimeneas, Taos.

Whaling Museum, Nantucket

At its whaling peak during the first half of the 19th century, the small island of Nantucket had 88 ships scattered across the oceans. The Whaling Museum is wonderfully evocative of this era (plenty of scrimshaw and rusty harpoons), and out-of-season Nantucket Town, with its Greek Revival mansions and cobblestone streets, is equally enchanting. Harper Recommended Hotel: The Wauwinet.

Battery District, Charleston

The historic Battery District of Charleston, South Carolina, home to dozens of stately antebellum mansions, is one of the prettiest American neighborhoods I’ve ever explored. Follow the promenade along the shores of the Charleston peninsula; Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, sits broodingly across the Cooper River. Harper Recommended Hotel: Planters Inn.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Housed in a charming Venetian-style palazzo, this gem of a gallery displays works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Whistler and Sargent. It’s small enough to tour in an hour or so, and you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the sunny, flower-filled courtyard. And if your name happens to be Isabella, you get in free. Harper Recommended Hotel: XV Beacon.

The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York

If you had to choose only one restaurant in New York City to visit, the Four Seasons Restaurant would be the one. The city’s prettiest dining room was designed by architects Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, and astutely hasn’t been touched since its introduction in 1959. The Pool Room is a study in muted sophistication, despite some of the outsized egos at the tables. Harper Recommended Hotel: The Lowell.

The Rothko Chapel, Houston

This small, non-denominational chapel located just off the Menil gallery in Houston’s Museum District seems unassuming at first, but spend some time surrounded by the 14 mysterious paintings by Mark Rothko, and it may start sinking into your skin. Harper Recommended Hotel: St. Regis.

The Huntington Gardens, San Marino, California

Mr. Huntington did quite well in railroads, and he’s left us with a wonderful afternoon escape just outside of Los Angeles. After admiring some of the spoils of his industry – a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare folio, Thomas Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy” – venture out into the superb botanical gardens, home to dozens of unique environments: an almost eerily authentic Japanese garden, a lily pond straight out of a Monet painting, and an entrancing collection of cacti. Harper Recommended Hotel: Hotel Bel-Air.

Robie House (Frank Lloyd Wright), Chicago

The Robie House, the world’s first modern home, was designed in 1908 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and still seems startlingly contemporary 100 years later; with its broad horizontal lines and sleek art glass windows, it looks like a modernist yacht. Wright himself showed up to protest the planned demolition of the house (it was to be replaced by a seminary dormitory) at the ripe old age of 90. Harper Recommended Hotel: Four Seasons.

The Oregon Coast

Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast swerves through 360 miles of jagged cliffs, rocky outcrops, sweeping dunes and temperate rain forests. The coastline lacks deep harbors, so there are no large cities here – just old logging towns, fishing villages and the occasional artist colony. And the entire coast is public land, which makes for excellent picnic opportunities in rugged and remote spaces. Harper Recommended Hotel: The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach.


Editor’s Note:
For more information on this company, contact Margaret Temple, the Business Development Manager at Andrew Harper in Austin, Texas. Andrew Harper is an exclusive partner with Luxury Real Estate. This is some great advice for travelers seeking great deals. For more than a quarter century, Andrew Harper has explored the world as an incognito traveler. Always paying his own way, his unbiased reviews of the finest hotels, villas, yachts, restaurants and culturally authentic travel experiences are legendary. Through a variety of media, complemented by highly personalized travel planning services, members of Andrew Harper’s luxury travel club enjoy the resources to dream, plan and realize an unparalleled level of globetrotting. This blog entry is chock full of great information, just like Andrew Harper’s previous blog entry. Be sure to keep checking back at the Luxury Real Estate Blog for scoops like this!

By Andrew Harper

Getting a better room is easier than you might think – and it never hurts to ask.

Most travelers never think to ask for a hotel room upgrade, which is regrettable. During the off-season, large hotels frequently run high vacancy rates, and moving a guest into a nicer room doesn’t cost anything except for some extra laundry expenses. As with so many other things in life, there is simply no harm in asking politely.

An upgrade doesn’t have to mean a larger room. Perhaps it’s an ocean view, a king-size bed or a room in an especially quiet wing. The important thing to remember is that hotel upgrades are mostly about personal relationships, rather than loyalty programs or special credit cards (though those can certainly be helpful).

Upgrades are given at the discretion of the hotel manager or the front desk clerk. These people tend to receive a fair amount of grief from finicky guests on a regular basis, and they appreciate being treated with respect and patience. Acting entitled or being deceitful usually won’t help your case – these are professionals who have seen it all before.

Dress nicely, and be as friendly as possible, even if you’re exhausted after a long flight. Inquire about an upgrade after you’ve given your name, but before you’ve been assigned your room. Do a little research on rooms beforehand, and make a specific request (e.g., “Would it be possible to be upgraded to an executive suite at no extra charge?”).

Simply asking for a “better room” is not as effective as requesting a particular room using the hotel’s terminology (Central Park Suite, Harbor View Suite, etc.). Don’t be disappointed if an upgrade is not possible – this is a matter of availability, after all.

In large-city hotels, upgrades are more likely during weekend, due to the absence of business travelers. For smaller hideaways in scenic locales, your chances are better during the week. Frequent visitors or members of various hotel reward programs will gain preferential treatment, but more often than not, hotel management is happy to lend a favor to a calm, amiable guest. It’s good for business.

Here are 10 tips for securing a hotel room upgrade.

1. Contact Management Before You Arrive: If you are celebrating a special occasion, feel free to mention this in an email. A personable and enthusiastic call to confirm your reservation also can help.

2. Book a Mid-Range Room: You’re more likely to be upgraded from a mid-range room than the cheapest room in the hotel.

3. Time It Right: Large city hotels tend to be busier during the workweek. For a smaller hideaway in the country, try for a midweek booking if you have some flexibility.

4. Arrive During Mid-Afternoon: Checking in between 3 and 5 is optimal. The front desk clerk will have a better sense of the day’s bookings and cancellations.

5. Look the Part: Dress appropriately. A nice jacket can make a world of difference. If you’re traveling with tired children, it probably won’t hurt to have someone mind them in the lobby while you’re at the front desk.

6. Be Personable: Ask nicely. Mention that you’d be happy to reference the counter clerk’s name in customer evaluations.

7. Be Specific: For example: “Would it be possible to be upgraded to an ocean view?” If you have a preferred room that you’ve stayed in before, feel free to mention it.

8. Mention Relationships: If your company does a lot of business with the hotel, feel free to mention it. If you use a travel service or a credit card that has a “special relationship” with the hotel, by all means, pipe up.

9. Take Advantage of Minor Misfortune: Laundry gone missing? Noisy neighbors? Kindly let management know that an upgrade will wipe the slate clean.

10. Leave On a Happy Note: A nice tip for the doorman. Smiles for the concierge. A note of approval to the manager. Every little bit helps, especially for the next time around.


Editor’s Note:
For more information on this company, contact Margaret Temple, the Business Development Manager at Andrew Harper in Austin, Texas. Andrew Harper is an exclusive partner with Luxury Real Estate. This is some great advice for travelers seeking great deals. For more than a quarter century, Andrew Harper has explored the world as an incognito traveler. His unbiased reviews of the finest hotels, villas, yachts, restaurants and culturally authentic travel experiences are legendary. Through a variety of media, complemented by highly personalized travel planning services, members of Andrew Harper’s luxury travel club enjoy the resources to dream, plan and realize an unparalleled level of globetrotting.