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.

Courtesy of Jon Wade of Colorado Group Realty

It has been a fantastic start to the Steamboat Springs Ski season. We took this morning off to enjoy the beautiful new snow on Mt. Werner and got in a few great turns. Eleven Inches was reported at 5am this morning, helping bring this year's snow total over 100 inches, the second most snow ever in November in Steamboat. We put together a short video from this morning's adventures! Enjoy the powder shots and hope to ski with you soon!!

Steamboat is an amazing place to live because of the great people it attracts, the ease of living a healthy lifestyle afforded by all of our recreational amenities and the quality time you get with family and friends. At The Steamboat Group, we share traditional small town values yet strive to stay ahead of the changing markets to give you the best possible results. It's about much more than real estate, we are here to help you realize your dream of owning and enjoying life in Steamboat. We make an extra effort to help you make the most of your time in Steamboat and keep the process as smooth as possible for you.

By Jim Walberg of Carribean Islands Realty

Jim Walberg’s 2009 real estate predictions during the Caribbean Hurricane Season are ready for your review. It is the BEST time to buy real estate, because it is considered the “off-season” for people visiting the Caribbean.

The “slow season” in the Caribbean is connected to the start and finish of the official hurricane season - June 1^st to November 30^th. There are many people who live in the Caribbean only six months a year and move off-island June 1^st. In addition, the crewed charter yacht industry typically end their charter season near the end of June. There are a few yachts that charter all the way through August, but is it rare. AND, it is my favorite time of year to assist Buyers who want a piece of Paradise because there are always some great bargains.

I love the Caribbean all year-round, and I am fortunate to have never been on-island during a hurricane. This is not to say that a hurricane is to be taken casually. They are a devastating aspect of Mother Nature. Hurricane Hugo was a destructive Category 5hurricane that struck the Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast in September of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season, killing 109 people and leaving near 100,000 homeless. Hugo caused $16.3 billion US in damages within the U.S. and the Caribbean, making it the most damaging hurricane ever recorded at that particular time. The devastation of Hugo was surpassed by Hurricane Andrew three years later that caused over $30 billion, which was eventually surpassed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that caused over $85 billion US in damages. ( The rebuilding after Katrina will still take many years to complete.)

Hugo created a real mess in the Virgin Islands in 1989 with six deaths. The total damage from Hugo in the Virgin Islands was approximately $3 billion. When there is such a disaster as Hugo in the islands, it leaves a very big impression in the minds of people who own Caribbean real estate, and especially people who are thinking of buying real estate in the Caribbean. One of their thoughts is, “Oh my God, what if I had owned property there? What a mess I would be in.” There are no guarantees, but the Virgin Islands are NOT typically in the major hurricane paths - the last one was over 10 years ago! However, a hurricane will hit the Virgin Islands again - just like an earthquake will hit San Francisco again. 2009 is predicted to bring 14 named storms to the Atlantic Ocean, with seven of them becoming hurricanes, according to Colorado State University forecasters Philip Klotzback and William Gray. Their report forecasts a “below average” 2009 hurricane season in the Caribbean and U.S.

So, if you are OK about living in a region of the world that has the possibilities of a hurricane each year, then the time to buy is during hurricane season - June through October. The amount of real estate inventory that is on the market in the Caribbean during hurricane season is UP. The population will swell in late October in the islands. My conclusion each hurricane season is it is time to BUY! Inventory is up and the Buyer pool is much lower during this time. With fractional deeded ownership townhomes starting at $200,000 US and beach front villas priced as high as $4 million US, I promise you there are many properties to choose from during this annual “slow time” in the Caribbean real estate market. Again, I would rather deal with a hurricane than an earthquake. At least with a hurricane one has a lot of warning. There is no warning with an earthquake. Is it the strangest thing that I have homes in both locations? The reality is both the Caribbean and the San Francisco Bay Area are my favorite spots in all the world. Let me know about your experiences in the Caribbean during hurricane season. Your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty. Until next time…fair winds ( And, I mean it.)

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.

By Jennifer Schuyler

Seattle is the international headquarters for LuxuryRealEstate.com and best known for its cloudy skies and rain. What many people don’t know is how beautiful our city is during the spring and summer months.

In the spring, the cherry blossom trees and rhododendrons are in full bloom throughout the city. During the summer months, the city is abuzz with outdoor festivals, concerts at the pier, community farmers’ markets, pick-up volleyball games at Golden Gardens and Alki Beach, boating, sailing… you name it, we’ve got it!

If you are visiting Seattle this summer, please stop by LuxuryRealEstate.com’s international headquarters and say hello. Our staff would love to see you!

The following poem sums up many of my feelings. It is by Miles Christian Barth:

Summer
When water flows, and the wind blows.
You can feel the summer breeze,
playing with the autumn leaves.
When clouds are white, and the sun is bright.
You can see the grass grow tall,
next to the river's water fall.
When roses are red, and the weeds are dead.
You can taste the gold, sweet honey,
while the earth is warm and sunny.
When trees are green, and they can't be seen.
You can hear the church boys singing,
while the morning bells are ringing.
When morning turns to night, and the moon's your only light.
You can smell the honeysuckle,
as you stroll along and chuckle.
When summer comes around,
fun and mischief sure abound.

- Miles Christian Barth, USA


Editor’s Note:
Jennifer Schuyler is the Senior Membership Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She has a remarkable history of meeting and exceeding luxury brokers’ marketing needs. Summer is definitely awesome, isn’t it? I can’t wait until the summer issue of LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine arrives later this month, I believe. The photo above of the cherry blossoms on the University of Washington campus is from www.flickr.com/photos/mystereys/438434552 and it is the copyright of mystereys on Flickr.