Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2007 - (Page 46) ADVISOR INSIGHT: Jana Emery has been a mountain vacation specialist with Aspen, CO-based Ski. com since 2002 and has been a travel agent for 25 years. She shared with us two of her favorite luxury ski properties: “When I think of ski-in/skiout luxury in North America, there are two properties that immediately come to mind. The first is The Ritz- Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Guests at this ultra-classy, log-cabinesque property have the benefit of feeling as if they are vacationing in a remote destination nestled in the woods, yet have the convenience of actually being located just minutes away from Beaver Creek Village. While the Ritz offers every amenity imaginable—and some unimaginable—the most important feature for skiers and snowboarders is its proximity to the Bachelor Gulch Express Lift, located just steps away from the door. And for guests who think that the worst part of the day is the act of putting on ski boots, don’t worry—The Ritz’s ski concierge will do it for you. “The other luxury skin-in/skiout property I absolutely love is Four Seasons Jackson Hole. It’s only a few years old, has large rooms, each with its own fireplace, and its location is great for those looking for first tracks on some of the best big-mountain skiing in North America. In addition to the property’s world-class spa, their pool and hot-tub area was ranked as the best in ski country last year by Ski.com’s mountain vacation specialists.” have hosted the Winter Olympics. Insider’s tip: For experts and thrill-seekers, recommend the 35 acres of out-of-bounds terrain in “The Slides” area. The lodge is five minutes away from Lake Placid Airport, where your clients can land their private helicopter or jet. Other airports include Saranac Lake, 25 minutes away, Albany and Montreal International Airports, both two hours away, and Burlington International Airport, two and a half hours away. If your clients want to tour the town in style, arrange for them to be escorted in one of the lodge’s chauffeured Mercedes-Benz SUVs (the Adirondack Store is a popular shopping spot). Here, the most requested premium accommodations are the Deluxe One Bedroom and Two Bedroom Suites, though the best to book is the spacious 3,600-square-foot Presidential Suite; it’s a perfect pick for families, with four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a handcrafted stone fireplace and a fully equipped gourmet kitchen. If you’re not shopping for an over-the-top suite, opt for Grand Lodge Suites, which have three bedrooms and sleep up to eight people, or Three Bedroom Suites, which sleep up to six. The new Clubhouse Suites include eight luxuriously appointed residences configured in two and three bedrooms, each featuring three and a half bathrooms. Each has beautiful Adirondack views. Book at least two weeks in advance during peak season and eight months out for large groups; contact Ling Riley (ling100@earthlink.net; 312280-1126), director of group sales and marketing. The Spa at Whiteface Lodge made its debut August 15 and has six treatment rooms; we say clients seeking romance will find it in the impressive Couple’s Duet Suite, which has a tub built for two (it features the latest in color enhancement therapy) and a wet treatment room with Swiss shower. Emily Abruzzi’s Whiteface Aroma-Sensory Massage, Angie Durgan’s Red Flower Revival Ritual (a six-part ritual body treatment layering red flower oils, fruit essences and minerals from the earth and sea) and Brenda Douglas’s Beyond Botox Facial Treatment are among the most in-demand services. Director of Spa and Wellness Phyllis Leslie (p.leslie@thewhitefacelodge.com; 518-523-0561) can assist with A-listers. Tip: Book treatments immediately after confirming your clients’ room reservation. Clients can satisfy an appetite for classic American fare at Kanu or the more-casual Kanu Bistro, 46 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | September 2007
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