STAY & PLAY
PERFECT COUPLES Local hotels, property management company partner with big names, but retain their authentic ‘Telluride feel’ BY EMILY SHOFF
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s it possible for a local hotel or property management company to keep that “Telluride feel” while partnering with an international brand? Absolutely yes, say those members of Telluride’s lodging community who have connected in recent years with big names, forming partnerships designed to heighten their profiles and enhance marketability, while also maintaining their authenticity and attention to detail. Take for instance, Telluride’s Exceptional Stays. Twenty years ago, owner Christina Casas ran a simple operation renting her condo and a few friends’ places. As her list of available properties expanded, so did her clients’ needs. Explains Casas, “People want the experience of being in a home, but the luxury of a hotel.” By partnering with Marriott International, Casas and her team have enhanced both the quality and the consistency of guests’ stays. “We use the same linens that five-star uses. And there’s a standard set of kitchen utensils to eliminate the hodge-podge feel of entering another’s house and wondering what they might have. We’ve taken out the guesswork.” As to the question of retaining a flavor of Telluride, Casas is quick to reassure clients that while certain things are shared among locations, every house still preserves its unique mountain style.
The same goes for Mountain Village’s Lumière, erty possesses a unique individuality and crafted which announced a partnership with luxury propapproach to luxury that is expressed through erty rental company Inspirato in 2019. “There’s a captivating design that reflects the location.” certain level of quality that all of our 18 residences Auberge’s director of marketing and sales, share,” Clare Afman, managing partner of Lumière, Dana Cooper, notes that this sensibility is persays, pointing out that units boast kitchens kitted haps best demonstrated by the extensive remodel out with Wolf ranges, as well as balconies, in-unit the Madeline has recently undergone. “Our aim washers and driers and hotel-like was to create a center point for amenities such as a 24-hour Mountain Village, a place that concierge and Black Tie Ski Rental feels special and interesting, mix‘IT’S A WIN-WIN valets, who provide in-room boot FOR EVERYONE.’ ing familiar alpine details with fitting and equipment delivery. eclectic, modern elements that Ch r is tin a Casas Afman adds that she, co-owner Sufeel like a nod to the individualsie Schaefer-Russell, and their staff istic nature of Telluride,” Cooper have worked hard to align Inspirato’s style with the says, describing how they redesigned the lobby modern-mountain language of the Lumière’s units, so that it would feel like a mountain chalet. Stayensuring that style elements such as historic phoing true to the locale, she adds, is in line with all tos, locally made furniture and decorative mining Auberge properties whether in Telluride, Napa, artifacts stay. “Partnering with Inspirato gives us a Mexico or Greece. certain level of clout. It’s a natural fit.” All agree that these new unions make for better Similarly, Callie Stanton, director of communi- business for Telluride, while still ensuring locally cations of Auberge Resorts Collection, says that owned or operated accommodations retain what Auberge’s partnership with the Madeline Hotel made them special in the first place. Notes Excepand Residences in Mountain Village and Eletional Stays’ Casas: “It’s silly that we haven’t had ment 52 in the town of Telluride has worked to major hotels here before. Guests will discover showcase the beauty of the mountains, while also Telluride through these larger corporate websites. offering a certain elegance: “Each Auberge propIt’s a win-win for everyone.” telluride.com | 855.421.4360
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