With the holidays in full force, it may be time to do something special for your employees.  Whether you need some quiet time together with the troops or you just want to treat them after a long year of hard work, The Society has a wonderful deal going for an ideal Corporate Retreat.

Turtle Creek in Dallas is an immaculate estate that usually rents for $8,000 per night.

But for a limited time, this elegant property can host your corporate gathering for just $4,000 for one night or $6,000 for two nights.  That’s more than half off!

View further details of the home below, and click here (http://thesociety.com/best-of/corporate-retreats) to see other homes that are great for corporate getaways.

Turtle Creek: Dallas, TX
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10

We won’t guarantee that Dallas won’t get snow because even though rare, it has been known to happen! But snow or not, the holidays will be dramatically more elegant in this opulent manse on Turtle Creek. As you enter through the Moorish influenced entry you’ll gaze across the twenty-foot long reflecting pool with the massive gas fireplace at the opposite end. Adjacent to the stylish entry, is the kitchen that’s not a kitchen: at least by appearance. Granite slabs and rich wood cabinetry conceal almost every feature in the kitchen save for the exposed cooktop, and the dish basin. Also a feature of the kitchen is the nearby wet-bar with a heated granite counter, wine storage, ice maker and mini fridge. Also near the kitchen is the fully equipped caterers kitchen. Utilize the magnificent set-up to create your own masterpieces, or hire one of Bellas’ preferred caterers to prepare and serve your holiday feast! Lavish accommodations for up to 8 feature fine Italian linens, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and heated floors throughout.

The master suite truly defines the word masterpiece with the most completely outfitted space available. The suite occupies fully 2/3 of the upper floor and showcases heated marble floors, heated towel nooks, a steam room, massive shower room, private Jacuzzi tub, Miele coffeemaker, and a grand Jacuzzi with sitting area, 42″ flatscreen, 96″ projection screen, floor to ceiling windows facing Dallas high-rises, and a double door balcony! The master closet needs to be seen, as it is over 20 feet long, with a sitting area, fashion dedicated flat screen TV, a center island and gorgeous cabinetry. Two bedrooms and a common bath occupy the opposite end. Downstairs once again lies a fourth bedroom (maids quarters) just off the kitchen, and an old-world look office, bathroom and adjacent theater room. Outdoors finds you peering at Swans swimming in Turtle Creek just beyond the negative edged pool and Jacuzzi, and verdant grassy areas. A lovely outdoor sitting space near the waters edge features sofas, settees, and a gas fireplace.  Gather the troops and make plans to spend a great corporate getaway in this stunning palatial setting.

Do your troops need a change of pace?  Do you need to impress some big clients?  Why not host your meetings or corporate retreat in a beautiful, expansive vacation rental.  These rental homes offers the same concierge and A/V services found at major hotels, with less commotion and great locations.  Separate meeting spaces, outdoor areas, Internet access, TV screens, and much more.

If your interested in hosting a corporate retreat, offsite or event give us a call at 1-866-789-8222 Ext. 3 or try The Society’s Match Maker that pairs you with the homes you’re looking for with 1-click.  Otherwise, check out a few of our rental properties that are ideal for corporate events:

Lavish Home to Impress The Best Clients

Unbelievable Miami Luxury

Board Room with a View

Spring break will be upon us before we know it.  Trust us, a lot of people are already booking vacation rental homes in the popular destinations across the US and the globe.  Recently, we’ve seen demand for spring break ski-in/ski-out homes.  Spring break is a great opportunity to get the family together before the summer hits and everyone goes in different directions.

Below are some great destinations for those of you who want to hit the slopes one last time before next season:

Aspen-Snowmass

Breckenridge - Keystone

Durango - Telluride

Steamboat Springs

Vail Valley

Winter Park

Can’t decide where to go?  The Society’s Match Maker can help!  This is our 1-click inquiry tool that matches you with the best vacation rental properties.

Gentleman, there comes a time at least once a year when a weekend trip with the guys becomes inevitable.  Deep down you fell an incredible urge to golf for 3 straight days, cook your entire menu on the grill and just kick back on the patio with bunch of guys who are comfortable just sitting there without saying a word except to ask for another beverage.  This is the quintessential buddy trip.  Of course, your options are endless whether it be jammed packed with activities like snorkeling, skiing or some fly-fishing or perhaps a relaxing weekend watching football with the guys, hanging out at the pool or checking into the local nightlife.

We’ve gathered a few of our favorite weekend bachlor pads that are sure to satisfy the whole crew:

The Ultimate Cabo Experience

Golf, Golf and More Golf

Costa Rica BBQ

Need some help finding that perfect guys trip?  Let us help.  The Society’s Match Maker can pair your group with the perfect guys getaway.

Sometimes you need to get away … and sometimes you just need to get away with like-minded, funny, problem solving, inside joke sharing, life long friends!  Its time for a girls weekend or week!  Often the location doesn’t matter as long as there is a comfortable setting, nearby spa services and/or plenty of vino.  TheSociety.com offers many such retreats to escape the demands of life and relax with the gals.

We’ve gathered a few rental homes that should fit the bill perfectly so call the phone tree and get planning:

Italian Extravagance

Off the Beaten Path

The Old Standby

Perhaps you’re not sure where you’d like to vacation with the gang?  Let us match you with the perfect girls getaway vacation with The Society’s Match Maker.

Whether you’re headed to the warm beaches of Florida or the fantastic slopes of Colorado, TheSociety.com has an ideal rental home for your family vacation.  Vacation rentals work well for single families for a variety of reasons:

• Call ahead for pre-provisioning, snacks for the kids can be waiting in the home when you arrive.
• Full kitchens in all Society rentals means no over-priced restaurants or traveling for a simple breakfast
• For larger families, the whole gang is under one roof instead of separate hotel rooms
• Many of our rental homes have a private backyard and/or patios, perfect for outdoor dining
• Most properties also provide a concierge service where activities can be planned prior to arrival such as skiing, biking, horseback riding and more
• Expansive space in the home … we all need a little breather from the kids from time to time
• Planning a late arrival to your vacation rental?  Have a gourmet dinner prepared and waiting

With literally thousands of homes to choose from across the globe, here are a few of our favorite family friendly rentals ranging from accessible luxury to pure extravagance:

Florida

Only 3 miles to Disney!

Beachfront Extravagance

Colorado

Walk to the ski school

Skiing family paradise

Cabo San Lucas

First 2 children under 12 stay for free

Beach front, private pool, ocean vistas this place has it all!

Not sure where you want to take your family?  Let us help you.  Try The Society’s Match Maker and let us pair you with the perfect vaction rental home.

For travelers considering a trip that is somewhat out-of-the-norm, EthicalTraveler.org has released its list of the 10 Best Ethical Destinations for 2008.  Ethical travel is a term given to travel that is thought to “support international goodwill and promote cross-cultural understanding,” and there are many developing countries that are offering superb vacation experiences and who have made wonderful strides for environmental protection, social welfare and human rights in their efforts to draw in tourists.

Ethical Traveler encourages people to “step off the beaten path” and consider some of these fantastic locations for their next vacations:

1. Argentina
2. Bolivia
3. Bulgaria
4. Chile
5. Costa Rica
6. Croatia
7. Estonia
8. Namibia
9. Nicaragua
10. South Africa

The highest rated Ethical destination is undoubtedly Costa Rica.  With “a very high level of overall environmental health, excellent water resources, biodiversity, air quality, sustainable energy, civil liberties, and the highest rated score in the Freedom in the World 2007 report,” Costa Rica is a leader in sustainable tourism.

The Society continues to support sustainable and ethical travel, and we will continue to bring you viable vacation rental options to plan your own ethical trip.  Check out The Society’s hand-selected vacation rentals in Costa Rica for your next vacation.

Its summer time, and many of us have dug the sticks out of the garage, dusted them off, and stocked the bag full of ProV1’s, but now what? “The Caribbean has not traditionally been viewed as a standout destination for exceptional course design, but in the last 10 years, advances have made golf more viable on the islands. If a golf vacation is in your future, imagine playing in the jungle with ocean and mountain view and playing along the coast with palm trees swaying.” With over 800 luxury villa rentals available on TheSociety.com, there are no more excuses. So, if you’re home course is starting to get a little too familiar, begin planning a golf trip for the ages, and look to the Caribbean to deliver a memorable experience.

Forbes Traveler published an article listing the top 10 Caribbean golf courses. Check out the list below, and read the full article here.

• Green Monkey at the Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados
• Punta Espada at the Cap Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic
• El Camaleon at the Fairmont Mayakoba Resort in Playa del Carmen
• Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic
• Temenos Golf Club in Anguilla
• Westin Rio Mar in Puerto Rico
• Ocean Club at One&Only Resorts in New Providence Island, Bahamas
• Caye Chapel in Belize
• Four Seasons in Nevis
• Cimmamon Hill Ocean Course at Rose Hall Resort in Jamaica

Check out these luxury rentals in Barbados, Anguilla, Nevis, and Jamaica to complete your vacation.

With warm weather upon us, our thoughts have turned to summer vacations, hitting the links and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. There’s something to be said about lounging on the deck or patio with good friends, a great view and a cold beverage of your choosing. A great deck makes all the difference whether you seek a private refuge to relax or are looking to entertain the masses.

The Society recently unveiled its Top Decks found on www.thesociety.com. The decks combine luxury conveniences with the world’s most spectacular views. From the press release Kathy Peterson, a celebrity design and lifestyle expert, gives her nod of approval, “These lavish decks featured on TheSociety.com embody the attributes necessary for the best outdoor living experience.”

So go ahead and plan that summer vacation to include some of the best ocean, mountain and desert views available.

Years back I traveled to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. By far it remains the best welcome I have ever had at a resort. When we arrived, we were greeted at the front desk by name, our bags were taken to our rooms, we were given a tour of the property and told about all the amenities available to us during our stay. By the time we arrived at our room, a cocktail of our choosing was waiting and we were then left to settle in.

So it got me thinking, what could property managers do to help greet their guests. There is something nice about being greeted by a dose of special treatment. With vacation rentals on the rise, however, a traveler often will have little to no interaction at all with a property managers. This acts as both a benefit and a negative to the traveler. What can property managers do to add that special arrival touch for luxury travelers that says your important, while at the same time remaining in the background? Here are five ideas:

• The Classics: Food items. As mentioned above, having the cocktail of my choice waiting for me was a wonderful touch. You really cannot go wrong with a note attached to some sort of food or beverage. Some of the standard luxury food items would include; chocolate covered strawberries, champagne on ice, a fresh fruit basket, a cheese plate or even a nice bottle of wine to add a nice welcome touch. But be creative especially if the region you are in is known for a specialty item.

• The welcome phone call/text message: Many managers will not see the guest if there is a hide-a-key in place. Know the time of your guest’s arrival. Be sure to call or send a text message welcoming them their home away from home. More than just a welcome, check to make sure everything is to their satisfaction. They’ve paid a hefty price and it is nice to know someone is making sure they are getting their money’s worth.

• The Highlight: Guest may never read the “binder” left to help them navigate around the home and the area they are visiting. A hand written note or letter highlighting a few top spots is a nice way to give them a few bullet points to get them started. Make sure to point them towards the binder for more great ideas for their stay.