Telluride is truly an anomaly as a resort community. In Mountain Village, visitors enjoy the opulence and splendor of a mid-mountain location similar to the exclusivity of Deer Valley and Gastaad. Yet, just a gondola-ride away is the charming Town of Telluride, a mountain community in which time seems to stand-still as evidenced by the lovingly restored Victorian homes, the quaint Nugget movie theater and an overall laid-back vibe within the town of 8 square blocks. Yet, between the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village, some of the best dining in the 8-state Rocky Mountain region can be found.

In the Town of Telluride we suggest:

221 South Oak
Campagna
La Marmotte
Cosmopolitan

In Mountain Village we suggest:

9545 Restaurant
Allred’s
Appaloosa
La Piazza
Onyx

Whether you are a guest of one of the Penthouse or See Forever cabins at the Peaks or if you choose to vacation in our ski-in/out vacation rentals including our 6 bedroom luxury Alpen Ridge which sleeps 16 guests or our 9 bedrooms of extravagance in Hood Park Manor which sleeps 20.

Of course, if looking on a slightly smaller scale yet large on luxury and amenities, please consider Tramontana #5, a 3 bedroom / 5 bathrooms flat which sleeps 11 or The Castellina Townhomes providing guests with 4 bedrooms, 6+ baths which sleeps 8.

Whichever vacation rental you choose, our partners in Telluride, you will be most welcomed and probably return year after year.

Hidden in southwestern Colorado, Telluride is an exclusive mountain resort attracting VIP clients who desire privacy and exclusivity, guests who wish not to be photographed on the streets of Aspen or isolated at The Yellowstone Club. Telluride is the resort for those desiring the skiing experience of yesteryear coupled with the finest modern amenities and après-ski activities of the new millennium.

The seclusion and relative isolation of Telluride is a component of its desirability. A historic mining town of eight square blocks wedding by aerial tram to the luxurious resort enclave of Mountain Village. This is where you will find Hood Park Manor, a one-of-a-kind ski-in/out estate perched over the Town of Telluride.

Hood Park Manor, the pinnacle of luxury accommodations in Mountain Village is a nine (9) bedroom,  ten (10)+ bathroom mountain chalet situated on a 1+ acre lot with southern exposures and adjacent to open space insuring privacy and exclusivity so rare in the rarified echelon of luxury ski resorts.

The custom design embraces the history of the wealth and prosperity of Telluride and the Rocky Mountain West when mining was the economic engine. As guests arrive at the estate, as dusk descends, the home’s illumination is breathtaking. Once guests enter; a world of luxury and opulence awaits.

The interior of the home is a blend of custom stone, tile and wood designs all blended together to provide a formal yet warm and inviting atmosphere. The great room with its cathedral ceilings is dominated by a center-axis fireplace. The direct and indirect automated lighting and sound system can be set depending on mood and desire throughout the home.

Each of the nine bedroom suites has been designed to accommodate a diverse audience from extended families to groups of friends to the corporate retreat. With five (5) expansive master bedrooms (some with vaulted ceilings), all with king beds, guests have a variety of choices. The additional four (4) bedrooms include queen and twin beds offering options for all nightfall configurations. En-suite bathrooms complement the custom designed bedrooms.

For formal meals, the dining room design is reminiscent of the finest mansions in Europe with beamed ceilings and a fireplace, a design which enhances the finest meals served by the available private chef and servers. For casual dining, options include the eat-in gourmet kitchen with breakfast bar and fireplace, perfect for a pre-ski smoothie or a gourmet lunch between runs.

One of the many advantages of a vacation rental during the December holidays is the opportunity to make your lodging “personal and memorable”. From the Rocky Mountain West to the beaches of Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, celebrating the holidays infused with generations of tradition (or make some new ones) in your vacation residence can provide memories to last a lifetime. We interviewed a few of our partners who offered some ideas:

Ski Holiday: A mountain vacation in the mountains during December guarantees a “White Christmas”. Our mountain managers suggest the following:

Holiday Décor: Request a Christmas Tree. The tree can be delivered and decorated prior to arrival. To keep the family traditions, consider shipping a small selection of ornaments to the management company prior to your trip. When you arrive, you and your family can place the “finishing touches” on the tree. Few destinations during the holidays rival our Ski Safari Chalet in Beaver Creek, CO. Families will enjoy the spacious 4 bedrooms which sleeps 10 in luxury. Even though true ski-in/out, we suggest apres-ski in the village with a hot cocoa and gelato just a short walk from the chalet.

Gifts: Consider having your gifts shipped to your vacation home rental. Imagine opening gifts by the fireplace watching the falling snow and the twinkling lights of the town. Or, if you desire a forested setting with evergreen trees covered in snow, consider our 3 bedroom condo in West Vail which accommodates 14, just minutes from the slopes yet set within a beautiful valley of mature aspens and evergreen trees, the finest mountain setting for the holidays and beyond.When its time to return home, have the larger gifts shipped.

Skis/Boards: Anyone on your gift list receiving new skis, boots or boards? If yes, ask the managing agent which retailer they prefer and order the equipment to be delivered to the vacation residence. Concerning boots, be sure to use a reputable retailer with a boot-fitting specialist. Bows and gift-wrapping are optional.

Christmas Dinner: The finest restaurants will be booked for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the weekend that follows. If you do not wish to cook, consider a private caterer or chef. Full formal meals can be delivered and re-heated or prepared on-site and professionally served, the choice is yours. Having a holiday party, have TheSociety.com assist you in securing a Butler for your event.

We at The Society have enjoyed a boom in business for the French Rivera this past summer. From the white sand beaches of Cannes to the rocky waterfront on Nice to the opulence which can only be found in Monaco. However, as winter will soon dominate the northern hemisphere, the French Rivera, is just not the beach destination for the season, may we suggest the Rivera Maya.

This stretch of beautiful beaches begins in Cancun and travels south encompassing quaint towns, beautiful landscapes, historical sites (the Mayan ruins are a must-see) and some of the most inviting tropical waters of the Western Hemisphere.

One of our partners in the region, Akumal Villas has been the “go-to” vacation home rental company for many years for those in the know. While their inventory of flats, beachfront homes and estates is legendary, it is their client services which has fostered a repeat client base year after year, the folks at Akumal-Villas are some of the finest in the business.

From grocery deliver to where to kayak to assistance concerning a “destination wedding”, the staff at Akumal-Villas will cater to and exceed the expectations of even the most demanding clients. Yet, the basis for any exceptional vacation is the lodging.

May we suggest considering the Casa Yardena: If you would like to rent a villa that is truly elegant, deliciously secluded and incredibly spacious, you won’t find any place better than Casa Yardena. Imagine 80 feet of private sandy beach on the Caribbean, thirty foot ceilings in the living room and fourteen foot ceilings in the five air-conditioned bedrooms plus 4 guesthouses all with large, private bathrooms. Add to this a huge 20′x45′ swimming pool and palapas (those inviting grass umbrellas) on the beach with hammocks and what have you got? Villa Yardena!

While vacationing at a luxury residence is an attraction to many, we can guarantee, you will not be bored. While some may wish to just lie in the hammocks at Villa Yardena and drink margaritas others may desire some recreation with their vacation. For dining, two great restaurants are located within a mile. If you want more variety, a private chef can prepare a fabulous Mexican meals for guests in the villa. Or it’s just a short drive to Tulum, Akumal and Puerto Aventuras for a multitude of restaurants, shops, dive shops, etc. Visit the fresh water lagoon, called Xel-Ha, for outrageous snorkeling or Xcaret, a fabulous Mayan eco park with underground rivers, butterfly pavilion, beach, swimming with the dolphins, scuba and snorkeling, and more!.

While fears concerning the H1N1 flu outbreak were unfounded, travelers avoided Mexico and revised destination options including Hawaii and The Caribbean. Their choice is your opportunity to enjoy Mexico  sans crowds with bargain airfares and luxury lodging offered at most attractive pricing.

Flights: A little known fact, air tickets can be booked 333 days in advance. I am still seeing very low fares for travel to Mexico available for the December holidays, MLK Birthday weekend in January, President’s Weekend in February and Spring Vacation in March.

Lodging: Our partners in Mexico have been most proactive in lowering rates and providing incentives for high-season bookings. Some are offering straight discounts off of rates while others implore you to extend your vacation by providing free nights.

No matter your destination from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, Mexico is a beautiful country with history, culture and some of the finest beaches in the world. Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy a spectacular vacation at most attractive rates.

Above:  Providing 80 feet of private sandy beach on the Mayan Riviera. Add to this a huge 20′x45′ swimming pool and palapas on the beach with hammocks and what have you got? Villa Yardena!  Villa Yardena is located on Soliman Bay on the Caribbean just 75 miles south of the Cancun airport. It has aquamarine water, white sand beaches and two great restaurants located within a mile. Just a short drive to Tulum, Akumal and Puerto Aventuras. For the family, visit Xel-Ha, for outrageous snorkeling or Xcaret, a fabulous Mayan eco park with underground rivers, butterfly pavilion, beach, swimming with the dolphins, snuba and snorkeling, and more! The Mayan ruins of Tulum are 10-minutes south, and Aktun Chen (which means “cave with an underground river inside” in Maya) is only 10-minutes north. If you like to dance, you can head to Hacienda Dona Isabel for a fun evening in the nightclub. We could go on and on about all to see and do in the area, but you might decide to just lie in the hammocks at Villa Yardena and drink margaritas!