Conde’ Nast Traveler published, in the magazine’s September issue, the top gold award hotels in the Vail Valley.  Competition was tight for the presigious ranking, which includes hotels from all over the world.    Beaver Creek had three hotels and the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera edged out Sonnenalp Resort of Vail for top honors.  The top 5 hotels in the Vail Valley were: The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, The Pines Lodge at Beaver Creek and the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail. The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch took top overall honors in Colorado because of its overall design for its unique ski lodge look at the base of the ski slopes.  The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera was No. 1 on the list for customer service and food, which was taken over by Dallas-based Behringer Harvard commercial real estate company on June 1.  The hotel has added new managers and made several upgrades.  The Sonnenalp Resort of Vail was No. 2 for customer service.  The staff always makes you feel special whether you are dressed to the nines or if you are wearing casual, comfortable clothes.  The hotel is located only 5 minutes from the ski lifts in Vail. 

There are a lot of great hotels in the Vail Valley.  A great source for information on hotels in the area is: www.concierge.com.

2195 Cresta is Vail Valley's Best Luxurious Mountain Home!

In the ten to fifteen million dollar price range for single family luxurious mountain homes currently on the market in the Vail Valley, 2195 Cresta, on top of Arrowhead has no rival. With ten spectacular single family homes on the market in this price range, 2195 Cresta stands out for many of the reasons someone looking in that price range desires: space (13,700 sq. ft.), privacy (gated community), location (ski in ski out to Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead, twenty minutes to Vail), views (ski slopes, mountain views), and luxurious living (stone terraces, European car port, outdoor fireplace and fire pit, hot tub over looking 30 foot waterfall, 10 indoor fireplaces,gourmet kitchen with wood buring pizza oven, spa room with grotto and indoor cascading waterfall, seven bedrooms, and much more!

Check out the other homes and find out how 2195 Cresta stands above its rivals. 2195 Cresta is the newest built (2007) of the ten homes in the ten million to fifteen million dollar range and it is also the largest (13,700 sq. ft.) by over three thousand square feet. It simply is the best deal of the high end luxurious homes!!

For more details on 2195 Cresta or any of the other luxurious homes in Vail, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead contact Keith Thompson, broker associate at Gateway Land & Development. 970-331-5805 or email: keith@gatewayland.com

Ultra exclusive and luxurious Bachelor Gulch is the mid-point of Beaver Creek’s village-to-village skiing

Nestled between Beaver Creek and Arrowhead, the secluded Bachelor Gulch village is the middle point of Beaver Creek Mountain’s Village-to-Village skiing.  Surrounded by 1,400 acres of open space and ski terrain, the master plan of the community creates ultimate privacy and views with minimal impact on the natural environment.  This is where you’ll find the peace and serenity of the mountains that made you come to Colorado.  The best part is that you’re still within close proximity to all amenities offered by the luxurious resorts nearby, including gondola and chairlift access to take you down to Avon and the Westin Resort and Spa.

The impressive Ritz-Carlton became the new anchor to the Bachelor Gulch community, and quickly won over us locals with its sunny patio; the perfect place for a mid-ski drink.  While most of us can’t afford frequent dinners at the delicious but pricey Spago, we love to treat ourselves to a life of luxury with a glass of wine and apps.

A series of skier bridges and tunnels throughout the community allow a majority of the single family homes, mountain lodges, condos and home sites to have ski in ski out access.  Restricted commercial development within this ultra-exclusive community creates a private and intimate setting with amazing panoramic views of the Gore Range and valley floor.

For more information on Bachelor Gulch or other Vail Valley real estate contact Karen Gilbert at 970-331-1482 or karen@gatewayland.com, or visit my website www.karensellsvail.com.

With gondola access up and down the hill, residents of Beaver Creek Landing can go just about anywhere.

The recent opening of the Riverfront Express Gondola in the new downtown Avon makes the already luxurious mini-resort at Beaver Creek Landing even more appealing. Residents of Beaver Creek Landing can now take a gondola both up and down the mountain. Heading down, the Riverfront Express Gondola will whisk people down to Avon’s town center, where they can enjoy the Riverfront Resort and Spa (opening summer 2008) and all the town has to offer. While downtown Avon is currently undergoing a shift and a face lift, over the next couple years this are will become more pedestrian focused. Avon plans to use the gondola and the transportation hub as its base for a new and improved town center that will offer more dining, shopping and entertainment options all within an easy walk from downtown. 

Heading uphill, Beaver Creek Landing’s on-mountain condominiums are steps away from the Lower Bachelor Gulch Express Gondola, which skiers can take up to Bachelor Gulch for easy access to Beaver Creek to the east and Arrowhead to the west. Beaver Creek Landing’s ski in/ ski out homes are not just convenient; they offer the best in luxury. Every unit is beautifully appointed with high end finishes, granite kitchen countertops, gas fireplace, washer & dryer, flat screen TV’s, stereo, high speed internet and more. The mini-resort also offers year-round outdoor pool and hot tubs, a fire pit and a fitness facility. A lobby fireplace warms the entry and a full ski room with boot dryers greets you after a skiing home. 

There are currently 26 residences on the market ranging from under $1.2 million for a 1,211 square foot 1 bedroom, 2 bath with a den, to under $3.4 million for a 2,780 square foot 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath corner unit.

For more information on Beaver Creek Landing or other Vail Valley real estate contact Karen Gilbert at 970-331-1482 or karen@gatewayland.com

The New Gateway to Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch

Sales at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa continue to stay strong, with about 60% of the building already sold.  Completion is expected anywhere from summer 2008 to late fall 2008.  Come experience the new entrance to Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch via the new gondola and transportation center.

Within the 210 unit, full service hotel, are a variety of for-sale whole ownership units, with a mix of studios, studio-plus, 2 bedrooms,and 3 bedrooms  still available.  (one bedrooms have sold out)  With prices ranging from $332,500 for a studio to about $2.2M for a 3 bedroom, there are great options for many different buyers.  And you get all the amenties that you expect with the Westin name.

Please feel free to call or email me anytime to discuss this fantastic new construction option in Vail Valley!

The Riverfront Express Gondola will open up more options for the Landing’s residents

More than 2 years ago the lottery process to purchase a residence in Beaver Creek Landing was a hot topic amongst potential buyers. With over 50 people putting contracts into a lottery to purchase one of the 26 units in one of the two buildings, some units had over 15 offers. Almost all of the 52 units sold quickly and now they are becoming even more appealing than before.  

The upcoming opening of the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa enhances the already luxurious mini-resort at Beaver Creek Landing. Soon, people staying in the residences will be able to take the Riverfront Express Gondola down to the Riverfront Resort and Spa, where they can enjoy the resort’s shopping, dining and many other amenities. 

Beaver Creek Landing’s on-mountain condominiums are ski-in, ski-out to the gondola and offer the best in luxury. Every unit is beautifully appointed with high end finishes, granite kitchen countertops, gas fireplace, W&D, flat screen TV’s, stereo, high speed internet and more. The mini-resort also offers year-round outdoor pool and hot tubs, fire pit and fitness facility. A lobby fireplace warms the gathering place and a full ski room with boot dryers greets you after a skiing home. 

There are currently 23 residences on the market ranging from under $1.2 million for a 1,211 square foot 1 bedroom, 2 bath with a den, to under $3.4 million for a 2,780 square foot 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath corner unit.

For more information on Beaver Creek Landing or other Vail Valley real estate contact Karen Gilbert at 970-926-6777 or karen@gatewayland.com

Ritz-Carlton offers high quality services and surroundings

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is nestled in a quiet valley at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain. Its log timbered lobby has huge slopeside windows to show off its stunning Rocky Mountain landscape and a three story stone fireplace sets a welcoming while elegant tone. 

The design and architecture for the resort was inspired by the great lodges of the turn-of-the-century American West. Native building and interior materials help this lodge blend  harmoniously into the surrounding national forest.

Known for its stellar service, the resort has a wildlife concierge, a ski butler to tune up your skis between runs, and yes, even a hot chocolate sommelier. Not only is this place pet friendly; there is a resident Lab for loan when you need a dose of canine companionship.

The resort is located in the middle of Beaver Creek’s village-to-village skiing, hiking and biking. >From the top of the lift you have perfect access to the slopes of Beaver Creek on one side and Arrowhead on the other.

Sales figures for the Ritz Residential Suites (all inclusive ownership) include: currently 14 active listings; 12 properties currently under contract; Year-to-date, 8 properties have sold. Sale prices have ranged from $760K for a 961 square foot 1 BR, 1.5 BA, to $1.76 million for a 1,340 square foot 2 BR, 2 BA.

For more information on the Ritz-Carlton or other Vail Valley real estate contact Karen Gilbert at 970-926-6777 or karen@gatewayland.com

Location and Quality Keep Market Solid

Bachelor Gulch continues to be one of the most sought after ski communities in Colorado and North America, even by Vail Valley standards.  Bachelor Gulch, located between the ski resorts of Beaver Creek and Arrowhead, is anchored by the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, and a select number of private residences.  The combination of true ski-in/ski-out properties, a world-class hotel, and an exclusive gated community keeps the demand high for Bachelor Gulch.

There are currently 36 active listings, about half of which are in the Ritz-Carlton itself. (whole ownership opportunities)  There are 14 properties currently under contract (11 of which are within the Ritz; the new Ritz Residential Suites)  And year-to-date, 46 properties have sold.  Prices have ranged from $760K for a Ritz Residential Suite, to $14.2 million for a beautiful custom home, with the median price around $2.6 million.

To discuss the Bachelor Gulch market in more detail, please contact me anytime.  Think Snow!

2 Fantastic Listings in Arrowhead

For those of us that love to ski without crowds, Arrowhead has always been a hidden gem.  This community’s real estate market has stayed hot, both with the number of transactions and dollar vloume.  97 Hillside Court and 35 Cresta Court are 2 listings that exemplify what Arrowhead has to offer.

97 Hillside Court (view pictured above) is over 6500 square feet of unmatched privacy, views and attention to detail.  This wonderful 5 bedroom home is currently listed at $4.5 million.

35 Cresta Court (kitchen pictured above) is actually located on Arrowhead Mountain itself.  With 6 bedrooms and over 6000 square feet, this mountain retreat offers plenty of space for entertaining and enjoying.  Currently offered at $6.5 million.

Located in the heart of the Vail Valley, (just west of Bachelor Gulch and just east of Edwards), this exclusive community has golf, tennis, fine dining, and true ski-in/ ski-out properties.  To learn more about these great properties or about Arrowhead in general, please contact me anytime.

Whole Ownership Opportunities in the Ritz!

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, is one of the most highly acclaimed resorts in all of Colorado.  And the beautiful rooms of this hotel are currently being transformed into whole ownership condominiums, the Ritz Residential Suites. Many have already been sold, but several opportunities remain to own in this exclusive ski-in, ski-out mountain property.

Currently available:
3 studios from $589,000.
3 1-bedroom units from $1,115,000.
9 2-bedroom units from $1,840,000.

This is truly one of the premier resort properties in all of North America.  The Ritz Residential Suites provide unsurpassed service and amenities to all of its owners.

To learn more about this amazing project, please contact me anytime.