11 Sep Hotel Madeline, a Leading Hotel of the World
The trumpet sounded at a special media luncheon held in the summer of 2012, when it was announced that Hotel Madeline Telluride, Mountain Village, was now officially part of the The Leading Hotels of the World group.
What does the designation really mean?
The luxury hotel collection was established in 1928 by influential, forward-thinking European hoteliers. The fraternity started with just 38 initial members, who shared a commitment to provide unforgettable, authentic travel experiences.
Headquartered in New York City, the elite club now maintains a network of 25 offices in key cities around the world and includes 430 of the world’s greatest properties in over 80 countries. Rather than pasteurizing a destination in the name of corporate-mandated sameness, each hotel in the group celebrates the culture of its destination and remains unique and independent. Hotel Madeline Telluride stands out among the most desirable addresses in the San Juan range of southwestern Colorado.
What are the criteria for becoming part of The Leading Hotels of the World?
Acceptance in the luxury category is predicated on meeting exacting standards with respect to accommodations, service, cuisine, employee behavior, and facilities – in short – all aspects affecting guest comfort, convenience, and mood. Inspection reports, based on about 600 separate, stringent criteria, are subsequently filed with an executive committee whose members then vote for acceptance or rejection. (The standards are stricter than those of AAA Five Diamond or Forbes 5 Star.)
The devil is in the details:
Guests at Madeline can now enjoy transformational treatments at the Spa at Hotel Madeline, which offers massage, body and wellness therapies, altitude adjustment treatments, face and beauty, nail services, and makeup application. Farm-to-table Colorado Rocky Mountain cuisine is featured at the elegant Restaurant REV (See related post for an in-depth review.) For light bites and a welcoming après-ski (or any activity) scene, the adjoining gastropub, SMAK BAR –SMAK means “flavor” in Swedish – captures flavors from around the world in creative small plates and imaginative cocktails. Newly furnished and designed condos were added to the hotel’s booking portfolio, making them available for short or long-term stays, including two, three, and four-bedroom accommodations.
Other perks: The Leaders Club
As a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Hotel Madeline can offer memberships in the Leaders Club to the general, traveling public and locals. For only $150 in annual dues, participants get to enjoy a variety of benefits, among them continental breakfast daily, room upgrade if available on arrival, free Internet, early check in and late checkout, a unique welcome gift, one free night for every five stays, specials offers for stays and activities. Access to leading golf & spa clubs. And, as a special perk to locals, carrying the card means discounts at all hotel amenities. The Leaders Club offers even more goodies at higher levels of participation.
What more does Hotel Madeline’s participation in LHW mean for Mountain Village and the greater Telluride Community?
Every year thousands of LHW Portfolios are distributed throughout the finest independent hotels and into affluent mailboxes worldwide. There are only 36 LHW hotels in the United States and only one other, the Sonnenalp in Vail, in Colorado. Many well-travelled international guests hear about Telluride for the first time when they read the LHW portfolio.
Mountain Village needs a luxury branded hotel. After the Capella exited, the hope was that the Telluride region would attract a branded Ritz/Four Seasons/Rosewood property into the greater community. The reality is those who travel frequently internationally, especially those high-end travel agencies and corporate travel management companies, understand what it means to be a Leading Hotel member. They understand the high standards required to be part of the brand, and what their clients and guests can expect during a stay. These high-service and quality control standards set the bar high when it comes to being an independent hotel and reaching the right audience. What’s more, Leaders Club members tend to buy homes in the resort communities they regularly frequent.
To learn more, press the “play” button and eavesdrop on my conversation with Hotel Madeline’s Sales & Marketing Director, Todd Gehrke.
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