Virtuoso Luxury Travel Mart & Montage Deer Valley

Last week I attended my first Virtuoso Luxury TravelMart at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was four days, jam-packed with four minute speed dates with THE MOST incredible and exclusive 5-star/5-diamond hotels and resorts in the WORLD.  I had over 350 speed meetings in those four days – with whom at many times, were with the owners of these fabulous places or the CEO’s of all these highly specialized tour companies. Meeting the owners of The Jade Mountain Saint Lucia was like meeting a celebrity family to me. A place I have dreamed about and admired for a long, long time, and here are the owners sitting right in front of me!

It was an incredible experience. I met with people from places I didn’t know existed and I got to know the representatives of The Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Amangani, Snake River Lodge & Spa and other regional luxury resorts. I hit it off with the gal that was there representing Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort and can’t wait to go visit her and their resort! I also got to know some of my Elite Travel International team as well as meet Erina and Michael with SmartFlyer (our East Coast Virtuoso affiliate).  I found myself pinching myself the final night at the gala dinner. Here I was – sitting amongst some major powerhouses in the industry. How did I get so lucky?!

Stacy Small, who is Elite Travel International’s founder and president, heads our table. She just rated #16 in the world as a “Most Influential Traveler”.  This is a woman that I admire a lot.  To think I used to read her monthly magazine column in agent@home like The Bible, and now here I am - part of her team.  All the ladies that make up Elite Travel International are as different as night and day - but we all share a common goal and passion as well as the determination to succeed.  I was most impressed with the 20 year old L.A. intern Stacy has, named Mina. I’ve never met a more level headed, driven and no-nonsense young lady in my life. Supermodel beautiful and kind hearted, Mina didn’t even know who “Snookie” was.

And then “Luxe Tiffany” as she is better known in the twitter world, sits down right beside me for dinner! She just rated #11 in the world as a “Most Influential Traveler” and represents Conde Naste as their Luxury Hotel Inspector.  Her husband even treats her to turndown service at home, because he knows she likes it so much; and she was so sweet and nice to talk to that I’m sure he loves doing it for her.  I just felt so, so privileged to be sitting amongst such influential and savvy people. I came home inspired and motivated in whole new ways. To say seeing all of these western luxury lodges got my wheels spinning thinking about Frontier Town is an understatement…  My dreams and plans just keep getting bigger and better…

Before I flew off to Las Vegas, Ty and I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary at Montage Deer Valley in Park City Utah.  In perfect harmony with its majestic Wasatch Mountain setting, this refined Mountain Craftsman resort evokes the splendor of North America's great mountain lodges through mountain-inspired décor, extensive artwork and architecture that remains authentic to the region. Equal parts recreational haven and inviting private residence, Montage Deer Valley's 154 guestrooms and more than 66 suites and residences offer spacious accommodations with gas fireplaces and breathtaking alpine views.

 

 

Guests enjoy extensive 24-hour services, amenities and recreational programs that make the most of the location amidst thousands of acres of pristine, wooded forests. Their 35,000-square-foot Spa Montage offers alpine-inspired treatments and daily fitness classes. Savory culinary experiences range from the signature mountain American grill specialties of Apex and slope-side après-ski terrace to the modern gastro-pub classics of Daly's Pub & Rec with its very own bowling alley. In addition, Compass Sports mountain outfitter will provide full ski/bike concierge and signature valet services.

 

Movie under the stars featuring 'smores with homemade gourmet marshmellos!



Spa Montage

A wealth of inspiring private venues - the resort features more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space including two sprawling seasonal lawns with stunning mountain and valley panoramas - provide a picturesque backdrop to any occasion you bring to the mountains, from intimate anniversary celebrations and executive strategy sessions to grand wedding receptions. Their year-round repertoire of abundant indoor/outdoor activities and family-friendly pursuits makes Montage Deer Valley an idyllic place to reconnect with nature, family and friends. And for many of you Rock Springs people this is a quick two hour car trip. Keep this place in mind if you want to treat yourself and your family to an incredible mountain experience in beautiful Park City!!!