Resort Value Season

Author: Natelle Fitzgerald
January 2008

Features

Just say the magic words (Smart Meetings) and get an exclusive deal at 10 of the West’s premier resorts

Joanie and Chachi, the Pink Ladies from Grease, even those quirky kids from That 70s Show, had their own tight-knit circle—and for good reason. Belonging to the “in crowd” has its privileges. (Joanie Cunningham could always count on the protective eye of the Fonz—practically the King of the In-Crowd.)

The good news here is that, because you’re reading this, you’re part of it, too—a particular group privy to special benefits that can’t be found anywhere else. And this connection will be a fruitful one for your entire company, due to the savings you’ll see at the end of your next booking.

All it takes is a gander at these nine featured resorts, all of which have offered a special deal exclusively for our readers. See what package could work for your group this year—and make your Smart Meetings connection work even harder!

1. The Balboa Bay Club
Newport Beach, Calif.
Speaking of connections, we all know how important it is to get online when you’re traveling—even if it means finagling the hotel’s Internet access and the daily fee. Balboa Bay Club, with 15,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space, is offering free Internet in guest rooms if 40 room nights or more are booked for a meeting, which also leads to a suite upgrade for every 25 room nights used. Need audiovisual on top of that? You’ll get 10 percent off with this deal, making the cocktail soiree in the 2,500-square-foot Coconut Grove a lot sweeter. These springtime perks (March through June) at this inviting waterfront resort apply to a Monday–Thursday booking for $265 (plus 10 percent tax). If your group checks in on Sunday, the rate drops $15, but you need to sign on the dotted line by March 15, 2008. Call 888-445-7153 and ask for details on the “Smart Deal.” balboabayclub.com

2. Big Sky Resort
Big Sky, Mont.
Start at 7,500 feet in elevation. Get scooped up by the Swift Current chair lift and settle in for a relaxing ride that climbs another 1,647 feet. Ahhh, what could be better than a killer view of Big Sky, Montana? Well, doing all this with extra savings would be. With the 46,000 sq. ft. of meeting space at the resort’s Yellowstone Conference Center (and an additional 9,000 sq. ft. at Mountain Village), there are a lot of options for your group. Book 20 or more rooms or condos this summer (or December 2008 through January 2009) and get one complimentary room upgrade.
Other goodies include: highly discounted meeting-room rental fees (some even free!), Boyne Rewards (customer loyalty program points) and an additional 10 percent discount on the lodging master bill for June meetings. Plus, each attendee gets a free scenic lift ride in summer, or a free hour of invigorating snow-tubing in winter. Bombs away! bigskyresort.com

3. The Carneros Inn
Napa Valley, Calif.
Just one hour’s drive north from San Francisco, and you can be in the heart of Napa Valley listening to the krik-krik of the Western Grebe, sipping pinot noir and opening a game of bocce with a swift toss down the court. But remember, this is a business trip, and there are meetings to attend. No worries—not at The Carneros Inn, where 84 picturesque cottages welcome your group. Choose from various meeting spots like the resort’s courtyard, a fragrant 3,000-square-foot apple orchard or two distinct ballrooms. If you arrive between January 1 and March 31, you’ll lock in 2007 prices.

The 27-acre resort’s Executive Meeting Package includes a long list of perks ($85 per person per day), such as a full breakfast buffet and customized morning and afternoon breaks. The package also includes a chef-designed Carneros Working Lunch, free use of house audiovisual equipment and high-speed wireless Internet access in all guest rooms—the list goes on. And, planners: You’ll make 12 percent commission on the room rate when you mention Smart Meetings. We’ll toast to that! thecarnerosinn.com.

Canadian Rockies:

4. The Fairmont Banff Springs

5. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

6. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Resembling the places of whimsical fairy tales, three Fairmont properties—Banff Springs Resort, Chateau Lake Louise and Jasper Park Lodge—will suit your fancy for a true incentive getaway. Set deep in the core of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, these resorts are ideal for a wintertime meeting. Book and consume your event between January and April 2008 and get a complimentary room night for every 40 paid. Also, when you mention Smart Meetings, you’ll get one room upgrade for every 40 contracted.
Banff Springs offers 76,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, unbeatable skiing and, of course, first-class spa treatments (you can cash in on a free treatment with 25 treatments paid) at Willow Stream Spa. Chateau Lake Louise (two hours west from Calgary) in Banff National Park is a fantastic retreat spot with 36,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Or for a real waltz with the surrounding wilderness, check out the 446-room Jasper Lake Lodge. Book 10 peak room nights to get your VIP into the one-bedroom Athabasca Cottage, at no cost, at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. One free daily coffee break will accompany this deal. fairmont.com

7. Snowbird Conference Resort and Spa
SnowBird, Utah
Does your group consist of 10 or more attendees? Easy! Take them to Snowbird Conference Resort and Spa with room rates beginning at $99 (before tax and fees). Book for April through May or November through December and get complimentary tram rides and access to the spa. Your attendees will love the bird’s- eye view of Salt Lake Valley while inside the aerial tram. Plus, a few minutes exploring the top of Hidden Peak will reinvigorate them for that afternoon meeting.

The resort’s 50,000 sq. ft. of function space comprises four distinct conference centers—all within a five-minute walk of one another —where outdoor patios, terraces and decks provide a fresh-air theme to your event. Your group will love you, especially when they’re soaking in the rooftop hot tubs at the lodge. The recent $5.6-million renovation of the Cliff Lodge & Spa upgraded the accommodations; expect flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet access and spiffier furniture for your cozy stay in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range. Tell them Smart Meetings sent you. snowbird.com

8. Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Although it may be too cold in May to swim in one of the alpine lakes near Steamboat Springs, Colo. (unless you’re a member of the Polar Bear Club), there are other options to lure your group to this high-altitude wonderland. Located at the base of the ski resort, The Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel and Condominiums has 327 luxurious rooms that will underscore your good fortune from day one. The hotel is only 22 miles from Steamboat/Hayden Airport, which offers nonstop flights from 10 major airports.

Whether you’re trying white-water rafting in spring or rock climbing when the leaves are falling, you can reap the rewards from the Grand Hotel in the form of major discounts. For any group of 20 or more room nights (per night) from April to May and from October to November 21, 2008, you’ll receive a 20-percent discount on rooms, and 20 percent off audiovisual, as well as complimentary breakfast daily for every attendee. For 50 rooms or more per night, you can count on two free upgrades from hotel rooms to one-bedroom suites. With 17,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 250-seat outdoor amphitheater, this could be just the place to transition through the seasons. steamboatgrand.com

9. Tamarack Resort
Tamarack, Idaho
January to June is a promising window of opportunity in Idaho this year. With activities from skiing to fly fishing to kayaking (and plenty of golf), your attendees will be stumped on which to try first. Maybe they’ll fall in love with Idaho, just like Ernest Hemingway, when they take one look at the Payette River Mountains—the backyard playground of Tamarack Resort.

The Arling Center conference facility isn’t your usual resort meeting spot. Its centralized 10,000 sq. ft. of space encompasses a chapel, a grange building and a schoolhouse, all of which are situated near the Lodge at Osprey Meadows. Take advantage of their Smart Deal by holding your event between January 2 and June 29. For every 10 room nights, get one complimentary room and free skiing for all attendees before May 17, 2008 or a free instructional golf clinic after the 17th. This offer applies to Sunday through Thursday bookings between January and March 22, and every night of the week after that until June 29. Call 888-819-9403 for this offer. tamarackidaho.com

10. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
Maui, Hawaii
As if being on the island of Maui isn’t enough of an indulgence, the Westin Maui Resort is offering you, our readers, a special offer if you book a meeting or convention at this luxurious 758-room resort by the end of February. The resort just completed a year-long renovation, outfitting all guest rooms in the two 11-story towers with fresh paint and revamping the 31,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including the Aloha Pavilion, the Valley Isle and Haleakala ballrooms.

For every 45 rooms you book by February 29, you’ll receive a suite upgrade, free Internet access and an authentic Hawaiian greeting (imagine a fragrant lei and delicious Mai Tai punch upon your arrival). Several other perks could lead you to the golf course or the spa for meetings held during selected dates in March, April, October and November. If you’re in a pinch and looking for a place to wow your group, this is a great last-minute option! Call 808-661-2559 to get the details westinmaui.com