Capella Telluride Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler
Apr 30, 2009 | 1713 views | 16 
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Story Updated April 29
The Telluride region’s newest luxury resort has earned one of the most sought after recognitions in the travel industry, lending it a boost at the start of the upcoming summer season.
Condé Nast Traveler magazine has listed the Telluride Capella, which opened this winter in Mountain Village, to its “hot list” for 2009. The recognition places the Capella among just 34 new hotels in the United States to be listed.
“As the first U.S. destination for Capella Hotels and Resorts, we had the great responsibility of introducing a world-class hotel founded upon the principle of service,” said John Volponi, general manager of Capella Telluride, quoted in a press release. “Condé Nast Traveler’s recognition – and so soon after opening – is a testament to the excellence of the entire Capella Telluride team, and I congratulate them wholeheartedly.”
From a local perspective, The Capella enjoys the distinction of being one of just two new hotels, along with lumiere, to have opened its doors in recent years in Mountain Village. In 2006, three other major hotels won development approvals, marking a long-anticipated increase in the region’s bedbase. But as of today, the proposed Telluride Rosewood, the proposed Silverline and a massive remodel of The Peaks are all on hold, set back at least in part by frozen credit markets and the weak economy.
Condé Nast Traveler’s annual hot list is produced by the magazine’s editors and correspondents. It can be seen at www.cntraveler.com/hotlist.
The magazine praises the “100-room stone-and-stucco resort” for feeling “pleasingly intimate despite its large scale,” and describes the staff as “polished” and “as courteous as they are good-looking.”
Among the hotels on the hot list, the Capella Telluride is a relative bargain, thanks to a special introductory rate of $195 from May 21 – Oct. 17, 2009, subject to availability.
The Capella got an additional boost when it was one of the hotels on the hot list specifically discussed on NBC’s Today Show on April 14, in a story about the Conde Nast Hot List.
The Today Show segment can be seen at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30134873#30134873.
RAL and "the bankers", do this out of the goodness of their hearts. Now, making a profit is O.K. by me. Probably O.K. by you, too.
But, not O.K., when we (you, me and the other regular folks who pay taxes) have to pay for the bail-outs, when things don't turn out so well.
Robert Levine, took the E, out of "REAL"; and gave us the splendor, known as RAL.
The Capella is RAL's vision of what his extraordinary taste in all things; would help Telluride be seen throughout the civilized, wealthy world -- as THE place to visit. If RAL says "It is good" -- then it MUST be.
If RAL tells you that you need him -- then you MUST NEED HIM.
If RAL tells you, that it must be bigger, more costly, and take 10 years to (almost) complete -- then it MUST be BIGGER, cost MORE, and take as much time as HE wants.
He built it, and nobody came (unless they were comped). If Capella had any power to increase the revenue stream into MV, then many people would be traveling to come here. They would all stay at Capella, because nobody else can take care of their needs. Nobody else knows how to provide the services the travelers require.
And, many businesses would not close down for this off-season -- because Capella is here; and will bring money to MV.
Got a restaurant? How is Capella going to bring in more business for you? Own a store? How much has business picked up for you, since Capella opened?
Capella is RAL's idea of a deal. He bangs a Lehman Bros. banker. Gets the money. Then, WE pay.
thanks
The writer from Traveler Magazine won't be returning, unless comped again.
If the Hotel is completed this summer, where will they hire staff from? How many locals work there, now? Where will the other employees live? Who else will be evicted, in order to provide housing for the hotel's employees?
After 10 years, and 200 million (NOT invested by Mr. Levine. He gets the money from Lehman Bros.) you still have a hotel that is not what the traveling public want. Telluride is unique, and shouldn't be Aspened to death.
Sometimes, less is more. A smaller, less egocentric hotel, would have paying guests -- more of the time. It would have been completed sooner, instead of ten years. It doesn't need to have multiple restaurants,there are enough in town. It's designed to be so self-contained -- nobody needs to go out beyond its cushy interiors.
Capella is not what MV needs -- it's what RAL wants. And, now it's mostly empty.
(By the way, how many of small percentage of available rooms have been sold & not comp'd?)
Although I dont own any property in the TMV I have taken on the task of making sure you are properly opposed to Telski and RAL, etc.
In the future, please check with me on what to think about controversial subjects like RAL's investment in TMV.
(LP is also illustrating another instance of not "giving kudos" earning a stay in the CAVE doghouse.)
By lost people...you must mean the Lost People Of Telluride (also know as CAVE)...they seem to be the only people that are lost (...and incredibly spoiled and immature)
The facility is stunning and is a credit to our community.
The place is absolutely beautiful. The stonework and the arches are world class.
Thanks very much, Mr. Levine