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Ski Spas Redefine Luxury

By Craig Altschul
September 04, 2006

It doesn't take a rocket scientist - let alone a sophisticated ski traveler - long to discover that the greatest innovation in ski vacations these days is getting pilloried on a spa table. And not just any spa table, the most exclusive spas are the most in demand.

Patrick Quigley, President of Resort Property Management (RPM) in Park City, Utah, has found a way to make "world-class amenities" a value-added treat for guests traveling to the Utah resort town and staying in RPM properties. That's a "win-win" in the parlance of ski travel.

RPM lists hundreds of luxury properties, including one- to six-bedroom condos and private homes. That's not too unusual in the major mountain resort communities in itself. But Quigley's firm takes it a big step further.

He provides an attractive value-added feature by giving his guests exclusive access to things like hot stone massages and Wild Lime Hot Stone Therapy that includes a facial seafood mask (for the woman who has everything else in life, we suppose) at surprisingly affordable prices. They also may dine at a restaurant where prime beef is air-freighted in twice weekly and an eatery that one magazine dubbed "the best restaurant in the state that you cannot get into."

That's the point. Those who choose to stay at a property not managed by RPM can kiss the seaweed and prime beef goodbye. The hoi polloi cannot get into Club Lespri.

"Access to these world-class amenities creates an additional value for our guests because facilities of this quality are not otherwise available to guests staying at private condominiums and homes throughout the city," Quigley told The Industry Report.

"The Club Lespri staff strictly enforces access to the Club and, as temporary members, our guests instantly become part of the Park City community, meeting people from all over the world as they socialize. It becomes their place to dine, socialize and work out," he said.

There are no extra costs for temporary membership in the Club for RPM guests as it is included in the room rates. The membership is only valid during the current visit. Guests, of course, pay for specialized treatments at the Rain Forest Spa (ranging from a Renew Massage at $100 to the lime rub with the mask thing at $175... relative bargains by international standards). A new state-of-the-art workout facility at the Club is currently under construction that also will be part of the access package.

Dinners in Cellars Restaurant are equally reasonable (if not for all budgets) by top resort standards, with entrees ranging from $45 to $85.

The model is the potential wave of the future and has been in place for just one winter season. Quigley says the Club Lespri is only the first of the group of clubs on the planning table, with all future clubs having reciprocal access to the others. RPM's guests will have access to all of the new Clubs as well.

"How many times do we take vacations to resort communities when we fly all day, grab our luggage at the airport, stand in line for the rental car, drive to town after dark while shuffling through the many pages of directions, only to find the check-in packet in a lock box at an office in a strip mall?" Quigley asks, knowing the answer.

"The Club Lespri is open 24 hours with someone at the front desk who can give directions or provide a meal or beverage on arrival. The lounge is open early afternoon so guests arriving at a reasonable time can quickly unwind. This sense of arrival at the Club has been very well received by our guests."

It might be the first time anyone ever offered you a seaweed mask as an amenity.

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