Capella Telluride

Inspiration from the Colorado Rockies echoes through every meeting at the new Capella Telluride. Born in February 2009, the hotel lies steps from the Telluride Gondola and a half block from the Telluride Conference Center. Delegates meet in over
5,200 square feet of indoor space at the resort, which includes the Idarado Ballroom, divisible into three soundproof sections. The more than 7,400 square feet of outdoor space, available seasonally, encompasses the 6,240-square-foot Capella Plaza. Steps away, the town’s conference center offers another 14,000 square feet.

Every guest receives a custom itinerary based on individual requirements, tastes, and requests. Even before arrival, a personal assistant arranges tee times at the Telluride Ski & Golf Club, for instance, or restaurant reservations, film festival tickets, or a kayak trip down the San Miguel River. Guests can either build in visits to the spa, fitness center, or indoor
pool or drop by at leisure. The same applies to sampling the menus at the Onyx restaurant, Gray Jay Café, or Suede Bar.

In winter, ski valets warm guests’ boots and attend to overnight storage, waxing, and deburring. Capella Telluride boasts the best ski-in, ski-out access in town.

Between meetings and recreation, the 95 rooms and suites (plus 11 condominiums) offer all the comforts of home—plus Pratesi linens, LCD TV s, iPod connections, and wireless LAN connection. Framed by Colorado wood, stone, leather, and traditionally styled, handcrafted furnishings, picture windows and balconies invite the outdoors in, affording views that stretch from the rugged peaks above to the vibrant village and valley below. There are no packages available at this time. There are no hot dates at this time. Posted Oct 19, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed Retired as CEO from Ritz Carlton for one weekend, he found fishing boring and went back to work. This time he founded his own hotel group: Capella. We have researched the history and story of his first hotel: Schloss Velden in Austria.

In 2007, former Ritz Carlton CEO Horst Schulze opened Hotel Schloss Velden in Austria as the flagship hotel of his new hotel group Capella. In 2008, the Breidenbacher Hof in Duesseldorf, Germany became the second Select Member of The Most Famous Hotels in the World to be operated under Cappela.

Today famoushotels proudly presents 400 years of history of Schloss Velden, the legendary castle and hotel at the idyllic Lake Woerth in Carinthia, Austria's exemplary holiday destination.

Andreas Augustin (A.A.): Horst, we are sitting at Seespitz (photo), the trendy lakeside restaurant, watching the sunrise as we are having breakfast. What's your personal breakfast favourite?

Horst Schulz (H.S.): Weisswurst!!!

A.A.: And your motto in life?

H.S.: Earthly happiness is to be connected to creating excellence.

A.A.: Our book on Schloss Velden came out today. It is a splendid coffee table book featuring photography by US star photographer Robert Reck, but also a great collection of historic photographs - and of course a thoroughly researched history of the 400-years old castle. Did you have a chance to read it?

H.S.: Oh yes, Andreas! I just concluded the wonderful nostalgic tour of the Hotel Schloss Velden as seen through your eyes - FANTASTIC. History is a key element. When I first came to America in the 1960s, I was working on a ship. We had some days off and we went to see New York. All my colleagues took cabs to the Empire State building or other famous sights, but I told the driver of my taxi "Take me to the Waldorf Astoria!" For me, historic hotels were always a magnet.

A.A.: You have started Capella Hotels as an ultimate luxury hotel chain in 2007. Luxury is what, exactly, today?

H.S.: 35 years ago luxury was a large hotel lobby with a glass elevator. 25 years ago, that changed with Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. And today it is changing again. Waterford chandeliers as a symbol of luxury don't hurt but they are not luxury any more. Luxury today is privacy, security, safety, personal service, individual attention.

A.A.: How do you respond to this?

H.S.: We need to know what our new luxury travellers want. In general they all want individuality.

A.A.: What's new?

H.S.: Our response! We will shift away from "this is what we offer you!" to "what do you want, we create it for you!"

A.A.: This is what I have experienced at Capella Hotels. Following my reservation a personal assistant called me to find out what I want.

H.S.: That is exactly the point. We ask the guest, what he wants and how he wants it. And then we make it happen. That is the new luxury. We have commissioned a survey and we learnt from it, that 79% of hotel guests would prefer more individuality during their stay. A port for their own i-pod - people want to listen to their own music while they are in the hotel room - unlimited internet access at no extra charge, etc.

A.A.: You are currently managing two very important historic hotels, one is Schloss Velden, the other one is the Breidenbacher Hof in Duesseldorf, Germany, which goes back over 200 years. Do you consider history an USP?

H.S.: History is very important and a great tool. Here at Schloss Velden I can actually feel the past and I encounter this with great respect. Here history is presented with a heart, not with snobbish arrogance. This is what I like. History is a very important marketing tool. And you bring it alive in your books!

A.A.: How may luxury chains can the global market take?

H.S.: Since 2001, 15 new luxury hotel chains were formed in the United States. 11 of them are already bankrupted.

A.A.: How will this luxury element develop?

H.S.: The well known five-star chains are the leading quality hotels, serving the top market segment. They have to expand their guest 'down market' because the economy has lowered their occupancy. They are all, at this moment, reaching down in market segments. Consequently they will loose their top market. Whenever you reach for an extra 10% from the down-market, you loose 2% of your top-market. That was always the case, since one hundred years.

A.A.: The result of that will be that new leaders will have to fill the top segment?

H.S.: Yes, while the leading hotel companies will become more conventional, others will take over the luxury part.

A.A.: Luxury is what, exactly, today?

H.S.: The luxury hotel of yesterday is too large to deliver this personal attention. And in fact, they want to give up this segment. So a new luxury is developing in the hotel business. This is the big change that is happening right now. Hotel companies like Capella are taking over the very top market luxury customer because they are smaller and can respond to the individual needs, be it a diet, or a check-in time, or an allergy - anything. They can respond to the individual while the traditional large luxury hotel can not do that any more.

A.A.: Which markets are our future markets?

H.S.: Within the next ten years, one percent of the Chinese population will be travelling abroad. By that time that will be 15 million people. They will stay about 15 days outside of the country in average. This is over 200 million roomnights. Who will be that one percent of the Chinese travellers? The upper class, of course! So you will have an infusion of 200 million new roomnights in the luxury market. At the same time we have to look at the Indian markets, where we observe the same aspects.

A.A.: How should we prepare for this?

H.S.: We need to know what our new luxury travellers want. In general they all want individuality. We will shift away from "this is what we offer you!" to "what do you want, we create it for you!"

A.A.: How did the travel industry in general develop?

H.S.: Look at the development of travel agencies, for example. Years ago when airlines stopped paying commissions, everybody was convinced this is the end of this industry. Today they have become personal travel adivisors rather than ticket writers. And they are more important to us than ever. When, 20 years ago, we lost a guest, OK, we lost ONE guest. With the involvement of the travel advisors, the situation changed. If you loose a guest, you also loose the travel advisor. So our full concentration is on keeping the guest, find out if he had any negative experience and turn it around.

Service is not something you only talk about: you need to deliver it!

Thank you, Horst, for your time and breakfast. Hope to see you again soon in one of your historic hotels. Posted Mar 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed In an economic climate that is causing other hospitality companies to pull back, Capella Hotels and Resorts is forging ahead, having opened in Ixtapa, Mexico, in December 2008 and slating four openings for 2009. The new launches include the luxury brands first hotel in the U.S. - Capella Telluride, which opened on February 12th in Telluride, Colorado; the brands first hotel in Asia, Capella Singapore, opening March 30th on Sentosa Island; and two new resorts in Mexico, Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas and Capella Bahia Maroma, in the Riviera Maya, opening in summer and fall of 2009, respectively. The openings offer good news for travelers, as introductory rates at each of these new hotels offer the opportunity for guests to affordably experience Capellas unprecedented level of personalized service in some of the worlds most compelling destinations.

Despite the downturn, we are in this business for the long term, and we see this time as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to guests who we will serve for many years to come, said Capella Hotels and Resorts President and CEO, Horst Schulze. Having earned his reputation leading The Ritz-Carlton hotel group to prominence, Schulze commented: Weve committed ourselves to raising the bar in luxury hospitality, and if were going to do that, we have to be prepared to lead even during uncertain times. Were delighted to be launching these fine hotels and resorts, each of which is contributing to the economies of their respective regions.

The new properties join the companys first hotel launched in June 2007, Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel in Velden, Austria. Early in 2008, Capella opened Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel, in Dusseldorf, Germany. The hotels have earned rave reviews from guests, journalists and rating organizations alike.

Capella Ixtapa
In December of 2008, Capella opened Capella Ixtapa in Mexico, catering to the worlds most discerning travelers from a secluded cliffside setting along rugged Don Juan Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Capella Ixtapa features just 59 expansive guest rooms each with its own private plunge pool and terrace, world-class dining in four distinct environments, a pampering spa, fitness center, fresh and saltwater pools, and private beach access. It is the only luxury resort in proximity to Ixtapas two championship golf courses and 600-slip marina. Early reviews of the unforgettable resort include one from a Huffington Post reporter lulled off to the best sleep Ive experienced in a long time. And thats what vacation is all about. Introductory rates for Capella Ixtapa start at US$350 and are valid through December 17, 2009 (subject to availability).

Capella Telluride
Guests and residents of Capella Telluride enjoy an unparalleled on-mountain experience. Perched high above the town of Telluride in exclusive Mountain Village, the new resort features 100 hotel ski-in/ski-out guest rooms and 48 fully-owned condominium suites. Its world-class indoor amenities include the exclusive Capella Living Room, an exceptional Alpine spa, a swimming pool with expansive mountain and valley views, fitness center, Nordic Lounge with ski valet, signature dining, a kids club and, in winter, an outdoor ice skating rink. Introductory rates for Capella Telluride are US $295 per room, per night through the winter ski season and $195 through the end of summer (subject to availability).

Capella Singapore
Set within 30 acres of lush rainforest on Singapores beautiful Sentosa Island, Capella Singapore combines the best of old and new Singapore in a secluded setting that belies the 111-room hotels easy access to Singapores central business district. This engaging duality is echoed in the hotels design, with its beautifully restored colonial building forming a centerpiece to modern architectural elements and sculpture gardens rich with contemporary art. An introductory rate of SGD 550 will be complemented by a special offer that extends a third night free to travelers who pay for two nights. The offer is valid through May 31, 2009 (subject to availability).

Capella Pedregal
Capturing the prized cliffside setting at the very point at which the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, Capella Pedregal will set itself apart from other Cabo San Lucas offerings through such firsts and foremosts as the first Mexican spa " Auriga " designed in cooperation with leading spa design and program consultant Sylvia Sepielli, and the worlds only fractional yacht ownership program. It is also the only luxury hotel and residence resort to offer immediate proximity to the world-class Cabo Marina. The beachfront resorts 66 guest accommodations, complemented by a selection of shared and full-ownership villas, will seem worlds apart from the lively appeals of downtown Cabo yet just minutes away via a 1,000-foot private tunnel carved through the mountainside. Capella Pedregals introductory rates will start at US $350, and are valid until December 19, 2009 (subject to availability).

Capella Bahia Maroma
With a stunningly beautiful landscape leading to a one-mile-long, pristine Caribbean beach, Capella Bahia Maroma is destined to become one of the worlds most coveted beach resort and residential experiences. The property is opposite the worlds second largest coral reef " the Great Maya Reef " and near the renowned diving and snorkeling of Cozumel, and important Mayan archaeological sites. The resort will feature an 89 all-villa Capella Hotel opening directly onto the Caribbean; 130 private residences; a private, world-class Rees Jones golf course; a signature Auriga spa; a magnificent beach club and flavorful gourmet dining. Introductory rates for Capella Bahia Maroma will be set closer to the resorts November opening.

To book a stay at any Capella Hotels and Resorts property in 2009, or for more information, call 877-247-6688 or visit www.capellahotels.com.

Capella Hotels and Resorts serves todays top-tier travelers and residential property owners and is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. Capella promises the unique benefits of the finest boutique hotels, including superb architecture and interior design, privacy, individualized service and attention to detail " combined with the amenities and activities of the worlds great luxury hotels and resorts. Capella, led by founder Horst Schulze, is a brand focused on customer choice, and offers choices that no other hotel company in the world can match. Capella is opening world-class properties in gateway cities and high-profile resort destinations around the world, including: Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel (Dsseldorf, Germany); Capella Bahia Maroma (Riviera Maya, Mexico); Capella Dunboy Castle (Castletownbere, Ireland); Capella Ixtapa (Ixtapa, Mexico); Capella Niseko (Niseko, Japan); Capella Pedregal (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico); Capella Singapore (Sentosa Island, Singapore); Capella Telluride (Telluride, Colorado); and Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel (Velden, Austria). Learn more at www.capellahotels.com