Stowe Mountain Lodge Rental Rates.. Insane?

[skizoo]

I was just browsing Stowe's site and see they are now taking reservations for the Stowe Mountain Lodge beginning in June.

Curious.. I entered a couple dates for next winter, low season. and was stunned.
Let me say that I am probably pretty close to the demographic they are going after with their Spruce Peak development.. But the most I've ever paid for a room in Stowe was at the Stoweflake and we now usually stay at the Innsbruck..

Anyway.. I entered rates for early December and early January, for a 2 BR condo, they want $1905 PER NIGHT!..

This is literally 2-3x what you would pay for a comparable ski in ski out condo at Beaver Creek, Deer valley, etc..

For $2K a night you can rent a 5000 sq ft luxury home in Telluride, Aspen or almost any other place out west..

I knew the SML was not going to be cheap, I figured about $800 a night for a 2BR in peak season, but almost 2K a night?

I know they can probably sell these properties as there is enough folks with money.. but to rent them at those rates, well, they are always going to find some who can and will pay those rates, and then there are those who can but won't, but is there really enough demand for a $700 a night studio and a $2000 a night 2 BR condo to fill these places in this region night after night?

I've been skiing 35+ years and have gone from the bottom of the ski economic food chain to something at least a bit closer to the other end.. but this has to be the most extreme pricing I've ever seen..

Personally, I'll stick to the Innsbruck.. I could stay there about 70 nights a year for the price of a week at the SML..

I think they are going to have a real uphill fight on their hands to fill these units on a rental basis.. to anything close to capacity

 

[Warp Daddy]

Smart money move there - Skizoo .Tell Stowe to pound it !!

Just cuz we can afford it doesn't mean we're STUPID enough to pay it

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Well if people don't pay those prices..Stowe will be forced to lower the rates but some of the wealthy people from Boston and NYC will likely pay those prices without batting an eyelash..

 

[Warp Daddy]

Like WC Fields used to say " there's a sucker born every minute"

 

[Warp Daddy]

Oops screwed up !! it was PT Barnum that said that

 

[deadheadskier]

Can you say Corporate Interest Tax write off? I'm betting 80% of the rentals go for corporate entertainment purposes and not your upper class family skier. The same principal as a company paying two grand for a last minute flight business class for a meeting across country.

 

[riverc0il]

I just checked my season cost calculator. Counting lift tickets, season pass, and gas... I am still just about $400 shy of what it costs for the 2BR for one night after 45 days of skiing.

 

[ccskier]

No one will pay that. I had a girlfriend who used to work at the Lodge at Vail, her roommate worked at the front desk. When she would do work at home I saw some of the peoples balances/bills. There is not a room at the Lodge at Vail that even comes close to that. That is way over priced. Those condos are nice but very poorly built. A lot of the owners have had major issues with leaks, etc... Pretty shotty work.

 

[ccskier]

Can you say Corporate Interest Tax write off? I'm betting 80% of the rentals go for corporate entertainment purposes and not your upper class family skier. The same principal as a company paying two grand for a last minute flight business class for a meeting across country.

Very true. I work in the insurance biz and all of the companies we represent have these type of things. One of my agency owners just flew down to South Carolina, played at some real swanky course/hotel, probably cost $2k/person and there was 8 of them, companies don't even bat an eye on these things.

 

[snoseek]

I think Stowe is a fabulous mountain and all but it's apparently quite a bit better in the owners eyes. It's really ashamed what is going on over there. a family of six could stay at the base of Alta with tickets and all food included for less than that.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I think Stowe is a fabulous mountain and all but it's apparently quite a bit better in the owners eyes. It's really ashamed what is going on over there. a family of six could stay at the base of Alta with tickets and all food included for less than that.

But Alta isn't a 3 hour drive from Boston..

 

[snoseek]

But Alta isn't a 3 hour drive from Boston..

lots of $$$$ in the valley. Lot's of people take vacations west also. also plenty of $$$ from California vacations in the area.

 

[ccskier]

But Alta isn't a 3 hour drive from Boston..

It is a 5hour plane ride and including airfare it will still be cheaper than Stowe.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

It is a 5hour plane ride and including airfare it will still be cheaper than Stowe.

But the ultra-rich don't think that way..

 

[BeanoNYC]

But the ultra-rich don't think that way..

The ultra rich jump on their jet and go wherever the hell they feel like going.

 

[snoseek]

The ultra rich jump on their jet and go wherever the hell they feel like going.

Agreed. Anyone that can afford that much for a room can go pretty much anywhere they want. I like Stowe a lot but I would pick nearly anywhere out west or Europe over Stowe. Most folks that would pay 2k a night for a room don't work a normal 9-5 either so getting away should not an issue.

 

[kingslug]

This is why I own several timeshares. Using last minute deals you can rent these type of places and only have to pay an exchange fee, a few hundred dollars at most. 2K a night is unreal!

 

[SIKSKIER]

Ya but they put mints on your pillow and make those cool animals out of the towels.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I bet they have an in room hairdryer...

 

[Fisk75]

I was invited on a tour of this new lodge, and the prices do not come as too much of a surprise to me. They anticipate this hotel receiving a five star and five diamond rating, and with all due respect to the Stoweflake and the other aforementioned hotels, this is simply a step higher. Their prices are on par with the other elite resorts, and I am excited that Stowe has been able to assemble this kind of hospitality experience. I realize that this is certainly not for everyone, but from what I have seen, I do recommend this if you have the means. I will try to offer a more detailed perspective to you all after I have stayed there.