Ron H.
Yelp
St. James Place: Charming Beaver Creek
Construction and marketing time-shares in ski resorts has always required adroit thinking. The loquacious salesperson comprehends that winter inventory will virtually sell itself; however, several winter months of maintenance fees will not support the bottom line. This simple analysis has led to a market glut of time-shares in destination areas such as Orlando.
Another factor is that the U.S. time-share market clientele is simply not attentive to the geography or demographics of The Rocky Mountains. Interval International categorizes every state from Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming as the "Rocky Mountains." These states may indeed share the Rockies, but these states have very ingenuous differences even for the client who is a skier. And specifically, there are market differences in Vail, Avon, and Beavercreek, Colorado. All three of these communities are grouped together on the Interval International website with no discussion of the vibrant differences that location provides. A client from the Midwest or East with an upscale property will unlikely be unhappy to learn that following several hours of flight and rental car drive that the family will be vacationing near I-70 or in a poorly located time-share.
Beavercreek, Colorado is near Avon, Colorado, and the difference in ambience is equal to the vertical difference between the two villages. Several years ago, my wife and I viewed the construction of St. James Place in Beaver Creek; then we experienced a sales tour. The developers of St. James Place in Beaver Creek incorporated the aesthetics of a mountain property that blended in perfectly with the architecture of Beaver Creek. Zoning regulations are vital to a tony community such as Beaver Creek. The insouciant time-share owner may visit the Vail, Avon, and Beavercreek page at Interval International, and "discover" 16 properties. These properties are vastly different, and woe to the decision-maker who chooses poorly for his family.
Beaver Creek has several very fine properties, and some research is necessary. Beaver Creek has become a true four-season resort village and is home to some very expensive second and permanent homes. The minute I saw St. James Place available, I traded for a summer week. St. James Place at 210 Offerson Road, P.O. Box 1512, Avon, CO 81620
970-845-9300 800-626-7100) is not in Avon; the property is in Beaver Creek. This property offers 1-4 bedrooms and bathrooms. The two photos on the website will provide only a glimpse of the appointments of this property. The website provides the following description:
Located in the heart of the prestigious Beaver Creek Resort Village, St. James Place provides the ideal mountain vacation home. Shopping, dining, ice-skating, and the Vilar Performing Arts Center are outside your door. Both downhill and cross-country skiing are available, or you can visit the slopes at Vail nine miles away. In the summer, hiking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, golf, and a myriad of other activities are nearby. After a busy day, relax by the indoor pool, work out in the exercise room, or enjoy dinner at the restaurant on-site.
Another website (http://beavercreek.snow.com/home/) provides the following:
At the gate you leave the world behind. A luxury resort with the cozy feel of an Alpine village, Beaver Creek Resort is nestled at the foot of North America¹s World Cup Mountain. It is perhaps the very best of luxury family skiing, and has earned accolades of awards for its food, wine, and service. These websites are very accurate in an assessment of the lifestyle at Beaver Creek. We have enjoyed skiing at Beaver Creek as well as several summer holidays at this perfect mountain resort.
Beaver Creek is a feast for the eyes, a delight for the senses. The influence of renowned resorts such as Switzerland's St. Moritz, Italy's Cortina, and Spain's Val d'Aran led to the creation of a unique mountain resort full of excitement and village luxury.... When George Townsend first settled in the valley in 1881, he knew he'd found something special- an exceptional mountain, lined with aspen groves and beautiful vistas that would become a world-renowned destination. In 1972, Vail continued his vision by purchasing the land and began designing a resort that combined western hospitality and European charm. Obstacles delayed resort completion, but on December 15, 1980, Beaver Creek finally opened to the public.
Beaver Creek is a planned and fully developed residential community. Care has been taken to provide underground parking, and a true pedestrian village. Beaver Creek is charismatic, disarming, and enigmatic. The resort village is a delight to shop, to ski, to hike, or simply to appreciate the elegance of the mountains. Numerous restaurants (reservations) provide a variety of cuisine; however, if the tourist requires a supermarket, then a short drive to a different village is required.