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Looking for the ultimate mountain vacation? Boulder-based InvitedHome, a vacation-rental company specializing in luxury homes, has several convenient options that have garnered national media attention—in the pages of Architectural Digest and on the Travel Channel and HGTV.
Vacation rentals are a big business these days (maybe you’ve heard of Airbnb or VRBO?), but searching for luxury rentals can be time-consuming and risky. InvitedHome believes that by marketing their properties in media outlets, they’re making the process a bit easier. “Of course we have some very private homeowners who don’t want the coverage,” says Wendy Purvey, the company’s chief marketing officer. “But for the owners who are comfortable with it, the exposure helps people find us.”
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Ensuring their properties live up to the hype is key for the travel company. “There’s nothing worse than a vacation that isn’t what you thought it would be,” Purvey says. “You want to make sure you are getting what you expect.” InvitedHome uses a proprietary 97-point checklist to guarantee their high-end homes remain pristine. Guests are vetted, bachelor parties are off limits, and onsite personnel ensure the safety of artwork, antiques, and luxurious decor.
The white-glove service extends to renters as well. When a client begins browsing homes in a particular destination (InvitedHome manages 260 properties in nearly a dozen markets), he or she is connected with a travel specialist with knowledge of that area, who helps with the rental process and vacation planning. “Of course these homes are exquisite, but we really take care of our clients,” Purvey says.
Ready to take your vacation prime time? Consider a stay at one of our favorite mountain homes from the InvitedHome collection—all three are within driving distance of Denver:
Seventh Heaven, Breckenridge
Situated on 2.5 acres, this contemporary home has windows galore, including a 25-foot sliding-glass wall that opens to an outdoor living room and frames panoramic views of Baldy Mountain. Featured on HGTV’s “Extreme Homes” and the Travel Channel’s “Amazing Vacation Homes,” the five-bedroom, 5,200-square-foot home sleeps 17 people—and keeps them all entertained with an indoor theater, foosball table, outdoor fire pit, hot tub, and even a Big Green Egg for cookouts. Nightly rates begin at $699.
Grand Outlook, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
A new addition to the InvitedHome portfolio, this home in the exclusive Amangani community offers 360-degree views from its hillside perch (including an eye-popping view of the Tetons), which is the highest homesite on the East Gros Ventre Butte. Architectural Digest recently featured the six-bedroom, 7,500-square-foot home’s striking modern design, which steps gently down the hillside and features walls of glass and a series of living roofs. The home is furnished with the owner’s collection of antiques and fine art, making for a truly special rental experience. (We love the waterfalls that flow from one end of the home to the other, and the private, hilltop picnic site.) Nightly rates begin at $4,000.
Castlewood, Telluride
Equal parts log cabin and castle, this 17,300-square-foot home is situated on the Double Cabins ski run in Mountain Village. Comprising three separate residences, the estate sleeps 25 people in its seven bedrooms (hello, perfect wedding venue!). Highlights include a sprawling yet cozy kitchen, massive stone fireplace, grand chandeliers, a grotto, movie theater, and even a wine cellar that’s available for use during your stay. Featured in several design publications and on the Travel Channel, this home will make you feel like a VIP for however long you stay. Nightly rates begin at $4,000.