Insist on Beautiful Places

Marketing executive Patrick Smith recognizes luxury travel, if it is truly that, is a total experience, not merely a destination or a physical property. With an extensive background in brand positioning and marketing — as well as 25 years of international travel — as a foundation, Smith in 2003 created BeautifulPlaces: Vacation Homes of Distinction. The homes, principally in Sonoma County wine country, are not simply “rentals” in which typical tourists sleep off a day of overindulgence.

“We combine the services and amenities of a small luxury hotel with the comfort, splendor and privacy of magnificent Wine Country homes to create a truly unique and memorable vacation or business meeting experience,” Smith explains.

The homes are beyond exceptional in terms of location, design and furnishings, but that’s only one part of the equation. The core of BeautifulPlaces’ success is its zealous attention to detail and service, from arranging credible nannys, to scheduling private chefs or assuring exclusive access to a private winery or spa, to scoring a tough tee time for a memorable round of golf.

Presently, there are 35 homes available to lease through BeautifulPlaces and its co-brand, Country Sojourns. A property that typifies the homes under management is pictured above, revealing a stunning vineyard view from the infinity pool. Napa Valley’s Domaine Beau Soleil is a 5-bedroom Tuscan-style villa with a guest house on an 80-acre parcel north of Calistoga, Calif. It is surrounded by south facing vineyards and 500+ fruit trees.

Rates per week range from $2,500 to more than $60,000. At the higher end, the correct designation is “chateau”, such as the 18-room Chateau Villette near Versailles, occupying only a fraction of its accompanying 185 acres.

Check out the entire lineup at the BeautifulPlaces or Country Sojourns web sites. We are honored to announce Hinsdale Cellars’ alliance with BeautifulPlaces, through which visitors to and clients of HinsdaleCellars.com who reserve a BeautifulPlaces home of distinction are eligible for a 10% discount on published weekly rates. Guests who reserve and stay in one of these inspired properties before the end of 2007 also will be eligible to earn a $100 gift certificate.

– Steve Woodward