LOS ANGELES. HomeExchange – the world’s largest home exchange network with over 65,000 active listings in 150 countries – has launched HomeExchange Gold, an extension of its offering that caters to the luxury segment with a set of premium, personalized services.
“HomeExchange has always offered top-notch member support. As exchangers, we have it in our DNA,” said Jim Pickell, President of HomeExchange. “The depth of experience across our regionalized Support Team has been a signature of our commitment to the concept of sharing since we launched 24 years ago. We are excited to push the standard of service even higher, unparalleled in the industry, through HomeExchange Gold. This launch is about offering a Gold level of support to help ensure members find the right fit, not just a five-star home.”
HomeExchange Gold membership is ideal for home exchangers who have multiple homes or are looking for more personalized service through a dedicated Gold Exchange Specialist, reachable by phone, email or chat at anytime, from anywhere. The standard HomeExchange guarantee still holds of unlimited exchanges worldwide with no extra fees.
HomeExchange Gold premium services include the Gold Exchange Specialist’s real-time assistance in optimizing profiles and listings for maximum exposure; and on-demand, personally curated listings – the best possible options – based on travel preferences like dates and destinations, number of bedrooms required, amenities (pool, beach, wi-fi, car…) and any special needs.
HomeExchange Gold members have a choice between connecting exclusively with fellow Gold members or making their listing visible to the entire community.
“Luxury today is about personalization, on-demand service, flexibility and freedom of choice,” explained Peter Anton, Director of Global Marketing. “HomeExchange Gold aggregates these four components as a first-class facilitator ensuring a great home exchange vacation.”
The higher level of service was added in response to demand by the growing segment of owners with second homes seeking to connect with others like them. However, based on the principle of flexibility and freedom of choice, all HomeExchange members will continue to be able to choose between traditional membership or upgrade to the more personalized level of service through HomeExchange Gold.
“We are very excited to launch this inclusive offer of premium services, available to all in our current community, as well as future members. Travelers have different needs and we now have different levels of service to enhance their home exchange experience,” concluded Anton. For the Silo, Alexandra Origet du Cluzea
At the time of writing, “HomeExchangeGold” annual membership is $560 Cdn and regular “HomeExchangeRegular” annual membership is $170 Cdn.
About HomeExchange
Founded by Ed Kushins, a pioneer of the “collaborative consumption” movement, HomeExchange has facilitated over one million home swaps since 1992. It was featured in 2006 in the cult movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. In 2015, 65,000 HomeExchange members made 130,000 home swaps across 150 countries. HomeExchange makes it easy to plan and enjoy a home exchange vacation and offers travelers a memorable, authentic experience. It was voted in November 2015 “Best Site for Booking Your Stay” by readers of USA TODAY and 10Best.
There’s a reason why Val d’Isere, at 1,850 meters, continues to be the top choice of European skiers each winter. It offers the perfect blend of challenging ski terrain for advanced skiers and learner-friendly beginners zones for those new to the snow. The resort center is lined with high-end shops, lively après-ski bars and fantastic restaurants, all housed within beautiful, stone-clad buildings.
The diversity on offer in Chamonix these days makes it impossible to review the whole resort as one destination. At 950 meters, Les Houches is one of the closest resorts to Geneva Airport and offers kilometer after kilometer of tree-lined skiing, making it the perfect destination for families and beginners. The resort center has a village feel and is an outstanding spot from which to take in the incredible views.
While the ski area between Klosters (at 1,179 meters) and Davos offers lots to explore, Klosters is without doubt the more attractive base for your ski holiday. The village center is charming and affluent, but with a relaxed vibe, while the trails are popular with advanced skiers enjoying an abundance of easily accessible off-piste in the area.
A resort that’s been quietly minding its own business for years, Les Gets, at 1,200 meters, is now developing into a chic, family-orientated resort that offers quick and easy access to the 650-kilometer Portes du Soleil ski area. Several piste-side restaurants offer views of Mont Blanc so it’s easy to find a sunny spot on which to enjoy an après tipple or two.
There’s one thing that makes these two interconnected resorts stand out, and it may not be for everyone. Crans, at 1,500 meters, and its neighbour Montana are not villages; although right on the edge of a great ski area, they’re most definitely towns with a very urban feel. This is a very sunny spot in which to base yourself and there’s varied terrain to suit all ability levels.
We love La Rosière, at 1,850 meters, not just because of its high elevation and snow certainty. The ski area offers two great experiences for the price of one when you cross over the Petit St Bernard pass into Italy. Wide pistes descend for kilometers into La Thuile over the border and getting back is no hassle at all. The main village is quiet but well stocked, and the views are exceptional.
Italian ski resorts are always authentic, traditional and charming, and Campiglio, at 1,550 meters, is no different. The car-free resort huddles on the valley floor and the center is stylish with several chic shops. The ski area spreads over 150 kilometers, and there have been several lift upgrades over recent years, making it quick and easy for you to cover a considerable distance on skis each day.
Rebranded back in 2011 to recognise the differences between its more blingy neighbour higher up the valley, Courchevel 1650 is now an attractive, unpretentious resort with a stack of new facilities, including Aquamotion, a huge center for water sports that opened in December 2015. And let’s not forget: On your doorstep you’ll find the largest linked ski area in the world. The 600 kilometers of the 3 Valleys network never disappoint.
Seasoned skiers, this one’s for you. At 1,563 meters, Selva serves up challenging ski terrain on both sides of a valley, accessed by both gondolas and quick chair lifts. The village center is packed with charm and character and there’s also a collection of well-maintained beginner slopes and progressive tree-lined runs enjoyed by families.
No list of top 10 ski resorts is complete without mentioning Norway and the town of Geilo, at 800 meters. It is one of the country’s most popular resorts. It’s a small, well-equipped town that’s currently investing heavily in new runs, new lifts and new facilities. Between January and April you can also ski until 8pm on flood-lit slopes. Photo Credit: Geilo, Norway