Dec 19, 2012

The Guardian

McDonald's puts Christmas Day takings at $5,500 in urging stores to open

Pattern of retailers opening on holidays looks set to continue after stores and restaurants enjoy successful Thanksgiving.

Dec 18, 2012

CNBC.com

Tis' the Season to Be Stressed Out...Gahhh ah ah ah ah!

Ah, the holidays. A time for good food, spending time with loved ones - and checking your email on your BlackBerry. 

Dec 14, 2012

Travel + Leisure

Most Important Travel Trends of 2013

What's in the cards for the new year? T+L taps our network of experts to predict the trends that will impact your travels.

Dec 12, 2012

Boston Globe

Inspirato survey: Boston’s work ethic doesn’t take a lot of time off for the holidays

During the holidays, no city likes to party quite like Dallas-Fort Worth. And when it comes to Scrooge-like Christmas vacation work habits, Atlanta is tops. As for Boston, the Hub is a lot more like Atlanta than Dallas-Fort Worth.

Dec 12, 2012

San Antonio Business Journal

Many employees plan to work during their vacation time

One in four workers planning to take a vacation this holiday season say they plan to work during their time off, according to a survey by Harris Interactive.

Dec 5, 2012

The Atlantic

Giving As a Win-Win

In a post-recession economy, luxury vacation club Inspirato LLC invests in the future by integrating philanthropy into its business model.

Nov 27, 2012

Ciao Bambino!

Passports with Purpose 2012: A Luxury Penthouse with Pampering in Mexico

For me, the ultimate holiday cheer is finding the balance between giving to others while taking care of myself over the holidays. One constant way I've done that over the past few years is by participating in the fantastic travel blogger fundraiser, Passports with Purpose. 

Nov 27, 2012

L.A. Times

He's traveling. Are you?

A survey of 10 major U.S. cities has found that L.A. residents are less likely to travel this holiday season than residents of other metro areas. The reason? LAX?

Nov 20, 2012

Boston.com

Inspirato survey: Locals prefer Thanksgiving at home to holiday road trips

More than 43 million Americans are projected to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA, but a comparatively smaller percentage of them will be from Boston - that's largely because locals enjoy being home for the holidays more than folks from other cities do.

Nov 20, 2012

Travel Pulse

Half of All Adults in the Largest U.S. Cities Plan Holiday Travel

According to  a new survey by Inspirato, a private vacation club, and Harris Interactive, 49 percent of adults plan to take at least one personal trip over the upcoming holiday season.

Nov 2, 2012

New York Times

Single for the Holidays

AH, the holidays. The perfect time of year to be with the one you love the most: yourself.

Oct 24, 2012

Denver Business Journal

5 high-growth businesses recognized for Denver Startup Week

The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) on Wednesday recognized five high-growth local businesses as "Denver Gazelles" in conjunction with Denver Startup Week.

The five companies are comCables, Ibotta, Inspirato, Ping Identity and TrackVia.

Sep 4, 2012

Forbes.com

Washington D.C. Residents Most Likely To Go On Vacation, Chicagoans Least Likely

When it comes to skipping town, residents of our nation's capitol do it best: They are more likely to take a vacation than those in any other major metropolitan area in the U.S., according to the results of a new survey released by Inspirato.

Aug 30, 2012

USA Today

Which City's Residents Are Most Likely To Take A Vacation?

Labor Day weekend and the official end of summer vacation is coming up. But if you haven't found time to get out of town, join the crowd. Multiple surveys have been telling us something that a lot of working stiffs already know: Many U.S. workers don't use all their vacation time.

Aug 29, 2012

Huffington Post

Vacation Days: Which Cities Take The Least, Most

Of those who reside in the nation's largest cities, residents of Chicago are least likely to take a vacation, according to a new survey. Washingtonians, on the other hand, are the most likely to use up those vacation days.

Aug 28, 2012

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Tops in Unused Vacation Time, Study Finds

Here's something to ponder as Labor Day approaches: Los Angeles workers leave the highest percentage of their total employer-provided vacation time unused: 35%. By comparison, Boston workers let only 16% of their vacation days go unused.

Aug 28, 2012

Washington Post

D.C. Residents Most Likely To Take Vacation, According to Survey

While more than 1.7 million people visit Washington each year, District residents take more vacations than residents of other top U.S. cities, according to a recent survey.

Aug 14, 2012

Luxury Daily

Inspirato Ups the Ante with Corporate Benefits Program

Private travel club Inspirato is repackaging its services for corporate entities that want to offer full membership or one-time guest passes to executives, employees, partners and clients.

Aug 13, 2012

Luxury Daily

Inspirato Execs Detail Mobile Strategy

Because of Inspirato's move to mobile, site visits are up 60 percent and page views are up nearly 300 percent. With upcoming mobile innovations, Inspirato only expects the numbers to get higher and, with it, increase on-the-go engagement with affluent consumers.

Aug 8, 2012

Sherpa Report

Inspirato Launches Jaunt Program for Last Minute Travels

The rapidly growing rental based club Inspirato has added some last minute travel deals for members. The club sends out weekly emails with residences that are available at very short notice for prices starting at $295 a night. 

Aug 1, 2012

Ocean Home Magazine

Inspiring Escapes

Luxury destination club Inspirato announced the release of 19 new members-only vacation residences, including the addition of 10 new multimillion-dollar, single family-homes, to the club's Signature Residences portfolio.

Jul 9, 2012

Luxury Daily

Top 10 Digital Luxury Marketers of Q2

Luxury Daily recognizes Inspirato as a top 10 digital luxury marketer of Q2, citing www.inspiredgiving.com, the microsite developed for Inspirato's philanthropic division, Inspired Giving.

Jun 28, 2012

TechCrunch

Fast-Growing Luxury Vacation Club Inspirato Quietly Brings In $15.5M

Inspirato is bringing the concept of collaborative consumption to the luxury vacation market, driving down the cost of renting Tuscan villas, Napa cottages, and even a seafaring yacht coming next July. And it's doing well enough that it decided to raise another $15.5 million this past month.

Jun 7, 2012

Robb Report

Inspirato Named a 2012 "Best of the Best"

Inspirato has been recognized as one of Robb Report magazine's "Best of the Best" for 2012 in the just-released signature June issue.

May 19, 2012

Financial Times "How To Spend It"

Inspirato Pairs Luxury Holidays With Charitable Giving

Since launching last year, "destination club" Inspirato has caused quite a stir in the travel industry.

May 11, 2012

Denver Business Journal

Denver CFOs now play key roles in business strategies

In the post-recession economy, the CFO's role is evolving from steward to strategist.  Vilia Valentine, who became CFO of Denver-based Inspirato LLC in January, says, "A CFO who is solely focused on accounting and cost-cutting measures and not focused on the strategy and the business is doing a disservice to the company."

Apr 24, 2012

WGRN

Generation Reinvention 52: The Future of Luxury Travel and the Boomer Generation

Radio interview with Ira Bahr: Inspirato is a luxury destination club launched in January 2011, combining the advantages of independent luxury home rental with the personalized services and amenities of private luxury vacation clubs or resort hotels.

Apr 7, 2012

Le Point

Vacances low cost pour milliardaires (French)

Même les riches ont droit à des vacances bon marché ! Inspirato leur propose le rêve à portée de leur bourse.

Mar 14, 2012

The Denver Post

Colorado adds 19,500 jobs as unemployment rate falls

Leisure and hospitality gained 3,900 jobs in January. Jamie Hyndman, 24, is one of the newly hired. She works as a personal vacation adviser for Inspirato, a luxury destination vacation company in downtown Denver. Started in 2011, Inspirato has more than 120 employees.

Mar 4, 2012

Vail Daily

Resort ‘vacation rental' market growing

When most of us travel, we stay in hotels. But there's a growing group of people who prefer to stay in homes when they get away.

Mar 1, 2012

All Things D

Welcome to Colorado, Where the Start-Ups — And the Snow — Are Plentiful

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, but for some reason never had the occasion or opportunity to visit Colorado. I also never learned to ski. The second fact is ridiculous, because for many years I lived a short drive from one of the great skiing spots in Oregon. I simply never took up the sport. I guess I saw a few too many kids in school come back from ski outings wearing casts on legs and arms, and generally preferred my bones unbroken.

Mar 1, 2012

The Inquirer & Mirror - Nantucket

Luxury travel club "Inspirato" targets island with full page ad in the Times

A full-page ad in the New York Times last week splashed the word "Envy" with a photo of a Nantucket vacation home. Inspirato, a luxury travel club that offers its members a portfolio of exclusive vacation destinations, just added three Nantucket properties to its listings, and was showcasing its 10,000 square-foot "Harbor Haven" property in the advertisement. 

Feb 17, 2012

New York Times

Destination Clubs Introduce Budget Versions, Relatively Speaking

Three years ago, destination clubs seemed to be struggling for dear life as the economy collapsed. But a couple of the clubs - essentially collections of luxury homes available for short-term use in fancy resort areas - managed to survive. And now they have come up with new variations that cost less to join but retain the air of exclusivity.

Feb 3, 2012

Mercury News

Luxury travel startup Inspirato, co-founded by former eBay official, lands third round of funding in past year

Institutional Venture Partners of Menlo Park this week announced a $20 million investment in Inspirato, a Denver startup that helps members find luxury vacation accommodations.

Jan 31, 2012

The Wall Street Journal

Luxury Travel Club Inspirato Raises $20M At Valuation Close To $200M

Inspirato, a luxury travel club, just closed a $20 million round of financing led by Institutional Venture Partners, the same venture firm that backed Twitter, Zynga and home renting website HomeAway.com. The investment in the Denver-based company values the two-year old start-up at close to $200 million, said people familiar with the matter.

Jan 11, 2012

Daily Vista

Inspirato starts new year with distinguished CMO

Inspirato, a high end destination club for luxury consumers, has tapped Ira Bahr as its chief marketing officer. Bahr brings an impressive resume with him to Denver-based Inspirato. He comes to the company from Dish Network where he was also chief marketing officer. Prior to Dish Network, Bahr helped build Sirius Satellite Radio from the ground up. He is credited with creating the named "Sirius" and was the company's senior vice president of marketing, alliances and communications.

Jan 1, 2012

LEADERS Magazine

The Inspirato Difference

In 2002, along with brother Brad and a friend, Brent Handler co-founded Exclusive Resorts, a destination club industry pioneer. He was the company's president from 2002 through 2009.

Nov 30, 2011

Forbes

"Forbes – America's Most Promising Companies"

Launched in 2011, this members-only luxury-vacation club arranges travel and activities for wealthy clients, who pay a $15,000 initiation fee and a $2,500 annual fee. In October 2011 it raised $17.5 million from Kleiner Perkins Caufield Buyers and individuals including Mark Teixeira, first baseman for the New York Yankees.

Nov 2, 2011

Haute Living Magazine

HAUTE PARTNERS: JETSET

Inspirato is the newest player in luxury travel, an exclusive, members-only destination club for those who want to change the way they vacation.

Oct 24, 2011

TechCrunch

Kleiner Perkins And Crunchfund Go In On Inspirato’s Latest $17.5M Round

Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Crunchfund, Access Venture Partners and (randomly) Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira have gone in on a $17.5 million round of financing for discount luxury vacation startup Inspirato.

Oct 24, 2011

Business Insider

Inspirato Lets People Rent Mansions Around The World At Steep Discounts

For those fortunate enough to spend three weeks in Vail each winter or stay in Paris for the month of May, Inspirato may be their best bet.

Oct 24, 2011

San Francisco Chronicle

Inspirato Lets People Rent Mansions Around The World At Steep Discounts

For those fortunate enough to spend three weeks in Vail each winter or stay in Paris for the month of May, Inspirato may be their best bet.

Oct 21, 2011

JustLuxe

Inspirato Destination Club Expands its Horizons With New Funding

Inspirato is the luxury vacation solution for travel with family and friends that combines the consistency of destination clubs with the flexibility of villa rentals. By leasing its vacation properties (rather than owning), Inspirato is able to keep membership fees low, offer up to 80 percent off market rates, and easily add homes and destinations as demand increases. The company's business model has led to rapid growth since its January 2011 launch. Inspirato founder/CEO Brent Handler is also the co-founder and former president of Exclusive Resorts.

Oct 19, 2011

SignalNews

Inspirato Raises $17 MM to Help Ballers Vacation on a Budget

At first glance, Inspirato's pitch sounds crazy. You pay a one-time initiation fee of $15,000 and a yearly maintenance fee of $2,500 and we'll give you access to our portfolio of discounted high-end vacation rental properties.

Oct 19, 2011

Haute Living

Inspirato: New Spin on Luxury Vacation Rentals

Denver-based Inspirato has just secured $17.5 million in funding for its membership luxury vacation business.

Oct 18, 2011

Portfolio.com

Inspirato Inspires Lineup of Famed Investors

Looks like TechCrunch founder turned Uncrunched founder and venture capitalist Michael Arrington is going to have some pretty swanky digs for his next vacation.

Oct 17, 2011

The Denver Post

Denver-based Inspirato raises $17.5 million from investors

Luxury-vacation company Inspirato says it has raised $17.5 million in equity funding from investors including New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Oct 17, 2011

All Things D

Kleiner Perkins Invests in Inspirato for New Spin on Luxury Vacation Rentals

Denver-based Inspirato has secured $17.5 million in funding for its membership luxury vacation business.

Oct 17, 2011

Denver Business Journal

Luxury-vacation firm Inspirato gets $17.5M in funding round

Inspirato, a Denver-based luxury vacation home company, has received a $17.5 million round of equity funding from a venture capital firm known for seeding some of America's most prominent startups, the company announced Monday.

Oct 17, 2011

Uncrunched

Hell Yes I'm Joining Inspirato. And Crunchfund is Investing

I first wrote about Inspirato (affiliate link, see below) earlier this year - it's a way for people to rent high end vacation homes at extremely reasonable prices. Instead of paying $4,000 a night for a four bedroom penthouse condo on the beach in Puerto Vallarta (with a private pool, no less), for example, you can pay just $400/night with Inspirato.

Oct 3, 2011

Luxury Travel Magazine

Luxury Villa Rentals & Vacation Homes Inspirato Announces 100% Growth in Luxury Vacation Portfolio Offerings

Inspirato, the new lifestyle standard in luxury travel, announces that it has achieved more than 100 percent growth in new vacation properties since its launch in January 2011.

Oct 2, 2011

The Washington Post

Value Added: Tasting success by creating wine ‘experiences’

I don't know much about wine except that I enjoy reds more than whites. I know that reds go with beef and the whites go with poultry and fish. I know my limit is two glasses, a threshold which - regrettably - I have violated more than once. That makes me a casual wine fan, and a potential customer of Destination Cellars, a Dulles-based business catering to the world's growing fascination with wine.

Sep 1, 2011

5280 Magazine

Join the Club - Savvy globe-trotters take note

Growing demand for members-only vacationing has fueled a resurgence of locally based destination clubs that combine the amenities of five-star hotels with the privacy of personal residences - without the hassles of second-home ownership - in exotic locations such as Bali or South Africa.

Aug 16, 2011

Exceptional Properties

Inspirato Adds Five New Destinations to Its Growing Portfolio

Inspirato, the luxury destination club that launched in early 2011, has added five destinations to its growing portfolio of residences and suites.

Aug 3, 2011

Worth

Q&A: Brent Handler

In 2002, Colorado native Brent Handler, along with his brother Brad, co-founded Exclusive Resorts, a destination club that would become synonymous with pre-crash luxury.

Aug 1, 2011

Robb Report

Vacation Homes: Staying Loose

Destination Clubs typically appeal to couples and families who like to travel widely without the costs and inconveniences of owning multiple vacation homes. But the clubs, which offer the promise of five-star vacations in multimillion-dollar homes in far-flung locations, are not without their drawbacks, including restrictions on travel dates and high up-front membership fees and annual dues. These shortcomings are precisely what Brent Handler, cofounder and former president of industry leader Exclusive Resorts, aims to address with his latest destination club, Inspirato. 

Jul 13, 2011

Food and Wine Network

Destination Cellars partners with Inspirato

Destination Cellars announced a new partnership with Inspirato, a new members-only luxury vacation club. Current Destination Cellars members will receive preferred pricing instead of the standard $15,000 membership fee for Inspirato.  

Jul 12, 2011

Owners Perspective

Destination Cellars Partners With Inspirato

Destination Cellars, the first and only luxury destination wine club, today announced a new partnership with Inspirato, a new members-only luxury vacation club.

Apr 29, 2011

Venture Beat

Deals & More: Inspirato gets $11M for luxury vacation rentals

Inspirato gets $11M for luxury vacation rentals: The high-end travel company has closed a new round of funding from a group of individual investors including CEOs and venture capitalists. The company, co-founded by eBay's first lawyer Brad Handler, gives members access to luxury rental homes in upscale destinations.

Apr 28, 2011

Mercury News

Wiretap: Early eBay employee back with a new twist on luxury travel

I always say that if I ever make it big, I'm going to travel for a living. Well, Brad Handler has done just that -- with a twist.

Mar 18, 2011

Dallas Morning News

Vacation rentals may be an affordable alternative to hotel stays

Inspirato, launched in January, charges an up-front $9,500 initiation fee to join its "community," then offers ongoing, discounted rates for its portfolio of more than 40 multimillion-dollar homes in places such as Italy and Hawaii.

Feb 26, 2011

The Wall Street Journal

Inspirato's Next-Gen Vacation Rentals

Hotels offer great service but limited space, private rentals are flexible but unpredictable and buying your own vacation home-well, doesn't sound like much of a vacation. Newcomer Inspirato aims to combine the best of luxury lodging choices in one package.

Feb 22, 2011

The Denver Post

New Explorers: Destination club founders embark on new travel ideas

In recent months, two of the founders of the Denver-based Exclusive Resorts destination club have launched new companies focused on luxury travel at more affordable levels than their initial venture into the industry.

Feb 22, 2011

TechCrunch

Forget HomeAway, Inspirato is Like Timeshare for the Wealthy

Inspirato's founders include the cofounder and former CEO of Exclusive Resorts, Brad Handler, and his brother Brent Handler. The company also has an innovative marketing model. If you're a member and refer a new member you get a $1,000 credit to use towards rentals.

Feb 4, 2011

TNooz

TLabs Showcase – Inspirato

Inspirato curates exceptional vacations for our members by selecting the very best vacation homes in sought-after destinations and controlling them through long-term leases, typically for three-to-five year periods

Jan 28, 2011

LuxGetaway

Inspirato Combines Convenient Villa Rentals With Private Vacation Club Services

The convenience of enjoying independent luxury villa rental properties no longer requires a significant upfront cost as Inspirato has combined the advantages of the luxury vacation rental market with specialized amenities and personalized services of private vacation clubs.

Jan 18, 2011

Privileged Club

Brent Handler Introduces Inspirato with a Portfolio of Luxury Vacation Homes

Inspirato is an innovation in the high-end travel. It is the brainchild of Exclusive resorts co-founder Brent Handler who has combined the advantages of independent villa rental with personalized service and support of private luxury vacation clubs.

Jan 18, 2011

The Luxury Hub

Luxury Hunter: Brent Handler, Founder, Inspirato

Luxury travel is a space that never seems to meet the saturation needle and there is always a scope for entrepreneurs to let their imagination go wild and create a service that is picked by travel enthusiast and adventure lovers. Brent Handler, co-founder, Exclusive Resorts is known for his understanding of affluent travelers...

Jan 18, 2011

TechCrunch

Inspirato Takes Another $11 Million For Exclusive Resorts Competitor

In February I wrote about new startup and luxury home rental service Inspirato. Think timeshare for the rich - members are able to stay at luxury homes around the world for a relatively inexpensive price that's about 1/3 of market price.

Jan 1, 2011

Luxist

Inspirato - A New Luxury Vacation Club Designed By Brent Handler

This week marks the launch of Inspirato, the next intriguing idea of Exclusive Resorts co-founder Brent Handler. Inspirato combines the advantages of independent villa rental with the personalized services and amenities of private luxury vacation clubs.