Expanded Offerings From Village Resorts

Village Resorts, a management company with a dozen great properties in the Western states (including Hawaii), is making a major effort to tap the growing mature traveler market.

The Lafayette, Calif.-based company is a new member of STRAC (Senior Travel and Recreation Assn. of Calif.), the organization that helps the many California senior clubs and groups plan and operate tours for their members. Seniors can expect some new offerings from STRAC tour operators in the near future.

Village Resorts has also begun a discount rate that it calls the “Mature Traveler Program,” for those age 50 and over. The program is good at all Village Resort properties, most of which are condominium resorts with a heavy accent on full sports facilities. A few are resort hotels offering the suite life. All provide a 15% discount for mature travelers 50 and over, except for a few holiday periods when the discount dips to 10%.

Steady Expansion

“We’ve been in business for 13 years now, starting with just one resort and adding properties constantly,” says Patricia Greenwald, regional director of sales for Village Resorts. “We have always catered to the mature traveler, but never to the extent we have for this year and beyond.

“We don’t operate tours ourselves, but we will work with any mature and senior group. For individual mature travelers, especially those active in golf and tennis, we have exceptional facilities along with resort accommodations at a good discount.”

Here’s a quick rundown on Village Resort properties, noting discount time limitations and the usual holiday exclusions where the discount is either not offered or drops to 10%:

California--Cathedral Canyon Resort, Palm Springs: 162 spacious two-room suites (one bedroom with a king or two double beds) plus championship golf course, 10 tennis courts, pool and spa. Easy access to downtown and other restaurants. Great base for sightseeing trips. Discount good through Dec. 20; requires a two-night minimum stay. Call toll-free (800) 824-8224.

Squaw Valley Lodge: Condo complex at the ski and summer resort offers one- and two-bedroom units in handsome building close by the tram, with easy access to the Olympic Village. Tennis, swimming, spas, nearby hiking, fishing, riding and golf. Discounts in June, July, August, September and early December. Phone (800) 922-9970.

Lakeland Village, South Lake Tahoe: Exceptional array of one- to four-bedroom condo units spaced over 19 acres of lake-front property with many recreational activities. “One of the best deals for mature travelers,” says Greenwald, although the discount is only from Sept. 1 through December this year, excluding holiday periods. Call (800) 822-5969.

Utah--Silver King Hotel/Silver Cliff Village, Park City: “Another great deal for mature travelers,” says Greenwald, “especially golfers.” More than a dozen courses in the area, most with senior rates. Silver King and Silver Cliff provide fully equipped condo units ranging from studios. Discounts good through Dec. 31. Call (800) 649-5500.

Washington--The Resort at Port Ludlow, Port Ludlow on Puget Sound: A complete golf resort with a championship course, plus tennis, squash, indoor and outdoor pools, fishing and more. Spacious, fully equipped condo units with one- to four-bedroom suites. Discounts good on rates and many package plans through Dec. 31. Very popular. Phone (206) 437-2222.

Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop: In the northwest corner of Washington and a bit out of the way, but a stunning mountaintop setting. Modern but rustic-looking condo lodge. “For the mature travel who likes the outdoor life,” Greenwald says. Tennis, fishing, hiking, riding. Discount only during midweek in October. Phone (509) 996-2211.

Colorado--Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge: Self-contained resort with a variety of accommodations, restaurants, recreational facilities. Golf, white-water raft trips nearby. “But,” notes Greenwald, “the old mining town’s 9,000-foot altitude may be a problem for some mature travelers.” Discount good through December, except for holiday periods when it dips to 10%. Call (800) 525-2253.

Iron Horse Resort Retreat, Winter Park: Moderately priced condo resort with restaurant, pools and a wide variety of family recreation facilities in the immediate area. Great coloring in autumn. Same discount and times as Beaver Run. Phone (800) 621-8190.

Hawaii--Islander on the Beach, Waipouli Beach, Kauai: Low-rise hotel on beach-front near Wailua Falls and Fern Grotto. “Most appealing to mature travelers, both in rates and amenities,” says Greenwald. Discounts through December, except for October. Call (800) 367-7052.

The Whaler, Kaanapali Beach, Maui: Deluxe high-rise condo on the beach near Whaler’s Village and all Kaanapali recreational facilities. Studio, one- and two-bedroom units plus free shuttle from airport. Discount good through December, excluding holidays. Phone (800) 367-7052.

Kiahuna Plantation, Poipu Beach, Kauai: Multi-unit, low-rise condos strewn along the beach amid 35-acre grounds, golf and tennis resort and a restaurant. Fully equipped units for two to six. Discounts good through December, excluding holidays. Phone (800) 367-7052.

For more information on group tours, write to Patricia Greenwald, Village Resorts Inc., Suite 1006, Los Angeles 90010. Those wishing to receive a fact sheet listing details and discounts at all the properties, or perhaps a specific brochure on an individual property, can write to the same address. Due to a staff shortage they prefer not to take phone calls.

Correction and apology: I goofed a couple of columns back when I indicated that Interhostel had a toll-free phone number. (Perhaps it was just wishful thinking. . . .) The correct number is (603) 862-1147, Monday through Friday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. EDT.