by Roberta Murphy

For those who still haven’t made travel plans, there may be some surprising resort bargains to consider–while other large and super-luxurious resorts are stalled under construction and financing difficulties.

Crisis in Paradise via Breitbart shares some disturbing news:

• Cap Cana, a luxury resort under development in the Dominican Republic is now reportedly paralyzed. A mega resort with four luxury hotels, villas (with roof tiles on the ground), three golf courses and a large yacht marina, Cap Cana is just one of many luxury resort projects “affected by the economic tsunami that has paralyzed the global financial markets,” said Cap Cana President Ricardo Hazoury.

• Also stalled in the Ritz Carlton Molasses Reef Resort in West Caicos. This luxurious project with hotel, condos and marina is three-quarters complete.

• The massive Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas has laid off 800 workers, blaming low occupancy rates.

• The Wyndham Nassau Resort has laid off 40 employees–presumably for the same reasons.

• Puerto Rico’s Caribe Hilton is also laying off employees because of rising cost and those pesky occupancy issues.

If reasonable air fares can be snagged, this could be the year for luxury travel bargains!

Wine Tasting Tip:
Always begin with a clean clear glass and pour less than an inch into your glass. Always begin with the lightest wines first (white, sparkling, rose’ etc) and then work your way up to the heavy ones (Zins, Cabs, etc). The reason for this is that it helps keep taste buds sensitive so you can enjoy and appreciate each wine you taste. Nibble on a cracker, snack on some cheese–or simply have a sip of water between tastes in order to help preserve your palate.
Na zdrowia!

by Roberta Murphy

It seems that almost daily we hear about segments of the broad luxury market losing not only their luster, but even their footing. There are reports that luxury retailers are bracing for a crash slowdown, and that even real estate in super-rich Dubai is beginning to show signs of weakness.

In fact, says Tim Blixseth, It’s as if the whole world had a financial heart attack.

Wall Street’s credit crisis has not only invaded Main Street (and vice versa), but is crippling segments of the once-impervious luxury real estate market.

This morning, we hear that Blixseth’s Yellowstone Ski Resort has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This invitation-only ski and residence club for  340 uber-rich ($1.5 million buy in) is located in Montana’s Gallatin Mountains near Bozeman.  The club has 340 members including Bill Gates, former vice president Dan Quayle, Comcast’s Stephen Burke and cycling star Greg LeMond–and all have to be wondering if the resort will even open this season.

If Chapter 11 protection is granted and the club is able to get a $4.5 million loan, Yellowstone Resort will be able to open its powdery slopes this winter.  Looming on the other side of the mountain, though, is around $343 million in debt that is owed to creditors and contractors. Most of that debt, $307 million, is reportedly owed on a loan arranged by Credit Suisse in 2005.

Edra Blixseth took control of the resort last August, after her divorce from Tim Blixseth was finalized and has reportedly  been trying to sell some of the Blixseth’s other luxury properties located around the world. The Yellowstone Club is valued at $778 million, according to court filings–not including unsold memberships, which may be worth as much as $336 million.

Like other property holders and developers around the world, Yellowstone Club members and the Blixseths are hoping that recovery from this financial heart attack will quickly bring credit flowing through the world’s clogged financial arteries.

by Roberta Murphy

Our shrinking global village is an abiding source of amazement, and I often marvel at the diversity of countries represented by the readers (or perusers) of this blog.

Just for fun, I decided to check the countries of origin for the past 30 hours.

Most visitors (or at least the internet service) hail from the United States. But the balance of the world, according to our SiteMeter account, is also well-represented.

Offered in the order of their visits are luxury readers and seekers hailing from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, American Samoa, Croatia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Spain, Egypt, China, Europe(?), Canada, Argentina, Ireland, India, Italy, Norway, United Arab Emirates, El Salvador, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Russian Federation, Hungary, Philippines, Syrian Arab Republic, Polant, Brazil, Georgia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Romania, Macedonia and Portugal.

There were several “unknowns” and one major surprise: No visitors from Mexico during the 30 hour period studied.

We are grateful to all visitors and readers at Luxury Home Digest, but most likely have Google and Yahoo to thank for their website translation capabilities. At the same time, we are humbled by the number of people from other countries who have taken the time to learn the English language.

To all our visitors

• Arabic – Ahlan Wa Sahlan
• Australia – G’day Mate
• China -  huan ying
• Czech Republic – Vitejte
• Denmark – Velkommen
• Dutch (Netherlands) – Welkom
• France – Bienvenue (the first ‘n’ is nasal)
• German – Willkommen
• India – Swaa-gat hai
• Indonesia – Selamat Datang
• Ireland – Failte romhat
• Italy – Benvenuto
• Japan – Yookoso (welcome to our city)
• Malaysia – Selamat Datang
• New Zealand – Kia Ora – Hello (”Key or ra”)
• Norway – Velkommen (”Welkommen”)
• Poland – Dzieñ dobry (daytime)
• Poland – Dobry wieczór (evening time)
• Portugal – Muito Bem Vindo (”MOO EEN toe bain VEENdoe”)
• Romania – Multumesc
• Tagalog (Philippines) – Mabuhay
• United States (South) – How Y’all Doin’?
• Yugoslavia (Serbia) – Dobrodosli