Meet You at the Madeline: New Faces, New Flavors and New Experiences
By Linne Halpern
Welcome to your ultimate winter base camp. With a new general manager at the helm and a fresh lineup of activities and services, the Madeline Hotel & Residences, a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection, is poised to be your home away from home in Mountain Village this season.
At the center of it all is Allen Highfield, the Madeline’s new general manager. A Northern California native with more than two decades in luxury hospitality, Highfield brings experience in places like Aspen and Vail to New York City and San Francisco. Most recently, he led an acclaimed property in Sonoma Valley. Now, he’s bringing that expertise — and a love of the mountains — to Telluride, where he’s eager to write his next chapter with Auberge Resorts Collection.
“My wife and I recently became ‘empty nesters’ and Telluride felt like the perfect place for us, and our dog, Beau Alexander, to call home,” he says. Highfield has hit the ground running, working alongside the existing Madeline staff to craft a host of unique experiences for hotel guests and the local community alike.
“I’m excited about creating even more opportunities for visitors to connect with Telluride’s natural surroundings,” says Highfield. “Whether that’s through guided outdoor adventures, locally-inspired spa offerings or unique culinary moments.” Expanding the hotel’s wellness program has been a top agenda item, with the introduction of Mountain Movement, a series of guided yoga and fitness classes attuned to the rhythms of the Rockies. It pairs well with the spa’s revamped winter menu, which draws from the alpine setting and seasonal botanicals.
Plus, the debut of the hotel’s Kettle Coffee provides a wonderful addition to the Mountain Village dining scene with specialty beverages and all-day bites.
Another development at the Madeline is the Crest Club, a private, members-only service that provides unmatched convenience to the ski mountain and other upscale lifestyle amenities. The offering debuted last winter.
Crest Club is designed for those who frequent Telluride, be it second-homeowners or locals in the Mountain Village community. Membership includes a private locker, valet parking, ski valet, year-round access to the Madeline pool and fitness center, complimentary breakfast, and a dedicated concierge team, as well as entrance to the private Falcon Room bar and lounge.
“It’s been embraced even more than we imagined,” says Highfield. “Some members are here daily during ski season, using it as a place to meet friends, warm up or enjoy a quiet moment between runs. Others love it for the social side — après gatherings, special events and connecting with fellow members who share their passion for the mountains.”
For this upcoming winter season, the Madeline plans to host an array of events ranging from holiday celebrations to outdoor adventures. The hotel operates the ice rink in Reflection Plaza, which is available to all, and offers nightly s’mores by the fire. Family-focused programming this winter will include holiday cookie decorating fêtes and regularly-scheduled storytimes.
Whether you’re seeking a central base for mountain adventures or a cozy retreat to curl up and unwind, the Madeline offers something for everyone this winter. “As Telluride continues to grow as a luxury destination, we’ll keep elevating the guest experience with thoughtful programming, exceptional dining and spaces that bring people together,” says Highfield.