National Maintenance Group (NMG) recently installed TimeShareWare Enterprise to run its Service Requests, Room Status Lists, and Housekeeping Groups. Using TimeShareWare’s Platform architecture, National Maintenance Group was able to tailor a solution that fit its specific needs. TimeShareWare now assists the company in all its maintenance, janitorial, and housekeeping services.

Cynthia Chasan, President and CEO of National Maintenance Group, explained her reasons for selecting the new software system, “I came into contact with TimeShareWare almost two years ago and was very impressed with how easy it was to use. TimeShareWare has a lot of credibility within the industry and I also have the peace of mind of knowing that if I ever have a question, my answers are only a phone call away.”

Allen Rice, Chief Marketing Officer of TimeShareWare, commented, “National Maintenance Group will be using TimeShareWare to manage the housekeeping assignments, invoices, and per clean payouts for 7500 units across multiple sites and locations. We are pleased to see our software being used in this unique way– it demonstrates the software’s versatility and flexibility.”

National Maintenance Group first heard about TimeShareWare via their website (www.timeshareware.com) and worked closely with TimeShareWare on a unique solution that fit all their housekeeping and maintenance needs.

For more information about the National Maintenance Group, please visit their website at: www.nmginc.biz.

About National Maintenance Group:
National Maintenance Group was established in 1986 by founders Dow B. Chasan and Cynthia Chasan. Covering local, regional, and national companies, NMG continues to develop and maintain outstanding relationships with its customers, contractors, and employees. Working and training local contractors and employees, NMG has established solid partnerships enabling them to be highly competitive in every aspect of building maintenance.

About TimeShareWare & CondotelWare:
TimeShareWare is the industry standard software platform for shared-ownership, mixed use resorts. Since 1993, TimeShareWare serves all sizes and types of vacation ownership associations, fractional ownership properties, and timeshare resorts including multi-site, single-site, and points-based clubs. The TimeShareWare software platform includes solutions for lead management, contract processing, sales and marketing, owner accounting, loan servicing, property management, reservations, and web-based owner servicing.

CondotelWare is the first full-service software solution designed specifically for condominium hotels. The software helps owners and operators master all aspects of condo-hotel management and administration, including owner accounting, billing, rental rotation, inventory management, reservations, owner relations, reporting, and more.

Contact:
Candace Vigil
Business Development Manager
TimeShareWare
(801) 444-3113 x104
sales@timeshareware.com
TimeShareWare Website – www.timeshareware.com

After a four-month proactive market analysis of luxury beachfront real estate, Hyatt Siesta Key Beach has taken a bold step in redefining the price of luxury. The 44-residence luxury fractional ownership resort announced today it will offer significantly adjusted pricing for early buyers.  Residences will now be offered starting at the low $100, 000’s to the mid $300,000’s.

“Pricing for the resort reflects 2008 luxury real estate values,” said David Lehrman, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hyatt Siesta Key Beach. “We have adjusted our initial pricing so that we are able to deliver a product that has superior construction, more square footage, custom furniture and décor, luxury services and amenities, and on-site world-class property management.”

Lehrman says that owning at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach will appeal to buyers who in the past may have been looking for a luxury second home, but are now more interested in a value proposition. “Our new pricing reflects a superior product at a fraction of the cost of what is selling in today’s market; it allows people to be fiscally conservative and responsible without giving up the luxury they have come to expect,” said Lehrman.  “Prospects we have previously spoken to are responding to our revised first phase pricing. We sold four the first week.”

Luxury fractional ownership at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach provides owners with up to six weeks of vacation with the added benefits of on-site property management by a luxury brand, the style of service and amenities luxury buyers expect, and travel opportunities to other Hyatt Residence Club properties as well as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® worldwide. Hyatt Siesta Key Beach will open early Summer 2009. For more information about Hyatt Siesta Key Beach, visit www.hyattsiestakeybeach.com, or call 941.953-8160.

About Hyatt Siesta Key Beach:
Hyatt Siesta Key Beach is a first of its kind luxury fractional ownership resort in Sarasota, Florida. The beachfront resort will feature a boutique collection of 44 designer-furnished residences. Residences will include luxury brands such as Wolf, Sub Zero and Fisher Paykel. Other finishes will include custom furniture and décor, Italian-crafted kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and lavish linens. Ownership at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach includes 365-day Cabana Club privileges*. Initial release is 1/8 (six weeks) and 1/16 (three weeks) fractions with early buyer incentive pricing starting at just under $150,000. An early summer 2009 opening is planned. Visit www.hyattsiestakeybeach.com.

Hyatt Siesta Key Beach is Hyatt Vacation Ownership’s 15th luxury resort property. Other resorts are in Key West and Bonita Springs, FL; Carmel and Truckee, CA; San Antonio, TX; Aspen, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge, CO; Lake Tahoe, NV; Sedona, AZ and Dorado, Puerto Rico with Fifth Avenue, New York City coming soon.

*subject to Cabana Club rules and regulations

About Global Hyatt Corporation:
Global Hyatt Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world’s premier hotel companies. The hotels owned, operated, managed or franchised by its subsidiaries provide authentic hospitality to guests in 45 countries through a passionate commitment to personalized service, cultural relevance, and the environment. Global Hyatt subsidiaries own, operate, manage or franchise more than 365 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Resorts™, Grand Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt Summerfield Suites® and Andaz™ brands with additional properties under development on five continents. Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc., operator of Hyatt Vacation Club®. The success of Global Hyatt is driven by the commitment and energy of the thousands of men and women around the world who provide exceptional service to hotel guests. From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800-233-1234 or visiting www.hyatt.com.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, announced that Interval Travel has earned Celebrity Cruises Elite status for its 2008 sales results. The prestigious award, Celebrity’s highest level of recognition, is held by the cruise lines’ top 100 travel partners who exemplify excellence in sales and outstanding support of the cruise industry.

“We’re very pleased to receive this honor from Celebrity Cruises and look forward to continuing to work with them to offer our members the upscale cruise experiences that Celebrity is renowned for delivering,” said Raul Estrada, vice president of U.S. member services for Interval International. “I commend our cruise team for the hard work and superlative customer service that is recognized by this award.”

“Interval is a longtime partner of ours, and we are thrilled to see them achieve the Elite level,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales, Celebrity Cruises. “We congratulate the Interval team on delivering such consistently successful results, and look forward to a long and continued relationship with them.”

In response to members’ interest in cruising, the Interval Travel Cruise department has been operating since 1997 to provide services to North American consumer member families. Interval Travel is a Cruise Lines International Association Booking Agency or “CLIA” certified.

About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 30 years. Today, Interval has a network of over 2,400 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and approximately 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through 26 offices in 16 countries. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

After 3 years of collaboration between the New Hampshire Division of Environmental Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Lincoln Planning Board on January 28 granted approval to InnSeason Resorts™ for the final site plan of its RiverWalk Resort Hotel.

Noted for its four-season vacation experience, and the distinctive red roof of its current InnSeason Resorts South Mountain Hotel property, this newest addition to the Village of Lincoln is to be located adjacent Loon Mountain’s newest expansion at South Mountain. It is the centerpiece of a resort complex that includes an appealing mix of resort hotel and timeshare units, and a marketplace of shops and restaurants. The village-style complex is being developed in downtown Lincoln on the site of the abandoned Franconia Papermill. 

“The new South Mountain resort area is now officially well underway as a key vacation destination and an economic stimulus for the North Country region,” notes Dennis M. Ducharme, RRP, president of InnSeason Resorts.   “And with the demolition of the former Franconia Papermill, the Village of Lincoln is realizing the goal of economic revitalization that has eluded the area. This project means even more in today’s economy, and we are proud that we have been able to continue to move this project ahead despite the economic state of the country. We remain optimistic about the impact it will have on the local economy and the community.”

RiverWalk is planned as a 170-unit mixed-use resort development, located on 25 acres, and will be the only hospitality property in the Loon Mountain area that offers frontage on both the Town’s main thoroughfare, Rte. 112 Kancamagus Scenic By-way, and its principal water feature, the East Branch of the Pemigewassett River.   The resort features luxury accommodations and amenities, including a 400-seat performing arts theater, and conference center, outdoor four-season pool, a spa and wellness facility, dining, and retail shops. The site is also the current home of the Papermill Theatre, New Hampshire’s award-winning professional summer musical theatre, and one of the region’s most popular attractions, and an integral component of the resort. 

 “This development site was designated as a Brownfield Project early on, and has enjoyed a high profile within the State of New Hampshire,” continues Ducharme, who has developed other projects in the town for over 15 years. “Our partners at the New Hampshire Division of Environmental Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have provided both moral and financial support.”

 The uniqueness of this re-development project can be most readily seen in the Town of Lincoln’s whole-hearted endorsement of this effort in its approval of a variance for future buildings to allow for construction of a six-story structure, giving this project the potential to be the tallest building north of Concord, and below the notches. 
The site is on the northern bank of the Pemigewassett River, and abuts the proposed site of the Town of Lincoln’s 20-acre RiverWalk Recreation Park, which hopes to include: seasonal outdoor performance pavilion; public picnic area; historic walking tour; snowmobile trail hub and automobile parking area; and 6.3-mile hiking/x-c skiing and bike trail.
The project’s primary developer will be InnSeason Resorts™.  InnSeason Resorts™ has contracted with the region’s premier resort project design and building contractors including: Berard-Martel Architects, Bedford, NH; Hoyle-Tanner Associates, Inc., Manchester, NH; Aries Engineering, Inc., Concord, NH.  

InnSeason Resorts™ was created as a regional brand of family-oriented resorts that combine the development and operations expertise of Dennis M. Ducharme, RRP, president; and the marketing resources of Curran Management Services (CMS®), and its founder, William E. (Billy) Curran, chief executive officer.

Sales and marketing for the project will be spearheaded by Terry Elsemore, of Fractional Strategies, LLC.  With over 20 years experience in the resort real estate industry, Elsemore’s primary focus has been large fractional interest condominium hotels. During his tenure, Elsemore has been involved with the development of over 90% of all the existing fractional projects in New England today, specializing in project design, sales and marketing, legal documentation, development planning and project management.

InnSeason Resorts™ is a leading provider of resort vacation and ownership opportunities in the northeast U.S., and delivers “best-in-class” management, advisory and marketing services to resorts and developers nation-wide.  Based on Cape Cod, with four regional marketing offices and seven branded resorts, it employs more than 550 people and helps more than 45,000 families go on vacation each year.  InnSeason Management, Inc., provides proven, first-class management services to resorts across the Northeast.  

For more information, go to www.innseason.com or call 1-866 8-SEASON.

Booking.com, a global online hotel provider today announced a distribution agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation. Under the new agreement, Hilton’s worldwide portfolio of hotels will be available directly on Booking.com and via their network of over 4,500 distribution partners. Hilton properties will have access to Booking.com’s customer base of over 30 million unique visitors each month. Booking.com is part of 
priceline.com

Gillian Tans, Director Hotels at Booking.com said “Hilton’s high quality brands are recognized globally and we are excited to offer them to our customers. With Hilton Family hotels in 77 countries, we are eager to further develop this beneficial relationship as we continue our global expansion.”

Philippe Garnier, Senior Director, Distribution Sales at Hilton Hotels Corporation added “We are pleased to be establishing a strategic global partnership with Booking.com, an ideal partner to help us reach millions of additional travelers worldwide. We trust that Booking.com will complement our distribution globally.”

About Booking.com
Headquartered in Amsterdam, with 25 offices worldwide, Booking.com is part of the priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN) family of travel companies. Booking.com is one of the world’s leading online hotel providers and market leader in Europe, with over “2.8 billion (US$4 billion) in gross travel bookings in 2008. Gross travel bookings refer to the total euro/dollar value, inclusive of all taxes and fees, purchased by customers. Its website attracts over 30 million unique visitors each month. Booking.com works with more than 60,000 hotels in 10,000 destinations around the world. Its services are available in 21 languages.

About Hilton
Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company with more than 3,200 hotels and 545,000 rooms in 77 countries and territories, including 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations”, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Home2″ Suites by Hilton and The Waldorf Astoria Collection”.

Holiday Inn’s timeshare brand is now available for rental and timeshare ownership at four resort locations in the U.S.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations today announced that a ski-in, ski-out resort at the foot of Vermont’s Ascutney Mountain is now part of the timeshare brand’s portfolio.  Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Ascutney Mountain Resort joins the flagship location, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Fla., and two other Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts in Lake Geneva, Wis., and Panama City, Fla.  Travelers can rent vacation villas at all four resorts at www.hiclubvacations.com.

The addition of Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Ascutney Mountain Resort follows the recent announcement that the timeshare brand will be adding two more resorts in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., to its portfolio in April of this year.

“We’re pleased to offer our customers a memorable brand experience at the only ski-in, ski-out snow destination in the Holiday Inn U.S. portfolio,” said Christian Hempell, vice president, Holiday Inn Club Vacations. “We’re excited to include Ascutney Mountain Resort as the fourth Holiday Inn Club Vacations property as part of our alliance with Orange Lake, with our fifth and sixth resorts joining the brand in April.”

Holiday Inn Club Vacations was announced in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success. This alliance is unique in that it allows IHG to enter the timeshare industry, purely through an exclusive licensing and marketing agreement with no capital investment.  Orange Lake will continue to own and operate these resorts as a privately held company.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Ascutney Mountain Resort, the only ski resort in the Holiday Inn U.S. portfolio, offers a host of amenities for timeshare owners and guests, including a fitness center and spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, arcade, convenience store and a full service restaurant and café.  Recreational activities at the resort include downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing and an on-site outfitter offering guided and self-guided outdoor adventures year-round with equipment and gear rentals.  

Don Harrill, President and CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, said, “This resort at the base of Ascutney Mountain is a year-round destination for every member of the family. It’s been a popular drive-to destination for thousands of our club members living in the New England area.”
 
Through IHG’s guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards, guests renting villas will earn Priority Club points during their stays at Holiday Inn Club Vacations, which they can redeem for free nights at IHG properties or exchange for merchandise and special experiences.  This resort will also welcome members of the newly formed Holiday Inn Club™ exchange program, which allows members to exchange their weeks at any Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort for hotel nights at IHG’s more than 4,150 hotels worldwide.  Holiday Inn Club members will also have access to Resort Condominium International’s (RCI) network of more than 4,000 resorts.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to seek opportunities to expand in top North American destination locations, adding more vacation experiences, features and benefits. Orange Lake also plans to build a flagship Holiday Inn Resort hotel at the Orlando resort and has the potential to develop up to 2,500 more timeshare villas at this location. For more information, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

About Holiday Inn Club Vacations
Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success. Holiday Inn Club Vacation’s flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson.  A 1,450-acre golf, water park and sports resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort includes 2,412 villas and plans for expansion to 4,500 villas.  Other member resort locations include Lake Geneva, Wis., Panama City, Fla. and Brownsville, Vt.  Holiday Inn Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,150 hotels worldwide. Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand their Member Resorts to top North American destination locations. For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

Branded Debit Cards Build Momentum in Timeshare/Hospitality Industries

Maverick Network Solutions (MNS), which provides organizations with branded debit cards is now taking its products and services to the timeshare/hospitality industries.  According to Peter J. Quadagno, president and COO of MNS, Bluegreen Resorts will launch MNS’s, Visa-branded, non-reloadable prepaid card to use premium for potential timeshare buyers for its network of more than 40 resorts.  
According to Quadagno, Maverick provides all types of customized prepaid programs for corporations focused on an efficient and cost effective way to deliver payments and connect with their customers.

“Typically, these cards are prepaid and with a fixed line of credit.  They aren’t attached to credit scores.    We’ve seen this work with pre-paid phone cards, retailers, convenience stores, gas stations, construction and insurance companies.  Now we are making them available to hospitality and resort companies that are looking to increase customer brand loyalty.”
 
The cards that Bluegreen will be incorporating into its marketing efforts are similar to those that are most likely to be received as a gift card with purchase at a retailer, a rebate from a purchase or as a bonus from a company who wants to reward customer loyalty.

Quadagno states that his organization’s cards help as an incentive for potential buyers, create brand loyalty with owners and also can be used for  employee perk and reward programs.  The various products offered by MNS include the promotion/gift cards to be used by Bluegreen, private label debit cards, incentive cards for employees, payroll cards and disbursement cards.

Quadagno who started MNS three years ago has over 27 years experience in the card business with industry leaders, start-ups and consulting firms. He held both Director and Vice President level positions with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City where he was responsible for the launch of MetroCard, a stored value card for rapid transit. He also worked for Electronic Payment Systems, now owned by First Data Corporation, where he helped implement VisaCash and Florida State University’s smart card system.

For more information about Maverick Network Solutions visit www.mavericknetworksolutions.com

Ryanair has become the first airline in the UK and Ireland to offer mobile calls during flights. The launch on 20 of its Dublin based aircraft today comes as its first step to rolling out the service across its 170 pan-European fleet within 18 months.
The low-cost carrier has been keen to introduce the system since last year, but has been waiting for authorisation from European regulators.

“Today’s launch is the first step to offering in-flight mobile phone services on board our entire fleet,” said Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary. “We expect customer demand for the service to grow rapidly and hope that customers of all UK mobile operators will soon be able to call or text home from 30,000 feet.”

Passengers on Ryanair’s 20 OnAir enabled aircraft can now make and receive voice calls using their mobile phones, BlackBerrys and other smartphones. A maximum of six people will be allowed to make calls at a time, however this may increase to 14.

The service will initially be available to O2 customers in the UK, as well as over 50 other mobile phone operators across Europe. OnAir confirmed that it is working with other UK mobile operators (including Vodafone, Orange and 3) to implement inflight network coverage.

Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir, said, “This European fleet-wide rollout marks a real milestone in aviation. We are proud to work with Ryanair and to provide their 67 million passengers with access to this new technology which will enable them to send and receive emails, text messages, download attachments and make and receive calls just as they would on the ground.”

Calls will cost between £1.50 and £3 per minute, text messages will cost 40p each and emails will cost between £1 and £2. These price tariffs are set by each mobile service provider and are subject to each customer’s individual price plan.

Emirates became the world’s first airline to introduce in-flight calls last year March, with 31 of its 128 aircraft now offering the service.

Last month British Airways said it would allow text messaging on its business-class flights from London City Airport to New York JFK, but has held back on allowing inflight calls pending customer feedback.

BMI began testing a text messaging service in December, though it has said that it is unlikely to introduce voice calls, partly because of a lack of public support.

Other carriers that have begun testing inflight technology include Air Portugal, Qantas, Air France, Qantas, Oman Air and Royal Jordanian. Meanwhile Lufthansa has ruled out using the service.

St. Regis and Sheraton Deals Reinforce Starwood’s Position as the Country’s Number One Operator of Upscale Hotels

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), the largest international upscale hotel operator in China with 47 existing properties, announces the addition of five new hotels to its growing portfolio. The new signings include the first St. Regis resort in Sanya; the first St. Regis hotel in Chengdu, Sichuan; the first Sheraton hotels in Jiangyin and Dalian; and a second Sheraton resort in Huizhou, Guangdong.

Focused on opening the right properties in the right places with the right partners, Starwood remains on track with plans to double its footprint in China by 2011 with 50 hotels in the pipeline. In 2009, the company will open more than 10 high caliber, best-in-class hotels throughout China, including Le Meridien Xiamen, The Westin Nanjing, Sheraton Qingdao and Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou.

“Starwood’s long term growth opportunity in China is perhaps unsurpassed anywhere in the world. China is home to the largest number of our hotels outside of North America, and more importantly, it comprises the largest portion of our pipeline outside of the United States,” said Frits Van Paasschen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starwood. “As a point of perspective, within two years we expect to have a presence in Shanghai that rivals our existing footprint in New York City, where we have a strong representation of more than a dozen hotels and growing.”

In 2008, Starwood opened eight new hotels in the China region including its first W Hotel in China; the first Aloft Hotel in Asia; Four Points by Sheraton Hangzhou, Binjiang; Four Points by Sheraton Changshu; Sheraton Huizhou Resort; The Westin Beijing Chaoyang; Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian; and Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa.

Starwood to bring two new St. Regis and three new Sheraton hotels to China:

1. The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has reached an agreement with Yalong Development Company Limited, a direct subsidiary of China Cereals and Oils Export Company to manage The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort. The new-build St. Regis resort will welcome travelers to Sanya of Hainan Island, also known as the oriental Hawaii, in 2011. Being part of the integrated beach resort, The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort will be situated in the last prime site along the Yalong Bay coastline with the most exclusive and exotic location. The property will feature 402 rooms, including 27 villas, approximately 22,000 square feet of meeting space, five restaurants and bars, business center, health club, outdoor heated lap pool and swimming pools, tennis court, spa and retail shops. Guests at The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort will delight in the hotel’s uncompromising service through the signature Butler Service.

2. The St. Regis Chengdu

Developed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited, Evergo Enterprises (Chengdu) Company Limited, The St. Regis Chengdu will be located in the Central Business District, next to the city main boulevard, adjacent to the commercial zones and within 30 minutes drive from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Scheduled to open in 2014, the hotel will feature approximately 268 rooms including 55 suites, four food and beverage outlets, 1,400 square meters of meeting space, as well as a health club, Spa, swimming pool and a retail shop. As the capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu is known as “Land of Abundance”. It is one of the most important economic centers and transportation and communication hubs in Southwestern China.

3. Sheraton Jiangyin Hotel

Scheduled to open in 2011, Sheraton Jiangyin Hotel will be located in the Central Business District of Jiangyin, right across Jiangyin City Hall and next to the city’s major tourist attraction, Huangshanhu Park. Jiangyin is the regional agricultural, industrial and economic center of China. It is approximately within 1 hour drive from Suzhou and 2 hours drive from Shanghai. Owned by Huangjia Hotel Co., Ltd, the Sheraton Jiangyin Hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex that will also include guesthouse and convention center. The hotel will feature 296 rooms and suites, 46,877 square feet of meeting space and convention center, three restaurants and two bars, business center, health club, indoor heated swimming pool, spa and a gift shop.

4. Sheraton Dalian Xinghai Hotel

Owned by Dalian Air-Way Real Estate Development Co., Ltd, Sheraton Dalian Xinghai Hotel is the first Sheraton hotel in Dalian, and is targeted to open in 2012. Located in Xinghai Square – East Asia’s largest square in Dalian, the Sheraton Dalian Xinghai Hotel will help guests feel they truly belong in an area known for its fresh sea foods and beautiful views. Being part of a mixed-use complex that will also include two residential apartments, the new Sheraton will consist of 637 rooms and suites, three restaurants and one bar, 24,000 square feet of meeting space, indoor heated swimming pool, health club, spa and a retail shop. Most of the hotel guestrooms will face Xinghai Square with excellent sea view. Xinghai Bay area is planned as the new financial business district and exhibition center of Dalian.

5. Sheraton Bailuhu Resort, Huizhou

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has entered an agreement with Huizhou Bailuhu Tour Enterprise Development Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Agile Property Holdings Limited, to manage a 438-room Sheraton resort including 2 presidential villas in Huizhou, Guangdong, expected to open in 2012. Situated along the Bailuhu (Egret Lake) in Ru Hu Town, the hotel is approximately 9 km from the Huizhou city centre, 16 km from the Huizhou Airport, 60 km from Hong Kong and 100 km from Guangzhou. The hotel will offer approximately 44,00 square feet of meeting space, four food and beverage outlets, business center, health club, indoor heated swimming pool, pampering spa and retail shops. Offering all of Sheraton’s signature comforts, the resort will be part of an integrated water and golf resort community that includes Bailuhu and a 27-hole golf course.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 930 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

The National Timeshare Owners Association, a consumer protection organization for timeshare owners, has endorsed the timeshare advertising company, Sell My Timeshare NOW.
 
As the largest timeshare owners association in the country, the National Timeshare Owners Association, NTOA, acts in the interest of timeshare owners. Ed Hastry, founder and CEO of NTOA, says, “Our organization’s goal is to offer consumers every facet of information they need regarding timeshares. The National Timeshare Owners Association is enthusiastic about recommending Sell My Timeshare NOW with its full menu of services and proven record of reliability as a resource for all timeshare owners.”
 
Sell My Timeshare NOW, the global leader in the online advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and rentals, offers a range of support services for timeshare owners including no-upfront-fee broker resales through its brokerage arm, Timeshare Brokerage Services, timeshare rental assistance through its rental services division, and for-sale-by-owner advertising options.
CEO Jason Tremblay, says, “Endorsement by the National Timeshare Owners Association is one more verification to consumers that Sell My Timeshare NOW is the timeshare company they can turn to for customer-centered service when they want to buy, rent, or sell timeshare.”
 
Twelve years ago, recognizing that timeshare owners had very few resources to which to turn for guidance and information, Hastry founded first the Maryland Timeshare Association and then the National Timeshare Owners Association. Today, with members from coast to coast, NTOA serves as a clearinghouse for accurate, reliable timeshare information, as well as providing a range of meaningful timeshare owner benefits including discounts, timeshare exchange, insurances, and other members-only services.
 
As part of the NTOA commitment to consumer education, the association is hosting a series of timeshare information conferences to be held in Venice, FL (March 29); Baltimore, MD (April 19); Parker, CO (May 17); Cherry Hill, NJ (Sept 27); and San Diego, CA (October 18). Featured at the April event, which is part of the NTOA National Convention, Jason Tremblay will speak about the state of the timeshare resale market and the importance of the internet in today’s marketplace.
 
For more information about attending these timeshare education events, contact the National Timeshare Owners Association, by emailing hastry@aol.com or calling (410) 719-0064. To learn more about Sell My Timeshare NOW, visit the company’s website at www.sellmytimesharenow.com or contact Steve Luba at steveluba@sellmytimesharenow.com.

“Resorts from Uruguay, Aruba, and South Carolina join luxury exchange program”

The Registry Collection® Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), today announced new affiliations with three new luxury resorts which will become part of The Registry Collection’s network of more than 130 affiliates.
The new resorts include Sugar Loaf Ocean Club & Spa in Uruguay, Anabui – Private Residence Club at Tierra del Sol Resort, Spa and Country Club in Aruba, and The Charleston Club, Daniel Island in South Carolina.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome these three extraordinary properties to The Registry Collection exchange program,” commented Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI.  “From golf courses designed by such notables as Robert Trent Jones and Tom Fazio… to world class tennis and dining facilities, each resort boasts incredible features that epitomize the vacation experiences we offer our more than 30,000 Registry Collection members through this elite global network.”

The Sugar Loaf Ocean Club & Spa, located on the coastline of Uruguay, expects to offer 114 luxury chalets with breathtaking views of the ocean or the spectacular mountains that surround Piriapolis with the first phase anticipated to open in December 2009. The first affiliate in the Rio de la Plata zone, one of the most emblematic tourist destinations in South America, the affiliation is a key milestone and reaffirmation of The Registry Collection exchange program’s growth and commitment to securing a truly worldwide network of high-end leisure properties.

Anabui Private Residence Club at Tierra del Sol, located on the northwest coast of Aruba, currently has seven units under construction which should be available by January of 2010.  The gated community features relaxed yet elegant units that will have three luxurious bedrooms and two and a half baths.  Owners will have access to a private pool, the Canchas del Sol tennis courts, fitness center, the Body & Soul Spa, and golf.

Tierra del Sol features the only 18-hole championship PGA Golf Course on the island of Aruba.  The course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, overlooks the majestic Caribbean Sea, giving guests an unusual golfing experience.  The course is adjacent to a pro shop, bar and grill, and four-star restaurant.
The Charleston Club, Daniel Island, situated near Charleston’s historic district, consists of eight luxury penthouse residences, each with three spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms. Ownership in The Charleston Club includes access to The Daniel Island Club, the world class Family Circle Cup Tennis Center, two beautiful pool complexes, bicycles and bicycle trails, fishing equipment, a spa and well-equipped fitness center. The resort also boasts 18-hole golf courses designed by Rees Jones and Tom Fazio.
To learn more about affiliating with The Registry Collection Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program, visit http://www.theregistrycollection.com. 

About The Registry Collection
The Registry Collection program is a global network comprising over 30,000 members and more than 130 affiliates on five continents. As the world’s largest luxury exchange program, the Registry Collection program provides members with access to an elite global network of the very finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge services that are available 24 hours a day.  From condo hotels and high-end fractional resorts to private residence clubs and fractional yachts, The Registry Collection program facilitates exchanges around the world and redefines the vacation experience for owners and developers. The Registry Collection program is offered by Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies. (NYSE: WYN) For additional information, visit the media center at www.grouprci.com.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations announced today that it is adding two new destinations to its resort portfolio, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn., bringing the total number of resorts to six.  The new resorts will join the three locations currently available to owners and guests – the flagship location, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Fla., and resorts in Lake Geneva, Wis., and Panama City, Fla., – with another location in Ascutney, Vt., scheduled to go live later this month.

Orange Lake Resorts, under an exclusive licensing agreement with IHG to use the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand, has acquired the 256-unit South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and 109-unit Crown Park Resort – to be renamed Smoky Mountain Resort – in Gatlinburg, Tenn., from Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc.  Orange Lake will own and operate these resorts as a privately held company.

“The addition of two new resorts to the Holiday Inn Club Vacations portfolio in such a short period of time demonstrates the strength of the alliance and our ability to find strategic opportunities to grow this brand, even during challenging economic times,” said Christian Hempell, vice president, Holiday Inn Club Vacations.  “Guests know and trust Holiday Inn, and we’re pleased to offer them even more destinations to experience the brand through timeshare ownership.” 

Effective Feb. 13, 2009, Holiday Inn Club Vacations assumed management of operations at both resorts, with a target date for conversion by April 2009.  A timeshare sales operation will begin at the South Beach Resort on April 1.

Andrew Tilmont, COO for Burroughs and Chapin Company, Inc. commented on the purchase: “We are happy to have a company like Orange Lake with such a depth of experience and reach in the industry to take ownership of our timeshare resorts, allowing our members and employees to have unparalleled leadership as they look to their future growth.”

Both of the new resort properties offer a host of amenities that Holiday Inn Club members will enjoy:
•       Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, Tenn., (formerly Crown Park Resort) is a 109-unit resort situated near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering spectacular views and the ability to experience the natural wonders of the mountains. The resort was completed in 2006 and offers indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness room and more. The area is also home to many shops, restaurants and family attractions for an estimated 12 million annual visitors.
•       South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is a 256-unit resort offering indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, a video game room, a fitness center and private access to a beautiful stretch of beach located just steps from the resort. This resort, the first units of which were completed in 2003, is ideal for families wanting to take advantage of the many golfing, shopping, dining and entertainment options available in the Myrtle Beach area for an estimated 10 million annual visitors.

“We are thrilled to be adding one of the most prestigious resorts in Myrtle Beach to our resort offering.  Myrtle Beach has always been in the top 10 list of most desired locations in our member surveys,” said Don Harrill, President and CEO for Orange Lake Resorts.  “Gatlinburg also has a great experience to offer being located so close to the Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Holiday Inn Club members will continue to enjoy access to the flagship Orlando resort, plus Member Resorts in Ascutney, Vt., Lake Geneva, Wis. and Panama City, Fla. They will also have access to Resort Condominium International’s (RCI) network of more than 4,000 resorts. 

Holiday Inn Club members will also receive automatic enrollment in the Priority Club® Rewards loyalty program with Gold Elite status and can reserve stays at IHG’s more than 4,150 hotels in nearly 100 countries worldwide. Priority Club Rewards members enjoy features and benefits, such as Reward Nights with no blackout dates and the ability to redeem points for merchandise and special experiences. To learn more about the Priority Club Rewards program, visit www.priorityclub.com.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand its Member Resorts into top North American destination locations, adding more vacation experiences, features and benefits. In addition, Orange Lake also plans to build a flagship Holiday Inn Resort hotel at the Orlando resort and has the potential to develop up to 2,500 more timeshare villas at this location.  For more information, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

About Holiday Inn Club Vacations
Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success.  Holiday Inn Club Vacation’s flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder, Kemmons Wilson. A 1,450-acre golf, water park and sports resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort includes 2,412 villas and plans for expansion to 4,500 villas. Other member resort locations include Brownsville, Vermont; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Panama City, Florida. Holiday Inn Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts in Wisconsin, Vermont and Florida and IHG’s network of more than 4,150 resorts worldwide.  Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand their Member Resorts to destination locations.  For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

About Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc.
A leader in the fields of commercial and residential real estate development, and related operations, Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. has been serving the grand strand for more than 100 years – the company’s service to Myrtle Beach and Horry County, South Carolina dates back to 1895.
Burroughs & Chapin’s residential developments include the award-winning Grande Dunes, a 2,200-acre four-star community stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to west across the Intracoastal Waterway. Burroughs & Chapin has also created numerous commercial developments offering national and regional name brand shopping. These include Broadway at the Beach – an award-winning 350-acre festival shopping, entertainment and dining complex; Coastal Grand Mall, a one million square foot regional shopping mall joint ventured with CBL & Associates Properties of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Seaboard Commons; South Strand Commons; Arcadian Shores Commons; the 501 Power Centers and many smaller “jewel box” centers.  In addition, Burroughs & Chapin Golf Management offers many of the finest 18-hole championship golf courses in Myrtle Beach.

Thai Resort Joins Quality Exchange Network
 
Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, has added the Twin Peaks Residence, part of the Laguna Holiday Club, to its global network.  The resort is located in the heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city, surrounded by mountains and home to more than 300 temples.
           
“Chiang Mai is a modern, friendly, and internationally flavoured city with much to offer the visitor, including rock climbing, trekking, and horse and elephant riding.” says Joe Hickman, Interval International’s executive director for Asia Pacific. “This is a delightful new resort that will allow members and owners to explore the city and surrounding region.”
 
Twin Peaks has a mix of one- and two- bedroom units. Amenities at the vacation centre include a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, and a library/game room. Within walking distance from the property are shopping malls and dozens of restaurants. A range of international-standard golf courses are nearby.
 
About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 30 years. Today, Interval has a network of over 2,400 resorts in excess of 75 countries and offers its resort clients and nearly 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through 26 offices in 16 countries.  Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.
 
For more information contact:
Michael Myers, Group Director of Marketing and Travel, Interval International
Phone: +44 (0) 20 8336 9515
E-mail: michael.myers@intervalintl.com

Legendary La Plage receives refurbishment and upgrades following Hurricane Omar

An iconic fixture on the vacation ownership scene in St. Maarten for 24 years, Royal Islander Club La Plage, celebrated its grand re-opening on Saturday, February 14th.  The resort suffered damage from the passing of Hurricane Omar in October 2008 and has spent the past four months bringing the property back to its legendary status, while also adding several additional amenities.

“We are incredibly excited to showcase a new guest experience through this comprehensive and exciting renovation of La Plage,” said The Maho Group’s Managing Director Mr. Nicola Induni. “This renovation, spearheaded by our management and stellar maintenance team, underscores our dedication to St. Maarten’s hospitality community. Throughout 2009, Royal Islander Club will continue to improve resort facilities, exceed guest expectations, offer great vacation values and maintain both La Plage and La Terrasse to the highest standards.”

The new La Plage experience is enhanced by a variety of carefully planned upgrades for the ultimate in guest comfort. Redesigned units received dynamic new kitchens with modern appliances. Bathrooms boast marble countertops, while added mirrors and lighting increase the luminosity of the décor. As before, all units are adorned with tropical furnishings and design elements accented by woven wicker, bamboo and rattan, creating a soothing yet comfortable setting for vacationers.

As part of the revitalization, newly appointed bamboo furnishings and a vibrant paint palette have enlightened the resort lobby.  Other added amenities include a refreshed pool area with spacious new Jacuzzi so guests have a relaxing ambiance in order to socially connect with friends and family. One of the highlights of La Plage is the resort’s famed gardens, a project headed by Ms. Induni. Painstaking hours were spent choosing, plotting and planting the right tropical flora, accenting the spirit and sensibility of this Caribbean jewel. 

Setting a record in hospitality for holiday resorts across the globe, Royal Islander Club La Plage and La Terrasse have been conferred with the prestigious RCI Gold Crown Award for the 24th consecutive year. The award recognizes the highest level of excellence in a resort’s offering.

Acknowledging this achievement, Induni said, “Only 10% of RCI affiliated resorts worldwide received a Gold Crown Award for more than 10 consecutive years and receiving this distinction for the past 24 years is a reflection of our commitment to ensuring a consistent and world-class vacation experience for our guests.”

RCI’s Resort Recognition program ensures that its affiliate resorts adhere to the highest standards of accommodation and hospitality so that their members can enjoy exceptional holiday experiences. Evaluation for the Resort Recognition Program is based on member feedback and comment card ratings. In addition to being a recognition of the quality of the resort, the award also increases its worth and desirability for members.

About Royal Islander Club
Set on the edge of Maho Bay, the Royal Islander Club welcomes guests to St. Maarten with two timeshare and condominium properties: La Plage and La Terrasse. Secluded from the buzz of Maho Village, these award-winning enclaves form  “resorts within a resort.” Here visitors can lounge on private balconies, wander tropical gardens, and relax with family and friends in an exclusive setting (just 204 units combined). More than 40 restaurants and boutiques are just steps away. Royal Islander offers its patrons the best of all worlds: a dash of the island’s Dutch-French culture, intimate suites built to the highest European standards and immediate access to the hub of St. Maarten’s vibrant nightlife.  To reach the resort’s sales office, call 545-2388, ext 305 or email, ricsales@royalislander.com. Visit the resort’s new website at www.royalislander.com.

France’s First W Hotel Will Open in 2011 Offering Escape, Extravaganza and Stylish Design in the Heart of Paris

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced plans to open W Paris-Opéra in 2011, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in France. Located in the chic and bustling Opéra area of Paris, amid lively cafés, contemporary designer boutiques, and buzzing restaurants and nightlife destinations, W Paris-Opéra will occupy an elegant 1870s Haussmann era building, close to the Galleries Lafayette and Place Vendome in an area where Paris earned its praise as the “City of Lights.” Owned by Meridia Capital, a Barcelona-based private equity global real estate fund, W Paris-Opéra will feature 90 stylish guest rooms, a world-class contemporary restaurant and destination bar, a state-of-the-art fitness facility with spa treatment rooms, and W Hotels’ signature lounge experience where guests are invited to mix, mingle and relax in a chic social atmosphere.

Founded in 1998 in New York City, W Hotels continues to transform into a global powerhouse. W Paris-Opéra will be the W brand’s eighth property in Europe, following the opening of W Istanbul in 2008, and the upcoming openings of W Hotels in Barcelona, St. Petersburg, Athens, Manchester, Milan and London. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011 in vibrant primary destinations throughout Europe and the world from Paris to Marrakech, Dubai to Doha, Hollywood to South Beach, and Shanghai to Bali.

“We are thrilled to expand the W brand into Paris, a major milestone in transforming W Hotels into a global powerhouse, debuting in the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “W Paris-Opéra will offer insider access, extravaganza and cool contemporary design in the heart of Paris, bringing contemporary luxury and a completely new and distinctive product to the Parisian hotel market.”

“Paris has been on the hit list for W Hotels for many years and I am delighted we now have a site which is so central and a building which is so quintessentially Parisian,” said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe Africa and Middle East. “With Paris joining the roster of European openings for W over the next two years, our global W guests now have access to some of the most sought after destinations. Meridia Capital will be an excellent partner, with their experience in the luxury branded hotel sector and we hope this is the beginning of a long term partnership with them.”

In addition to the many exclusive indulgences at W Paris-Opéra, the hotel will offer a full-service WIRED business center open 24-hours, fully wired, ultra-modern meeting and event space, and the brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® concierge service, providing guests whatever they want – from a gourmet picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg to exclusive shopping excursions at the emporiums of Faubourg St-Honoré – whenever they want it. Guest rooms and suites, including W Hotels’ renowned WOW suites and Extreme WOW suites, will all feature custom-made furnishings, sophisticated accents unique to Paris, the W Hotels signature bed with feather-top mattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down comforter, creating the ultimate urban escape. Guest rooms will offer the latest in cutting-edge technology and the most advanced in-room entertainment systems in the industry.

“Attracting a prestigious global brand like W Hotels to Paris will make this one of the most significant hotel projects the city has seen in recent years. We are delighted to be part of bringing the W brand to this destination,” said Javier Faus, Chairman & CEO, Meridia Capital.

More than a hotel brand, W Hotels has established itself as an iconic lifestyle brand, offering guests unprecedented insider access to a world of “Wow” through contemporary cool design, fashion, nightlife, celebrities, entertainment and other. W Hotels has forever changed the hospitality landscape with a series of industry firsts in the past 10 years, including: the transformation of the hotel lobby into the W Living Room experience; the introduction of the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever concierge service as a vehicle to fulfil every guest’s dreams; extension of the lifestyle experience into retail through W Hotels the Store; a sensorial multiplex experience with branded W CD compilations released each year; the reinterpretation of the hotel mini-bar into the W “Munchie Box” to present the brand’s lifestyle point of view; and the reinvention of the presidential suite into W’s “Extreme Wow” and “Wow” suites.

W Paris-Opéra will join six sister properties in France under the Sheraton, Le Méridien, Westin and The Luxury Collection brands.

About W Hotels Worldwide®
W Hotels is an innovative luxury lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 26 properties in the most vibrant destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access to a world of “Wow.” Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design and passions around design, architecture, fashion, music, entertainment, pop culture, and everything in between. W Hotels are unique and individual expressions of modern living, reflected in the brand’s sensibility to a holistic lifestyle experience with cutting-edge design, contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous nightlife experiences, and signature spas. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011. In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hoboken, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Downtown New York, Santiago, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, London, Manchester, Milan and St. Petersburg. In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, Macao-Studio City, Shanghai and Yokohama. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Marrakech, Amman, Doha, and Dubai. W has plans to open W Retreats in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques Island and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W Hotels’ first ski retreat. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 930 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

About Meridia Capital
Meridia Capital is a private equity group focused on investing in premium hotel properties internationally. The firm acquires and develops hotel real estate in both urban and resort markets and partners with the world’s leading international hotel brands. Meridia Capital Hospitality I is Meridia Capital Partners’ first fund and was closed in early 2007 with equity of €150 million. Meridia Capital currently owns properties in Santiago (Chile), Paris and Thailand. For further information please visit www.meridiacapital.com.

Auberge Collection Adds FOLIO Collection’s Newest Members Club To Its Growing Portfolio Of Private Residence Clubs

Auberge Resorts http://www.aubergeresorts.com/, owners and operators of award-winning luxury resorts and private residence clubs, announced today that the company will assume the hospitality management of Pond Bay, FOLIO Collection’s new private residence club on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Opening in December 2009, Pond Bay was developed by FOLIO Collection, creators of Isle de France Club on St. Barth’s and a growing international stable of luxury private residence clubs. Pond Bay is set on 15 acres of beachfront property overlooking Chocolate Hole Bay and borders a serene pond on the southwest coast of the island. Designed as an intimate village blending contemporary and Caribbean influences, the club features 50 three- and four-bedroom cottages and villas in hillside, pond-side and beachfront settings. The club also features an array of luxury resort amenities, including a beachfront swimming pool, a beach club, a new Auberge 75-seat restaurant and a 10,000-square-foot destination spa and fitness center. Rounding out the Pond Bay lifestyle is a full range of personal services, from pre-arrival shopping, concierge and 24-hour room service, to wine storage, babysitting and shuttle service to nearby Cruz Bay, the social center of St. John.

“If we were to design the perfect Caribbean retreat, Pond Bay would be it; the site is exquisite,” said Mark Harmon, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Auberge Resorts.” “We look forward to putting the Auberge imprint of exceptional cuisine and wine on the restaurant and bringing our signature Auberge experiences to this spectacular destination spa. Pond Bay will offer an exciting new Caribbean destination for buyers and an ideal exchange option for members at the other private residence clubs in our collection.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with Auberge Resorts on Pond Bay,” said Bob Emmett, Co-founder and Managing Director, FOLIO Collection. “This is an exceptional opportunity that opens the door for our Owners to enjoy very special privileges at Auberge’s private clubs located in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.”
Ownership at Pond Bay will be in deeded one-tenth fractional interests, with each Owner receiving four weeks of guaranteed use plus additional space-available use annually. Pre-opening prices begin at $315,000. Pond Bay Owners also will gain privileged access to resort destinations beyond the Caribbean through membership in the soon-to-launch Auberge Collection, Auberge Resorts’ portfolio of residence clubs. Owners may exchange part of their guaranteed time at Auberge’s award-winning residence clubs, Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley, Esperanza in Los Cabos, Mexico, Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and at the Village Homes at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina.

Owners will also enjoy a host of preferred rates and benefits at Auberge resorts, including Napa Valley’s Auberge du Soleil and Calistoga Ranch; Rancho Valencia Resort; Esperanza; the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina; and Encantado in Santa Fe, as well as FOLIO Collection’s growing international stable of private residence clubs.

“With our new Auberge Collection, the membership experience will be more than the sum of its parts,” Harmon said. “Owners at one world-class club will gain exceptional privileges at other resorts and clubs that are the best in their class. At the core of the collection is our legacy as a hotel company, which has enabled us to perfect the resort experience for our owners and guests. We believe it will differentiate the Auberge Collection from the many options currently available.”
For more information about Auberge Resorts, visit http://www.aubergeresorts.com.
For more information about FOLIO Collection, visit http://www.foliocollection.com.

Phase I Wind Farm To Be Completed in 2009 – Full Conversion Planned for 2012

The island of Bonaire continues on its path toward becoming the first Caribbean island powered by 100% sustainable energy.  In 2007, the island government, which takes pride in the island’s beauty and nature preservation, agreed to a multi-faceted project to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel energy by developing an energy system comprised of an 11MW wind farm, 14MW biodiesel plant, and a 3MW backup battery. 

Ecopower Bonaire BV, a consortium consisting of Evelop, Enercon, and MAN, is spearheading this project that is expected to complete its first phase by the end of 2009.
The project developers have already completed the installation of a pilot 330KW wind turbine, whose current energy production exceeds any initial expectations. Accordingly, 12 additional 990 KW wind turbines are being installed on the north coast of the island, where wind and surf conditions are most ideal. By the end of 2009, these wind turbines should produce 44% of the island’s energy.  The remaining 56% will be produced by the planned 14MW biodiesel generators, utilizing fuel derived from algae, which will enable the island to shift to 100% sustainable energy supply within five years.

All electricity generated will be delivered to WEB (Water and Energy Bonaire).  After completion of the entire project, Ecopower Bonaire BV will remain owner of the wind-biodiesel system.
Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean.  Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing.  And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism as reported by National Geographic Traveler magazine (March 2004) and Islands Magazine (December 2007), and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for seven years in a row in the Scuba Diving magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards (2003-2008).  It was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008), and as the Favorite Dive Destination in the World by About.com (June, 2008).

In 2009, the island will be Celebrating Bonaire’s Commitment to Conservation, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Washington-Slagbaai National Park and the 30th Anniversary of the Bonaire National Marine Park.  There will be a variety of festivities and events throughout the year, celebrating these combined years of nature protection for the island.

For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire’s official web site at www.tourismbonaire.com.

The Registry Collection exchange program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program, announced today that it has signed an affiliation agreement with Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort & Condominiums, a refined development in Costa Rica which was awarded with the prestigious International Project of the Year Award from the Developers & Builders Alliance (DBA) on November 8, 2008. The affiliation will give owners access to the benefits of The Registry Collection exchange program in addition to this unique ownership experience.

Located in Jaco Beach, one of the most desirable beaches in Costa Rica and surrounded by mountains, Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort & Condominiums will offer top notch amenities combined with unrivaled landscapes.  The award winning project will offer 136 fully equipped condo-hotel residences and will also feature the first roof top bar at Costa Rican beaches to delight guests with breathtaking views.

Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort & Condominiums will create a new model of residences and holiday beach front living, and through its affiliation with The Registry Collection exchange program it will offer buyers the opportunity to enjoy benefits such as worldwide exchange, 24-hour concierge services and access to member-specific travel opportunities before the resort even opens. 

Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort & Condominiums will consist of two buildings joined by a glass bridge at the higher levels and by a spacious lobby on the ground floor.  The project will also comprise a modern gym, a golf course and beach club.

Ricardo Montaudon, President & Managing Director, Latin America, Group RCI, said “We’re delighted to welcome Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort & Condominiums, a one of a kind fine leisure project in Costa Rica, to The Registry Collection exchange program.  With this development, Grupo Rica Costa, architect & builder, has brought vision and creativity to the design of Wyndham Jaco Beach and we’re proud to work with them.” Grupo Rica Costa, one of the most prestigious architectural design firms in Costa Rica has also built projects in the United States.

Fuad Farach, President of Grupo Rica Costa, said “We’re tremendously excited about the affiliation with The Registry Collection program, which enables us to offer our buyers at the Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort all the benefits of the world’s largest luxury exchange program. Every Wyndham Jaco owner will enjoy access to resorts in great holiday destinations across the world. This is definitely the icing on the cake in terms of giving our customers the best value for their money.”

About The Registry Collection
The Registry Collection program is the world’s largest luxury exchange program, providing members with access to an elite global network of finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge services that are available 24 hours a day at certain locations.  From condo hotels and high-end fractional resorts to private residence clubs and fractional yachts, The Registry Collection program facilitates exchanges among more than 100 luxury leisure accommodations around the world and redefines the vacation experience for owners and developers.  The Registry Collection program is offered by Group RCI, a global leader in leisure real estate and one of Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN).  For additional information visit the media center at www.grouprci.com

About Grupo Rica Costa
Grupo Rica Costa is a company with vast experience in the development and commercialization of residential and office complexes in Costa Rica and the city of Miami, USA. In Miami, Grupo Rica Costa has developed projects such as: Solaris in Brickell Bay Drive Douglas Place and Mediterranean, all located in Coral Gables, Fla.  In Costa Rica, it has developed premium projects, such as Valle del Tamarindo high end premium condominiums, Vía Lindora Commercial Center, Solaris Condominium, Vía Lindora Executive Center and the HSBC Office Building. For more information, please visit http://www.gruporicacosta.com/

Sol Meliá, the 15th-largest hotel chain in the world and the leading Spanish hotel and resort company, has selected LRA Worldwide to assist with elements of its Strategic Plan presented to investors in Madrid last year.  LRA, a pioneer in the consulting discipline of Customer Experience Management, is working with Sol Meliá on the “brand equity” pillar of the plan, helping the company further define each brand offering and how that offering is delivered at the property level.

Sol Meliá currently operates a variety of hotel and resort brands including Gran Meliá, Meliá, ME, Innside, Tryp, Sol and Paradisus, as well as its vacation ownership offering, Sol Meliá Vacation Club. As part of Sol Melia’s plan for “enhancing the value of the brands [and] repositioning the brands on a higher level,” LRA has facilitated “brand standards boot camps” for corporate and property-level representatives of each brand. 

The boot camps are designed to:
• Identify the core elements of the guest experience expected of a hotel of that service sector;
• Identify and define the “differentiators” that enhance the guest experience delivered by each Sol Melia brand;
• Craft the service and operational standards that enable each hotel to “operationalize” the desired brand experience.

“This is an extremely important initiative for our company,” explained André Gerondeau, Executive Vice President, Hotels for Sol Meliá.  “Each of our brands has something unique and special to offer the guest; our ability to both articulate and deliver that distinct brand experience is crucial to our strategic plan.  The LRA team brings a unique mix of skills to the project that will help us both creatively and operationally.” 

“Sol Meliá is aware that current global economic conditions require an increased focus on value and quality,” said John Roberto, SVP of LRA Worldwide. “Brands that can better define the unique quality and value that they provide to the guest – and then deliver on that – will be well-positioned to thrive in these difficult times.”

LRA has worked on a variety of projects of this nature, helping them first define the elements of a branded customer experience and then translate that vision into a working, operational reality.  Most engagements have been within the hospitality industry with companies such as Wyndham Worldwide, Choice Hotels International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, but LRA has also worked with leaders in food service (ARAMARK Corporation), travel (NetJets), homebuilding (WCI Communities), entertainment (Live Nation) and sports (Churchill Downs Incorporated) on similar initiatives.

“The process is always equal parts art and science,” said Nancy Peel, Director of LRA’s Standards Development & Content Management practice. “For Sol Meliá, the riddle is how to cultivate and capture the style, flair and vision of each individual brand while ensuring that standards are in place to deliver on that brand vision at every hotel, for every associate, in every interaction, every day.”

The year-long project kicked off in March of 2008 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the first “boot camp” for Gran Meliá and was subsequently followed by sessions for each of the other brands.  In 2009, the program will transition into a measurement and compliance phase, ensuring that the proper brand experience is being delivered consistently across the global portfolio.

About Sol Meliá:
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Sol Meliá is the largest resort hotel chain in the world and market leader in Spain in both business and leisure travel. The company currently provides more than 300 hotels in 30 countries on four continents, and employs 35,000 people under its Gran Meliá, Meliá, ME, Innside, Tryp, Sol, Paradisus and Sol Meliá Vacation Club brands. For more information, visit www.solmelia.com.

About LRA Worldwide, Inc:
LRA Worldwide is a leading research and consulting company in the emerging discipline of Customer Experience Management (CEM). We work with our clients to help them design and deliver consistently exceptional customer experiences in order to drive customer satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy, and company growth and profitability.

In LRA’s 25-year history, we have grown from a provider of customized quality assurance evaluation programs for the hospitality industry, to a leading CEM consulting company offering a variety of client solutions. The evolution has been driven by our clients asking us one question – “How do we get better?” In response, we have built a range of performance measurement, research, training and consulting solutions to help them do so. Today, we are a growing company operating in more than 120 countries throughout the world, helping clients such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the National Basketball Association, the PGA TOUR, InterContinental Hotels Group, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Ritz-Carlton Clubs deliver exceptional customer experiences. Every touch. Every time. For more information, visit us at www.LRAworldwide.com.

Le Meridien Chief Adds W Hotels to Her Starwood Role

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the appointment of Eva Ziegler as Global Brand Leader for W Hotels Worldwide. In her new role, Vienna-born Ziegler will be responsible for leading the global development and growth strategy for the innovative and category-busting W Hotels Worldwide. With 10 years of proven success, largely in North America, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011, assuming its role on the global stage with properties scheduled to open in primary, vibrant international markets from Paris to Milan, Barcelona to London, Santiago to Vieques Island, Dubai to Doha, Hollywood to South Beach, and Shanghai to Bali. In addition to overseeing the global launch of W Hotels, Ziegler will continue in her role leading Le Méridien as the brand continues its re-launch globally. As Global Brand Leader for the two contemporary design-led brands, Ziegler will define the vision and brand strategy across all disciplines.

“Eva’s branding expertise and broad international experience will be invaluable to Starwood as we meaningfully launch W Hotels outside of North America,” said Phil McAveety, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “As a highly experienced marketer and business professional who has spent her career working for international Fortune 500 companies such as Toyota and Coca Cola, Eva knows how to build distinctive and compelling global brands and adapt them to ensure they are locally relevant. She is the perfect candidate at the right time to take these two compelling lifestyle brands to the next level.”

Prior to this appointment, Ziegler held the role of Global Brand Leader of Le Méridien, where she was responsible for defining the vision and brand strategy across all disciplines for the renowned international brand. Under Ziegler’s vision, Le Méridien has re-positioned itself as a cultural hub for the creative mind leading to a range of innovative approaches and strategies. For example, she developed an innovative strategy through curated experiences by engaging a Cultural Curator and forming a group of cultural innovators, called LM100, each of whom define and enrich the guest experience.

Since joining the company in 2005, Ziegler has played an important role in successfully integrating Le Méridien into Starwood’s process and systems, resulting in impressive performance figures. In fact, Le Méridien’s integration into Starwood’s larger, stable, multi-branded hotel system has enabled the brand to thrive. A critical milestone in Le Meridien’s transformation has been the consolidation and renovation of the brand’s portfolio. Since Starwood acquired the brand, Le Méridien has eliminated more than 30 hotels, and by 2011, will have renovated more than 50 percent of its existing portfolio. The brand also plans to open more than 20 hotels and resorts across the world within the next three years. All of this will result in a high-quality, on brand portfolio.

Before joining Starwood, Ziegler was the Director of Le Rendez-Vous Toyota and played a leading role in developing and launching the cutting edge European Brand Experience Center on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, France. She has spent her career working for international Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola and Saatchi & Saatchi. Ziegler earned her degree from the University of Economics Vienna, Austria.

About W Hotels Worldwide®
W Hotels is an innovative luxury lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 26 properties in the most vibrant destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access to a world of “Wow.” Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design and passions around design, architecture, fashion, music, entertainment, pop culture, and everything in between. W Hotels are unique and individual expressions of modern living, reflected in the brand’s sensibility to a holistic lifestyle experience with cutting-edge design, contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous nightlife experiences, and signature spas. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011. In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hoboken, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Downtown New York, Santiago, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, London, Manchester, Milan and St. Petersburg. In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, Macao-Studio City, Shanghai and Yokohama. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Marrakech, Amman, Doha, and Dubai. W has plans to open W Retreats in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques Island and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W Hotels’ first ski retreat. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

About Le Méridien
Le Méridien brand, currently represented by 110 properties in 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) in November 2005. Since then, Le Méridien has gone through a brand revitalization, which included appointing a full-time Cultural Curator – French arts-provocateur Jérôme Sans – and transforming numerous guest touch points, thus brining unique and interactive experiences to its guests. With close to 80 of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Méridien provides a strong international complement to Starwood’s primarily North American holdings. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien hotels and resorts within the next five years, concentrating in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including destinations such as India, Thailand and China. Le Méridien recently opened new hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Shimei Bay (China), will open in Dallas and Philadelphia in the coming months, and has recently signed new hotel deals in Taipei, Xiamen, Chongqing Nan’an, and Qingdao (China). For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 930 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.