Accor’s shining stars came out last night at the Awards night, which was the gala finale to the Australian Timeshare Holiday Ownership Council’s (ATHOC) annual conference 2009, held on the beautiful Gold Coast Queensland.

Netting two of the four awards, was Marnie Jess, awarded as ‘Outstanding New Professional’ and Mike Winlaw who won a ‘Recognition Award’ for his services over the last 5 years to the industry.

Marnie’s award recognised her fresh approach, professional skills and integrity in her role as Sales marketing and Production Manager, vital in traffic control, sales and marketing collateral and internal communications – a part of the busy Corporate Communications department.

Mike’s recognition was substantially for his work with Accor Vacation Club’s Corporate Uni training scheme, and his benchmarked USA training visit.

John Osborne, CEO said “Our staff are our strength, and their commitment to quality and integrity is vital to our development and growth, and this pair set a fine example for others too.”

Previously, when people in the shared-ownership industry talked about upscale timeshare developments, Orlando didn’t always come to mind. Sure, there were nice resorts with roomy, fully appointed villas – but not high-end resorts with impressively appointed units.

By Matt McDaniel

It’s tough to be – and stay – upscale in today’s market. Once a high total square footage, leather furniture and big screen television meant upscale, at least in Central Florida. Today, owners are looking for those big-screen TVs to be high definition and the furnishings to have certain panache – and the units still have to be huge.

There has been a trend toward quality over the years, a move to providing a richer experience, whether as an aspirational experience or to keep up with what people are used to in their own homes. Perhaps because of the demographics of visitors to Orlando, the area had been slow to embrace truly upmarket fixtures, furnishings and equipment (FF&E) and their resultant higher price tags.

But now with the Baby Boomers getting older (and increasing their disposable incomes), the theme park capital of the world is seeing a boom in luxury timeshare offerings.

Marriott Origins
Edward Kinney, the Orlando-based vice president of corporate affairs and brand awareness for Marriott Vacation Club International, credits MVCI’s parent company for opening the upscale door for his company. “In our case, Marriott was the pioneer in bringing luxury accommodations to the Orlando market with the entrance of the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes and The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Following that success, Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve was a perfect compliment to the campus and an ideal match to the lifestyle of this affluent consumer,” Kinney says.

Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve will share the 500-acre Grande Lakes grounds with the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes and The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes offering a combination of impressive amenities, including The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Spa with 40,000 square feet of space dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation.

Six spacious villa floor plans will range from 1,185 to 1,655 square feet of living space, and for the first time in North America, Marriott Vacation Club will introduce two-story townhomes and two-bedroom, two-bath lock-off villas offering two master suites. Designed to complement the luxurious design and decor enjoyed by guests of the neighboring JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, the villa interiors will offer a blend of Mediterranean inspired and designed furnishings.

Each villa will feature a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and GE stainless steel appliances; generous living and dining areas; multiple LG flat-panel LCD televisions with DVD players; oversized shower with multiple shower heads in master suite; washer and dryer; and wireless high-speed Internet accessibility. Three-bedroom, three-bath villas and townhomes can accommodate up to 12 guests.

The resort started sales in July 2009, with unit prices ranging from $26,000 to $40,000 per week depending on the season and floor plan selected.

Orange Lake Ultimate
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort offers the Signature Collection, a cluster of 56 high-end units among its more than 2,400 villas.

“We introduced the high-end Signature Collection product into our portfolio because our owners and club members expressed that they wanted more ways to experience their vacation,” says Don Harrill, president and CEO, Orange Lake Resorts. “Our owners who’ve been with us for 5, 10, 15+ years and in-between love their timeshare and use it often; we weren’t surprised that much of our Signature Collection sales thus far have been from these legacy owners.”

The Signature Collection was designed to offer the intimate, residential feeling of a home away from home, appointed with upscale resort amenities to complete guests’ vacation experience. Accommodations have been designed for comfort and relaxation with special attention to detail, including soothing color palettes, luxury linens and bath amenities, surround-sound stereo, LCD televisions, screened patios and balconies, spa tubs with hydro-jets, full-sized washers and dryers, and fully-equipped kitchens.

What’s more, Signature Collection members can also enjoy personal attention from exclusive concierge staff, plus additional perks including daily newspaper delivery, a special onsite activities package and exclusive access to a private pool deck with a dedicated pool attendant.

“The cost increase for our Signature Collection villas in Orlando over our standard units was 16.7%,” Harrill notes. “This includes upgrades to construction-related items as well as all the FF&E increases.”

The Disney Difference
Disney Vacation Club’s newest resort opened at Walt Disney World on August 4. The new Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a variety of accommodations from studios, and one- and two-bedroom villas to the luxurious three-bedroom grand villas. The two-story, ultra-modern Grand Villas boast a full kitchen, living room, laundry facilities and a magnificent view of Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake. Guests staying at the crescent-shaped Bay Lake Tower can access existing amenities, restaurants and shopping at Disney’s Contemporary Resort via an artistically designed covered walkway.

But according to Diane Hancock, manager of DVC communications, what really makes the grand villas at Bay Lake Tower stand out is the location: “The location is amazing and the views from the rooms are  spectacular,” Hancock says. “We believe that all of our resorts offer experiences our Members and Guests don’t get anywhere else. For example, where else could you blow a goodnight kiss to Tinker Bell?”

Aspirational Trends?
But why are extremely upscale units now coming to Orlando? Are people looking for a higher-end aspirational product? Both Harrill and Kinney seem to think the local phenomenon is a natural outcome of trends in the industry overall. “In today’s market, the option of purchasing a higher-end Orlando vacation that has the flexibility of a pointsbased system is appealing, especially for buyers who don’t want to be tied to a fixed property,” says Harrill, referring to the Orange Lake set up. “So that may be part of the reason
that we’re seeing more upscale timeshare resorts right now.” He adds that many existing owner members decide that they want to experience the resort on a different level, “so in that sense, it is an aspirational product.”

Harrill posits another possible motivation as well: “Another reason why owners would aspire to this level is access to additional upscale inventory in other destinations,” he says. “Our Signature Collection villa owners who purchase at Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort and own more than 500,000 Holiday Inn Club Points enjoy the benefits of RCI’s Registry Collection program.” The Registry Collection provides members access to an elite global network of vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge service available 24 hours a day.

Kinney makes an worthwhile observation about seasonality’s role in the purchase decision. “At Marriott Vacation Club,” Kinney explains, “we find that our resorts are both a continuation of the lifestyle of our owners and aspirational – depending upon the season purchased in. (Demographics tend to vary upon seasonality.) That said, the average head of household income for Marriott Vacation Club owners is the highest in the industry, so many times we see that our resort and villa amenities meet and appeal to the lifestyle patterns typical of our owners.”

So are there any drawbacks to the current trend? Perhaps the law of diminishing returns. “Delivering such a high-end product can be a double-edged sword,” Kinney says. He notes that while MVCI is “always striving to be an innovative force in the industry and are delivering a product that elevates the standard,” MVCI owners “have high expectations that we are held to, including experiential resort amenities such as golf and
spa offerings.”

Orlando-based Matt McDaniel has been writing about the shared ownership industry since 1997.

One of the world’s most famous five-star golf and spa resorts, The K Club has announced a partnership with leading global co-ownership specialist Firstlight, to offer shared ownership of luxurious properties set within this outstanding 550-acre resort in County Kildare, just south of Dublin.

The K Club, which celebrates its 18th anniversary this year, was founded by Sir Michael Smurfit and boasts two championship golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer; famously hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006, in addition to 14 European Opens. As well as attracting the world’s greatest golfers to its fairway – from Tiger Woods to Darren Clarke – many of the world’s most famous faces have visited the legendary retreat, from Bill Clinton and Daniel Craig to David and Victoria Beckham, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

The magnificent 18th century chateau-style hotel, which has received endless accolades, was the first resort in Ireland to attain 5-AA red star rating, and was voted Egon Ronay Irish Hotel of the Year 1997 whilst also enjoying European and global recognition with Conde Nast’s Top Resort in Europe 2005, Robb Report Top 100 Resorts in The World.

Firstlight will be offering the opportunity to truly be a part of this idyllic Irish estate with shared ownership of a sumptuous property on the Ladycastle development with a choice of houses, apartments and duplex residences on offer. With easy access from Dublin airport, The K Club offers a retreat in the breathtaking Kildare countryside coupled with the delights of Dublin city centre just 30 minutes away.

Sir Michael Smurfit commented, “We are incredibly proud of our achievements over the past 18 years and look forward to continued success.  The project with Firstlight is an exciting opportunity to welcome more visitors and guests to The K Club, with all the delights it has to offer. The current trend toward fractional ownership within luxury resorts offers a real opportunity for The K Club to enhance its position as one of the world’s leading destinations and to entice visitors from across the globe thanks to the option for exchange amongst the world’s most exclusive residences.”

Firstlight managing director Matt Spence added, “We’re thrilled to have partnered with The K Club and to bring this remarkable offering to the marketplace.  Shared ownership of these two, three and four-bedroom luxury properties will entice a new audience to experience this truly outstanding authentic Irish resort, as well as discovering other premier destinations through the exchange facility.

“The properties at Firstlight The K Club are an ideal lifestyle retreat, finished to the highest standards and offering unrivalled luxury that will appeal to a broad international audience, as well as the domestic market.”

Benefits of fractional ownership will include full family membership to The K Club, with use of its two championship golf courses, a dedicated concierge service and 5-star luxury facilities; such as a deluxe golf cart for internal transportation, a private locker in the clubhouse, airport transfers to ensure that the Firstlight experience starts as soon as you land, plus full housekeeping service, property maintenance and a luxury welcome hamper on arrival each visit.

Owners will enjoy six weeks of usage per year, with two of those available at short notice, and a title deed which is undivided, giving you the chance to own a luxury holiday residence at a fraction of the total property price, with a greater market for resale.

It’s also a hassle-free option, with owners enjoying all the benefits of their own property when they need it without the need to sublet when unoccupied or be concerned with maintenance and upkeep, plus the unique ability to exchange with more than forty other luxury resorts throughout the world.

Residents of Firstlight The K Club will have access to all amenities of the resort including the chic and award-winning K Spa; an oasis of contemporary calm with a host of treatments and facilities on offer, whilst other activities include fly fishing on the private river, fishing and golf lessons, horseriding, clay target shooting, archery, falconry, Celtic games, art tours, wine cellar tours, cookery demonstrations and cycling. Families can also benefit from nanny and babysitting services, children’s activity club, outdoor playground, swimming lessons and indoor activities.

Today, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, formerly The Ritz-Carlton Club, commemorates its 10th anniversary. Introduced in 1999 as a fractional, second home alternative, this exclusive Club provides Members and their families with a lifetime of luxury vacation experiences and the renowned services of The Ritz-Carlton.

With this milestone, the brand has evolved relaunching as The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. The new equity-based membership program not only offers the industry-leading fractional ownership interests now known as Home Club Membership, but also deeded real estate, in the points-based Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of premier luxury destinations and accommodations. Further adding to its achievements in 2009, The Club was named top “Fractional” vacation home purveyor in the world for Robb Report’s 21(st) annual “Best of the Best” issue.

“Our decade-long success is an acknowledgement of the legendary service commitment, as well as the one-to-one relationships we’ve developed with our Members,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company). “We continue to surpass Member expectations by creating extraordinary experiences, heightened levels of personal service and new membership options like Portfolio Membership.”

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Members enjoy vacationing in some of the most sought-after vacation spots. The first two locations announced in 1999 were Aspen Highlands, Colo. and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., offering Members the best in ski and sun. The brand has since debuted properties in Bachelor Gulch, Colo.; Jupiter, Fla.; San Francisco; and Abaco, The Bahamas, as well as the recent opening of Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii, in May, followed by the opening of Lake Tahoe, Calif. in December. Additionally, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Vail, is set to open in late 2010.

Carol Kadison and her husband, Douglas, have been Members at The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands since 2001. “During the property tour, Douglas blurted out, ‘I’ll take it.’ It was a very spur of the moment decision. But, we enjoy it. . .it feels like we’re coming home,” commented Kadison.

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers one- to four-bedroom floor plans ranging from approximately 570 – 2,800 square feet. Memberships start in the low $100,000s per interest.

Global Residence Club, a Seattle headquartered private residence club that markets and sells fee simple fractional ownership interests in luxury homes, ranches and estates throughout the world announces its newest property, Villa Toscana, located in the 5 Star resort enclave of Punta Diamante in Acapulco, Mexico. Undivided, title insured, deeded tenant in common interests are now selling for $420,000 USD. Each share guarantees the owner 45 days of prime usage, alternating annually into perpetuity.

Villa Toscana, a 13,000 square foot luxury home built from traditional Mediterranean architecture with a modern flare is located within the gated community of Punta Real Diamante, which has become legendary for integrating an exclusive residential concept with amenities dedicated to relaxation and the total satisfaction of its residents.

Resort amenities include two swimming pools, gardens, restaurants, spa and a beach club. The nature friendly development has streets made of stones and boasts beautiful stone printings that entail images of pre-Hispanic art. The development was made with extreme responsibility and posses a unique artisan quality.

Global Residence Club properties whether located in gated resort enclaves or not include lavish resort style amenities. Every home includes a variety of recreational equipment, luxury vehicles, and where feasible, golf memberships, fully loaded sportsfishing yacht or sailboat, onsite concierge, house cleaning, maintenance personnel, private chef, masseuse, spa services and local tour guides.

President, Travis Moegling comments, Our business model is largely based on our tagline of ‘Paradise for Life Weve created an opportunity for persons of varying incomes to invest in exceptional legacy properties and capture real brick and mortar appreciation in stellar homes and usually far less than the down payment would be on a home of this caliber. Our mission is focused on building lifelong owner relationships rather than the mass-merchandising of property. Our primary strategy always has been geared towards creating direct partnerships with savvy persons and companies who understand and cherish the value associated with fractional ownership and who want to experience the lifestyle that only Global Residence Club provides. At the end of the day, it clearly is common sense ownership.”

Villa Toscana embodies the adventure of tropical living. Ownership of this home includes a new 42 foot fully loaded sportsfishing yacht, luxury vehicle, golf membership, onsite concierge services, housecleaning, availability of private chefs, masseuse, tour guides and a variety of world-class recreational equipment including, golf cart, mountain bikes, sea kayaks, surfboards, scuba gear, fishing equipment and much more.

Owners of Global Residence Club luxury homes have guaranteed annual availability that is determined from the percentage of the home they own outright. Owners are completely removed from the month to month hassle of management and maintenance duties. Through shared ownership, owners pay only for the fraction owned and pay only that fraction of the annual operating expense. Anytime — Anywhere space availability provisions are available for each owner year-round.

The Global Residence Club provides a unique opportunity for owners of luxury homes, mega-estates, yachts, jets, ranches and other luxury assets to owner finance their asset into the program and dilute their costs while retaining a fractional interest that best corresponds to their anticipated annual usage.

Global Residence Club is a Seattle based Limited Liability Company that specializes in the marketing, sales and management of fractional ownership luxury homes. The company is a subsidiary of Global Shares Inc. also headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Global Residence Club through a proprietary reservation system known as Owners First, integrates opportunities with Global Yacht Club, Global Jet Club and Clearwater Resorts, all subsidiaries of Global Shares Inc.

For more information refer online to www.globalresidenceclub.com, phone toll free 877-624-2345 or e-mail, luxury@globalresidenceclub.com

Recognized as a leading expert in the fractional real estate industry, Sarah Rezak has been retained as director of business development for ResortCom Elite and LaTour Signature Group. Rezak will help promote and expand ResortCom Elite, a joint-venture with LaTour Signature Group that provides management services for fractional market properties that meet 3.5 to four Diamond or Star status, as well as the private label brand of LaTour Signature for private residence club properties with a five Diamond or Star rating.

Rezak’s impressive record includes conducting over 400 consulting assignments for resort developments in nearly every U.S. state and over 12 countries.

“I’ve known Sarah for over a decade and have had the pleasure of watching her grow professionally since she first began in the fractional market,” said John Small, chairman of ResortCom. “I always knew she was going to achieve remarkable accomplishments in the industry, and I look forward to working with her to grow the ResortCom Elite and LaTour Signature Group brands.”

The founder of Rezak Resort Consulting, an international resort consulting and market research firm, Rezak previously served as the managing director of Storied Places, Intrawest’s fractional interest development and operations subsidiary. At Intrawest, she was responsible for the expansion of the brand, as well as operations for four private residence clubs. As the company’s focus changed, Rezak successfully negotiated the sale of the private residence club business unit to Fairmont Heritage Place, a subsidiary of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, and managed all aspects of the transition.

Rezak began her career at Ragatz Associates, where she initiated the firm’s annual intensive study of the fractional interest and destination club industries, created its annual Fractional Interest Conference and conducted numerous feasibility analyses.

“Professional and efficient, Sarah is able to take any client from A to Z,” said Tom LaTour, founder of LaTour Signature Group. “She is a key industry player in the fractional real estate market. We’re all delighted to have her as part of our team.”

Rezak earned her MBA from the University of Southern California and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

About ResortCom Elite
Based in San Diego, ResortCom Elite is the luxury division of its parent company, ResortCom International, and provides financial services, concierge and owner services and resort operations to private residence clubs, luxury fractional ownership properties and condo hotels. For more information, visit http://www.resortcom.com, or contact Debbie Jaloma at 619-683-2470 x.1609; e-mail djaloma@ResortCom.com.

About LaTour Signature Group
Launched by Tom LaTour in 2007, LaTour Signature Group delivers an exceptional five-star vacation resort “lifestyle” experience to select developers and owners of new and existing properties by managing all of the operational aspects of fractional interest resorts, boutique hotels and condominium resorts. For more information about LaTour Signature Group, visithttp://www.latoursignaturegroup.com, or call 415-568-2210.

by Marge Lennon

In considering the status of your resort property, do any of these design challenges sound familiar?

• Your resort or hotel rooms are “tired” or “dated” and in need of a total renovation.
• Your budget can cover only a small portion of what is actually required.
• Your refurbishments may need to be spread out over several years.
• You do not want the finished work to look like it was completed in stages.
• You need to replace only a single item – while retaining the majority of your furnishings.
• You are cautious about making that purchase from a local vendor.
• You need to refurbish a single room or area, but want it to blend with the rest of your unit.
• You have a new property and want ONE organization to guide you through the entire design and installation process, avoiding multiple “middle men” who add commissions during each step.

If you responded, “Yep, that’s me” to any of these comments, read on …

Although they have handled some of the largest total furnishing assignments and renovations to hotels and resorts around the world, Robb & Stucky Interiors is equally proud of their ability to help clients with smaller challenges. Similar to your personal residence, it isn’t always financially feasible to replace everything at one time. The design professionals at Robb & Stucky Interiors understand this and are well positioned to help you with the very important strategic planning process.

“Much like a large department store, where you can purchase everything needed for a bedroom or just a pillow, we can help with the largest and smallest furnishing item for a resort,” explained Dan Lubner, President of the Resort Division of Robb & Stucky Interiors. “After specializing in furnishing resort properties for over two decades, we enjoy the challenge of understanding and implementing the multi-step process. We recognize that some refurbishments are so large that budgetary constraints require them to be spread out over several years. While in other cases, a developer or management company has an urgent need to replace couches in 50 units … and wants them tomorrow! We also know that there may be times when a property will have to retain many items in a room but replace others. This presents additional challenges. Using our professional guidance will ensure that existing elements are gracefully integrated with all new items.”

Frequently, a developer or management firm may decide to shop locally for a replacement chair or lamp. This can often lead to problems down the road because the retailer does not have the “complete picture” of your resort. “We recognize that every item should be a reflection of your entire resort or hotel,” added Lubner.

Robb & Stucky Design Services
Until recently, the process that involves the selection, manufacturing, purchasing and installation of furnishings for hospitality properties has been accomplished through the use of many specialists with major portions of the budget going toward commissions for various coordination fees. Robb & Stucky helps its hotel, timeshare and fractional clients make wise interior and refurbishing decisions by providing all of these services with just one phone call. This eliminates the need for outsourcing or paying the middleman’s markup or designers’ commissions and allows for the maximum percentage of the developers’ furniture, fixture and equipment budget to actually be spent on FF&E.

About five years ago, Robb & Stucky decided to increase their service capabilities by manufacturing what they design, creating customized product lines for each commercial and hospitality application, often at a surprisingly affordable cost. The company also manufactures its own line of high-end bedding and related accessories and supplies appliances and televisions at competitive prices. Another specialty is the creation of custom-designed furnishings to fit tight spaces at affordable prices, as well as the selection of flooring and window treatments. Robb & Stucky’s size and buying power and their bundling of services enables them to provide furnishings and design work at highly competitive prices, whether the client is in Denver or Dubai. With one of North America’s largest teams of licensed interior designers, these professionals can be mobilized from any part of the globe.

As a testament to their service to hoteliers, Robb & Stucky was recently named the newest Alliance Partner
for the internationally respected Preferred Hotel Group. Under the arrangement, Robb & Stucky provides interior design services for Preferred Hotel Group’s more than 700 member hotels, resorts and fractional ownership properties located in over 70 countries.

Since their beginnings in 1915 in Fort Myers, Florida, Robb & Stucky has evolved to become one of the largest high-end furniture retailers in North America. Today, there are 15 interior showrooms and eight patio stores located in Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Costa Rica.

For Perspective readers seeking advice on refurbishments or total new furnishings, Robb & Stucky Interiors is well positioned to assist with all of your interior design needs. To reach Dan Lubner, call 239-292-3717 or write to him at Dan.Lubner@RobbStucky.net www.RobbStucky.com

During the last few months, Robb & Stucky has successfully contracted for or delivered the following projects, listed below by type of property and work that was completed. Please note the wide scope and variety of assignments provided to meet each client’s specific needs.

TIMESHARE & FRACTIONAL PROPERTIES

• Casa Del Mar, Daytona, FL – This project included the total custom design renovation of 27 units for Bluegreen Resorts. The property was originally built as a hotel; the goal was to transform it to modern day standards with a sophisticated, timeless look. The work involved total design for four different room types, requiring entirely different sized furnishings for each room. The design team is scheduled to install custom-designed and manufactured headboards, desks, armoire/wardrobes, tables and chairs.

• The Soundings Seaside Resort, Cape Cod, MA – Robb & Stucky recently completed the first phase of construction/ design out of more 100 condominiums to be renovated for Bluegreen Resorts. (The
remaining phases are expected next year.) The project began with a complete renovation and refurbishment of a beachfront structure working out from the original framing. Only the building’s footprint and roof remained. This meant that all plumbing – sinks, bathtubs, tiles – had to be reconfigured, all appliances and electronics installed and total new furnishings were custom designed for the three separate unit sizes. The work was completed after a collaborative effort between the design team, contractors and architects.

According to Leon Narbonne, owner of The Soundings Seaside Resort, “Robb & Stucky delivered everything on time. They did an excellent job of selecting and installing the high quality furnishings and accessories. We were very pleased with their service and look forward to working with them again in the future.”

• Tarpon Point Marina, Cape Coral, FL – Robb & Stucky has been working with Grosse Pointe Development to complete the interior design, manufacture and installation of furnishings for The Resort At Marina Village Residence Club. The 184-unit high-rise resort is a combination of two and three-bedroom resident suites to be sold as both fractional and whole ownership and located within Tarpon Pointe Marina, a master-planned waterfront community. Robb & Stucky is also directing and providing complete turn-key furnishings, including bedding, window coverings, artwork accessories and kitchen ware. The design professionals were also asked to assist in the design of the lobby and common areas for this luxury mixed-use community.

Commented Lauren Hagan, Director of Sales for Grosse Pointe Development, “Designing fully-furnished upscale interiors that accommodate the needs and desires of demanding homeowners of both fractional and whole ownership residences, which will also be used as resort rooms, was a challenge that we felt Robb & Stucky was up to handling. Their ability to create customdesigned furnishings specifically for our property, when coupled with their extensive experience provided us with a peace of mind and a stylish look that will be accompanied by designer accessories and furnishings. Not only are they creating a custom look for the resort, but they are also coordinating every aspect of the design, manufacturing, shipping and installation process. As a result, the finished product will be beautiful and worry-free.”

Since both the fractional and whole ownership units will be sold completely furnished and to an upscale market, having the right company to handle the interior design work is an integral element to our success. We selected Robb & Stucky because of their impressive credentials, their experience with fractionals, their understanding of the share-use concept and the expectations of this special market. Also, they will be providing custom-designed furnishings specifically for our property, creating a type of ‘Florida chic’ along with designer accessories and finishes. We are very pleased that they were able to create a new line of custom furnishings, specifically for our property. They are also coordinating every facet of the design, manufacturing, shipping, and installation process taking away many potential headaches.”

HOTELS/RESORTS

• The Hyatt Ganey Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ – Extensive outdoor furnishings were custom designed to deliver a trendy resort living ambience for three distinct upscale outdoor areas, to include a sophisticated adult side, a family sports playground and colorful kids sandy beach. Robb & Stucky also created specially designed daybeds and custom cabanas that generated additional revenueproducing areas.

• Hotel Indigo, Fort Myers, FL - Custom-designed furnishings and public spaces were completed for this nationally branded 67-room boutique hotel, a franchise of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). Since franchised brands must have a uniformity and consistency of style, Robb & Stucky designers collaborated closely with the hotel company to ensure that corporate design standards as well as budgets were met down to the very last detail. Every single piece of furniture, including luggage racks, chairs and bathroom vanities, required corporate approval.

Added Bob Haury, President of DOC Hospitality, “Robb & Stucky designed, manufactured, shipped and inspected high-end furnishings that not only met, but far exceeded brand standards for Hotel Indigo. They provided us with unparalleled logistical and customer services. It was a superb fit.”

• The Marco Beach Resort, Marco Island, FL – This Preferred Hotel Group affiliate requested a complete redesign and installation of 98 guest vacation suites for an existing property. The work included selecting new items to blend with furnishings and accessories that were to remain in the units. A “facelift” included new carpeting, custom bedding, and window treatments. The majority of the newly installed furnishings were custom designed specifically for this resort and included sofas, chairs and lamps.

“Our guests have discerning tastes and expect a certain level of quality and style while vacationing,” said Ron Albeit, Marco Beach Ocean Resort Hotel Advisor. “We selected Robb & Stucky for this project based on their expertise, capabilities for a fast installation and ability to work within the allocated budget.”

• The Wort Hotel, Jackson Hole, WY – Robb & Stucky sourced outdoor dining furnishings for the Wort Hotel’s famed Silver Dollar Bar & Grill. The experimental project has proven wildly successful filling a niche in downtown Jackson Hole, WY. A dual branded member of Preferred Hotel Group, The Wort Hotel was recently named one of the nation’s top ten historic hotels.

Jim Waldrop, General Manager of the Wort Hotel shared, “Robb & Stucky’s timely follow-up and actual implementation of work was outstanding. We were on an extremely tight timeline and they were able to deliver weeks before anyone else. Their turnover time was incredible. I received a return phone call on the very first day that I contacted them for information. We hope to use them in the future for other projects.”

CONDOMINIUMS

• Fairway Point at Boca West Country Club, Boca Raton, FL – In the redesign of two 8-story towers, all interior spaces, lobbies and common areas were transformed into a contemporary transitional style. New carpeting, wall coverings, lighting and furnishings were installed on all 16 floors, corridors and fitness centers.

• The Georgian, South Beach, FL – A complete makeover was completed for two lobbies in this luxury high-rise condominium. Work involved flooring, wall finishes, and a custom reception desk, created to reflect the shape of the building and its architecture.

• The Strada at Mercato, Naples, FL – Robb & Stucky completed two luxury condominium models and one “spec” residential unit for this upscale urban condominium development with mixed-use elements. They also provided space planning and interior design for the clubhouse, hallways, lobbies and public spaces on the residential side of the buildings and exterior furnishings for the pool area.

• Venetian Isles, Boynton Beach, FL – Design work here involved the total renovation of a 28,000 sf clubhouse, to include the replacement of all furnishings, accessories, window treatments, and flooring for grand lobby, corridors, cardrooms, theater, kitchen and café.

Marge Lennon, of Lennon Communications, is celebrating 31 years as a writer for the vacation ownership industry. She can be reached by calling 239-482-3891 or via email at Marge@LennonCommunications.com.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) and Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, presented college students Roderick Beazer and Koran Kong with the 2009 Interval International Scholarships. They were chosen by the CHTAEF selection committee as part of the review process of more than 90 applications from 18 Caribbean destinations.

(L to R) Hon. Ian Sweeney, Consul General Antigua & Barbuda; 2009 Interval International Scholarship recipient Roderick Beazer; Tom Pas, Chairman CHTA Education Foundation; 2009 Interval International Scholarship recipient Koran Kong; and David Gilbert, Executive Vice President, Resort Sales and Marketing, Interval International.

“Roderick and Koran received scholarships because of their academic achievements, strong commitment to the hospitality industry, and great potential for future success. We wish them both the best of luck in their studies and future endeavors,” said CHTAEF Chairman Tom Pas.

The Interval International Scholarship Fund was created in 2004 when the company made a commitment to the CHTAEF to benefit Caribbean students interested in pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism. Interval and its member resorts have donated $120,000 over the past five years to the Foundation.

“Interval International and its member resorts are involved with the CHTAEF because we recognize the powerful impact that education has on the continued growth of the hospitality industry in the region,” commented David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “Through our collective contributions to the Foundation, we are able to support the development of skilled tourism professionals who provide better service and a higher quality vacation experience for visitors.”
“These exceptional students serve as examples to other young people in the Caribbean of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication,” said Hon. Ian Sweeney, Consul General, Antigua & Barbuda. “Roderick and Koran are trailblazers who showcase our island nation’s talent. Although they are still attending school, their work experience already includes positions at two prestigious resorts.”

Roderick is studying culinary arts management at the Art Institute of Atlanta. He is the first student from Antigua’s sister island of Barbuda to receive a CHTAEF scholarship and will become the first Barbudan to earn a degree in culinary arts.

Koran, a two-time scholarship winner, continues to maintain a 3.65 GPA at Johnson and Wales University in Miami, while working toward a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. She is originally from Trinidad and later moved to Antigua.

About the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) was established in 1987 as a stand-alone non-profit / tax-exempt organization, through which scholarships and special assistance would be made available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing careers in tourism. As part of its mission, the Education Foundation provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the industry’s varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development. To date, the Education Foundation has awarded over a US$1 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry. For more information  www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com

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 33 years. Today, Interval has a network of approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.

The acclaimed architect and OBMI’s Chairman, Tim M.E. Peck, will speak at the Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) in Orlando, Florida. Peck forms part of the panel scheduled to speak at the Value Engineering Strategies in the New World session.

During the session Peck will discuss how OBMI designs innovative and cutting-edge resorts while maximizing cost effectiveness as well as talk about how the firm integrates the principle of sustainability in their developments around the world.

Tim M.E. Peck currently serves as OBMI’s chairman. Peck counts with 30 year of experience in the field and is an expert in resort design. Prior to this position, Peck was OBMI’s CEO for the Caribbean region, where he was responsible for the oversight of operations and business development as well as providing his expertise on site analysis for developments in the Caribbean region.  In parallel with his Caribbean role, he was responsible for managing OBMI’s expansion into Sub Saharan Africa. Throughout his career, Peck has had a passion for the profession of architecture and he has been fundamental in integrating OBMI’s core value of sustainability into the company’s design approach.

Doug Kulig, OBMI’s CEO will also be present at the conference.

Both architects will be available for interviews throughout the event. To schedule an interview, please contact Kristy M. Stewart at 917-499-6311 or email at kristy@andriamitsakospr.com.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Time: 2:40 – 3:40 p.m.

Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC)
Value Engineering Strategies in the New World Session
The Peabody Orlando
Orlando, Florida

ABOUT OBMI
For seven decades, OBMI has been the premier full-service design-consulting firm in Bermuda and the Caribbean.  Today, with its broad base of international offices, a diverse team of experts and projects throughout the world, OBMI is a global leader in architecture, master/town planning, interior design and project management with landmark projects in the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe and the Arabian Peninsula. For more information, visit www.obmi.com.

From the magnificent Himalayan foothills to the lush greenery of Kerala, RCI further expands its footprint across the country, bringing the total number of affiliated resorts in India to 82

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced five new resort affiliations in highly sought-after destinations across India.

The new resort affiliates include The Country Club Sarjapur in Bangalore, The Country Club Coconut Grove in Tumkur, The Country Club Treasure Cove in Kovalam, East Bourne in Shimla and Cambay Palm Lagoon in Kollam.

“Each of these resorts is a great addition to the RCI exchange program,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI. “These five extraordinary properties are an example of the wide range of vacation experiences our more than 3.8 million subscribing members can enjoy in over 4,000 locations across the globe, from mountains to seashores and everything in between.”

The Country Club Sarjapur is located in Bangalore near Marathahalli. With numerous business parks located in the vicinity, the resort offers convenient connectivity to the center of Bangalore. With a swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, and indoor and outdoor sports facilities, the resort offers a great escape from everyday life.

The Country Club Sarjapur

The Country Club Coconut Grove is an eco-friendly resort located near Tumkur, about 100 kilometers from Bangalore. The resort is located inside a protected natural forest, offering guests a unique blend of beauty and serenity and spacious units with modern furnishings. Amenities include a 500 square-meter swimming pool with a built-in Jacuzzi.

The Country Club Coconut Grove

The Country Club Treasure Cove in Kovalam, Kerala, is located just eight kilometers away from Trivandrum and is adjacent to the renowned Kovalam Beach. The resort welcomes guests in a unique Kerala style and is abundant in lush greenery with scenic views. The property has 42 units with all the latest amenities.

The Country Club Treasure Cove

East Bourne is located in Shimla and surrounded by impressive oak and deodar trees. With peaceful surroundings, the resort offers all modern luxuries, is centrally heated and has 48 fully-furnished rooms and cottages that offer splendid views. Guests can also enjoy activities such as trekking, river rafting, ice skating, roller skating, golf and hiking. Easily accessible by road, the resort offers seclusion but is well within driving distance of the main town, train station and airport.

East Bourne

Cambay Palm Lagoon in Kollam, Kerala, is a six-acre paradise nestled in the picturesque backwaters of the Ashtamudi Lake. The resort offers vacationers a luxurious escape from the hectic city life. Guests can relax in the privacy of their very own cottages, suites, tents and floating houseboats, experience the holistic advantages of Ayurveda at Orient Spa, savor multi-cuisine delicacies, or indulge in some family fun with an array of recreational activities available.

Cambay Palm Lagoon

For additional information on the value-added services offered to leisure real estate developers by Group RCI visit www.grouprci.com.

About Group RCI:
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 73,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries. The company is comprised of vacation exchange, including RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and provider of travel services to businesses and consumers and The Registry Collection® program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program; vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation Rentals®, Landal GreenParks®, Novasol®, and other renowned vacation rental brands, through which vacationers can rent a variety of property types, from city apartments to villas; and NorthCourse® Leisure Real Estate Solutions, an international leader in providing a full spectrum of advisory, research, and asset management services. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation is one of the world’s largest hospitality companies with leading brands in lodging franchising, vacation ownership, vacation rentals and vacation exchange. For additional information visit www.grouprci.com or the media center of www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Consumer Advisories for Timeshare Owners to Navigate Resale Environment

Today the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) released two advisories to help consumers and timeshare owners navigate through the secondary market, which includes timeshare resellers, internet advertisers and other resale companies, to ensure a safe and positive selling experience. The advisories were developed to help dispel the growing misinformation and confusion in the secondary marketplace by providing specific tips on reviewing timeshare resale companies, their practices, costs and services in the marketplace.
 
As a result of the current economic environment, disreputable companies are using unscrupulous tactics to take advantage of owners who may need to sell their timeshares. In fact, several state attorneys general have addressed concerns about resale “scams.” Since the resales industry is largely unregulated, ARDA is working with its members, including reputable resale companies, to ensure transparency on both the buying and selling process.
 
“This is not an indictment of our reputable resale company members, but rather a problem faced by everyone who loves this industry being painted with the same ‘timeshare scam’ brush,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “We continue to work with stakeholders to craft what we believe will be guidelines for best practices and legislation,” continued Nusbaum.
 
“It’s simply a matter of buyer beware.  With the state of the economy today, a large number of our owners are being approached by a variety of companies, with offers of previously unheard of rental revenues or resale prices, and even just “getting out from under” one’s timeshare week.  Many of these offers are hard to understand, even for the savviest of timeshare owners.  Unfortunately, we have heard from many owners who were dissatisfied with the end result of these transactions and little can be done about it after the fact.  As always, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it just might be.  Be aware and be diligent.  Do your own research and check with your own timeshare resort association before doing anything,” added Cindy Thomas, Stoneridge Resort Manager.
 
The first of the two consumer advisories focuses on the types of timeshare resellers with four steps to guide consumers through the process: utilizing existing resources, understanding timeshare resale companies, choosing the best option, and following basic rules. The second advisory provides tools to evaluate resale companies with a list of tips. (For further informatin on resale guidelines including the two advisories, please visit: http://www.arda.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ConsumerInformation/ResaleGuidelines/Resale_Guidelines.htm)
 
Most importantly, ARDA encourages consumers and timeshare owners to conduct research and due diligence on any resale company or advertiser in advance of paying any money or signing any contract or agreement.

Despite the current global financial climate, Australia’s holiday ownership industry continues to hold steady with strong occupancy rates according to RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN).

Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Group RCI, will deliver the keynote address Monday, September 14 during the 2009 Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) conference. Mr. Ballotti will discuss current global trends in holiday ownership and the stability and optimism for the future growth of the timeshare industry.

“While tourism overall has seen a decline in these recent economic times, timeshare occupancy rates remain strong, with almost 95 percent occupancy at Gold Coast timeshare resorts. This is compared to domestic hotel room occupancy levels around 74 percent,” Mr. Ballotti said. “These figures demonstrate the value consumers find in owning timeshare and being part of a global timeshare exchange company like RCI, which gives them access to more than 4,500 affiliated resorts in top holiday destinations around the world.”

According to ATHOC general manager Laura Younger, Australia is experiencing a resurgence of holiday ownership and is the second fastest growing tourism industry in the country.

“The growth of holiday ownership in Australia is second only to cruises, and the Gold Coast is a major regional hotspot,” Ms. Younger said. “The economic significance of Gold Coast timeshare is a direct and indirect output of $318.3 million a year for the local economy.”

Approximately 164,000 inbound international passengers conducted availability searches for Australian exchanges last year, according to RCI.

“Domestically, RCI’s more than 70,000 member families account for over 40 percent of the Pacific timeshare market and booked over a quarter million in domestic room nights in 2008,” said Charisse Cox, managing director of RCI Pacific. “In 2008 alone, more than 1.6 million holiday exchanges were facilitated by Group RCI globally, and the current rate of member holiday searches and confirmations indicates this figure will continue to grow.”

RCI continues to add more affiliated resorts to its exchange system, welcoming more than 60 new affiliations globally in 2009 and enabling RCI members to benefit from the world’s largest holiday exchange network offering a wider choice of holiday options.

Most recently, RCI announced the addition of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Sydney and Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania to the RCI network through the affiliation of the WorldMark South Pacific Club.

“Holiday ownership ultimately has a beneficial flow on effect through to every sector of the local economy creating employment opportunities and increasing retail sales,” said Ms. Younger.

About Group RCI:
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 73,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries. The company is comprised of vacation exchange, including RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and provider of travel services to businesses and consumers and The Registry Collection® program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program; vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation Rentals®, Landal GreenParks®, Novasol®, and other renowned vacation rental brands, through which vacationers can rent a variety of property types, from city apartments to villas; and NorthCourse® Leisure Real Estate Solutions, an international leader in providing a full spectrum of advisory, research, and asset management services. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation is one of the world’s largest hospitality companies with leading brands in lodging franchising, vacation ownership, vacation rentals and vacation exchange. For additional information visit www.grouprci.com or the media center of www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Baccarat Residences, part of Baccarat Hotels and Resorts and Starwood Capital Group, has partnered with TimeShareWare to provide the technology platform and property management software for its Shanghai Residences property. CondotelWare, the industry leading software solution developed by TimeShareWare, will be used for property management and owner accounting functionality at the 308 unit property.

The sophisticated TimeShareWare platform has been developed using the latest technology advances and can be accessed and leveraged world-wide using state-of-the-art web services. The CondotelWare application is the first and only software of its kind to be fully localized and delivered in the Chinese language. All users can access and utilize the application in their local language, currency, and regional preferences. Because of the true internationalization of the platform, all TimeShareWare applications, modules, add-ons, and business intelligence tools can be made available in local languages and currencies throughout the world.

Allen Rice, Chief Marketing Officer of TimeShareWare, said, “We are pleased to be working with such a prestigious organization as Baccarat Residences and Starwood Capital Group. This project gives us the opportunity to showcase how well our platform and products can accommodate all types of resorts around the world. Our CondotelWare software is being delivered to Baccarat Residences in their local Chinese language and currency. The users have been thrilled to see all the screens and reports in Chinese. From our perspective, this project validates the superior technology provided by our platform, coupled with the strength of our Client relationships.”

About Baccarat Hotels and Resorts
Baccarat Residences, Shanghai is Starwood Capital Group’s flagship luxury-branded residential complex in Asia and China. Located in Shanghai’s famous lifestyle district of Xintiandi, its residents enjoy the centuries-old and timeless quality that is synonymous with the Baccarat brand.

Baccarat Hotels and Resorts are a five-star luxury hotel brand inspired by the iconic status of Baccarat, which is 86% owned by Starwood Capital Group and is one of the most prestigious crystal manufacturers worldwide.

The Baccarat Residences, Shanghai is designed to exacting standards and draws upon the rich history of the crystal brand to deliver a distinctly personalized experience including a signature Baccarat chandelier in the lobby, a “crystal tea room,” and a wine room featuring an 8-metre table based on a piece at the Maison Baccarat in Paris.

Residents of Baccarat Residences, Shanghai can enjoy a host of services and amenities ranging from house-keeping, room service, 24-hour concierge, spa and health club facilities, chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, private butlers, and extensive property maintenance.

For more on Baccarat Residences, please visit their websites at www.baccaratresidences.com or www.baccarathotels.com.

About TimeShareWare & CondotelWare:
TimeShareWare provides the most advanced resort technology in the industry and has created a state-of-the-art software platform to provide best-of-breed, superior software solutions to shared-ownership, mixed use resorts around the world. 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 advanced technology provides critical functionality to the Vacation Ownership, Vacation Club, and Vacation Rentals industries. The TimeShareWare software platform includes solutions for lead and tour 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 residences and hotels. The software helps owners and operators master all aspects of condo-hotel/residence management and administration, including owner accounting, billing, rental rotation, inventory management, reservations, owner relations, reporting, and more.

The FORUM, hosted by Generator Systems & Perspective Magazine will be held at the prestigious 5* Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel on 9-10th December 2009 where a series of carefully constructed panel sessions and an audience of industry leaders will discuss and debate the main topics of 2009 and best practises for 2010.

“We are proud to support the FORUM as a Major Supporter” said Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president of resort sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our team looks forward to a full participation in the debates and discussions that should be both enlightening and productive. It is always good when Europe’s industry professionals get together and we congratulate Generator Systems and Perspective Magazine for organizing this unique event.”

The FORUM already has limited availability for attendance – industry professionals can currently register their interest in attending by visiting http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com/forum

Further details of sessions, speakers and moderators will be released shortly. Some sponsorship opportunities are still available, interested companies should email sharon@perspectiveinternational.com for more information.

The FORUM, hosted by Generator Systems & Perspective Magazine will be held at the prestigious 5* Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel on 9-10th December 2009 where a series of carefully constructed panel sessions and an audience of industry leaders will discuss and debate the main topics of 2009 and best practises for 2010.

This one off not for profit conference welcomes Group RCI as a Major Supporter of the event that will bring a mixture of timeshare and fractional developers and marketers from around the world together for two days of informative debates and with an emphasis on networking time and events.

“With RDO being unable to host the annual timeshare conference this year, RCI are pleased to be in a position support ‘The Forum’. We do believe it is necessary for the European industry to have at least one major opportunity for networking each year – especially in difficult economic times, where the need to talk and share ideas becomes all the more important.” Says Brett Archibald, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Group RCI, EMEAI.

The FORUM already has limited availability for attendance – industry professionals can currently register their interest in attending by visiting http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com/forum

Further details of sessions, speakers and moderators will be released shortly. Some sponsorship opportunities are still available, interested companies should email sharon@perspectiveinternational.com for more information.

As media sponsor of the Vacation Ownership Investment Coference, representatives of Perspective International will be available for meetings with delegates wishing to discuss 2010 advertising and editorial opportunities in both Perspective Magazine (Trade) and Owners Perspective Magazine (Consumer) as well as our recruitment services for experienced and new sales, marketing, management and administration personnel at all levels.

To arrange an appointment call +1 407 792 2343 or email sharon@perspectiveinternational.com

There is still time to book to attend this industry event, just visit www.vacationownershipinvestment.com

Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, located in Puerto Plata on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, announces the appointment of Manny Slomovits as Executive Chef.  A New York native and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Slomovits has over 18 years of international culinary experience in the U.S. and abroad, including five star restaurants and resorts in New York, Florida and the Bahamas.  He has served as head chef and luxury private villa chef for private estates and on private yachts sailing in the Caribbean, Canada, the Mediterranean, Africa, Turkey and Egypt and was a gold medal winner for Taste of the Bahamas 2007.

“I love my job.  In my role at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, I am a chef who is also a teacher, a leader, thinker, artist and problem solver all rolled into one,” Slomovits explained.  “When you eat something, it becomes a part of you and there has to be trust that it is going to be a worthwhile experience.  That experience is important and I love being the one to direct it at LHVC.”

Slomovits is in charge of designing the dining experience and food quality at all Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club restaurants and in recruiting culinary and food service talent for the resort.  “I look for people who love what they do, that bask in the moment of creation and can keep their head in the game,” he said.  “Our members and guests don’t see the person who cooked the food but they see them through what is put in front of them and they should take great pride in that.”

The Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Resort encompasses four distinct products:  The Tropical, The Crown Suites, The Crown Villas and The Residence Suites.  From hotel accommodations to stand alone villas, all guests have access to five swimming pools, nightly entertainment, spa, beach, tennis and more.  Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club VIP Members have access to a “members only” restaurant, bar, swimming pool, exclusive beach area, as well as golf carts, limousine transfers and helicopter tours.

Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Members, guests and their families have a wide variety of activities available to them in the Dominican Republic’s North Coast.  Next door is the Ocean World Adventure Park with its daily animal and aquatic shows plus its signature night-time Las Vegas style show, Bravissimo.  Other activities in the area include a cable car ride to the peak of Mount Isabella de Torres, white water rafting, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, boating, snorkeling, monster truck safaris and city tours of Puerto Plata, named in 2008 as one of the 53 best destinations in the world by The New York Times.  For more Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club information, go to www.lifestyleholidaysvc.com or call (809) 970-7777.

Cibola Vista Resort and Spa Now Available to Bluegreen Vacation Club® Members

Bluegreen Corporation, a leading provider of Colorful Places to Live and Play®, today announced that it has entered into agreements to manage the operations, sales and marketing, and loan servicing activities for Cibola Vista Resort and Spa, beginning in October 2009. As part of the relationship between Cibola and Bluegreen, the Cibola Vista Resort and Spa, located in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria, Arizona, will become part of Bluegreen’s portfolio of vacation destinations.

Cibola Vista Resort and Spa is a luxury vacation ownership resort located between the popular Lake Pleasant recreational area and the city of Phoenix, and is in close proximity to the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium and numerous Major League Baseball spring training venues. The resort boasts amenities including a spa, fitness center, two pools, meeting rooms and equestrian programs, in a western village-themed environment. A total of 204 units, including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and penthouse accommodations, are offered in Spanish Colonial-designed buildings.

“Our property was designed to appeal to travelers looking for an Old West vacation experience with the comforts and amenities of today,” said Neil Cumsky, President and CEO of Princeton Resorts Group, the developer of Cibola Vista. “Combining Bluegreen service with this unique resort experience will further establish Cibola Vista as one of the premier destination resorts in the Southwest, while at the same time provide our owners with the breadth of services offered by Bluegreen.”

“This turnkey relationship extends the Bluegreen Vacation Club® footprint into another new, high-demand vacation destination,” said Bluegreen’s President and CEO John M. Maloney, Jr. “Resort options in the Southwest, especially in popular golf and outdoor destinations like Phoenix, are an attractive alternative for our vacation club owners.”

Mr. Maloney continued, “We remain focused on expanding our business and introducing new experiences to our owners and guests, while at the same time conserving our capital. We believe our fee-based service initiatives, such as our agreement with Cibola Vista, demonstrates our continuing success in these endeavors.”

ABOUT BLUEGREEN CORPORATION
Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE:BXG) is the leader in providing Colorful Places to Live and Play® through its vacation ownership resort and residential real estate business segments. Our more than 3,100 employees are passionate about delivering extraordinary experiences for our owners, travelers and business partners. Since 1996, Bluegreen has managed, marketed and sold a flexible, real estate-based vacation ownership plan with more than 208,000 owners, over 45 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 3,700 resorts worldwide. Since 1985, Bluegreen Communities has developed master-planned residential and golf communities primarily in the southern and southeastern U.S., and has sold over 55,000 homesites. We also offer a portfolio of comprehensive, turnkey, fee-for-service resort management, financial services, customer generation and sales solutions to third-party developers and lenders. For more information, visit www.bluegreencorp.com.

AOCAP.org is now available to view and holds all conference information, from sponsors to speakers and schedules.

The inaugural AOCAP conference will uncover the potential for alternative ownership in Asia Pacific, focusing on fractional ownership, vacation ownership and private residence club models that can be implemented into existing new hotels and resorts and mixed use developments.

“Many real estate developers are now interested in the fractional concept while many resorts are opening to ideas of vacation ownership. Operators need a clear understanding and advice on implementation. At the conference there will be industry experts to share their experience and case studies on how to help generate revenue and boost occupancy, both of which are of interest to developers and buyers,” Said Bryan Lunt, Chairman of Absolute World Group of Compainies who are founding sponsors of the conference.

The AOCAP conference is to be held on October 12 -13, 2009 at Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket, Thailand.

For more information visit www.AOCAP.org

Orlando-based Sol Meliá Vacation Club (SMVC), an international leisure vacation membership club with locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Europe, has been presented with the 2008 Developer Innovation Award for the new Sol Meliá Vacation Club at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, by Group RCI, a worldwide leader in vacation exchanges with more than 3.5 million members globally.

Pictured from left to right for the award presentation at SMVC at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora are: Ovidio Zapico, RCI Spain; Fernando Navarro, SMVC at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora; Ignacio Diaz, General Manager of Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora; Denis Ebrill, Executive Vice President of Sol Meliá Vacation Club; and Dimitris Manikis, RCI VP Business Development.

RCI’s Annual Awards for Developer Achievement include the Developer Innovation category, recognizing resorts with new vacation ownership projects that are eco-friendly, have unique features, are family friendly and provide a high level of service, starting with the point of arrival.

“The Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora is one of the finest quality resorts in the Canary Islands and is a great new location for us,” said Denis Ebrill, Executive Vice President of Sol Meliá Vacation Club.  “We are proud to receive this award and RCI’s recognition of our unique product offering.”  SMVC at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora features 200 one and two-bedroom oceanfront suites with lavish amenities such as plasma TVs, fully-equipped kitchenettes, upscale wood and granite accents.  Resort features include five restaurants, six bars, room service, wine cellar, golf simulator, two tennis courts, world-class Yhi Spa, four adult swimming pools, two children’s pools, including one of the largest swimming pools in Europe.

Sol Meliá Vacation Club is an internationally-branded membership club that focuses on providing leisure lifestyle experiences that include exotic destinations, designer-appointed luxury suites, exclusive services and unforgettable amenities.  Each Sol Meliá Vacation Club vacation experience is different from the other, aligned with the local culture and customized to fit Members’ leisure lifestyle needs.

SMVC is part of Spain-based Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts, a 50-year-old international hospitality company with over 350 hotels in 30 countries on five continents.  Sol Meliá Vacation Club Members have more vacation lifestyle options through global luxury accommodations in a variety of unique resort and urban destinations around the world, as well as flexibility to choose the length of stay, season and size of unit.  Featured Sol Meliá Vacation Club locations include Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; Puerto Rico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in the Caribbean; Panama in Central America; and the Canary Islands, Spain, in Europe.