Timeshare Trends Blog

Fairmont Resort Properties has signed an affiliation agreement with RCI. Fairmont is the largest Canadian-owned vacation ownership developer with resorts located throughout Canada and USA, along with a worldwide network of resort hotels.

Two of Fairmont’s newest properties are also now a member of the RCI network of more than 4,000 affiliated resorts. The Fairmont Vacation Villas in Fairmont Hot Springs and the Sunchaser Vacation Club at Fairway Cottages, located at the Makaha Resort & Golf Club in Hawaii now carry RCI membership and exchange opportunities.

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Wyndham recently announced that its Orlando-based timeshare division issued $350 million in notes backed by timeshare receivables. Tom Conforti, Wyndham’s chief financial officer was quoted as saying that the transactions suggest a steadily improving asset-backed securities market, evidenced by significantly better pricing.

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The Villa del Palmar Cancun Luxury Beach Resort and Spa has been added to the Interval International exchange network. With the development of its first shared ownership resort in the Mexican Caribbean, the Villa Group is building on its success in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Loreto.

Currently under construction, the property will be situated on 35 acres along Mujeres Bay, opposite Isla Mujeres, and a 15-minute drive from downtown Cancun. The first phase is slated to open in 2010 and two additional phases are expected to be completed by 2012. Each villa will be elegantly decorated and include a living room, dining room, full kitchen with granite countertops, modern appliances and electronic equipment, and a spacious terrace.

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The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas in Colorado is now part of the Interval International vacation exchange network. The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas is the newest Starwood resort. Starwood Vacation Network has been affiliated with Interval International since 2000 and has 21 resorts in its collection.

The resort is nestled at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain and showcases dramatic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape through each of the units expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The spacious 34 two-bedroom villas also feature natural stone fireplaces, large closets, a balcony, a full kitchen, and table seating for six. Other Westin brand signature products and services found in all the villas include the trademarked Heavenly Bed, Heavenly Bath, marble bathrooms, individual climate control, flat screen televisions and Internet access.

The resort is part of the Riverfront Village, which is situated in the Vail Valley on a private 19-acre site fronting the Eagle River. Its gondola provides access to all of Beaver Creek Mountain, Bachelor Gulch, Arrowhead, and the McCoy Park snowshoe and ski tracks. Outdoor offerings also include kayaking or rafting down the Eagle River, as well as hiking and biking along well-paved trails.

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Bluegreen has added the InnSeason Resorts South Mountain to its growing list of timeshare properties. Bluegreen has been contracted to manage the sales, marketing and operations of this well-established property located in Lincoln, New Hampshire.

This is Bluegreen’s first exchange property in New Hampshire. InnSeason Resorts properties include Pollard Brook in New Hampshire; the Falls at Ogunquit and Mountainview both in Maine; and the HarborWalk, Captains Quarters, and Surfside in Massachusetts.

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Experts continue to paint a bleak picture of the industry’s financing operations as discussed in recent meetings where timeshare executives gathered for the 11th Annual Vacation Ownership Investment Conference recently held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando.

Not much has changed since the capital markets ceased last fall, making it difficult for timeshares to fund development and sales. The good news is that, after a year, developers have at least adapted to the new conditions. Because of a lack of financing, timeshare developers deliberately slowed sales this year. Total industry sales this year are likely to total between $6 billion and $8 billion, which is equivalent to sales in 2004.

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The Palace Vacation Club of Malaysia has joined the RCI network of timeshare exchange affiliates. The resorts included in the Palace Vacation Club group are the Country Villas Malaysia and the Palace of the Golden Horses.

Country Villas is Malaysia’s first Mediterranean-style waterfront property. It has distinct wall finishings on graceful white facades and unique red-bricked driveways surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. The 250 units are tastefully furnished and well-equipped with basic amenities. The property also provides facilities for business and leisure with six meeting rooms, a conference room, a seminar room, a banquet hall, an auditorium, gymnasium and a swimming pool.

The Palace of the Golden Horse is known as Asia’s “Most Extraordinary Hotel” with world-class and award winning accommodations. There’s a dedicated conference center and state of the art facilities with a distinctive Moorish-Malaysian architecture and equestrian theme. The hotel has 400 rooms and 80 suites and offers an outstanding variety of dining and entertainment options. It also offers a comprehensive health screening service, a scenic jogger’s track, an executive fitness center and a luxurious Balinese-themed Jojobali Spa for personal rejuvenation.

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Jimmy Johnson’s Fisherman’s Cove in the Florida Keys is Florida’s newest resort to become a member of the Registry Collection Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI, the European leader in vacation rentals, and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands.

Fisherman’s Cove epitomizes the best of the Keys outdoor and entertainment opportunities including celebrated sunsets, world-class sport fishing, outstanding diving, a thriving art community, lively nightlife and delightful waterfront dining. This private residence club has only a total of 48 owners. Guests enjoy on-site amenities that include an outdoor swimming pool and cabanas, private dock and boats for personal use of owners, rooftop terrace with a jetted tub, wet bar and sunbathing area, a state-of-the-art fitness center, waterfront dining and room service, and an exceptional staff to handle all needs and requests.

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The Azul Sensatori by Karisma resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico has been added to the Interval International global vacation exchange network. The resort features the innovative Gourmet Inclusive concept that is designed to elevate all-inclusive vacations to quality levels comparable to traditional luxury hotels.

Located in the exclusive Petempich Bay area, Azul Sensatori includes 438 suites with unobstructed views of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush tropical gardens. The suites feature contemporary designer furnishings, dark wood accents, marble floors, ample living and dining areas and oversized terraces. Guests can enjoy a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere and a host of amenities and services that include dining at six restaurants, a 14,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, a nightclub, multiple pools with swim-up bars, kid’s pool and splash park, a beach butler, concierge and 24-hour room service.

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One of Westgate Resort’s most anticipated vacation ownership properties will be open soon. The Planet Hollywood by Westgate in Las Vegas is putting the finishing touches on this much-ballyhooed project and plans to begin hiring workers soon.

In preparation for the new Westgate Tower opening, the Planet Hollywood held a job fair on July 30. Their plans call for hiring between 600 to 800 workers. Planet Hollywood President, Bill Feather, has said that the hiring for all positions will begin in November.

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