Timeshare Trends Blog

Timeshare fee recovery companies are sparking complaints. According to a recent article in Orlando Sentinel newspaper, timeshare owners have lost millions to scam companies falsely claiming to line up buyers for their properties. Now the new worry is fee recovery companies that promise to help recover their losses. The Florida Attorney General has received more than 600 complaints in the past year about so-called “timeshare recovery operations”. Independently, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is looking into telemarketing law violations related to several outfits.

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The Beach Republic the Residences was crowned a winner at the sixth annual 2011 Thanachart Bank Thailand Property Awards held during a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok. The most prestigious and sought after acknowledgement of excellence in Thailand’s property and real estate industry, the Thanachart Bank Property Awards are the benchmark for quality and showcase the best of the best. This year the public submitted for consideration over 1,300 companies and developments across 31 categories. Of these, just 80 were shortlisted and subjected to a rigorous review process. Nominated in the category of Best Shared Ownership Development for its Koh Sammui property on the northern tip of Lamai Beach. Beach Republic the Residences was named the winner for the second consecutive year.

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The El Cid Resorts have renewed their affiliation with RCI. The 35 year-old Mexican hotel group continues the partnership in an effort to offer the high-quality services and varied exchange options its owners have come to expect over the last 27 years. The agreement includes El Cid’s six developments in Mazatlan, Cozumel, and the Mayan Riviera. All of the El Cid properties are known for its oceanfront accommodations and luxury spas, as well as beautiful golf courses.

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The Westgate Planet Hollywood Towers Resort will be rebranded as a Hilton Grand Vacations Resort. Resort Finance America (RFA) has acquired controlling interest in the resort and has appointed Hilton Grand Vacations to rebrand the property and provide vacation ownership sales and marketing services. The property was developed by Westgate and opened in late 2009. As the largest single vacation ownership building in the world, the Planet Hollywood Towers has 52-stories and 1,201-units offering adjoining access to the Miracle Mile shops and is adjacent to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino complex.

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The Inn at St. Ives is the newest RCI property in Michigan. Situated in Mecosta County in the heart of Michigan, the resort is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and includes golfing, biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and snow shoeing. The resort features a full health club, health spa, fireplace, restaurant and snack bar, and conference facilities right on site.

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Employees of Timeshare Mega Media in Fort Lauderdale have pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The fraud charge can carry up to five years in prison and all are awaiting sentencing. FBI agents raided the company’s East Oakland Park Boulevard office in July 2010, and the FTC filed a lawsuit against Timeshare Mega Media a few months later. The alleged masterminds behind the company are Pasquale “Posh” Pappalardo, who according to court filings, served more than six years in federal prison in the mid 1990s on drug, firearms and counterfeit money charges, and Joseph “Joey” Crapella, who spent nearly eight years in a Florida prison after being convicted in 2000 of racketeering and grand theft in a scheme involving the sale and stocking of vending machines.

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The Club at the Village Coconut Island has joined the Interval International Global Vacation Exchange Network. This resort is the latest Absolute World Group resort to join the global vacation exchange network. The timeshare is a private residence club and is part of an exclusive mixed-use development on a private island off the east coast of the popular holiday island of Phuket in Thailand. The resort has been developed to create the ideal vacation residence for owners and Interval International members according to Bryan Lunt, chairman of Absolute World Group. In fact, the resort was recently named “Best Shared Ownership” development in the inaugural Southeast Asia Property Awards created by Property Report South East Asia. The magazine received more than 1,500 nominations and recognized winners as “the crème de la crème of the industry.” Amenities include a spa and state-of-the-art fitness center offering yoga classes and Thai boxing lessons, two lighted tennis courts, and a children’s club.

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Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort and Spa is now an Interval International property. The mixed-used resort is located in Carvoeiro, a whitewashed village in the western part of the sun-drenched Algarve on the southern tip of Portugal, one of Europe’s favorite vacation destinations and renowned for its rocky coastline, beautiful beaches, golf, and nightlife. Set in a valley of olive trees with a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and adjoining golf course, this property has 22 acres of landscaped gardens laced with walking paths within its gated grounds. On-site amenities include two outdoor swimming pools, a health club with a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and gymnasium, and tennis courts. The resort’s world-class spa offers a wide range of massage and beauty treatments.

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Exclusive Resorts has added 20 new destinations for its members to enjoy around the world. These include six new residences at the ultra-chic Viceroy Anguilla as well as access to luxury villas at 13 leading resorts across Asia and more through an alliance with Banyan Tree Private Collection. The Club has also introduced membership enhancements and premium benefits, including Elite status for members with the United Airlines MileagePlus loyalty program. According to Philippe Bourguignon, CEO, “Today more than ever, the Club offers an unparalleled way to experience the very best the world has to offer. Our unique vacation offering includes hundreds of luxury residences around the globe, a new line-up of once in a lifetime members-only ‘bucket list’ travel experiences each year and VIP access at events such as the Super Bowl and New York City Fashion Week.”

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Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Anderson Ocean Club is the newest Hilton Grand Vacations and Strand Capital Group collaboration. Located in Myrtle Beach, the project combines the industry-leading sales and marketing expertise of Hilton Grand Vacations with the property management strength of Strand Capital Group, a premier real estate development firm. It is comprised of 152 units and is slated to open in early 2012. The property features studios and one, two and three-bedroom condominium units. Located in the heart of the Grand Strand and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean the upscale resort offers immediate access to Myrtle Beach with elegantly appointed ocean view and oceanfront suites, a furnished patio, full kitchens, spacious living and dining areas, the acclaimed full-service Awakening Spa, fitness center, and valet parking.

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