Timeshare Trends Blog

RCI welcomes Somerpointe Resorts into its exchange network. RCI recently announced an affiliation agreement with Somerpointe Resorts, which includes 12 properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii and Orlando. Somerpointe Resorts is the successor developer of Tahiti Village Vacation Club, Tahiti Vacation Club and the Club de Soleil Vacation Club in Las Vegas, the Gardens at West Maui Vacation Club, Hono Koa Vacation Club, Kahana Beach Vacation Club, Kahana Villa Vacation Club, Maui Banyan Vacation Club, Maui Beach Vacation Club and the Sands of Kahana Vacation Club on Maui; Kona Islander Vacation Club on the Big Island of Hawaii; and the Villas at Regal Palms near Orlando.

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Disney has announced the opening of Aulani, a new resort and spa located in Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii. August 29, 2011 is the scheduled opening date with major construction having been completed in April. According to Disney reps, the attractions and amenities reflect the importance of Hawaii’s vibrant culture and traditions and they has worked with local historians, artisans and architects in merging Hawaii’s rich history into the resort’s buildings, interior design, art and gardens. The new Disney resort rests on 21 acres of land fronting the ocean, mountain views and magnificent lush grounds. Two 15-story buildings accommodate 359 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom villas similar to the Disney Vacation Club. There are two restaurants, a huge 18,000 square foot spa, an expansive lawn for weddings and a conference center. Water activities will also be available through a central swimming pool, 900-foot tube floating watercourse, wading pool, body slides, hot tubs, adult pool, snorkel lagoon and conservation pool.

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Hilton Grand Vacations has purchased the Ohana Islander Waikiki Hotel property. It was regarded as an unusual move, primarily because the property itself has not been used as a hotel since 2008. The Ohana Islander Waikiki is a 285-key hotel, which Hilton plans to renovate and convert into an upscale urban timeshare resort, to be named the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Waikiki Beach Walk. As of now, designers and architects are being sought out for the project, which will see the newly acquired property transformed into 143 one-bedroom vacation ownership suites. The property was once one of the most celebrated hotels in the area, with a location that gives access to the vibrant and diverse showcase of dining, shopping and entertainment options that Waikiki has to offer.

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Royal Aloha slashes fees for its new members. Headquartered in Honolulu, the non-profit timeshare company Royal Aloha Vacation Club has announced the reduction of its perpetual membership initiation fees by 60% as part of its 34th anniversary celebration. The promo, which lasts only until September 20, 2011, covers all nine destinations including Waikiki, Kona and Maui, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, Chandler, Branson, Oregon, Marbella in Spain, and Acapulco in Mexico. Under the promo, every new member will receive a free iPad for a one-time initiation fee of $1,295 for a one-bedroom/one-week membership, or $2,495 for two-bedroom/one-week application. Both packages include a lifetime membership, tax and escrow closing fees, and use of any Royal Aloha location for a week each year. One of the first vacation clubs ever established in North America, Royal Aloha is owned and managed by 8.500 members and has 227 condominium units.

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Hawaii timeshare tax issues have been a concern for timeshare owners based on recent legislative action. However, the issue has improved based on the joint Hawaii House and Senate Conference Committee approval omitting a proposed plan for a 27.5 percent increase in transient accommodation taxes paid by Hawaii timeshare owners. With Hawaii State Legislature acceptance, Hawaii timeshare owners will not see an increase in 2012 in the rate used to calculate transient accommodation taxes paid to the State of Hawaii. The law taxing Hawaii timeshare occupants (this is anyone occupying a timeshare, whether they own or rent the property) was originally enacted in 1999 and was based on what Hawaii legislators felt was a need to tax timeshare users in a way similar to that which hotel guests are taxed.

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Shell Management Hawaii, Inc. has been named one of the”Best Places to Work” in Hawaii for 2011. The annual event sponsored by ProService Hawaii and published annually by Hawaii Business Magazine honors businesses in its “Best Places To Work In Hawaii” program. Company data is gathered and analyzed by an independent research organization, the Best Companies Group, which conducts similar research in states throughout the nation. Honors will be given at an awards dinner in March.

With 292 employees, Shell Management Hawaii, Inc has been named in the large category. Shell Management Hawaii was ranked first in 2010 and fifth in 2009. Shell Vacation Resorts in Hawaii include the Holua Resort at Muana Loa, Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy, Kona Coast Resort, Paniolo Greens, and the Waikiki Marina Resort.

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The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club have unveiled its first of its kind partnership. The two luxury destination clubs have forged a new exchange opportunity for the benefit of their members. This strategic alliance presents members of both clubs an expanding universe of extraordinary destinations that only they can provide. The collaboration allows Ritz-Carlton Destination Club members access to 17 Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club residences in North America. They include Scottsdale, Lake Tahoe, Aspen, South Carolina, Punta Cana, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Hawaii’s Big Island, the Turks & Caicos, and Mexico’s Los Cabos, Punta Mita and Puerto Aventuras. In return, Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Members are able to convert their nights for use at 10 Ritz-Carlton Destination Club locations in Colorado’s Aspen Highlands, Bachelor Gulch and Vail, St. Thomas, Jupiter in Florida, San Francisco and North Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, and Abaco in the Bahamas.

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While highlighting its significant market opportunities and competitive advantages, Marriott International has informed security analysts and institutional investors in New York, that its earnings per share of stock could hit well above the highest earnings achieved during Marriott’s most recent peak earnings year of 2007. The company expects to add at least 80,000 to 90,000 hotel rooms to its portfolio from 2011 through 2013 with additional opportunities for 22,000 rooms to open in Europe and Asia during that same period. Marriott has plans to adapt and expand current brands, such as Courtyard and Fairfield, to meet the growing needs of customers in markets worldwide. The company will also be expanding its new brands outside of the United States, including Edition, which just opened its first hotel on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Marriott is also successful in the high-end timeshare market.

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Interval International has revealed that its U.S. resident members reported annual household income greater than $125,000 per year, 88% are satisfied with their membership, 33% would like to purchase additional holiday time, and Interval International’s U.S. members spend about 23 nights away from home, taken as leisure time. Also determined in the profile, Florida, California and Hawaii are the most popular destinations members said they wanted to visit within the next two years, with New York City the most popular urban destination. The Caribbean is the number one “international” favorite destination for US residents. An official at Interval International said, “The observations and insights drawn from this research reinforce the value our members place on vacationing. This study also represents the latest in Interval’s continuing commitment to bring timely and consumer-centric research to the market.”

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Wyndham Vacation properties in Hawaii rated as a best place to work. Wyndham Vacation Ownership has been recognized by Hawaii Business Magazine and the Best Companies Group as one of the best places to work in Hawaii in 2010. Ranking in the large companies category, with more than 150 employees, Wyndham was accredited for creating a rewarding work environment particularly for its sales organization. The company was previously recognized as a “Best Places to Work” in 2006. Wyndham, of course, boasts an expansive presence in the Hawaii market with more than a dozen properties including Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk, Wyndham Kona Hawaiian, Wyndham Royal Sea Cliff, WorldMark Kihei, and Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas, among others.

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