Timeshare Trends Blog

Hyatt Hotels Corporation in partnership with Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. will develop and operate a 131-unit Hyatt Residence Club resort on Maui in Hawaii on Ka’anapali Beach. A Hyatt affiliate will invest approximately $40 million in the vacation ownership property. The resort is expected to open in 2014 and will join 15 other Hyatt Residence Clubs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Located along Maui’s western shore on Ka’anapali Beach, Hyatt Ka’anapali Beach will offer 131 units, including 19 one-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units, and 12 three-bedroom units. Additional features will include an 8,000 sq ft open-air lobby, a retail store, a 75-seat casual dining restaurant, a pool with a pool bar and a multi-level pool deck, and a 3,300 sq ft fitness center. Hyatt Ka’anapali Beach, a Hyatt Residence Club will be located near Hyatt Regency Maui, an 806-room destination resort surrounded by 40 acres of beachfront landscape.

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Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club resort has expanded its facilities. Located on a secluded lagoon within the upscale Ko Olina Resort, Marriott’s largest timeshare in Hawaii recently completed its fifth phase with 132 two and three-bedroom villas. The resort is on Oahu’s western shore in Kapolei with spacious and luxurious two and three-bedroom villa interiors designed with Hawaiian inspired furnishings, fixtures, and colors. Fully-equipped kitchens feature stainless steel appliances and large living and dining areas lead to private balconies with glass paneled railings ensuring incredible views. The villas also include flat panel televisions and DVD players in the living area and bedrooms in addition to a washer/dryer. Three-bedroom villas accommodate 10 guests and complimentary high-speed internet access is available resort-wide.

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The Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki has been awarded the Best Refurbishment Award at the recent ARDA Convention Awards ceremony. The Royal Garden at Waikiki offers beautiful accommodations with a variety of views. The resort is away from the busy streets of Waikiki, but within walking distance to shops, dining, and other attractions. The Royal Garden has an outdoor pool and sauna; along with guest service associates and staff that greet guests with a special island Aloha.

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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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