Archive for the 'International Timeshares' Category

Halcyon Hills Spa Resort & Marina is Near Completion

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Halcyon Hills Spa Resort and Marina on the Greek island of Samos is near completion and is Europe’s newest member of the Registry Collection, the world’s largest luxury exchange program.

The Halycon Hills Resort will boast an array of luxury facilities including a large spa, a 35-berth private marina, two beaches, tennis courts and more. The fundamental character of the resort combines luxury with the traditional Greek charm of Samos.

International Riviera Tunisia Set to be Complete in 2011

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

The International Riviera in Tunisia, North Africa, is set to be completed in 2011 and will be a member of the Registry Collection Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI.

The International Riviera will include 50 luxury waterfront villas, and the concept was created as a fusion of European elegance and the 21st century pioneering spirit of Dubai. The five-star residential resort development will have at its heart a Las Vegas-style casino complex and a range of other upscale amenities, including golf, spa, marinas and retail.

West Sands Phuket Beach Club Thailand Added to Interval International Network

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

The West Sands Phuket Beach Club in Thailand has been added to the Interval International global vacation exchange network. The resort seamlessly blends state-of-the art development with a commitment to green building practices and was honored with the prestigious Green Development Award in 2007 and 2008 at the Thailand Property Awards.

Tucked into 48 lush acres with its own 500 yards of private beachfront, the resort is situated on Mai Khao Beach on Phuket’s west coast. The studio, one, and two-bedroom units range from 990 to 1,798 square feet, and the three-bedroom units measure 3,605 square feet. The residences have been designed to have minimal impact on the environment and all feature European-style kitchens and bathrooms, as well as balconies with views of the pool, gardens, or the Andaman Sea. Mai Khao, which is part of the Sirinat National Park, is home to a golden sand beach, which stretches for 10 miles along the Andaman Sea and is the longest beach in Phuket.

Activities in and around the area include water sports, sailing, diving and fishing and further inland activities include elephant riding, trekking, golf, and horseback riding. Guests at the resort have access to the West Sands Water World, one of the largest water parks in Asia. Facilities at the resort include a fitness center, cooking school, PADI National Geographic Dive Centre, freeform swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, and spa.

Villa del Palmar Cancun Added to Interval International

Monday, November 9th, 2009

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.

Palace Vacation Club of Malaysia Joined RCI Network

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

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.

Azul Sensatori by Karisma

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

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.

Marriott International is Cutting Back

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Marriott International is cutting back on the high-demand home development business and is cutting prices at some of its fractional ownership resorts. Marriott is also planning to halt its timeshare development in Europe. However, according to a recent Orlando Sentinel story, Marriott officials report that their timeshare business run by Orlando based Marriott Vacation Club International is doing better than its high-end counterpart.

According to Marriott’s president and chief operating officer, Arne Sorenson, the significant decline in demand for luxury residential real estate is reflective of today’s economy. It also reflects the relative strength and deeper market of the traditional timeshare business, which while impacted by the weaker economy has proved to be more resilient.

Wyndham Worldwide has expanded in China

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of hospitality companies has opened its first brand in China with a newly constructed 588-room luxury hotel in Xiamen. Wyndham Hotel Group is the world’s largest U.S. based hotel company in China, currently franchising 175 hotels and five brands throughout the country.

The 26-floor, five-star Wyndham Xiamen features five food-and-beverage outlets, 37,000 square feet of meeting space, a 2,658-square-foot business center and diverse fitness facilities. The Wyndham Xiamen has a 66-foot-high waterfall, a 23-foot-tall lobby chandelier, a 23-foot-high statue at the entrance named the Goddess of Heping (the indigenous goddess of the sea), there are 161 suites, 130 serviced apartments that range in size from 500 to 1,065 square feet—and all with views of the ocean or city skyline.

The top five floors comprise the Wyndham Club, with 90 executive rooms, library, business services, meeting room and split-level lounge. Each guest room features high-speed Internet service, stunning glass-design bathrooms with separate shower and bath, feather-down bedding, 32-inch, flat-screen LCD TVs, a safety deposit box with power to recharge laptop, nightly turndown service, room cleaning and refreshed linens. There’s also a 13,558-square-foot, pillarless grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

RCI welcomes ABC Boat Management

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

RCI has welcomed ABC Boat Management to its worldwide network of affiliated resorts. This unique addition to RCI members offers canal boat holidays on the beautiful waterways of England. As part of this relationship, the Anderton Marina and Hilperton Marinas are now a part of the RCI exchange program.

Anderton Marina is situated in the heart of northwest England and offers cruising on local rivers and canals. Anderton Marina also offers easy access and available moorings close to the historic city of Chester. The laid-back nature of canals and narrow boating are an ideal way to relax and escape from the hectic pace of modern life, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the countryside from a new vantage point. Members can moor up at a canal-side pub for lunch or dinner, while all boats, which sleep up to six, come complete with full kitchens including a microwave, as well as central heating, television and other facilities.

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas Scheduled to Open in Thailand

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas in Thailand is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009. Outrigger Enterprises Group has been selected to manage the resort that includes a new luxury collection of residences, villas, town homes and apartments being developed by the Laguna Resorts & Hotels Public Company Limited. The resort is located on Bang Tao Bay on the northwestern coast of Phuket. When fully completed, it will consist of 309 two, three, and four bedroom units. The resort is upscale and many of the units will include their own private swimming pools. Widely recognized as Asia’s finest destination, this property is part of a 1,000 acre mixed-use tropical resort with five miles of pristine sandy beaches, six deluxe resort hotels, the Laguna Phuket Golf Club, spas, restaurants and bars as well as a retail shopping center.