Timeshare Trends Blog

Located in Camp Sherman, Oregon, Lake Creek Lodge provides newly built cabins, each with two to three bedrooms. The Lodge sprawls over 40 acres around the banks of Lake Creek and is located within the perimeters of the Metolius River. According to Paul Nabor, director of sales at FractionalExchange.com, “Lake Creek Lodge provides access to all the best outdoor experiences Central Oregon has to offer. Whether fly fishing, hiking, biking or wildlife watching in the summer, to accessing the ski resorts, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter, the lodge provides year-round access to all the activities a family could want. We are thrilled to add this exceptional property to our network. We welcome its owners to our program, and are confident our existing members will relish having access to this beautiful exchange opportunity.” FractionalExchange.com originated in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, when several resort owners were looking for a way to be able to easily communicate with other vacation property owners. As a result of this need, an online bulletin board was created, allowing owners to message each other. FractionalExchange.com was then created to provide a medium through which owners of all vacation properties can communicate. It gives owners the opportunity to visit any location, without any limits on destinations.

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According to the Orlando Sentinel, the top business story in Orlando in 2010 was the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, which opened in June. As the top business story, Harry Potter was Orlando’s economic salve boosting Universal’s attendance by 37 percent and it put heads in hotel beds for miles around, which had the added benefit of increasing local tourist tax collections by double-digit percentages. Harry Potter also gave Disney World some heartburn because its summer attendance remained flat and in some reports attendance was reported to be down by almost 6 percent. People flocked to town presumably under Harry’s spell.

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Wyndham Vacation Resorts has re-opened the Wyndham Nashville after a $10 million rehabilitation. In early May, the region was struck by a large flood that ruined many homes, establishments, and hotel properties. Wyndham Nashville was one of the unlucky properties to survive the massive flood, albeit with substantial damages to its landscaping and lower-lying buildings. After over four months, the property is back in top shape and welcoming Wyndham timeshare owners. Conveniently situated near the legendary Grand Ole Opry and the huge Opry Mills outlet mall, Wyndham Nashville features a large indoor swimming pool, two outdoor pools and spa, and a fully-equipped fitness center. All amenities of the property were part of the reconstruction plan that started on May 6. Aside from rebuilding its own property, Wyndham also helped the Tennessee community by donating $25,000 in flood relief to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

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The Tivoli Lodge in Utah is now managed by Gemstone Hotels and Resorts, a luxury management company based in Utah. The Tivoli Lodge is a four-star luxury ski resort located in Vail, Colorado. Originally launched in 1968, Tivoli Lodge reopened in 2006 following the demolition and rebuilding of the property into a state-of-the-art facility. The Tivoli Lodge is located at 386 Hanson Ranch Road, right on the main pedestrian thoroughfare, on the Free Town Shuttle Bus Route and less than a block from the Vista Bahn chairlift, the town’s main access point. Additionally, it is situated just a short walk away from GoldenPeak and the Riva Bahn chairlifts. Amenities include a business center, fitness center, ski valet service, two outdoor mountain view hot tubs, and the Brown Hound Lounge & Bar, a place where guests can sample the hotel’s signature drink, Indini. Rooms at the property offer a choice of mountain or village views and are all equipped with fireplaces, custom leather furnishings, granite countertops, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access, Turkish bath towels and robes and large soaking tubs.

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The Orlando based company that owns the Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club in Celebration filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and plans to sell its properties to Diamond Resorts International. Tempus Resorts lender, GMAC Commercial Finance has stated that it is getting out of timeshare financing. The Tempus Resorts CEO says they are profitable, but filed for bankruptcy because the private-equity company that bought its loan portfolio opposed the sale to Diamond Resorts. The deal will now be reviewed by a bankruptcy judge. Existing timeshare owners would retain Tempus privileges, but could upgrade to the Diamond Resorts

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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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The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa has added an adventure option for their owners and walk-in guests. It has a new package called Adrenaline Rush Guaranteed, which combines rejuvenation and wellness with exceptional service and stylish amenities. The Westin Riverfront Adrenaline Rush package starts at $319 per night and includes lodging for two in a studio suite, a $200 credit to Timberline Tours for a whitewater rafting adventure down the Colorado or Eagle Rivers or an off-road Jeep tour, two four hour bike rentals, two complimentary fitness classes at the Riverfront Club (including yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and body sculpting), and complimentary valet parking.

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Legoland Florida is on schedule to open in late 2011. Legoland Florida will be the world’s largest Legoland Park and is expected to bring Winter Haven back to it tourism heyday when Cypress Gardens was one of Florida’s leading attractions and the first official theme park built in the state of Florida. Legoland Florida is being developed on the site of the long closed Cypress Gardens.

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Harris Rosen has been inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. Announced at the 43rd annual Florida Governors Conference on Tourism, the award was bestowed upon Mr. Rosen for his contributions to the industry. Among his contributions, he supported construction of the Orange County Convention Center, donated 20 acres of land to create and build the University of Central Florida’s School of Hospitality Management, he owns and operates seven properties in Orlando including the Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Plaza, and Rosen Centre.

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Ultimate Escapes has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Kissimmee, Florida based luxury timeshare company has listed assets of $10 million to $50 million with debts of $100 to $500 million. According to a recent Orlando Sentinel story, Ultimate Escapes has been trying to sell its vacation club to another destination club, hospitality company or investment group. The company has grown to become the second largest luxury destination club with 1,100 members and more than 100 properties valued from $1 million to $3 million each in 65 resort locations from Italy to Costa Rica. Membership fees have ranged from $70,000 to $200,000 or more with annual dues of $8,000 to $16,000.

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