Timeshare Trends Blog

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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The Namaste Oasis Private Residence Club has selected FractionalExchange.com for its exchange needs. Located in the Pacific northwest area of Costa Rica, this area is widely known for its surfing and its yoga retreats. It is well protected in the environmental sense, and currently remains one of the most pristine and authentic parts of Costa Rica. The Namaste property consists of two-bedroom and two bath units with an open concept living space that embraces indoor and outdoor living. All units have an open terrace, where you can watch the antics of howler monkeys in the canopy above. You have access to a state-of-the-art “floating bridge” and lushly landscaped common areas with a crystal clear pool and private deck area.

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The Pacifico Diamante Private Residence Club will be an Interval International property. Located in Acapulco, the property will feature 200 three and four-bedroom fractional units being built in five phases during the next several years. They have been designed with a sophisticated contemporary décor and feature spacious dining and living rooms, marble floors, fully equipped gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, state-of-the-art electronics, Wi Fi Internet access, and private outdoor terraces. The complex’s modern buildings are set in manicured gardens around a central courtyard with a swimming pool and children’s splash pool. Plans call for a private beach club, restaurant, tennis courts, paddle tennis, gym, sauna, spa, and concierge service to be available upon completion of the first phase.

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The Vijayshree Heritage Village is now a Wyndham Worldwide resort. Located near the World Heritage site of Hampi, the former capital of the famed Vijayanagara empire, this resort is a classified “five-star” timeshare resort in India and spread across 17 acres of hill-fenced expanse, offering ethnic luxuries with 43 cottages nestled amid 60,000 planted trees. Vijayshree Heritage Village includes amenities such a fine dining restaurant, a health club with a 6,000 square-foot swimming pool, spa, and beauty salon. There’s a wellness center offering Balinese, Swedish, Oriental, Thai and Ayurvedic massages.

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The Tibisay Hotel has joined the RCI network of affiliated resorts. The Tibisay Hotel, located in the city of Merida, Venezuela, is a highly desirable destination in the Venezuelan Andes. This hotel consists of an elegant building with splendid views of the Andean mountain range with the latest technology in its rooms that are specially designed to provide the maximum comfort to guests.

Among the main attractions of the hotel, which includes a Presidential suite and 81 fully-equipped rooms, are a spa, heated pool, electronic casino and nightly entertainment center, in addition to the unique “Andean friendliness” of its staff. Visitors at the Hotel Tibisay can easily access the lagoons, cable cars, deserts, and other attractions in Merida and the surrounding area.The Tibisay Hotel has joined the RCI network of affiliated resorts.

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Condé Nast has named Marquis Los Cabos as one of Mexico’s top resorts for 2010. The Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards awarded Marquis Los Cabos, a luxury beachfront resort located in the Baja California peninsula, as one of the “Top Resorts” in Mexico. In the magazine’s prestigious annual survey, the magazine’s readers acknowledge the world’s finest properties based on discerning criteria such as food/dining, location, overall design, rooms and service. Marquis Los Cabos was able to earn its top status because of its exemplary features including a 15,000 square foot holistic spa and fitness center, and an executive chef handling three luxurious restaurants including Five Star Diamond winner Canto del Mar. Among resort features, the Marquis Los Cabos has 40 pools, including a 36-foot waterfall flowing down from the lobby and two infinity pools with a spectacular view of the Sea of Cortes. Its 237 suites offer balconies with a breathtaking view of the ocean, amenities from luxury brand Bulgari, top-quality Frette linens and a state-of-the-art hydro-massage bathtub with separate shower room.

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The British government has passed new regulations for timeshares and club memberships. The law should provide better protection for consumers in the United Kingdom that is similar to initiatives sweeping across all of Europe in the timeshare industry. The new rules will be implemented in February 2011 and will enforce fair-trading of timeshares in the industry. According to Consumer Minister Edward Davey, “These products are often sold across borders, so it’s only right that we have protections in place for consumers that also cross borders. Knowing these regulations are in place will boost consumer confidence and boost business for legitimate traders. The guidelines should offer benefits for businesses, such as a simplified version of UK’s current legislation and replaces the old Timeshare Act and the regulations affiliated with it. The new regulations are more standardized and provide the necessary information in a more streamlined manner. The new law will also place “holiday clubs” under the same scrutiny as timeshares, and may put an end to underground business activities. The law should give consumers more confidence in the industry and they will be given vital information before they make any deals and will have new rights in dealing with club sales and timeshare resale services.

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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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Pafiana Heights is the newest Interval International property on Cyprus. Located in the outskirts of Paphos on the southwest coast of Cyprus, the resort comprises 57 units that are furnished to high standards. At 700 feet above sea level, there are breathtaking panoramic views from all the rooms overlooking the Paphos coastline and mountains. Amenities at the property include a spa with sauna and whirlpool, a gym and fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gourmet restaurant, a roof garden with bar. Guests also have access to on-call chef/butler and concierge services. Paphos is a very popular tourist destination, particularly for the British, German, and Scandinavian markets.

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The all-inclusive resort, the Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa will open in May of 2011. Marking a milestone in Starwood’s history, The Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa will also be the first all-inclusive resort in Starwood’s global portfolio. The property will undergo extensive renovations to its 406 spacious suites and all public areas and is set on one of Costa Rica’s most scenic beaches, Playa Conchal. The resort is only 45 minutes from the international airport and is centered around an expansive lagoon-style pool featuring gardens, thatch-roofed bungalows and ocean and forest vistas. Westin currently has five hotels in Mexico and one in Guatemala, and will be opening five more in Latin America in the next four years including the Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa, Costa Rica; the Westin Libertador, Lima, Peru; the Westin Guadalajara, Mexico; and the Westin Panama and the Westin Playa Bonita.

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