Timeshare Trends Blog

The El Cid Resorts have renewed their affiliation with RCI. The 35 year-old Mexican hotel group continues the partnership in an effort to offer the high-quality services and varied exchange options its owners have come to expect over the last 27 years. The agreement includes El Cid’s six developments in Mazatlan, Cozumel, and the Mayan Riviera. All of the El Cid properties are known for its oceanfront accommodations and luxury spas, as well as beautiful golf courses.

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The Westgate Planet Hollywood Towers Resort will be rebranded as a Hilton Grand Vacations Resort. Resort Finance America (RFA) has acquired controlling interest in the resort and has appointed Hilton Grand Vacations to rebrand the property and provide vacation ownership sales and marketing services. The property was developed by Westgate and opened in late 2009. As the largest single vacation ownership building in the world, the Planet Hollywood Towers has 52-stories and 1,201-units offering adjoining access to the Miracle Mile shops and is adjacent to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino complex.

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The Pelican Resort Club recently shut down. Located on St. Maarten, the resort is no longer accepting reservations. According to news reports, the resort has been taken over and renamed Simpsons Bay Resort. Over the last few months, owners have been receiving conflicting emails and mixed messages regarding the status of ownership of the company, foreclosure auctions and employees at the property. Most emails and messages seemed to discuss administrative and management issues, which were unlikely to impact owners. They were not informed of the urgency and the possibility that the resort would close, placing timeshare ownership in jeopardy.

As of now, it is still unclear why the closure was necessary or how long it will last. Some reports indicate that it appears that the closure is merely a scheme to force the unions to negotiate or force union employees out. Reportedly, last December, there was an attempt to fire all union employees, which the courts squashed. When all issues have been resolved, normalcy for Pelican/Simpson owners is expected to return. In the short term, owners planning to use their units over the next few weeks or months may be cut from their reservations. Some reports indicate that owners have not been given the assurance of being able to go to the resort, even while being encouraged to make their mortgage and maintenance fee payments.

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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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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 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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Celebrity Resorts has pulled through its bankruptcy proceedings fully intact and with no job losses. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2010, the Florida-based Celebrity Resorts is back to business as usual with the Florida courts confirming the firm’s reorganization plan.

In a document submitted to the Court, the company blamed their bankruptcy on disagreements between family members that started and owned Celebrity Resorts. As part of the recovery plan, a lending subsidiary of Textron Inc., a multi-industry conglomerate best known as the maker of Cessna airplanes, has agreed to provide Celebrity with $4 million in financing. Celebrity Resorts has 13 properties located in Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Colorado.

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The Melia Marbella Banus is the newest Sol Melia Vacation Club resort. Located in Costa Del Sol, Spain, the Melia Marbella Banus is surrounded by the best beaches and golf courses in Costa del Sol and is located in the exclusive Puerto Banús area. Just a few miles from the old town of Marbella and less than an hour from the Malaga Airport, the resort offers Sol Meliá Vacation Club members accommodations that include studios for two people, one bedroom suites for up to four people and two bedroom suites for up to six. The Sol Meliá Vacation Club (SMVC) is a leading international vacation membership club with locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Europe, and four member resorts in the Canary Islands.

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Marriott is spinning off its timeshare operations. In a recent announcement, Marriott International has announced that it will be splitting up into two publicly traded companies. Marriott also reported a higher quarterly profit as a strengthening economy has enabled more companies to send employees back out on the road to do business.

Under the spin-off plan, Marriott representatives have stated that the new company will focus on the timeshare business under the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton brands. Marriott International will concentrate on the lodging management and franchise business. In 2010, Marriott’s timeshare segment reported revenue of around $1.5 billion. At the end of last year, it operated 71 timeshare and fractional resorts with more than 400,000 owners and some 10,000 employees—it also held $1.5 billion in unsold inventory.

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The Bougainville Parque Hotel is now an RCI exchange member. The hotel is situated at the world’s largest hydrothermal complex in Caldas Novas, Goias, Brazil. Located just five minutes from the heart of Caldas Novas town, the property features 58 spacious and modern apartments fully-furnished with appliances and furniture that compliments the style and atmosphere of the hotel. The amenities of the hotel include two large swimming pools, a pool bar, a natural pool surrounded by bountiful flora and fauna, and a full restaurant offering authentic Brazilian cuisine. The Bougainville Parque Hotel renovated its timeshare units as part of its new affiliation with RCI. Refurbishment included new beds, flooring, and complimentary high-speed internet connections in every room.

The Bougainville Parque Hotel is the newest RCI exchange property in Brazil. It is located in the world's largest hydrothermal complex in Caldas Novas, Goias.

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