Over 100 new resorts in 2009 were welcomed by RCI, the world’s largest vacation exchange company. Demonstrating that vacation exchange remains a bright spot in the travel industry, RCI, considered the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, announced that it added more than 100 new resorts in 2009 alone, including 10 properties under development.
The Innsbruck Aspen Residences is now a member of the Registry Collection program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands. The Innsbruck Aspen Residences is located in the town of Aspen, Colorado and is highly acclaimed. The Innsbruck Aspen Residences offers 17 luxury units and is conveniently located in walking distance to the ski slopes and all the nightlife Aspen has to offer.
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation has been named one of the 100 greenest companies, according to Newsweek magazine. According to the magazine, the “green” rankings are based on the environmental footprint, policies and practices of America’s 500 largest publicly traded companies. For its use of alternative energy resources, management of environmental issues and compliance with climate change policies, Wyndham Worldwide ranked at number 81 on the list. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts demonstrated its enthusiasm for environmentally friendly operations by developing uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles. According to Perspective Magazine, each uniform requires 66 percent less energy and 90 percent less water to produce than a common uniform. The timeshare operators additionally began a clean air initiative, offering rooms with improved air quality, and are implementing the EarthSmart linen reuse program to save resources and operational costs. “We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek as a national leader in sustainability,” Wyndham Worldwide CEO Stephen Holmes told the news source.
The 170-room Ramada Grand Caymanian Beach Club and Resort is currently at 80% occupancy and ground has been broken for the Wyndham Grand Bay Waterford Cayman Islands. Both resorts are located in Crystal Harbour Safe Haven, overlooking the North Sound. The Ramada Grand Caymanian Beach Club is a pre-existing resort that comprises both timeshare and daily rental units. It was re-branded with the Ramada name in January of this year. The first phase of the property is complete, with the construction of a second phase planned.
The Wyndham Grand Bay Waterford is a private resort comprised of luxurious villas, grand penthouses and an elegant Great House. The Waterford is a private residence club. Guests may purchase whole units or half units or even one eighth of a unit. It is branded as Wyndham Grand Bay and is considered at the top of the branding tier.
The resort will be built in the British colonial style comprised of 47 units and located in Crystal Harbour. It features crystal chandeliers and electronics in each room, a 5,000 square foot spa, a business center, on-site restaurant, lighted tennis court, beach volleyball court, freshwater pool, multiple hot tubs, a kids club and a variety of water activities. There will also be a dock and a fleet of boats available for use by owners with a captain available for each boat. There will also be featured a luxury car service offering a Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes or Audi for owners and guests.
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.
There are reports of more financing deals in the timeshare industry, which is a true sign that the banks and credit markets are thawing from the cash-strapped timeshare industry. According to recent reports in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, Starwood Resorts has completed a private placement of $125 million in timeshare backed notes. Wyndham Worldwide, the largest company in the timeshare industry, recently announced a $225 million sale of timeshare notes. Marriott International has also recently been able to sell approximately $250 million in timeshare notes. Timeshare companies have struggled with tight credit markets since last autumn when demand for consumer-backed securities dried up.
