The news archive
158 stories and press releases, newest first. Most of them were written while the industry went through its hardest stretch: the 2008 crash, the Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy and the scramble for its members.
2015
2011
Darin Gilson
Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Development Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club
Banyan Tree Private Collection Adds New Properties In The Maldives
Banyan Tree Private Collection has made two additions to their portfolio of "own villas," bringing on residences in the exotic archipelago of the Maldives. Members are able to choose…
Inspirato and Destination Cellars Partner
Back in April, Destination Cellars Founder David Keuhner posted "Fun meeting w/our friends @ Inspirato" on his Facebook account. It seems that those fun meetings were also productive as the…
Rocksure Property Introduces Barcelona Apartment To Capital Fund
When Rocksure Property first introduced the Capital Fund, it would serve as the urban spinoff to the Alpha and Bravo Funds. Designed for those that wished to be enveloped by some of the…
Lifestyle Assets Creates New Membership Option
Equity destination club Lifestyle Assets has crafted a new membership option for their potential members to consider, essentially creating a "half" version of their full membership for…
Jeff Potter Out As Exclusive Resorts Chief Executive Officer
Since 2007, Jeff Potter has served as Exclusive Resorts' Chief Executive Officer, bringing his experience atop Frontier's leadership team to the world's largest destination club. Now Potter…
Quintess Beyond Adds Women's Yoga Retreat
Quintess Beyond, the new travel benefit available to Quintess Collection members through a partnership with andBeyond, has added "bespoke health and wellness experiences" to their…
Destination Cellars Partners With Luxury Link
The Destination Cellars partnership network knows only one direction: forward. Already included amongst the many travel alliances are destination clubs Exclusive Resorts, Quintess, and The…
Inspirato Surpasses 200 Members and $2 Million In Sales
Just a few short months after their official launch in January, Inspirato is already achieving marks that other destination clubs wait years to attain as they have already signed over 200…
Why Didn't DUO Introduce A Dues Only Membership For Ultimate Escapes Members?
The legal and emotional aftermath of the Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy filing continues to play out. Just yesterday, we covered the Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy process, as court documents…
Second Home Destinations Looks To Bolster Portfolio By Reaching Out To Second Home Owners
Second Home Destinations, a new economically priced destination club with memberships available for as little as $10,000, is looking to expand their property roster by reaching out to…
Quintess and andBeyond Partner To Create Quintess Beyond
Within the past year, ultra-luxury destination club Quintess has expanded internally with the respective launches of the experience themed TOUR Club and the new DUO by Quintess, giving…
A Look Back at the 2010 Exclusive Resorts Golf Tournament
Snow may be on the ground in nearly every state across the United States, but that doesn't damper the spirits of golfers who will soon be dusting off their clubs. Prior to the end of last…
Inspirato Launches With Exclusive Resorts Founder Brent Handler at the Helm
Brent Handler, one of the co-founders of Exclusive Resorts, has launched his latest venture, Inspirato, a new club that blends features of villa rentals with destination club service.
2010 Destination Club Review
During 2010, we drafted over 300 articles on the destination club industry, chronicling new club launches, ongoing incentives, and all of the sector's many ups and downs. When looking back…
2010
Quintess Sponsors Passports With Purpose
'Tis the season. Luxury destination club Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World has long made their philanthropic efforts a cornerstone to their business, supporting various charity…
Demeure Updates Members On Ultimate Escapes Situation
For the past several months, Demeure has been speaking with Ultimate Escapes members after being named the successful bidder for the bankrupt club's assets. Nine former Ultimate Escapes…
Failure To Launch: The Abundance of Unlaunched Destination Clubs Across The Industry
Compass Destination Club. Moncasa Private Club Residences. CareFree Elite. In a top heavy destination club industry where Exclusive Resorts has more members than every other club combined…
The Hideaways Club Plans To Triple In Size Within Four Years
The Hideaways Club, Europe's leading destination club, has announced that they plan to more than triple the number of properties in their portfolio to 100 within four years, due in large…
Rocksure Property Partners With Quintessentially
Rocksure Property, one of the world's up and coming equity based destination clubs, has partnered with Quintessentially, a private members' only club, to launch its fourth investment fund…
Destination Club News Recap: November 2010
For the past several months, news within the destination club industry has been dominated by the negative, punctuated by the bankruptcy of Ultimate Escapes. Maybe it is the Christmas…
Boundless Journeys Club Positions Themselves As Club For Destination Club Refugees
There are well over 1,000 former members of Ultimate Escapes who are currently without their upcoming travel reservations. The bankruptcies at High Country Club, Solstice, and LUSSO…
Demeure Closes On Select Assets From Ultimate Escapes Estate
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Demeure is scheduled to formally announce later today that they have completed the acquisition of choice assets from the now bankrupt Ultimate Escapes…
Equity Estates Adds Two New Residences in Snowmass and Anguilla
The holiday season usually brings out two different types of travelers: those that embrace the snow and love nothing more than trekking to the mountains and those that want nothing more…
Quintess Posts Successful Sales Month in October
Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World and parent company Club Holdings are enjoying a banner fourth quarter of 2010 in spite of the market conditions that exist in the destination…
Demeure Sets Timeline of Upcoming Events
Earlier this week, Demeure announced that they had reached an agreement with CapitalSource, Ultimate Escapes' primary lender, to amend their asset purchase agreement and had select closing…
Demeure Acquisition of Ultimate Escapes Finalized
For the past several weeks, Demeure has been pulled in two directions: publicly engaging former Ultimate Escapes members about their unique travel community and behind the scenes with…
DUO by Quintess and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Host Webinars
For those interested in joining a destination club, it is becoming a full time job watching all happenings in the space. Yesterday alone, Demeure confirmed the purchase of Ultimate Escapes…
Demeure Secures Membership Funds In Escrow
The transition deadline for Ultimate Escapes members joining Demeure is less than 48 hours away and in the 11th hour, the exchange based destination club is continuing to reassure members…
Luxus Vacation Properties Looks To Contact Canadian Ultimate Escapes Members
The Canadian based Demeure is currently working with Ultimate Escapes members looking to transition to their unique exchange based destination club. The transition deadline has been…
Equity Estates Donates Stay In New Anguilla Residence
The combination of excellent real estate purchase opportunities, a continued interest in luxury travel, and a demand for additional financial security from members has made for a near…
Featured Property: The Élan Collection Turks & Caicos
The Turks & Caicos are a staple for many destination clubs, known for its pristine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and remarkable climate. After selecting a Demeure property in the…
Exclusive Resorts Gives New Members $10,000 Gift Card For Additional Services
Members of Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club, have long enjoyed a substantial list of white glove services as part of their membership. Dedicated travel planners that…
Demeure Extends Transition Deadline To November 19, 2010
For the past several weeks, Demeure Founder Peter Schwartz has devoted all of his time to one-on-one conference calls with Ultimate Escapes members, detailing Demeure's unique brand of…
Demeure Continues Outreach To Every Ultimate Escapes Member
A week out from the extended transition date for Ultimate Escapes members joining Demeure, Founder Peter Schwartz and the rest of the Demeure team, including Local Hosts and Escape…
Exclusive Resorts Kids Take Manhattan Review
Above all, joining a destination club is an investment in time with family. Members get to travel to expansive vacation homes spacious enough to host family and friends without any of the…
DUO Members Given Access To Tour Club Residences
DUO, a new destination club from Club Holdings, launched less than a month ago. Like the rest of the destination club sector, it has been an eventful, and busy, month. The young club has…
Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Gives New Members Seven Free Nights of Travel
We are just hours removed from Halloween, but it is never too early to start thinking about the holiday season. Christmas will come early for new members of the Ritz-Carlton Destination…
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Forge Partnership
Two of the biggest names in the world of travel, let alone the destination club industry, have announced a strategic alliance that will greatly expand on the travel experiences available to…
Demeure Looks To Take The Lead On Destination Club Regulation
Last year, we spoke to Howard Nusbaum, CEO and President of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), about the destination club industry. His message was simple. "I believe that…
Demeure Selected As Successful Bidder For Ultimate Escapes
Just over one month since Ultimate Escapes filed for bankruptcy, it has been announced that Demeure has been selected as the successful bidder for many of the club's assets.
Would You Join A Destination Club Started By Executives Behind A Bankruptcy?
Second Home Destinations. DUO. Boundless Journeys Club. A wellspring of new destination clubs have launched or are planning to make their formal introduction shortly, each with their own…
Ultimate Escapes Accepts Bids For Bulk Of Assets
Last week, Ultimate Escapes CRO Sheon Karol wrote to members stating that he predicted at least one bidder for the bankrupt destination club. Today, he confirmed that Ultimate Escapes did…
Demeure Confirms Rob McGrath No Longer Attached To Upstart Club
Rob McGrath, the man who crafted the modern day destination club concept, has not been affiliated with the Demeure Club, a new upstart exchange based club in Canada, for a number of months…
An Open Letter To Ultimate Escapes Members
Each morning, we open our inbox to see new messages from destination club executives detailing for us their newest plans and projects, potential members asking about clubs they are…
DUO by Quintess Unveils Offer For Ultimate Escapes Members
The newly launched DUO by Quintess just made their formal introduction to the market this past week and has already introduced a charter membership offer to the members of the now bankrupt…
Quintess Introduces New Destination Club: DUO
The Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy has presented a unique opportunity for many other destination clubs to grow as nearly 1,300 Ultimate Escapes members have been left without their upcoming…
Richard Keith Resigns As Ultimate Escapes Chairman and Board of Directors Member
The other shoe has dropped as the fallout of the Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy continues. Richard Keith, the Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors at Ultimate Escapes, has resigned…
The Discovery Club Names Kelly Hrudey As Official Spokesperson
It isn't shocking for a destination club north of the border to have ties to the world of hockey. The Discovery Club is strengthening those ties as they have named former NHL goaltender and…
Ultimate Escapes Committee of Unsecured Creditors Appointed
The Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy continues to dominate headlines across the destination club industry. The club has recently terminated Jim Tousignant as their CEO and President, greatly…
The Discovery Club Discusses Their No Ownership Model
Last week, we spoke to The Discovery Club about a custom offer they had created for members of the now bankrupt Ultimate Escapes. For $3,500, members can join via a trial membership offer…
Ultimate Escapes Chief Restructuring Officer Sheon Karol Updates Members On Tousignant Departure
The past month has been a chaotic one for Ultimate Escapes, the world's second largest destination club. A bankruptcy filing. Multiple offers from competing destination clubs looking to…
Jim Tousignant Out At Ultimate Escapes
In a move predicted by many, Jim Tousignant has been relieved of his duties as President and CEO of Ultimate Escapes after the club's bankruptcy filing earlier this month, the largest in…
Exclusive Resorts CEO Jeff Potter Comments On Market Developments
It is a surprise to no one that the luxury travel industry has been severely affected by the downturn of the economy. Resorts have closed, new developments have ceased construction, and…
The Discovery Club Crafts Custom Offer For Ultimate Escapes Members
The Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy has dominated our press coverage for the past several weeks as it impacts every player in the destination club landscape. The world's second largest club in…
Demeure Founder Peter Schwartz Compares His Model To Destination Clubs
While just a decade old, the destination club space has been reforged time after time after time. Today, the model is predicated on financial vigilance, lean operational structures, and…
The Phoenix Club Rebrands As Second Home Destinations
On the heels of Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy filing, a club with their own ties to a very public destination club bankruptcy filing is making news. The Phoenix Club, a soon to be launched…
Exclusive Resorts Makes Trial Offer To Ultimate Escapes Members
A day after Ultimate Escapes filed for bankruptcy, members are left with countless questions about the downfall of the world's second largest destination club. What happened to the…
Ultimate Escapes and Quintess Lock Horns Over Membership Offer
The Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy story likely won't conclude for years to come as the fate of the club's properties, membership deposits, and other matters makes its way into the legal…
Ultimate Escapes Files For Bankruptcy
In a move expected by destination club industry insiders and many of their members, Ultimate Escapes has filed for bankruptcy protection in US Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware. The…
Featured Property: The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Lake Tahoe
In one of our closest property of the week votes in history, each of the three Ritz-Carlton Destination Club's residences featured in the contest received over 30% of the vote, with Lake…
Membership Loyalty Erodes Amidst Ultimate Escapes Crisis
It has been a chaotic week for the world's second largest destination club, Ultimate Escapes. Last Thursday, CEO and President Jim Tousignant hosted a webinar where he outlined the club's…
Ultimate Escapes Does Not Authorize Quintess Offer To Members
Not so fast. Tailing an offer by Quintess to Ultimate Escapes members, Ultimate Escapes CEO and President Jim Tousignant and Chief Restructuring Officer Sheon Karol have fired back, calling…
Renovations Completed At Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
New York City might be a more popular travel spot for destination club members as the extensive, $30 million renovation of The Trump International Hotel & Tower New York has been completed.…
Ultimate Escapes Members Vote Down Member Owned Option
Ultimate Escapes, the world's second largest destination club, outlined a plan last week that they said "made the most sense" for their dire financial situation, converting the club to a…
Owners Speak Up At Fractional Summit USA
Even in a difficult economic climate, the shared ownership/use industry in the US, Canada, and Caribbean had sales exceeding $850 million last year. Earlier this month at the inaugural…
Ultimate Escapes Members Join Together To Form Member Only Group
On the precipice of what could be a bankruptcy filing that would shake the foundation of the destination club industry, Ultimate Escapes reached out to members via a webcast last week to…
A Second Look at Demeure: A Second Interview With Its Founder, Peter Schwartz
With 20:20 hindsight, it was Karmic, or some kind of syzygy that I wrote a piece on :Demeure, a new travel and accommodations model, when I did. It appeared in Luxist on August 20th: here…
Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Gives 15 Complimentary Nights To New Members
For those who missed on the recent conclusion of the club's dues only trial membership offer and reduced equity prices, both of which ended in recent months, the Abercrombie & Kent…
Ultimate Escapes Bankruptcy Filing Option Overview
A titan in the destination club sector with well over 1,000 members, Ultimate Escapes is now teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. In default on their loan agreement with CapitalSource…
Ultimate Escapes Seeks To Become Member Owned
Those calculated words led a webcast last night conducted by Ultimate Escapes CEO and President Jim Tousignant with club members as the world's second largest destination club looks to…
The Discovery Club Gives Free Weekend Membership To Lucky Golfer
A Victoria day that included rain, clouds, and sunshine and 170 yards were all that stood between one lucky golfer winning a complimentary weekend membership with The Discovery Club back in…
Quintess Suffers Minimal Damage As A Result Of Hurricane Earl
Hurricane season doesn't officially end in the Atlantic until the end of November, worrying home owners in the region for the next three months. Earlier this year, many experts predicted a…
Exclusive Resorts VIP Chicago Cubs Experience Kicks Off
It doesn't look like the Chicago Cubs will be making their way into the playoffs, but that is half of the charm of "The Lovable Losers." Yesterday, members of Exclusive Resorts began…
Ultimate Escapes Files Form 8-K
CapitalSource, a commercial lender with $10.7 billion of commercial lending assets and direct real estate investments, has agreed not to exercise their options on several defaults of…
Featured Property: Ultimate Escapes Lake George
Summer will soon be coming to an end and leaves will begin to change across the country. With this in mind, we compared three classically fall destinations in our property of the week, with…
Ultimate Escapes Appoints Chief Restructuring Officer Sheon Karol
Ultimate Escapes, the world's second largest and only publicly-traded destination club, has retained Sheon Karol from CRG Partners to serve as Chief Restructuring Officer as the club seeks…
Exclusive Resorts Reduces Costs and Remains Below Budget
Last week, Ultimate Escapes closed their Fort Collins branch in a cost cutting measure that will save the club an estimated $3 million per year. Exclusive Resorts has reduced their costs…
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Donates School Supplies To Foster Children
Long summer days at the playground will soon be replaced by parent teacher conferences as the school year begins across the nation. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Ritz-Carlton, St.…
Ultimate Escapes Closes Fort Collins Branch
Ultimate Escapes, the world's second largest and only publicly-traded destination club, filed their 10-Q form earlier this month detailing the results of the second quarter of 2010.…
Exclusive Resorts Discounts Pricing For Full Payments
Luxury destination club Exclusive Resorts introduced a new four year payment option earlier this month, letting members join by paying 20% of their membership fee and first year of annual…
Equity Estates Mid Year Report
Following articles on Exclusive Resorts and Ultimate Escapes and their progress through the first six months of 2010, we turn our attention to Equity Estates, one of the fastest growing…
Exclusive Resorts Creates New Four Year Payment Option
Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club in terms of members, enjoyed their strongest sales month in nearly two years in June. That banner sales month might soon be eclipsed…
Demeure Club Officially Launches
Described as "the solution to over-priced and under-serviced options that are currently available to travelers and property owners," Demeure Club has officially launched their new exchange…
Distinctive Holiday Homes Executive Nick Wood Purchases Ski Resort
Auckland-based entrepreneur Nick Wood, known for creating the major internet network Ihug and founding the destination club Distinctive Holiday Homes, has purchased the Teton Pass Ski…
Exclusive Resorts Reports On First Half Of 2010
Following a difficult 2009 that saw the drastic reshaping of the destination club sector, industry leader Exclusive Resorts is beginning to see the fruits of their labor through the first…
Quintess, LRW Restructures Membership Pricing
In an attempt to make comparisons easier with other destination clubs, Quintess, LRW has reworked their membership plans, giving members more flexibility to create a membership plan suited…
The Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Appoints Stephanie Papaioannou To Managing Director
Stephanie Papaioannou, one of the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club's most popular and longest tenured executives, has been promoted to serve as Managing Director of the world's largest…
The Destination Club Experience For Children
A father dives into a lake with his two young sons. Another walks the golf course with his school aged daughter, oversized bag in tow. An entire family runs the beach as the waves crash…
Exclusive Resorts Members Embark On Seabourn Sojourn
Later today, nearly 450 Exclusive Resorts members will board the Seabourn Sojourn, one of the world's most luxurious cruising vessels, through the club's Once In A Lifetime program. Setting…
Featured Property: Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Sun Valley, Idaho
One of the primary perks of being a destination club member is having access to some of the world's most popular tourist areas. The pristine white sand beaches of Los Cabos. The…
The Tour Club Announces Addition of Sutton Bay To Portfolio
Just days after announcing the addition of San Martin, The PGA Tour Club has disclosed that they have added Sutton Bay, South Dakota to their collection of luxury golf destinations…
Exclusive Resorts Named Finalist For Best Company To Work For In Colorado
For the seventh consecutive year, Exclusive Resorts has surpassed the 90% mark in terms of membership satisfaction. This diligence to members seems to exist on the employee side of the coin…
Featured Property: Banyan Tree Private Collection Italy
It may be the Fourth of July, but Italy has been the object of our gaze for the prior week as readers have voted on their favorite destination club property under the Tuscan sun, pitting…
Quintess Reports On Financials and Membership Satisfaction
Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World has posted both audio and written transcripts of their annual conference call on their Members' Only website along with their 2009 audit and…
Changes Atop The Oyster Circle Executive Tree
Paul Crowe, a long time fixture at the top of The Oyster Circle, is no longer with the club following nearly five years with the Ireland based destination club.
Rocksure Property Reaches First Closing of Capital Fund
Over the past two months, Rocksure Property has received €1 million in new member subscriptions for their Capital Fund, pushing the fund to €2.1 million. With this notable achievement…
Destination Clubs in South Africa
In just a few short hours, South Africa will face off against Mexico to kick off the 2010 World Cup, one of the most highly anticipated events around the globe for its long list of…
The Markers Club Executive Visits South Africa
Just a few short weeks following the announcement of the pending launch of The Markers Club Africa, the club's CEO, Michael Broussard, has made his way to South Africa to see the new…
The Hideaways Club Creates United Arab Emirates Founding Membership Offer
Just a few short days after announcing a partnership with Etihad Airways, giving members better access to the United Arab Emirates, The Hideaways Club has announced a new Founding…
The Hideaways Club Partners With Etihad Airways
When The Hideaways Club launched in 2007, it was designed as the "club run by Europeans, for Europeans." Since their humble beginning, The Hideaways Club has become one of the most…
The Hideaways Club Partners With Shangri-La Hotels
The Hideaways Club, Europe's largest destination club in terms of members and residences, has announced a new partnership with Shangri-La Hotels, giving members additional vacation options…
The Markers Club Africa Poised To Launch
The Markers Club, a destination club centered primarily on giving members access to premiere golf destinations around the globe, is doing just that with the creation of The Markers Club…
The Discovery Club Hosts Events Throughout Seattle
Fresh off the announcement of several new properties available to members, The Discovery Club is hitting the road and will be in Seattle for over a week to educate potential members on the…
Destination Cellars Hosts South Africa Wine Fundraising Reception
For the second time this month, Destination Cellars, the destination club industry's only wine themed travel club, will host a private wine event. Earlier in the month, the club provided…
Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Adds 22 European Villas
Members of the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club have long been able to exchange a portion of their annual allotment of nights to safari through Africa, visit Antarctica, or even climb…
High Country Club Properties Net Over Four Million At Auction
Once one of the most popular destination clubs in the industry, blending luxury vacation properties with an entry price point lower than some of their competitor's annual dues, High Country…
Destination Cellars Launches New Online Wine Portal
In their continued attempt to provide members with exclusive access to some of the world's finest wines, Destination Cellars has launched their new proprietary online portal, allowing…
Exclusive Resorts Announces 2011 Once in a Lifetime Journeys
Fresh off adding ten new Las Vegas properties to their ever expanding portfolio of residences, Exclusive Resorts has introduced the destinations for their popular 2011 Once in a Lifetime…
Exclusive Resorts Adds Ten Residences In Las Vegas
Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club in terms of members and properties, will soon be unveiling ten new residences in Sin City, each with views over the lights of the…
Banyan Tree Private Collection Partners With Habitat For Humanity
Earlier this week, Banyan Tree Private Collection hosted an exclusive cocktail reception where the destination club made a "major announcement" regarding their Corporate Social…
Destination Club Memberships On The Resale Market
Tax day has arrived and no matter if they filed months ago or if they are waiting until the last minute, multiple luxury travelers are taking a closer look at their finances, including…
Equity Estates Adds Dennis Rasmussen To Executive Team
Opening day festivities are in full celebration throughout Major League Baseball and have even trickled down to the destination club industry as Equity Estates has announced that they have…
LUXLife Unveils Equity Shares Villa Memberships
LUXLife has announced that they have introduced their first phase of "Equity Shares Villa Memberships." These equity shares will be available at the club's oceanfront villa at the St. Regis…
Annika Sorenstam Partners With The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and the world's most accomplished female golfer, Annika Sorenstam, have announced a new partnership that will make the Hall of Fame golfer an ambassador…
The Markers Club Members Only Lounge Tour
Long based out of Utah, The Markers Club recently made the move down to Arizona, arguably the best area in the United States for world-class golf. We visited the club last week at their new…
Rocksure Property Closes In On Full Bravo Fund Subscription
Rocksure Property, one of Europe's fastest growing destination clubs, will soon reach full subscription of their second offering, the Bravo Fund. At present, just 1.5 units remain before…
Quintess and Destination Cellars Partner
Destination Cellars, the industry's only wine and food themed destination club, has announced yet another partnership with one of the leading players in the sector: Quintess, The Leading…
The Hideaways Club Confirms Price Increase
Last month, we discussed how The Hideaways Club planned a price increase following a string of notable achievements. Now Stephen Wise, the club's CEO, has confirmed the upcoming price…
Ultimate Escapes Suspended From NYSE and Postpones Secondary Public Offering
Due to "difficult market conditions," Ultimate Escapes has announced that it has postponed their secondary public offering of shares of its common stock and the company's shares will be…
The Markers Club Branches Out
Once known as the only destination club to focus on golf, The Markers Club can also know be known as the only destination club with their own magazine and soon will be the first with their…
Albanians Convicted of Murder Alongside Destination Club Executive
In what will hopefully be the last chapter in a brutal story on the fringe of the destination club industry, two Albanian laborers, Robert Baxhiji and Ylli Xhelo, have been found guilty of…
Exclusive Resorts Reaches 100,000 Vacations
Just weeks shy of the seven year anniversary of their first membership sale, Exclusive Resorts has passed their 100,000th vacation, the only destination club to reach such a mark. The trip…
Destination Club News Creates Discussion Forum
The destination club industry has entered into a new era. During a recent discussion with one club executive, we were told that questions from prospective members once ranged from "How many…
M Private Residences Opens Up Secondary Sales Channel
Canada's largest destination club, M Private Residences, has opened up a secondary market that will allow new members the ability to procure memberships at steep discounts and let members…
The PGA Tour Club Tees Off
The fusion of the PGA Tour brand and the experience of Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World comes the world's newest destination club, the PGA Tour Club.
The Markers Club and Destination Cellars Partner
Two niche destination clubs have formed an alliance, combining the worlds of golf and wine. The Markers Club launched as the first destination club dedicated to giving members luxurious…
High Country Club Properties To Be Sold At Auction
Just after the one year anniversary of the High Country Club bankruptcy, it has been announced that seven of the club's former residences will be put on the auction block "regardless of…
Exclusive Resorts Closes 2009 On A High Note
Christmas spending may have been down for 2009, but don't tell that to Exclusive Resorts who finished with their strongest sales numbers of the year last month.
Banyan Tree Private Collection and The Hideaways Club Partner
Banyan Tree Private Collection and The Hideaways Club, two of the most global destination clubs in the industry, have announced a partnership that will allow members of their respective…
Grand Resort Properties Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Grand Resort Properties, a small destination club based out of Omaha, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. By the end of 2007, Grand Resort Properties had roughly 35 equity members, but…
Quintess Recognized As 2009 Destination Club of the Year
When looking back on the destination club industry in 2009, many may gravitate towards the negatives. High Country Club and Solstice Collection filed for bankruptcy and slow sales…
Equity Estates and The Hideaways Club Announce Strategic Alliance
Just shy of the one year anniversary of the Quintess and The Oyster Circle strategic partnership that allowed members of both clubs reciprocal access to the other club's collection of…
Exclusive Resorts Steve Case Appears on CNBC
Today, AOL Co-Founder and former Chairman and CEO Steve Case appeared on CNBC to discuss his various ventures under Revolution, including Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination…
2009 Destination Club Review
When 2009 began, The LUSSO Collection had just filed for bankruptcy and High Country Club had been restructuring their ailing club for months. New clubs like Botiga and Diamante Residences…
2009
Equity Estates Hits The Road
Equity Estates has begun a 20 city tour to help continue the impressive growth the club has seen over the past year with a reception at The St. Regis in their hometown of Atlanta. Over the…
The Hideaways Club Opens New Asia Office
Just days after The Hideaways Club added Phuket to their list of luxury vacation properties available to members, Europe's leading destination club has announced that they have established…
Ultimate Escapes Completes Private Escapes Merger
Two weeks removed from the announcement that Ultimate Escapes and Secure America Acquisition Corporation had signed an agreement that would make them the first publicly traded destination…
The Hideaways Club Introduces Two Properties In South Africa
The Hideaways Club, once described as the "club run by Europeans, for Europeans," has added two new residences to their growing portfolio in South Africa: Villa Arabella and Villa Steenberg.
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Redefines The Model
Ask the former members of High Country Club and LUSSO what the major problem with their clubs were, and most will probably indicate the security of their membership deposits. With real…
ARDA President Howard Nusbaum Discusses Destination Clubs
"Ten years ago I was on an airplane, and I was sitting next to someone who asks what I do for a living. I told him, 'I work for a resort development.' He told me that he was interested but…
The Markers Club Relaunches
"We've had some organizational changes and we have a new private equity firm involved with our club," began President and CEO of The Markers Club, Michael Broussard in an interview with The…
Yellowstone Club World Forced Into Involuntary Bankruptcy Liquidation
Creditors of Yellowstone Club World, a spinoff destination club of the Yellowstone Club, have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Filed on behalf of four creditors claiming $4.65…
One Key World Ceases Operations
One Key World, a destination club blending the shared travel experience with the fractional jet card model, has ceased operations as first reported by our friends at SherpaReport.
Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World and The Oyster Circle Announce Strategic Alliance
Members of Both Destination Clubs Will Have Greater Choice of Luxury Vacation Homes & Destinations
Ultimate Escapes Charges Members Special Assessment
During 2008, the Dow dropped over 30%, real estate values plummeted, and unemployment soared. Within the destination club sector, The LUSSO Collection filed for bankruptcy, High Country…
2008
Destination Club Famous Sports Members and Partnerships
The Rays and Phillies have just concluded the World Series. Football powerhouses are already jockeying for playoff position in the NFL. Hopes are high for everyone as basketball and hockey…
High Country Club Plans Restructuring
The slumping economy and real estate market have led High Country Club to make numerous policy changes to transition to become "self sufficient" and rely on membership annual dues and not…
Vita Luxury Destination Club Closes
Vita Luxury, a self proclaimed "Destination Club 2.0," is no longer in operation. E-mails were bounced back and phones at Vita Luxury were not operational. Their website design firm…
Abercrombie & Kent Unveils Extreme Adventures
Less than three weeks after the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club launch, Abercrombie & Kent corporate announces the launch of 17 new worldwide journeys branded as "Extreme Adventures."
One Key Executive to Speak at Industry Conference
Industry leaders will gather in Miami, Florida on May 29, 2008 for the Second Annual Destination Club & Private Residence Club Industry Symposium. Located at the Trump International Beach…
Solstice Announces Ownership Restructuring
Solstice, the leading second-home destination club, announced that Graham Kos, Solstice founder, and outside investors have purchased a controlling interest in the company. The stake was…
One Key Appoints New England Vice President of Sales
One Key is pleased to announce David M. Burg has been named Vice President of Sales for the New England region. With his office in the corporate headquarters of Mansfield, Mr. Burg will be…
2007
2006
Solstice Collection and Parallel Announce Merger
In a merger of equals, Solstice Collection and Parallel, the industry's two largest ultra-luxury clubs, have joined forces to create a singularity at the top of the destination club sector.
Tanner & Haley Files For Bankruptcy
Industry titan, Tanner & Haley, widely known as the creator of the destination club concept, has filed for Chapter 11 protection in Connecticut's bankruptcy court today. As the industry's…