Timeshare Information

This spring Marriott hosted its 16th Annual Caring Classic corporate charity golf tournament, raising a net donation of more than $170,000 for Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

This represents a cumulative total of nearly $1.8 million in funds raised since the tournament’s inception that directly benefit the young patients of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and Shands Hospital for Children at the University of Florida.

“Each Marriott associate is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work,” said Stephen P. Weisz, president and chief executive officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide.

“Since our company’s inception in 1984, we have been passionate supporters of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The commitment of our associates and valued partners continue to help make a difference in the lives of so many of Central Florida’s children,” Weisz said.

This year’s tournament took place at Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club, part of the Marriott Vacations Club timeshare resort Marriott’s Grande Vista, where representatives of 84 Marriott partner companies contributed to the tournament’s success.

Over 80 Marriott associate volunteers and golf staff provided an exceptional on-course hospitality and golf experience for the participants.

“As the newest member of the Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals team I was overwhelmed by the commitment of the Marriott associates,” said Molly Piveral, manager Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“Every dollar raised plays a role in helping the families we serve. Without the unselfish dedication of Marriott, we would not be successful. It is with deep heartfelt gratitude I say thank you.”

This year’s tournament was part of Marriott’s overall commitment to the expansion of The Alexander Center for Neonatology at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Over the next four years, the company has committed to raise more than $1 million through existing and new CMN Hospitals fundraising activities benefiting the tiniest lives in Central Florida.

In recognition for reaching this goal, a portion of the neonatology unit expansion will be recognized as the “Marriott Vacations Worldwide NICU-POD” which will memorialize the company’s long-standing commitment to children, especially the very tiniest newborns.

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, the iconic Carlsbad timeshare resort and hotel managed by Grand Pacific Resort Management, was host to four students and three chaperones from Futtsu, Japan. Futtsu and Carlsbad are celebrating their 25th Anniversary as Sister Cities.

 “We are proud to be the first stop for these enthusiastic young people,” said Randy Chapin, General Manager of the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort.

The group from Japan has a full slate of activities including a meeting with the city’s mayor Matt Hall, an All-American BBQ at a private home, visits to the world-famous Flower Fields and Gemological Institute (GIA), LEGOLAND®, and the Carlsbad Outlet Mall.

According to Tom Hersant, President of Carlsbad Sister City Ambassadors, the reaction to Carlsbad has been “dizzyingly pleasant. We started their trip with a stay at one of the area’s best properties, and the Carlsbad Inn of course was tailor made for the task. We are proud that one of the former visitors we have hosted has even been a mayoral candidate in his home town of Futtsu.” 

Other activities lined up for this jam-packed tour include a meeting with the Japanese Counsel and visit to the Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, a Petco Park tour and an interview with Carlsbad High School TV. 

During the tsunami relief efforts La Costa Elementary School raised $1000 for Futtsu and this year these Japanese students were able to visit the students at the school. They brought with them Japanese text books as a gift on behalf of the grateful citizens of Carlsbad’s Sister City.

“We are pleased to represent our community in this important effort to build relationships worldwide,” said Chapin.

"In fact, we will also shortly play host to our other sister city’s Lord Mayor. Carlsbad was named after Karloby Vary in the Czech Republic and its leadership will be our guests when they come here,” Chapin said.

Award-winning Grand Pacific Resort Management (Carlsbad, California) is one of the oldest and largest vacation ownership companies based in California. Serving over 60,000 owner-families every year, GPRM has developed and manages 18 resorts in the United States and Canada.

Bluegreen Vacations has announced the purchase of The Club at Big Bear Village, a premiere timeshare resort property located in Big Bear, CA, approximately 90 minutes east of Los Angeles.

“Adding The Club at Big Bear Village to our collection of resorts just made sense,” said David Pontius, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer; President, Bluegreen Services at Bluegreen Corporation.

“We have been looking for the opportunity to further our westward expansion and the accommodations and amenities offered by The Club at Big Bear Village are ideal for our vacation club owners. It’s a perfect four-season destination that nicely compliments our Las Vegas and Phoenix properties, offering a unique and very special experience,” said Pontius.

The resort is located on Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest and has been referred to as an “ultra luxurious base camp to all the mountain and lake adventures that Big Bear offers.”

Bluegreen Vacation Club owners initially will have access to yet to be sold inventory in 14 three-and-four bedroom presidential units richly appointed with sub-zero kitchen appliances, Jacuzzi™ baths and steam showers, HD big screen TVs and more.

A handful of unit shellswere built, but not completed or furnished. Bluegreen is currently in the process of completing those units, with the intention of adding them to the available inventory by 2013. In addition, “a master plan for future development” of the property is in the works, for which Bluegreen will be selecting developer partners.

The Club at Big Bear Village was previously positioned as a fractional offering, designed to appeal to the Los Angeles drive-in market. As part of the transition, Bluegreen has worked closely with the existing owners at large as well as their association board to explain the company’s intentions.

“Dealing with high-end fractional owners as a timeshare company can be challenging,” Pontius said. “After all is said and done, we think the existing owners will really be pleased with what we bring to the table, and we know that existing Bluegreen Vacation Club owners will appreciate one more resort at which they can vacation and build memories.”

Bluegreen Corporation, a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company, has announced that Gary Byrd has joined the Company to serve in the newly created position of Chief Hospitality Officer, and Senior Vice President overseeing Resort Operations and Development.

Mr. Byrd will be responsible for integrating Bluegreen’s Resorts Services, and Design and Construction operations as part of the Company’s continuing efforts to provide the highest level of hospitality in the industry.

Mr. Byrd joins Bluegreen from Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the industry’s largest developer and marketer of vacation ownership products, where he served as Executive Vice President, Hospitality Services from 2007-2011. He joined Wyndham in October 2006 as Senior Vice President, Operations.

Prior to that, Mr. Byrd held several leadership positions with Hilton Grand Vacation Club, most recently as Senior Vice President, Resort Operations. His previous resort management experience includes senior leadership positions with Promus Hotel Corporation at properties located in Myrtle Beach, Kansas City and New Orleans. Mr. Byrd served as a member of the United States Army during Desert Storm.

David Pontius, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, and President, Bluegreen Services, commented, “I am very pleased to welcome Gary to Bluegreen Resorts. Bluegreen has committed to a long-term strategy of being a pure-play vacation ownership, resort and hospitality company, and we believe that Gary’s background, experience, and accomplishments make him uniquely qualified to help lead those efforts.”

“It is an exciting time for Bluegreen Resorts, and I look forward to partnering with the Company’s talented team of professionals to further strengthen our industry position, brand awareness, and reputation,” said Byrd.

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation is the leader in providing “Colorful Places to Live and Play®” through its vacation ownership resort and residential real estate businesses. Bluegreen Resorts manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, real estate-based vacation ownership plan with more than 160,000 owners, over 56 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide.

Silverleaf Resorts, Inc., a leader in the development, marketing and operation of timeshare resorts, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by SL Resort Holdings Inc., an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

The transaction has been approved by Silverleaf’s Board of Directors, and the Board will be recommending that Silverleaf’s shareholders approve the transaction. Under the agreement, Silverleaf shareholders will receive, at the closing, $2.50 in cash for each share of Silverleaf common stock they own, representing a premium of approximately 75% based on the closing trading price of $1.43 of Silverleaf common stock on February 3, 2011. Cerberus has agreed to provide equity financing for the full amount of the merger consideration.

Thomas Morris, Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Strategic Planning of Silverleaf, said, “Our Board of Directors and our management team believe that following a review of strategic alternatives this merger transaction is the best approach to maximize shareholder value and is in the best interests of Silverleaf’s shareholders, timeshare owners, and employees. We look forward to working with Cerberus to effect a smooth transition.”

“Cerberus is pleased to be investing in a company with an outstanding management team and proven track-record of success in the vacation ownership industry,” said Timothy F. Price, a Cerberus Managing Director and spokesman. “The family of resorts under the Silverleaf banner has a long history of providing members with convenient, high-quality vacation experiences at affordable prices. We look forward to supporting the Company’s management team and dedicated employees as they work to ensure that the Company’s members continue to enjoy great vacations for years to come.”

Silverleaf has engaged Gleacher & Company Securities, Inc. as its financial advisor in connection with the proposed merger.

The Silverleaf Board of Directors has received an opinion from Gleacher & Company Securities, Inc., that the consideration to be paid to Silverleaf shareholders in the transaction is fair from a financial point of view.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the Company’s shareholders. Silverleaf intends to hold a special meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of approving the merger as promptly as possible. Upon completion of the transaction, Silverleaf will become a private company, wholly-owned by Cerberus, and its common stock will no longer be traded on NASDAQ.

Robert E. Mead, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Silverleaf, has entered into a Voting Agreement with Cerberus pursuant to which he has agreed to vote shares beneficially owned by him representing 24.5% of the outstanding shares of Silverleaf in favor of the transaction.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has just introduced its newest facility in Park City, Utah. Hyatt Escala Lodge opened on November 23, 2010. The ski-in, ski-out condominium hotel property is located at the base of the Sunrise Chairlift in the Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, the largest ski and snowboard area in Utah with 4,000 skiable acres.

Hyatt Escala Lodge brings a new level of sophistication to the destination. The resort is reminiscent of the Grand European lodges of a bygone era, with native mountain stonework and timber frame construction.

Hyatt Escala Lodge at Park City consists of 85 spacious condominiums, which can be divided into 178 residential-style, hotel suites ranging in size from one-bedroom units at 680 square feet to four-bedroom units with 2,810 square feet. The suites feature mountain view balconies, living and dining rooms, fully equipped gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, alder cabinets, extensive millwork, and hardwood flooring, as well as in-suite washers and dryers. With stone fireplaces in all living rooms and in most master bedrooms, and custom stone flooring, jetted tubs, and European frameless showers in the bathrooms, guests will experience a sophisticated escape.

"We are thrilled to add Hyatt Escala Lodge at Park City to our strong portfolio of hotels in the Mountain West. Park City is a spectacular year round resort destination offering a wide variety of activities, which complement the natural beauty of the surroundings. The location and quality of Hyatt Escala Lodge will appeal to travelers who want to experience a mountain getaway in any season," said Chuck Floyd, chief operating officer, North American operations, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. "We look forward to offering guests of Hyatt Escala Lodge the level of service and authentic hospitality that Hyatt guests have come to expect."

Hyatt Escala Lodge is 30 minutes from The Salt Lake City International Airport and Heber Valley Airport (Russ McDonald Field), which accommodates private jet service. The hotel is only minutes from downtown Park City's historic Main Street and the other two major ski resorts in the area, Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort.

Hyatt Escala Lodge is part of one of the most popular ski destinations in the world. During the summer months the resort will be an ideal base for exploring Park City and enjoying its many outdoor summer activities such as golf, fly fishing, and mountain biking.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family in 45 countries strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality.

(Photo credit - escalalodge.hyatt.com)

In the second of our two-part series on safety tips for traveling with children, we will pass along suggestions by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) on how to be prepared for an actual visit to the Emergency Room. Hopefully your summer timeshare family vacation will be enjoyable and go off without a hitch, but knowing what to expect if you do take a detour to the hospital will help you meet the situation calmly and with confidence.
If you do have to visit the Emergency Room, the ENA offers these tips:

1. If possible, research the Emergency Departments or walk-in clinics in the area you’ll be visiting before you go. You can get the names of the facilities from your timeshare resort concierge, and most facilities have online web sites. Those located in seasonal vacation destinations may only be open part of the year. Find out where they’re located and what their capabilities are. Some Emergency Rooms may also list estimated wait times on their web sites.


2. “We tend to trust parents as far as their child’s vaccination history goes,” says Deena Brecher, E.R. Clinical Nurse Specialist at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. “But if they have any medical problems, especially complicated things, it’s always good to take a copy of their medical records with you.” If your child (or senior) has seen more than one doctor or specialist, be sure to have phone numbers for all of them.


3. You should know about any allergies of the people you are traveling with, and be sure to bring along a list of medications and the dosages of each medication they take.


4. If your child is with a relative or another adult, make sure they know how to reach you. Emergency Departments need consent from a parent or guardian to treat a child, so you should be accessible by phone or have gone through the proper steps to give someone else the power to make medical decisions.


5. If your child is especially young, try to remember to grab a favorite teddy bear or doll. Having this "friend" to hug can go a long way toward calming the child, which goes a long way toward allowing the medical personnel to give optimal care in as short a time as possible.

All of these tips are also good to know for any seniors with whom you may also be traveling, especially if they have given Durable Power of Attorney or Medical Power of Attorney to someone else.

Read our previous article: Safety Tips for Traveling with Children – Part 1

If you stayed at the Casa Dorada Resort & Spa recently, you may have noticed that your room was installed with the Roomlinx iTV product.

Roomlinx was founded in 1998 and now serves 30,000 hotel rooms providing online media and entertainment solutions for guests. Roomlinx offers resort guests access to Television, Web, movies, High Definition content, and guest and hotel info at the touch of a button. The ability to provide a convergence of the television with computer needs, customizable for the resort is what sets this company apart.

In the case of the Casa Dorada Resort, programming in Mexico is limited and many of the free-to-guest channels are Spanish while the majority of guests are US citizens. Roomlinx gives the guest access to a broader range of entertainment and provides additional benefits for both the business and leisure traveler.

So, next time you rent a timeshare, check and see if your resort is using Roomlinx!

As you take your annual vacation to your timeshare resort this year, you may need to board an airplane to reach your final destination. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has worked hard to implement the airport security measures we all need, and at the same time to try to make our flying experience a pleasant one. With this month marking the 8th anniversary of 9-11, we are all reminded again of how the measures put in place by the TSA help us all and keep us safe.

So, what are the latest rules all airplane passengers need to know when traveling?

1. Liquids
   The “3-1-1 Rule”. If you do not want to check your luggage, the largest amount of liquids, gels and aerosols you can carry on board is 3 ounces. The “3-1-1” rule makes it easy to remember that you can carry on three (3) ounces, inside of one (1), one (1) quart zip-top bag. Simple.


2. Scanners
   The TSA has also been spending these past eight years developing new and better scanning equipment. It’s much more sophisticated now, and few people are stopped, allowing the security check lines to flow well.
   
   An exciting new scanner just being implemented by the TSA is the CastScope. This new scanner allows airport staff to easily examine casts, bandages, a brace, or even a prosthetic device, all while maintaining the dignity of the passenger. Now a passenger doesn’t have to lift clothing off of these items, nor does a prosthetic device have to be removed.


3. Nail Clippers OK?
   Also gone are the days when knitting needles were confiscated from little old ladies. You can take your knitting needles and nail clippers on board, and even scissors as long as they are wrapped securely and in your carry-on luggage. The wrap on the scissors is to prevent injury to TSA personnel who may need to search your bag.

On its blog site, the TSA states, “One of the primary goals of the Transportation Security Administration is to provide the highest level of security and customer service to all who pass through our screening checkpoints.” Check out the user-friendly and very informative TSA blog for all of your airport security questions.

(Photo provided by the TSA Blog)

Graduation celebrations are in the air. Whether you or someone you know is graduating from high school, or college, graduation is a special time that deserves a memorable event to celebrate. Getting the family together by renting a timeshare resort is a great graduation gift idea, and because timeshares are so much larger than typical hotel rooms, there will be enough room for everyone.

No matter where you live, there is sure to be a timeshare resort nearby. It may require a few hours, or a day long drive, but, that is also part of the fun of a family vacation, (and in this case celebration), adventure.

If your budget allows, you can always fly to a popular resort location, such as Lake Buena Vista, FL for such great attractions as: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld. See Lake Buena Vista timeshares. Or, try a visit to San Diego, CA and go to the Wild Animal Park, San Diego Zoo, or choose from their beautiful beaches at: La Jolla, Del Mar or Coronado. See San Diego timeshares. New York City, NY is always a popular destination with its’ great museums, Broadway Shows, Manhattan night life and fine restaurants. See New York timeshares. Or, enjoy the stunning Caribbean in the tropical setting of Cancun, Mexico. Enjoy enjoy many different activities like snorkeling, kayaking, biking, cliff jumping, and Mayan Ruins. See Cancun timeshares.

So, reward your graduate for a job well done and celebrate their bright future ahead with fun family vacation memories that will last a lifetime.

In a new study from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), ninety percent of people are suffering from “Guilty Vacation Syndrome” (GVS). Instead of looking forward to and enjoying the idea of their annual summer vacation, a recent survey conducted on ARDA's consumer Web site, VacationBetter.org, shows that people are either not taking or are delaying their summer vacation this year because of guilt. People these days are really being affected by the negative economic news. Even if their own financial situation is stable, hearing about companies cutting salaries and laying off employees leaves people feeling uneasy.
The biggest problem for those who are timeshare owners is that they already have their beautiful vacation resort waiting for them and they really want to go, but guilt and indecisiveness are taking their toll, making them feel they shouldn't take a vacation at all.
Here’s what one survey participant had to say:
“We always take two weeks at the beach each year to refresh and rejuvenate," says Pete J., a GVS sufferer. "This year we've decided to cut back since we don't want to appear insensitive to the economic situation."
"People with 'Guilty Vacation Syndrome' must put their health first," said Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. "There has been substantial research affirming the physical and mental benefits for taking time to get away and recharge. And in stressful times like these, it's even more important." It's proven that one to two weeks away from the daily routine leads to better job performance and productivity. And, happy, motivated employees are a great way to do your part to help the economy.
What ARDA’s survey is helping us understand is that stressful times call for relaxing measures. People need good thoughts and a positive outlook that planning for and using their timeshare resort can provide. Research shows that vacations are a necessity and not a luxury. Those who invest in their personal happiness reap the rewards of reduced stress, better health and stronger bonds with family and friends. So, forget the white out and keep your vacation penciled in on the calendar this summer.