Timeshare Information

Bluegreen Vacations, a leading provider of vacation experiences, will make a $5,000 corporate donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to assist with care for those displaced by Hurricane Sandy, Bluegreen President and CEO John M. Maloney Jr. has announced.

In addition, the company will match personal donations by its associates made by November 30, 2012- dollar for dollar- up to $5,000.

A handful of resorts that are either owned by or affiliated with the vacation club experienced the wrath of Sandy first hand: The Soundings and The Breakers in Dennisport, MA, The Manhattan Club in New York City, Patrick Henry Square in Williamsburg, VA., Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville, VA., and Atlantic Palace in Atlantic City, NJ.

“Many Bluegreen associates in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast took great precautions before the storm to protect our resort owners and guests, even as they took steps to safeguard themselves and their loved ones,” Maloney said.

“They showed great care and compassion. Now it’s our opportunity—and responsibility—to show compassion.”

The American Red Cross has provided more than 23,000 overnight shelter stays since October 26, 2012, two days before Sandy made landfall. The storm has affected 60 million people across an area the Red Cross described as “about the size of Europe.”

Bluegreen Vacations hosts owners and guests at several resorts in the affected area, including Bluegreen at Atlantic Palace on the hard-hit Atlantic City, N.J., Boardwalk.

Contributions to the American National Red Cross are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Red Cross’ tax identification number is 53-0196605. For more information, visit the Red Cross web site. 

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation is a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company. Bluegreen Resorts manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 160,000 owners, over 60 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide.

Photo Credit: nj.com

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group announced the addition of six Village Center resorts located in four regions of France: Normandy, Dordogne, Languedoc, and the Oriental Pyrenees.

All are new, purpose built properties primarily concentrated in the southern part of the country that borders the northern Mediterranean coastline.

“Village Center has been developing and operating great holiday accommodation in popular destinations throughout France for more than 35 years,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval's senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

“We’re thrilled that they have expanded into shared ownership and chosen Interval to provide exchange and leisure benefits to their owners.”

The resorts have gained the distinguished Clef Verte label, the global Green Key eco-rating, in recognition of the developers’ efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Each destination is strategically located to allow visitors easy access to the cultural activities of the surrounding region, as well as the natural landscapes and sporting activities.

The four properties that opened this summer include:
1. Le Clos du Rocher is situated in Les Eyzies de Tayac, the heart of the Dordogne, an area renowned for its dramatic landscape and UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric sites.

2. Les Demeures Torrellanes is less than two miles from Saint-Cyprien in the Oriental Pyrénées between Spain and Andorra — close to prime beaches on the Mediterranean.

3. Côte Vermeille, Les Demeures de la Massane is Located at the southernmost point of France, within 20 minutes of Perpignan, at the foot of the Albères mountains.

4. Côté Green (see photo) sits on an 18-hole golf course in the 444-acre Domaine de Fontcaude greenbelt located in the town of Juvignac in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Scheduled to open in 2013:
5. Le Domaine de la Corniche will be situated in the Calvados region of Normandy, famed for its cider and gastronomy, as well as beautiful landscapes, sandy beaches, and historic sites. Located minutes from the town of Deauville, it will be convenient to the iconic Mont St. Michel and other points of interest.

6. Domaine de Bacchus will be located steps from the centre of the town of Saint Christol in the Languedoc region. The Provençal-style resort is situated less than half a mile from Saint Christol’s winery cooperative.

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands offers vacation exchange services to owners at all nine Macdonald resorts throughout the United Kingdom and Spain.

In addition, RCI also manages and services Macdonald’s white-label points-based program, Options Vacation Club, through the RCI Points® program.

“Working with RCI has helped us offer a more flexible and diverse vacation experience to our owners, giving them access to more than 4,000 terrific vacation resorts around the world,” said Simon Jackson, chief executive with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

“At RCI, we take great pride in the relationships we forge with our clients and are continually looking for ways to provide even more value-added services,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “That is why it is so rewarding to play an increased role with an affiliate like Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. It speaks to the strong relationships we develop with our affiliates.”

With 40 hotels and nine resorts in England, Scotland, Wales and Spain, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel chains in the UK. Approximately 23,000 customers enjoy the benefits of vacation ownership at the luxurious Macdonald resorts throughout the UK.

Macdonald’s mix of resorts offers a wide range of high-quality vacation experiences from golf and tennis outings to fishing and skiing excursions, and from relaxing beach and spa getaways to fine dining and family fun.

A variety of vacation products are available including professionally managed and serviced one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, chalets or villas.

In addition, Macdonald has developed the Vital brand for its health and fitness clubs and spas. There are currently 28 clubs in the Macdonald portfolio, with a total membership in the region of approximately 12,000.

The Group has nine golf courses over six locations and has engaged Sandy Lyle, winner of two major golf championships as golf ambassador and non executive director of Macdonald Golf.

Dial An Exchange, one of the nation’s largest independent vacation exchange organizations, offers properties in premium vacation destinations from British Columbia to Florida.

Commented Tanya Bleuel, Director of Yield Management for DAE, “We have members that often have their hearts set on a certain vacation destination, but found that there were no timeshare resorts in that location or there was limited availability.

“We also learned that many of our members were purchasing additional accommodations to extend their annual vacation and often paid as much as $2,000 per week for their accommodations.

“We created daeOptions by forming alliances with non-timeshare resorts to allow our members to rent or exchange their timeshare week for a seven-night stay and ultimately enjoy a vacation in their dream destination.”

DAE members can rent daeOptions weeks at highly discounted prices or they can exchange into any daeOptions property by depositing their timeshare week and paying an exchange fee from $350 to $450.

Added Bleuel, “This program opens a world of vacationing options to our members. Whether the member exchanges or rents at members’ only prices, they are getting a great deal.”

New daeOptions resort destinations include Whistler, BC (see top photo); Chicago, IL; Cambridge, MD; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; St. Petersburg, FL; Braintree, MA; Anchorage, AK, Oahu, HI; and Orlando, FL.

During the past decade as Dial An Exchange has dramatically grown worldwide, the no-membership-fee company has continued to offer a host of vacationing options to its membership. Internationally known and respected for providing exceptional customer service, DAE is the largest privately owned exchange company with worldwide destination availability.

DAE has grown from a single office in Australia to offices in Europe, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa and Asia, and the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: bcadventures.com

With the addition of the Ananta Spa and Resorts, The Aranyawas Resort and The Summer Plaza Resort in May, RCI’s India exchange network now numbers over 100 properties.

“We are delighted to welcome these three charming resorts into the RCI network,” said Radhika Shastry, managing director, RCI India.

1. Ananta Spa and Resorts (see photo) is a sprawling nine-acre spa resort located amidst the historical landscape of Pushkar in Rajasthan. The resort has luxurious accommodations that blend nature’s delights with a modern look conceived in minimalist vision. Each villa has a spacious living room on the ground floor that opens onto lush manicured greens with an attached open-to-sky bathroom surrounded by waterfalls. 

The resort features a spacious health club with an outdoor pool, spa, steam room, gym, massage rooms and beauty treatment rooms, as well as a lounge bar and an all-day dining restaurant. Camel and desert safaris, camp fires and colorful folk dancers capture the essence of Rajasthan.

2. The Aranyawas Resort is located in Ranakpur, Rajasthan, home to the renowned Jain marble temple. This resort, set in the wilderness of the Aravali mountain range, offers an intimate guest experience with the highest level of service.

The cottages and rooms have magnificent views of the valley and river. The interiors, while painted in rustic colors, are modern and include walk-in dressing rooms.

3. The Summer Plaza Resort is located in Maharashtra among the enchanting Panchgani hills, providing RCI members in western India with a wonderful drive-to holiday destination. It spans five acres of luscious green fauna and is located adjacent to the Saputara Lake, inviting guests to relish a unique form of luxury.

The resort offers limitless entertainment options with its temperature controlled swimming pool, movie theater, hi-tech gym, discotheque, Jacuzzi and spa. Outdoor sporting activities such as boating, parasailing and other water sport options are also available.

Achieving the 100-property milestone is of even greater significance as RCI celebrates its twentieth year of operation in India this year. In 1992, RCI established a small office, manned by a staff of five with a common vision of bringing memorable holiday experiences to Indian families.

In that first year, RCI signed three affiliations in India. Today, the office has grown and now successfully manages relationships with developers who together bring RCI members a choice of more than 100 affiliated vacation properties in India.

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, is affiliated with Velence Resort on the shore of Lake Velence, 37 miles (60 km) south of Hungary’s capital, Budapest.

“Velence Resort is a one-of-a-kind property midway between Budapest and the popular resort town of Lake Balaton,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval’s senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

“Our members who are looking for a rejuvenating holiday off the beaten path will enjoy the resort’s private beach and impressive wellness facility.”

The timeshare units have private balconies, fully equipped kitchenettes, satellite TVs, and Internet access. From the grassy beach and boardwalk of the resort, guests have panoramic views of Lake Velence, Hungary’s third largest lake. Covering 10 square miles (27 sq km), it is one of the warmest natural lakes in Europe, with an average water temperature of 80oF (27oC) during the summer, and is renowned for its healing properties.

The wellness facility features three mineral pools filled from the resort’s own thermal spring. For intense detoxification, there are many types of saunas as well as steam cabinets, plunge pool, and an invigorating ice cascade. A whirlpool bath provides extended relaxation and a Tepidarium, a high humidity salt chamber, and Kneipp Bath, a pool of knee-high cold water lined with round pebbles, are available for treating specific aliments.

Guest also may book water-based thalassotherapy body treatments and facials and choose from a dozen styles of massage. The on-site facility also hosts a full schedule of classes along with personal training services.

In addition to the spa, the resort has a number of on-site amenities such as a bicycle trail, clubhouse, marina, restaurant, and beach bar.

The child-friendly environment includes playrooms, a children’s pool, a playground, and children’s programs during peak season.

“We’re proud to add our unique imprint to Interval International’s quality worldwide exchange network,” said Gabor Toth, managing director of Inseln Kft, the developer of the resort.

“We pride ourselves in taking relaxation and rejuvenation to a new level. In this peaceful and natural environment, we invite Interval members to indulge in a spectrum of healing treatments and special services at our resort and spa.”

Photo Credit: velenceresort.com
Photo Credit: visit-hungary.com

Marriott Vacation Club is hard at work on construction of the third tower at Marriott’s Grand Chateau, located at 75 East Harmon Avenue just off the world famous Las Vegas Strip.

Maintaining the design inspiration of Southern France from the existing two towers, the 37-story, third tower will add 223 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas for a total of 643 villas at the property with occupancy beginning in mid-2014.

The third tower villas incorporate a spacious and contemporary design ranging in size from approximately 820 to 2,095 square feet. Each villa will typically feature mahogany stained furniture and armoires with backlit, frosted glass paneled doors and cabinetry and granite surfaces. Neutral beige walls provide the perfect backdrop to display bold colors of blue, gold, red and brown in fabrics, tapestries, tile, and bedding accents.

Villas also have fully equipped kitchens, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and custom cabinets; generous living and dining areas; luxurious bedding; multiple flat-panel LED televisions with Blu-ray DVD players; washer/dryer and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Three-bedroom villas can accommodate 10 guests.

“We’re excited about our construction on the third tower at this spectacular property in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip,” said Lee Cunningham, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation.

 “Our Owners and guests around the world will enjoy these new villas and high-end amenities further enhancing their vacation experiences at Marriott’s Grand Chateau,” said Cunningham.

Adding to the existing amenities in the first two towers, the third tower brings on a lobby lounge that will offer top shelf cocktails and tapas, a billiards area with electronic game tables and a cafe that will serve up gourmet Panini’s, pastries, gelato and coffees.

The fifth floor provides access to the property’s second and larger pool with a built-in sun shelf and chaise lounges for relaxing in the water, a pool deck with two whirlpool spas and a pool bar and grill.

With panoramic views of The Strip, the property overlooks the spectacular CityCenter Las Vegas and is within walking distance to many of the finest casinos, shows, shopping and dining on Las Vegas Boulevard.