|
News for the Hospitality Executive |
| ORLANDO, Fla. – September 14, 2009 – Today, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, formerly The Ritz-Carlton Club, proudly commemorates its 10th anniversary. Introduced in 1999 as a fractional, second home alternative, this exclusive Club provides Members and their families with a lifetime of luxury vacation experiences and the renowned services of The Ritz-Carlton. With this milestone, the brand has also evolved relaunching as The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. The new equity-based membership program not only offers the industry-leading fractional ownership interests now known as Home Club Membership, but also a deeded, points-based Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of premier destinations and accommodations from one- to four-bedroom residences. An industry defining vacation option, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an incomparable experience tailored to each Member’s needs and expectations and creates vacation memories that last a lifetime. Further adding to its achievements in 2009, The Club was named top “Fractional” vacation home purveyor in the world for Robb Report’s 21st annual “Best of the Best” issue. “Our decade-long success is an acknowledgement of the legendary service commitment, as well as the intimate and rewarding, one-to-one relationships we’ve developed with our Members,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company). “We continue to surpass Member expectations by creating extraordinary experiences, heightened levels of personal service and new membership options like Portfolio Membership.” The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Members enjoy vacationing in some of the most sought-after and inspiring destinations. The first two locations announced in 1999 were Aspen Highlands, Colo. and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I, offering early Members the best in ski and sun. The brand has since debuted premier properties in Bachelor Gulch, Colo.; Jupiter, Fla.; San Francisco; and Abaco, The Bahamas, as well as the recent opening of Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii, in May, followed by the opening of Lake Tahoe, Calif. at the end of this year. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Members with a Home Club preference enjoy up to 35 days of pre-reserved access at their specific Club annually, and can also use a portion of their time at other locations on a reciprocal use basis in accordance with reservation procedures. Home Club prices range from approximately $100,000 to the low $800,000s per deeded interest. The Portfolio Membership option allows the ultimate flexibility for the Member who prefers a different experience each time they travel. For example, a Member may decide to use a four-bedroom residence in Abaco, The Bahamas for a family celebration and use a one-bedroom in San Francisco for a romantic getaway. When choosing from the collection of residences, each is assigned a varying nightly point value. Portfolio Membership pricing starts at $130,000 for 5,000 annual Club points. At The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, the Member experience is the essence of the company. The Ladies and Gentlemen enjoy welcoming Members and their family and friends back again and again. The following examples explain how Members from the two original Ritz-Carlton Destination Club properties have enjoyed their memberships year after year. Carol Kadison and her husband, Douglas, have been Members at The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands since 2001. “During the tour of a residence, my husband blurted out, ‘I’ll take it.’ It was a very spur of the moment decision. But, we enjoy it…it feels like we’re coming home,” commented Kadison. “St. Thomas is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” said Dr. Michael Kinnard, Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Member who purchased four total interests between Bachelor Gulch and St. Thomas. “We purchased three interests (Home Club) in St. Thomas so the whole family could come and enjoy the resort together. It’s become our family tradition.” This December, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lake Tahoe will open its doors in time for the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski season as part of The Club’s long-term plans to expand its portfolio of luxury destinations. Additionally, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Vail, located steps away from Lionshead, is set to open in late 2010. The addition of these two ski locations adds to the unparalleled mountain experiences currently offered to Members. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers spacious one- to four-bedroom floor plans* ranging in size from approximately 570 – 2,800 square feet of living space. Residences traditionally include a fully-equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, cookware and china; casually elegant dining room; living room with entertainment center including a gas fireplace, LCD TV, surround-sound receiver, DVD and stereo/CD players; master suites with walk-in closets; luxuriously appointed bathrooms; full-size washer and dryer; and Wi-Fi or high-speed Internet access. About The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club is an equity-based luxury destination club where Members select either a Home Club Membership which provides a titled residence and usage at a property they can return to every year, or a deeded Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of locations and experiences. Combining an innovative choice for luxury vacations at some of the most sought-after destinations in the world with the legendary services of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an inspirational vacation lifestyle tailored to each Member’s expectations. For information, please visit www.ritzcarltondestinationclub.com. The Club can also be found on Facebook and on Twitter -- @RitzCarltonClub. *Residence features vary by floor plan and location. |
| Contact: Tiffany Pritchett / Caitlin Levens The Zimmerman Agency 850.668.2222 [email protected] [email protected] . |