Timeshare Consumer Guide
Monthly News Letter

May 2006

Welcome to the May edition of the Travel and Leisure Group monthly newsletter. The aim of the newsletter is to provide current information that may be of interest not only to buyers, owners and sellers of timeshare but to the consumer in general. We aim to provide information regarding exchanges, resorts and up to date OTE News and other reliable sources.

IN THIS EDITION

Hilton Strengthens HIGVC

Hilton International Grand Vacations Company (HIGVC) is set to become central to the Hilton Group’s newly introduced Hilton Worldwide Resorts family brand.
Significant property investment and a management restructure demonstrated the Hilton Group’s commitment to the growth of its holiday ownership division and the value it places on this market.

As further endorsement of its value, HIGVC has boosted its resort portfolio by adding to its three resorts is Scotland, (Craigendarroch, Coylumbridge, Dunkeld) and a licensed property in Egypt.
One of its two new developments is Carraig Bawn located at the Mount Wolseley Hilton in Ireland (pictured above).

The other is the Hilton Vilamoura Vacation Club – to be part of the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Resort & Spa in Portugal (pictured Right) (below is a caption taken from the Hilton website)

Golfers are spoilt for choice here. Four championship courses boast gently contouring fairways, with a peaceful backdrop of the Algarve's quintessential olive groves and protected native woodlands. The Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Resort & Spa will enjoy a supremely tranquil setting amidst these spectacular courses, offering guests access to the best golfing on the Iberian Peninsular.
Set in idyllic gardens, the new resort is paradise recreated - with enormous pools, hanging gardens, cascading waterways, lakes and grottos creating a sense of tranquillity. The modern architecture has distinctive Moorish accents, in keeping with Vilamoura's heritage, and the resort spa, with many state-of-the-art treatments, will complete this as the ultimate sanctuary in which to unwind.

Donald Trump to Develop in Scotland

Donald Trump who is half-Scottish (his mother lived on Stornaway in the Western Isles before emigrating to New York), is to develop a £500million complex.  The Development in Scotland will incorporate timeshare and whole ownership units as well as two golf courses, the first of which will open in the second half of 2008.
The development will also boast a five-star hotel and a golf academy.
The development will be on the 800 acre Menie estate outside Aberdeen, according to a statement by the development agency, Scottish Enterprise.

In addition to the hotel, Mr Trump wants to build hundreds of holiday homes and timeshare units as well as primary dwellings.

Such a development comes as no surprise as timeshare in Scotland has been hugely successful with both Hilton and De Vere leading the way.

Golf alone generates about £300million of Scotlands £4 billion annual tourism income

The Magellan

A $650 million cruise ship is offering the ultimate residence and epitome of luxury to 'fractional' owners as it circumnavigates the globe.
Anytime access: as part of the development will be a retractable marina, on-call private helicopters and 300 ports of call, giving a truly anytime access.
Facilities and services include on call housekeeping staff, a world class spa and marketplace, a 24 hour concierge staff, indoor and outdoor pools, six restaurants, a 450 seat theatre, a casino and a 8,000 sq ft greenhouse with on site horticulturalists.
Prices for the luxury floating residences start from £152,250 for one month ownership of a two bedroom unit.
The Magellan will have 200 private residences and 18 penthouses. Ownersips will be on a 100-year leasehold basis.

Hilton Formal Opening Of Hawaiian Resort

Special ceremonies have marked the official opening of Hilton Grand Vacations Company’s 30th timeshare property.
Located at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on The Big Island, it incorporates 120 units with pool bar and picnic areas with barbecue grills, whirlpool spas and a heated swimming pool with children’s area.

Hilton have strengthened their leadership in luxury developments in Hawaii with this property and the success of two prior developments.  Hilton believe Hawaii is one of the company’s mega markets.

Picture above is taken from the Hilton Website. Additional HGVC information below.

SELECTING WEEKS AND SEASONS

Vacation ownership at Hilton Grand Vacations Club resorts allows you to choose the weeks and seasons you prefer to travel to your home resort. Your specific week choice and Season Designation (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) determines the season and contributes to your purchases’ ClubPoint value, and is your currency for exchanges. Use your ClubPoints to visit your home resort, or stays at other HGVClub resorts, Hilton Hotels and RCI resorts worldwide, HGVC Club Perk choices for cruises and travel adventure, or Hilton HHonors VIP rewards.

New Product - New Quarter-Share Resort launched in the Algarve

In the sixties during the recession and at the infancy of Timeshare, French developers in the south of France explored the idea of selling luxury properties in fractions of so many months – they were called “periods” – so people less affluent could afford a share in a luxury apartment or villa, mainly set in a holiday complex. By widening the market they were able to dispose of the properties which would otherwise not have sold for many months or years.

The following passage is extracted from a press release from Interval International on May 1st 2006.
Timeshare Beat Published this press release recently.

MIAMI, FL -- Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company, has announced the affiliation of Vila Baia, Oceanico Developments' new quarter-share resort in Praia da Luz on the Portuguese Algarve. Specializing in high quality residential vacation homes, Oceanico is the market leader in the Portuguese Algarve. Vila Baia is its fourth resort in the region with further properties planned.

Vila Baia represents Oceanico's launch of a new product aimed at consumers in the UK and Ireland. Called Stepping Stones, clients can purchase three months equity share in an apartment, penthouse or townhouse on an annual rotating basis. Initially applying to Vila Baia, Stepping Stones will be expanded to incorporate new property developments as they are introduced.

For only a quarter of the price, Stepping Stones is the perfect solution for individuals who want to buy a holiday home abroad but find themselves priced out of the market. For only a quarter of the price associated with first-time purchases, Oceanico clients can take that all-important first step," said Oceanico Developments' Director Gerry Fagan. "Unlike rentals, owners of Stepping Stones properties will have their own affordable, quality home in the Algarve. By launching Stepping Stones, we have made it possible for buyers to make that first step for as little as ˆ70,000."

"We are proud to affiliate Oceanico's first shared-ownership property," said David Clifton, Interval's managing director, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. "Our members love to visit this destination and we are very pleased to add Vila Baia to our global network."

Situated in the village of Luz, Vila Baia comprises of 146 apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms. The penthouse apartments have the additional benefit of large private roof terraces and mezzanine floors. Utilising Roman and Mediterranean architectural influences, the extensive landscaping includes sunken stone walled gardens of cypress, olive and palm trees together with lavender shrubs.

Another element of the Stepping Stones package is the inclusion of a five-year upgraded membership with Interval International, the quality exchange network. This allows Oceanico clients to exchange some or all of their weeks in an Oceanico Development, for those at the other quality resorts in Interval's worldwide network. As Interval Gold Members, Vila Baia owners also receive value-added benefits, including access to specially priced travel and leisure services, quarterly travel magazines, international resort directories, personal concierge services and a host of other privileges.

Interval International, a leading vacation ownership exchange company, is celebrating 30 years of quality and innovation. Interval has a global network of more than 2,000 affiliated resorts in over 75 countries, and serves its developer clients and nearly 1.8 million member families through 28 offices in 19 countries. The company provides a variety of services and year-round travel-related benefits to enhance members' vacation experiences. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Interval International is part of IAC/InterActiveCorp, which operates leading and diversified businesses in sectors being transformed by the Internet, online and offline. Other IAC companies include Ask.com, Citysearch, Entertainment Publications, HSN, LendingTree, and Ticketmaster.

Oceanico Developments is part of the Oceanico Group, which also includes Oceanico Resorts and Oceanico Leisure. Oceanico Resorts manages the developments to four/five star standard, and offers holiday rentals at the properties. Oceanico Leisure operates the restaurant and leisure amenities, including health, beauty and sports facilities, together with local activities.

Source: Interval International

Dubai’s New 48-Storey Condo-Hotel

The Trump Organisation (as mentioned in an article above), in association with Nakheel, a premier property developer in the UAE, has announced more details of its 48-Storey, mixed-use condo hotel in Dubai.

As well as 300 guest room it will incorporate 360 freehold apartments. Trump International Hotel & Tower, The Palm Jumeirah is the initial development in Nakheel and The Trump Organization’s joint-venture in the Middle East, which includes exclusive rights for 19 countries in the Middle East region and 17 major brands. It is also the first UAE property in the portfolio of Nakheel Hotels & Resorts, Nakheel’s hotel and resort investment company, which was launched in February this year.   
On announcing the partnership in October 2005, Donald J. Trump, Chairman and President of The Trump Organization, who is known throughout the world for his luxurious real estate developments, stated that the organization’s architects and designers would engage closely with Nakheel Hotels & Resorts on the design. The results of the partnership have now been released.      
The US$600 million Trump International Hotel & Tower, The Palm Jumeirah is a stunning 48 storey mixed-use hotel and residential building, anchoring the trunk of the 5 by 5km man made palm tree shaped island which lies off the coast of Dubai.         
The new ultra-modern design, features a split linked tower – an innovative open core design that minimizes shadows – constructed with stainless steel, glass and stone.

In 2004 the Trump Organisation was ranked as the largest privately held company in New York and has a workforce of 22,000.

Eye On…. Alvor Beach Club

Both the 33 apartments of the ALVOR BEACH CLUB and the 17 apartments of the sister resort of CLUBE DE FERIAS form an exciting addition to the impressive 5 star Pestana Alvor Praia Hotel, the flagship of the Group’s hotel properties in the Algarve. The resorts, nestle within well-manicured landscaped gardens, the apartments vary in designs and are decorated and fitted to the highest specifications including air conditioning, fully fitted kitchenettes and satellite television.

These two oceanfront resorts also offer direct access to the magnificent Tres Irmaos beach which extends to the picturesque Alvor estuary. The quaint fishing village of Alvor is a short stroll away and there you can find a host of typical restaurants and shops offering regional souvenirs.

ALVOR BEACH CLUB and CLUBE DE FERIAS owners and guests have full access to an impressive range of facilities provided at the Pestana Alvor Praia Hotel, including a choice of three restaurants, poolside snack bar, cocktail bar and spacious lounge areas. Leisure facilities include a large outdoor seawater heated pool, 7 tennis courts, beauty salon offering sauna and massage, children's playground and watersports nearby.

ALVOR BEACH CLUB and CLUBE DE FERIAS are owned and managed by Pestana Hotels & Resorts, Portugal’s largest hotel and leisure group. The group is one of the fastest growing conglomerates within the European hotel and leisure industry with a current portfolio of 33 four and five star hotels, 42 Pousadas of Portugal, 10 holiday ownership resorts, three golf courses, several travel agencies in Portugal, England and Germany, the Euro Atlantic airline and a Casino.

RCI Points Values

Details taken from Pestana and RCI websites. Pictures taken from RCI website. Points Values taken from RCI website.

Resort Prices vary depending upon the season purchased.

Editor: David James

Previous Editions:
July 2005 Newsletter
June 2005 Newsletter
August 2005 Newsletter
September 2005 Newsletter
October 2005 Newsletter
November 2005 Newsletter
January 2006 Newsletter
February 2006 Newsletter
March 2006 Newsletter
March 2006 Newsletter