Thursday, February 19, 2009

Auberge Resorts To Manage Pond Bay On St. John



Auberge Resorts, owners and operators of award-winning luxury resorts and private residence clubs, announced today that the company will assume the hospitality management of Pond Bay, FOLIO Collection’s new private residence club on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Opening in December 2009, Pond Bay was developed by FOLIO Collection, creators of Isle de France Club on St. Barth’s and a growing international stable of luxury private residence clubs. Pond Bay is set on 15 acres of beachfront property overlooking Chocolate Hole Bay and borders a serene pond on the southwest coast of the island. Designed as an intimate village blending contemporary and Caribbean influences, the club features 50 three- and four-bedroom cottages and villas in hillside, pond-side and beachfront settings. The club also features an array of luxury resort amenities, including a beachfront swimming pool, a beach club, a new Auberge 75-seat restaurant and a 10,000-square-foot destination spa and fitness center. Rounding out the Pond Bay lifestyle is a full range of personal services, from pre-arrival shopping, concierge and 24-hour room service, to wine storage, babysitting and shuttle service to nearby Cruz Bay, the social center of St. John.

“If we were to design the perfect Caribbean retreat, Pond Bay would be it; the site is exquisite,” said Mark Harmon, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Auberge Resorts.” “We look forward to putting the Auberge imprint of exceptional cuisine and wine on the restaurant and bringing our signature Auberge experiences to this spectacular destination spa. Pond Bay will offer an exciting new Caribbean destination for buyers and an ideal exchange option for members at the other private residence clubs in our collection.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with Auberge Resorts on Pond Bay,” said Bob Emmett, Co-founder and Managing Director, FOLIO Collection. “This is an exceptional opportunity that opens the door for our Owners to enjoy very special privileges at Auberge’s private clubs located in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.”

Ownership at Pond Bay will be in deeded one-tenth fractional interests, with each Owner receiving four weeks of guaranteed use plus additional space-available use annually. Pre-opening prices begin at $315,000. Pond Bay Owners also will gain privileged access to resort destinations beyond the Caribbean through membership in the soon-to-launch Auberge Collection, Auberge Resorts’ portfolio of residence clubs. Owners may exchange part of their guaranteed time at Auberge’s award-winning residence clubs, Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley, Esperanza in Los Cabos, Mexico, Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and at the Village Homes at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina.

Owners will also enjoy a host of preferred rates and benefits at Auberge resorts, including Napa Valley’s Auberge du Soleil and Calistoga Ranch; Rancho Valencia Resort; Esperanza; the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina; and Encantado in Santa Fe, as well as FOLIO Collection’s growing international stable of private residence clubs.

“With our new Auberge Collection, the membership experience will be more than the sum of its parts,” Harmon said. “Owners at one world-class club will gain exceptional privileges at other resorts and clubs that are the best in their class. At the core of the collection is our legacy as a hotel company, which has enabled us to perfect the resort experience for our owners and guests. We belive it will differentiate the Auberge Collection from the many options currently available.”

If you would like more information from The Pond Bay Club: Visit PrivateResidenceClubs.com/St-John-Residence-Clubs and we will respond to your inquiry promptly.