Slice of Paradise in Bora Bora - Four Seasons Private Residences

Bora Bora – merely speaking these evocative

words surely conjure up dreamy images of

Heaven on earth. And justifiably so, for Bora

Bora is, one of the world’s most mystical places

to visit. Now, for a very fortunate few Bora Bora

lovers, a chance to actually OWN their own slice

of Paradise!

The incredibly crystalline, turquoise lagoon

is set in a perfect oval, encircling the towering

Mt. Oteman’u, sits in the cobalt-blue Pacific,

and altogether creates a serene, tranquil oasis

of luxury.

James Michener appointed this fair queen of

an isle as “the most beautiful island in the world”

decades ago, and still, to this day, the island

transfixes every one lucky enough to behold

Bora Bora.

Up until very recently, Bora Bora was available

to foreign visitors only for short visits. It was

mostly starry-eyed honeymooners that ventured

to this South Seas getaway to enjoy the ultruluxe

hotels in Bora Bora, and revel in their glorious,

unique overwater bungalows.

New developments in French Polynesia have

now made it possible for a fortunate few to buy

property located adjacent to the Four Season

Bora Bora Resort, located Motu Tehotu, a small

islet on Bora’s northeastern barrier reef.

Accessed upon the internet under “Own

Bora Bora,” this is truly a rare and unique “one

of a kind” opportunity. Just 15 parcels of land,

ranging from ½ to 1 ½ acre lots, are available.

Eight lots face the Pacific Ocean with its tranquil

sea breezes, and the remaining seven front the

dreamy Bora Bora lagoon, with its quintessentially

recognizable Mt. Oteman’u taking center

stage.

Home designs are by Toronto designer firm

Yabu Pushelberg, and will feature traditional a

free-flowing architectural floor plan, with such

Polynesian details as thatched pandanus roofs,

rough-hewn beams, limestone walls, natural

colored textiles and, of course, infinity edged

swimming pools.

All are full ownership private residences, says

Jim Jacobson, the company’s Director of Global

Sales, adding that perhaps as many as five home

sites are already under serious consideration.

Property taxes are low in French Polynesia

to begin with, continues Jacobson, and a further

tantalizing extra is that developer Thierry Barbion

has paid more than five years of the development’s

property taxes in advance.

Interested buyers will be asked to fill out a

simple, two-page foreign investment application

form.

The home sites are connected to the nearby

Four Seasons Resort, reached by a pleasant,

other-worldly quarter mile mile walk. Or call the

hotel’s Concierge for a golf cart ride, if you wish.

Five floor plans are offered, Pearl, Presidential,

Villa, Lagoon and Pacific, from smallest to

largest.

Prices for the lots range from $3,000,000 to

$7,000,000 and construction costs are estimated

from $3.6 million for the smaller floor plans to

$17,000,000 for the massive 11,500-square foot

oceanfront floor plans.

Pricey, to be sure, but as John Lactot,

the project’s VP of Sales and Marketing says:

“you’ve entered the stratosphere. This is Bora

Bora, Four Seasons and there’s only 15. Once

they’re gone, they’re gone!”

Act fast, now, or forever bid adieu to owning

a slice of Paradise, Bora Bora style

Article above by Larry Dunbar - Caviar Affair

For More Information - Visit: CondominiumHotels.com

Try Out The Abercrombie and Kent Residence Club

Abercrombie & Kent - Los Cabos, Mexico

Abercrombie & Kent - Deer Valley, Utah

Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club

Abercrombie and Kent brings nearly 50 years of unsurpassed travel expertise to the world of destination clubs. Now you can have access to extraordinary homes, European villas, boutique hotels and insider experiences in coveted locales around the globe.

A&K Equity Membership

The A&K Residence Club is not your typical destination club. A&K Residence Club is the largest equity-based club in the destination club industry. Unlike non-equity clubs, A&K Residence Club members own the club and have direct input into how club resources are used. All the residences are owned debt-free. A&K manages the club on the members' behalf.

A&K Destinations

Membership in the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club provides access to a growing collection of private residences and travel experiences around the world, with a personalized service component that allows you and your family to simply - enjoy.

A&K residences offer everything that makes a house a home, not to mention everything that makes a vacation extraordinary. Gourmet kitchens, spacious family living areas and the finest furnishings surround you with comfort and style. At every destination, you’ll have Members-only access to spas at exclusive resorts and preferred golf privileges at private courses. And, inside the homes and out, children will find plenty to keep them busy, from video games to local activities.

The A&K property portfolio from, private residences to European villas to luxury urban apartments to boutique hotel suites, is unparalleled. Members have access to over 40 locations with on-site destination host to arrange one-of-a-kind, exclusive "insider access" excursions that give members an authentic, indigenous experience at each location.

Membership Levels

The Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club currently offers three categories of equity memberships, each one tailored to fit the needs and lifestyles of their Members. Membership options available include 15, 30 and 45 vacation days per year with cost ranging from $225,000 to $495,000 to join. 

Trial Membership Available Until April 15

Between now and April 15, A&K Residence Club is offering Trial Memberships ranging from $7,000 to $11,000 for a seven night stay at one of seventeen three- and four- bedroom residences during 2009. This allows you to take your family and friends to one of their incredible homes for less than the cost of renting a single luxury hotel room. Further, you will receive the incredible A&K service that A&K members enjoy - from pre-arrival planning with A&K Global Experience Managers to dedicated service from A&K Destination Hosts.

As of today, the following are just a few examples of extraordinary vacations that are still available:

Spring and Summer Beach Excursions to Mexico, Hawaii, Dominican Republic, or Turks and Caicos

Golf Getaways to Scottsdale, Arizona; Kiawah Island, South Carolina; or La Quinta, California

Mountain Retreats to Deer Valley, Sun Valley, Lake Tahoe, or Snowmass

Fall and Winter Vacations to Hawaii, Mexico, Lake Tahoe, Deer Valley, Jackson Hole, and Snowmass Colorado.

Visit our website: PrivateDestinationClubs.com

Use our Contact Form to have a representative from A&K schedule you vacation today!

New Hilton brand expected to replace Cosmopolitan - Denizen Hotels will also come to other tourist destinations

Hilton Hotels Corp. said Tuesday it's creating an eclectic brand called Denizen Hotels and is working to bring that brand to Las Vegas and other major destinations worldwide.

The Denizen brand is expected to take the place of the Cosmopolitan, an under-construction resort at Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, as Hilton Hotels executives have been working at the Cosmopolitan site for months.

A Cosmopolitan spokeswoman would not confirm that scenario.

Hilton, based in Beverly Hills, has been working on a new hotel brand with the idea that it would replace the Cosmopolitan name, according to people familiar with the project. The Cosmopolitan was created by developer Ian Bruce Eichner, whose resort was foreclosed upon by Deutsche Bank last year.

Deutsche Bank, which now owns the project, has hired several development and design firms to work on the resort since it bought the property in a foreclosure sale in September. At the time, developers said the 3,000-room resort, including nearly 2,200 condo-hotel units, was expected to open in mid-2010.

The bank has yet to name two key roles: a casino and hotel manager. The casino manager, which could be a separate company, would need a Nevada gaming license – a process that could take up to a year – to operate the casino.

The bank recently expressed dissatisfaction with the design of the rooms underway at the resort and may redesign them.

The Denizen brand is part of a trend in the hotel industry of creating upscale, boutique brands catering to more discriminating and worldly customers.

In an interview with HotelWorld Network Tuesday, Ross Klein, Hilton Hotels' Global Head of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands, said the brand was developed with the troubled economy in mind. "Had Hilton launched at an earlier time, the company would be doing recalibrating to the concept, due to the economic situation," the publication said.

Klein told the publication that about 70 percent of the design of each Denizen-branded property will be brand-specific and about 30 percent will be unique to the location.

A Web site for Denizen Hotels uses images of clean-energy windmills to describe the proposed Las Vegas location, which would cater to the type of customer who describes himself as an "eco innovator".

"I want to feel socially responsible in my consumer choices," this prototypical customer says.

"Denizen Hotels, a lifestyle brand that will attract business and leisure travelers across cultures and generations and has an authenticity that will appeal to today’s sensibilities, will be highlighted by exceptional design and service at an accessible price point," Hilton said in a statement, adding it will be part of Hilton's luxury portfolio that includes the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands.

Hilton said development negotiations are under way for Denizen resorts and destinations in key cities including Abu Dhabi; Austin, Texas; Beverly Hills and Hollywood; Buenos Aires; Cancun and Los Cabos, Mexico; Istanbul; Jerusalem; Las Vegas; London; Miami; Montreal; New York; and Washington, D.C.

Hilton is already a big player in Las Vegas with several brands including Hilton Grand Vacations, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inn. It also markets rooms for the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino.

A spokeswoman said the company had no further details on plans to bring the brand to Las Vegas.

For More Information Visit: CondominiumHotels.com - enter "Denizen Hotel" in projects of interest

Hyatt Siesta Key Beach - Residence Club

Hyatt Siesta Key Beach is a first of its kind luxury fractional ownership resort in Sarasota, Florida. The beachfront resort will feature a boutique collection of 44 designer-furnished residences. Residences will include luxury brands such as Wolf, Sub Zero and Fisher Paykel. Other finishes will include custom furniture and décor, Italian-crafted kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and lavish linens. Ownership at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach includes 365-day Cabana Club privileges*. Initial release is 1/8 (six weeks) and 1/16 (three weeks) fractions with early buyer incentive pricing starting in the low $100,000's to the mid $300,000's. An early summer 2009 opening is planned

For More Information - PrivateResidenceClubs.com/Contact.html

Hyatt Siesta Key Beach is Hyatt Vacation Ownership’s 15th luxury resort property. Other resorts are in Key West and Bonita Springs, FL; Carmel and Truckee, CA; San Antonio, TX; Aspen, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge, CO; Lake Tahoe, NV; Sedona, AZ and Dorado, Puerto Rico with Fifth Avenue, New York City coming soon.

St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort - Well Under Way

Recession or not, The St. Regis Resort & Residences in Bal Harbour is well under way toward completion over the next year and a half. One of three 27-story beachfront towers has reached the 21st floor, while construction of the other two is to the 13th and fifth floors.

The Atlantic Ocean-side project, which broke ground nearly a year ago, offers 268 ultra-luxury residences, 37 condo-hotel suites, 183 hotel rooms (including a presidential suite) and 24 St. Regis Residence Club units. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. is partnering with Miami-based Related Group on the development, which has an estimated value of over $1 billion at sellout.

With starting prices at $1.9 million and an average of $4.1 million per unit, the St. Regis is at a level well above most concern over the economy, says John Manrique, the project’s vice president of sales and marketing. Even though a recovery may be well under way by the time its units open in mid-to-late 2010, its prospective buyers are looking at units as secondary homes rather than simply short-term real estate investments.

“We’re lucky enough to be in one of those spots that doesn’t feel it as much,” says John Manrique and adding “We’re blessed with a great location and the St. Regis brand.”

The nine-acre site at 9701 Collins Ave., with 1,000 feet of shoreline, is the former site of the Sheraton Bal Harbour hotel and is among the last remaining beachfronts suitable for high-end development on the north end of Miami Beach. Plans for St. Regis were announced in March 2005, at the height of South Florida’s luxury condo boom.

Manrique describes the Bal Harbour project’s buyers as being reflective of the “face of Miami,” largely international but with a fair amount coming from New York City. He notes that prospects are aware of current conditions in the market, yet aren’t impacted as much at higher income levels.

“It’s truly an emotional purchase for themselves and their families,” he says. “They’re thinking more with their lifestyle than their checkbook.”

Amenities being promoted by the St. Regis Bal Harbour include “white glove” butler service, 24-hour in-room dining and a 12,000-square-foot Remede Spa. The towers are across the street from the popular Bal Harbour Shops and are convenient to the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports, as well as private jet service at the Opa-locka executive airport.


Private condominiums and condo-hotel units both start at $1.9 million. Contact CondominiumHotels.com for details

Fractional residences are also planned, but prices are not yet available. Contact PrivateResidenceClubs.com to join interest list

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.

Ritz-Carlton Club Vail

To experience the fullness of the Number 1 Ski Resort in North America (as voted in SKI Magazine's Annual Reader Survey for 2007), look no further than the incomparable destination of Vail, Colorado. Within Lionshead Village, The Ritz-Carlton Club will be adding its tenth property to its growing portfolio of world-renowned locations.

Since introducing its fractional-ownership residence clubs in 1999, Ritz-Carlton has become a ubiquitous part of that segment of the second-home market, especially in Colorado, where the brand already has two clubs in Aspen and at the Beaver Creek Resort. Now comes a Vail project. In the town’s

Lionshead Village section, it consists of 45 two- to four-bedroom condominiums sold in one-12th deeded fractional shares that grant owners three weeks of use a year. The residences will be in a castle-like six-story building that will also hold 71 full-ownership residences, which were first offered for sale in early 2007 and currently start at $2.9 million. The fractional residences, from 1,300 to 2,874 square feet, are sold furnished and include hardwood floors, coffered ceilings and gas fireplaces. There will be a private lounge with a bar, a library, a fitness center, a children’s activity program, spa treatment rooms and the pool. A gondola and a lift that connect the town to the resort’s mountain are within walking distance; a new gondola closer to the project’s site is planned.

Fractional shares start at $250,000 - for more information visit: PrivateResidenceClubs.com/Vail-Residence-Clubs