SHOWCASING THE FINEST
Multiple-Site Destination Clubs:
Yellowstone Club World
Exclusive Resorts
Solstice
Quintess
The Ritz-Carlton Club
Timbers Resorts
Ultimate Resort
Yellowstone Club World
Tim Blixseth created the Yellowstone Club World because he wanted residents of his exclusive Yellowstone Club community-the world's only private golf and ski community-to continue experiencing the luxuries of home when traveling. What sets this club apart, is what Blixseth calls the "wow factor"-knowing an extraordinary estate the moment he sees it. He has traveled the world and toured more than 40 properties looking for those worthy of YCW's portfolio. So far, he has chosen six, including a 30,000-square-foot mansion located on a private island in the Turks & Caicos; a 13th-century chateau located 45 minutes from Paris and completely surrounded by a moat and more than 1,000 acres of gardens, orchards and courtyards; a private golf resort near Costa Careyes, Mexico (the former El Tamarindo resort); and a 3,200-acre-plus Old West dude ranch in Cody, Wyoming. The club also has grand getaways in St. Andrews and Palm Springs, plus two yachts and a fleet of private jets available to members at discounted rates. Membership will be capped at 150; the initial fee is $3 million.
The Yellowstone Club World, (877) YCW-7700, yellowstoneclubworld.com
Exclusive Resorts
Exclusive Resorts has approximately 65 percent of the market share in the destination club industry with close to 2,500 members. Its nearly $1 billion property portfolio includes more than 300 estates in 33 destinations. Impressive numbers, however, aren't the only reason for the club's astounding success. The club is very family focused with many child-friendly, eco-sensitive vacation programs. An up-and-coming trend of Exclusive Resorts is a movement toward multiple villa development. As proof, it is currently building 16 four-bedroom villas on a private lagoon adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. Members can take advantage of the hotel's amenities during their stay, including the Greg Norman-designed golf course, the tennis facility, kids' programs and spa. Ownership allows 15 to 45 days of use annually; fees range from $225,000 to $425,000.
Exclusive Resorts, (866) 863-2688, exclusiveresorts.com
Solstice
Having received national and international awards for exceptional overall member experience, Solstice is one of the few ultra high-end clubs that has maintained a consistently successful profile for the past three and a half years. Plus, its recent merger with another high-end club, Parallel, has only made Solstice more enticing with additional locations, exceptional estates and multiple service levels. The club's portfolio now includes two homes in Aspen and one in Florence, on St. Barth's, in the Napa Valley, Paris, London and Telluride-all in the $6 million to $10 million range. Solstice also owns a 90-foot Dover Yacht, Solstice I, that cruises the Caribbean in the winter and the New England coast in the summer. There are three levels of membership, priced at $535,000, $875,000 and $1.65 million.
Solstice, (877) 727-5535, solsticecollection.com
Quintess,
The Leading Residences of
The World
Founded in 2004, Quintess has quickly distinguished itself as a leader in the luxury destination club industry, with impressive locations, impeccable service and multimillion-dollar estates. The club recently merged with DreamCatcher, another well-respected club, for a total of 49 homes in 26 locations and nearly 300 members. Most recently, Quintess created a strategic alliance with Leading Hotels of the World, which not only changes the club's name, but also provides members with preferred access to 440 of some of the world's most luxurious hotels. There are 12 membership plans, ranging from $185,000 to $750,000.
Quintess, (800) 550-0324, quintess.com
The Ritz-Carlton Club
This club is quickly growing, with four up-and-running locations (Aspen, Bachelor Gulch, St. Thomas and Jupiter, Florida) and five more on the way (San Francisco, South Beach, Maui, Kauai and Truckee, California). Member services are nothing short of what would be expected from this hospitality king and include a dedicated concierge staff providing airport pick-up, pre-arrival preparations and arranging personal itineraries. Private catering and personal chefs are available upon request. Deeded interests are priced from $146,000 to $840,000 per share, with shares ranging from one-eighth (35 days) to one-twelfth (28 days).
The Ritz-Carlton Club, (800) 278-0121, ritzcarltonrealestate.com
Timbers Resorts
This club currently boasts properties in Tuscany, Cabo San Lucas, Steamboat Springs and Snowmass, Colorado; Scottsdale, Arizona and on St. Barth's. The club's premiere property was the Timbers Club, located on the slopes of Snowmass Mountain. With its rustic yet elegant residences and A-list amenities, it set a high standard of excellence for those properties that followed. Owners get a minimum of six weeks a year, including two weeks of prime winter vacation as well as two weeks of prime summer vacation. The club also accommodates members on a space-available basis with no cap on length of stay. Memberships are priced from $430,000, and members can trade their time to use at any of the Timbers Resorts properties.
Timbers Resorts, (970) 963-4626, timbersresorts.com
Ultimate Resort
This steady industry player is now positioned to become the world's second-largest destination club, thanks to its October 2006 purchase of Tanner & Haley. "Our entire industry will benefit from the resolution of a situation that has been closely followed by many existing and prospective destination club members," said Jim Tousignant, president and founder of Ultimate Resort, shortly after the purchase. Tousignant offered all 874 members of the demised Tanner & Haley club an Ultimate Resort membership. As of this writing, nearly three-quarters have accepted. The club's homes-there are more than 100-are located in such sanctuaries as Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Lake Tahoe, Nevada; St. Thomas, USVI; and Oahu, Hawaii. There are two tiers of membership: Ultimate Resort and Ultimate Resort Elite. Prices start at $125,000 and reach up to $375,000.
Ultimate Resort, (877) 955-2900, ultimateresort.com
