The Timeshare Authority blog has been tweeting, twittering, and blogging about the HOT 100 List of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals for nearly two months. We’ve worked our way up through the HOTTEST 10 timeshares on the list and now we are finally down to the timeshare resorts that ranked number one and number two on the HOT List.

Coming in as the number 2 timeshare of the 100 properties ranked is Harborside Resort At Atlantis on Paradise Island, in the Bahamas. This Caribbean timeshare resort is known as one of the most amazing properties anywhere in the world and it is no surprise that it makes the Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT List year after year.

Harborside Resort At Atlantis Timeshare is part of the Starwood Vacation Network and is one of six properties that make up the Atlantis resort Paradise Island complex. When you vacation at Harborside Resort At Atlantis, you have complementary access to all of the facilities and attractions, including the six-story Mayan Temple water slide that drops you—where else—but seemingly into a pool of live sharks.

Whether you choose to swim with the dolphins, snorkel with the marine life, test your luck at the casinos, or indulge yourself at the spa, there is practically nothing you can imagine in a Caribbean timeshare vacation that isn’t available in grand scale at Harborside Resort At Atlantis.

The Number 1 Timeshare on Everyone’s List

Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club is located on the sparkly white sands of Palm Beach, Aruba, looking out at the beautiful Caribbean Sea. This popular Marriott timeshare affords timeshare owners and timeshare guests access to the on-site Stellaris Casino and the Aruba Marriott Resort, as well as the Mandara Spa, waterfall pool and Las Vegas-style entertainment.

With your choice of one, two, or three-bedroom timeshare units, all with separate living and dining areas, plus fully equipped kitchens, Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club is a fantasy destination for family vacations, honeymoons, or just that special escape you’ve been promising yourself. Best of all as a Marriott timeshare owner, the Aruba Surf Club doesn’t have to be a once in a lifetime event; instead you can choose to vacation here year after year, taking advantage of the quality and dependability that is recognized in Marriott timeshare.

Women in the Industry (WIN) is a non-profit organization created to promote, educate and connect women in the vacation and timeshare industry. In May, WIN launched its second annual Travel Auction that offers WIN members and their friends and families the opportunity to bid on donated vacation weeks beginning at $200 and including timeshare vacation opportunities at resorts worldwide.

The auction raised $9,348 in support of The Auskell Medical Clinic, located on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. Donors included Bluegreen, Island One, Festiva Resorts, Hawaii Vacation Club, ResorTime.Com, Interval International, RCI Endless Vacations, Dial an Exchange, San Francisco Exchange, Vacations Only, Lagonita Lodge/Alderwood Advantage, Marriott Vacation Club, Massanutten Resort, Shell Vacation Club, American Resorts International, Pollard Brook and Ron Jon Cape Caribe, Condominium Travel Club.

A Lifesaving Effort

This year’s target was to raise money to help fund the purchase of a mammography machine for The Auskell Medical Clinic. Because of the efforts of the women of WIN, five women have been saved through early detection provided by a previous mammogram machine that WIN replaced.

With a threefold purpose to unite and ignite combined strengths; to offer education scholarship and research opportunities; and to partner with charities that support the health, education and welfare of women and adolescent girls in need, the women of WIN represent the timeshare industry well.

To learn more about WIN, go to www.womenintheindustry.org

Earlier this month, Sell My Timeshare NOW announced that it has become Authorized Reseller for The Crane, a resort built on a Barbados beach that Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous calls “One of the ten best beaches in the world.”

If you own property at The Crane Resort, and you are interested in reselling your timeshare, then the involvement of Sell My Timeshare NOW, and Timeshare Broker Services (the company’s timeshare brokerage arm) is great news because it affords you the best visibility possible for exposing your vacation ownership resale to potential buyers (or renters). Even if you never want to resell your timeshare, knowing that other timeshare units will be owned by people who are actively using and enjoying their timeshare is good news too, reflecting a vibrant ownership base.

The Crane is a true “old luxury” resort, with new luxury facilities. On property, you can enjoy the pool, tennis courts, health club, and restaurant. Very nearby you’ll find scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing, boating, horseback riding, dining, shopping and golf. And overall, and unforgettable place to rest, relax and restore. The Crane Resort means rare and unique elegance in a setting that is both breathtaking and affordable, thanks to timesharing opportunities in vacation ownership.

Click here to read more: Sell My Timeshare NOW Named as Authorized Reseller for Luxury Barbados Resort

“One of the ten best beaches in the world,” says Life Styles of the Rich and Famous

This week, Sell My Timeshare NOW announces that it has become the Authorized Reseller for The Crane Resort in Barbados. This is a great development, expanding timeshare resales opportunities for timeshare owners at The Crane Resort and market presence in the Caribbean for Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Kim Goddard, sales director at The Crane Resort explains, “We are excited to enhance our resale program by partnering with Vacation Property Solutions, the Resort Services Division of SellMyTimeshareNOW.com and Timeshare Broker Services, the company’s brokerage organization, to best represent the weeks that The Crane owners may desire to sell. SellMyTimeshareNOW.com is the only authorized resale company for The Crane Resort.”

The Caribbean Timeshare and Hotel Known as the First Resort

The Crane Resort is a very special place with spectacular ocean views and a pink shell beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Built in 1887, The Crane Resort is often described as the Caribbean’s “first resort”. Although fully updated, The Crane retains the original styling that is so much a part of its charm and elegance.

As Jay Bade, RRP (an ARDA recognized Registered Resort Professional) and VP of Business Development for SellMyTimeshareNOW.com says, “Although The Crane Resort has a successful resale program in place, affiliating with Sell My Timeshare NOW increases visibility for The Crane Resort resales, driving traffic and additional buyers through both www.sellmytimesharenow.com and www.thecrane.com. Sell My Timeshare NOW is thrilled to be recognized as an authorized reseller for The Crane Resort’s active resales program and to represent current owners at the resort when they want to sell vacation ownership and fractional weeks.”

Click here to read the full media release: Sell My Timeshare NOW Named as Authorized Reseller for Luxury Barbados Resort

The timeshare blog world welcomes Festiva’s newest blog: Festiva’s St. Maarten Blog, where they are “living life on island time.”

Festiva Resorts, as you may know, is a vacation ownership company, headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina. They offer a network of timeshare resorts throughout the Southeastern US, the Midwest, and the Caribbean. Some of the most popular Festiva timeshare destinations include Nassau in The Bahamas; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Branson, Missouri.

But if you want a first-hand report from the Festiva Resort in St. Maarten’s, the Atrium Resort on Simpson Bay Beach, look for updates from two Savannah College of Art & Design students: Caroline, a film major from Winter Park, Florida and Claire, a professional writing student from Asheville, North Carolina who are blogging on Festiva’s St. Maarten Blog.

You’ll also find some interesting reading on the island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin that has, for some 350 years, been divided between the Netherlands Antilles and France by following this link to: “St. Maarten / St. Martin Timeshare Resales and Rentals”

Wyndham Worldwide, parent company of Wyndham Vacation Club (Wyndham timeshare), thinks conversion to US and Caribbean timeshares is a viable solution for an estimated 5000 unsold condos and hotel units. Wyndham Worldwide’s CEO Steve Holmes not only believes it is do-able but feels that it can be profitable and beneficial for Wyndham.

Currently in a recovery period, (like much of the timeshare industry) Wyndham expects to generate around $1.8 billion in revenue this year from timeshare sales, financing, and property management fees, according to an article by Brad Berton on Forbes.com.

But Wyndham’s conversion-to-timeshare plan, it seems, has a second-hand element to it—or maybe that’s third-hand. Rather than put up the equity of fifteen to forty percent typically required in converting thousands of condos to timeshare units, Wyndham plans to do so on a third-party basis. The company will not be assuming the risk of being principal developer in this massive effort.

Wyndham timeshare currently includes approximately 820,000 timeshare owners and some 20,000 timeshare units at more than 150 resorts.

And following up on other recent attention-getting news by Wyndham timeshare is the observation that the referee involved in the ball-tossing altercation with Wyndham Vacation Club CEO, Franz Hanning, was, as predicted, suspended for one game by the NBA for his role in the incident. See: Would You Play Ball With Wyndham Timeshare CEO Franz Hanning?

Where is the closest “foreign” vacation destination for many US travelers? Why the islands of the Caribbean, of course! And the turquoise waters, white or pink sand beaches, along with affordable prices for entertainment and dining make the Caribbean and Caribbean timeshares a popular choice for North American vacationers as well as those from Europe and South America.

Now, the Karma Royal Group, Asia’s largest independent resort developer, is catching the Caribbean holiday fever, too. Karma Royal Group has announced the development of Karma Bahamas, an upscale Karma Resort and the Asian timeshare company’s first Caribbean timeshare resort property. Through an agreement with Mango Bay Bahamas, owners of Little Harbour Island, this prime property will be developed as a Karma Resort Caribbean timeshare. The island is accessible by a five-minute boat ride or ferry from Harbour Island, where you find elegant private homes and villas, many of which belong to internationally known celebrities and Hollywood stars.

Caribbean Timeshare Luxury

Construction on Karma’s luxurious Caribbean timeshare is underway with the marina in place, and several timeshare villas already complete. At build-out, the Karma Bahamas Resort will feature deluxe three and four bedroom timeshare villas; smaller one, two, and three bedroom townhouses; and hotel suites. On site will be a Karma spa, gym, clubhouse, hotel amenities, and numerous restaurants.

Although this beautiful Caribbean timeshare is not yet complete, there are many ideal Caribbean timeshare resales and Caribbean timeshare rentals that offer affordable luxury and outstanding vacation opportunities including: Aruba timeshares; Bahamas timeshares; and US Virgin Islands timeshares.

To learn more about development of the Karma Bahamas Resort, visit: www.karmaresorts.com

Who’s buying Brazil timeshare and Venezuela timeshare right now? Brazilians and Venezuelans! Both countries recorded double-digit growth in the sale of timeshare and vacation ownership products last year, almost exclusively within the domestic market.

A recent Hotels Magazine online article cited the RCI Executive Summary noting that domestic timeshare buyers made 97 percent of Brazil timeshare sales last year for a total of over 14,300 weeks. Venezuelans purchased 99 percent of the Venezuela timeshares (a total of 12,700 weeks) sold in that country.

Perhaps responding to this trend, sixty-one Latin America timeshare resorts and Caribbean timeshare resorts became part of RCI timeshare exchange system in 2009. These additions brought the total number of Latin America timeshares affiliated with RCI timeshare exchange to 1,200.

The RCI Executive Summary also showed promising growth in Costa Rica, where several luxury projects have been started and in Argentina, Colombian, Uruguay, and Brazil where timeshare companies that may not have had a presence there previously are entering the market. Even Mexico, a vacation destination hit hard by fears of the S1N1 virus, added 22 resorts to the RCI affiliation inventory. Sixteen Caribbean timeshares and seven Brazil timeshares also became part of the RCI timeshare exchange.

RCI timeshare exchange publishes the RCI Executive Summary annually. A targeted 2010 Latin America and the Caribbean Vacation Ownership Fact Book will be released later this year.

As of last week, Celebrity Resorts, LLC (timeshares) and 35 affiliates have voluntarily filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, filing in the US Bankruptcy Court in Orlando, Florida.

Celebrity (and its affiliates) own and operate thirteen timeshare resorts including Florida timeshare, Hawaii timeshare, and timeshare in Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Celebrity Resorts timeshares report that the company has approximately $23 million in unsecured debt and $12 million in secured debt. The two debts listed as secured are to International Escrow Services of Atlanta and Resort Condominiums International of Carmel, Indiana.

According to an article by Randall Reece for Netdocs.com, the company cites the following as the three primary reasons for the bankruptcy:

1. The economy in general and what the timeshare company calls, “unprecedented decrease in revenues” since September 2008.
2. Internal disagreements between family members who hold control over the debtors regarding the company’s business model. Two family members have been terminated, one of whom has filed a lawsuit against several of the companies involved.
3. The declaration of a default on a loan owing to Textron Financial Corporation.

Celebrity Resorts, formerly known as Resort World, began its business selling Caribbean timeshare in the 1970s, and then added Orlando timeshare in the 1980s.

At the time of this blog posting, there is no information on the company’s website regarding how the closing may impact any of the Celebrity Resorts timeshares.

The full court document is currently available to read at: http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=491abf36-f3e4-4fbe-81a1-2bbeeebbdb80

Today’s edition of The Timeshare Authority is Part II of a special blog post on some of the Haitian relief efforts within the hospitality, timeshare, and hotel industries; it includes information about ways you can get involved in the relief efforts, too.

Part II of II

Haitian relief efforts from those in the hotel and timeshare industry are taking many forms (See Part I: Hospitality and Timeshare Industry Stepping Up to Help Haiti). One simple, but valued effort is underway from some Florida hotels, where soap is being sanitized for reuse. Hotel Biba in West Palm Beach, Jupiter’s Ritz-Carlton, and the Breakers in Palm Beach, are among hotels collecting hundreds of pounds of used soap to be sanitized and redistributed in Haiti. Through “Clean the World,” an aid group that collects and sanitizes used bars of hotel soap, the Breakers is expected to donate nearly 1,500 pounds of used soap this month alone. Other hotels known to participate include these resorts in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, Shepard’s Beach Resort, the Holiday Inn Beach Resort & Suites and Sandpearl Resort.

Here’s a look at what other hotels and timeshares are doing to help:

Rosen Hotels & Resorts

Orlando-based Rosen Hotels and Resorts has teamed up with the First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando, the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, Tekontrol, the Consulate of Haiti in Orlando, and the offices of two Florida Senators, to raise $1 million in Haitian relief money. Checks can be made to the Harris Rosen Foundation, memo: Haiti Relief, and mailed to 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.

Choice Hotels

Members of Choice Hotels loyalty programs can donate to the American Red Cross (as well as two other worthwhile organizations that are not involved in Haiti relief) by clicking here: ChoicePrivileges. 1,000 Choice Hotel points equals $5; 2,000 points equals $10; 3,000 equals $15; 4,000 points equals $20; and 5,000 points equals $25. You can also learn more about donating Choice Hotel points by calling: 888-770-6800.

Choice had recently announced plans to build two hotels in Jacmel, Haiti, becoming the first major hotelier to expand there in many years.

Hilton Hotels and Hilton Timeshare

Hilton HHonors members can donate their points. For every 10,000 points donated, Hilton will send $25 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. You must specify “Haiti Relief Efforts” on your donations. To donate to the General International Federation of Red Cross Fund, mark your donation as “IRFCDR.” To target your donation specifically for Haiti, use the code “RDCRHT.” You can email your request to: HHonors_Giving_Back@hilton.com or go to: Donate Your HHonors Points.

Wyndham Hotels and Wyndham Timeshare

A Wyndham Rewards donation of 5,500 points equals $25; 10,500 points equals $50; and 20,500 points equals $100. Wyndham’s program offers some 100 charities from which to choose for making your donation. The Wyndham Montréal Airport hotel is serving as a staging area for some of the first victims arriving into Canada from Haiti.

Additional Helpful Information about Haitian Relief

• The UN World Tourism Organization has offered its support to revive tourism in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. The Travel Mole blog reports that the UN has said it will, “collaborate in the assessment of the damage caused, especially in the tourism sector.”
• Members of TUG are posting on the Timeshare User Group bulletin board about ways to assist with Haitian relief.
• Danielle, who writes for ExtraordinaryMommy.com, has compiled an excellent list of resources for information about helping the people of Haiti. Her post includes links to The American Red Cross, Unicef, Care and other credible relief efforts.

Important to remember: donations of loyalty points are typically not tax deductible (consult your tax preparer or tax advisor). Also, do not confuse loyalty points with timeshare exchange points or timeshare ownership points. While there is overlap in some programs, typically these are not considered the same by most hotel and timeshare companies. Consult your resort for clarification.

Loyalty programs of many types, from restaurants, to airlines, to your favorite movie theater, frequently allow you to redeem your points in the form of a charitable donation. Contact these programs directly to learn more.