Today in Part III we wrap up our look at the three Florida Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Marriott timeshare (Marriott Vacation Club International) announced this week that three Florida timeshare resorts meet all of the requirements for a Florida Green Lodging Program Designation. Of the three Marriott timeshares, two are Orlando timeshares, and the third, is Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Naples.

Green Lodging at Florida Timeshares and Hotels

The Florida Green Lodging Program is a state initiative through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The program was created to assist the lodging industry by providing free technical assistance regarding cost-saving, environmentally green practices that conserve natural resources and reduce waste. Furthering the state’s commitment to supporting the Green Lodging initiative, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed an executive order in 2007, requiring that state agencies and departments, meeting in hotel, timeshare, or lodging facilities, must choose only those properties with a Florida Green Lodging Program designation, whenever possible.

As Marriott Vacation Club International continues its dedication to environmental responsibility, all eleven Marriott Vacation Club International Florida timeshare resorts are on track to receive a “One Palm” designation from the Florida Green Lodging Program. Two Marriott Florida timeshares, Marriott’s Oceana Palms -The Palm Beaches and Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes in Orlando are currently under development and are not presently eligible for the certification until they are operational.

Marriott’s Timeshare’s Newest Florida Resort, a Design Showplace

The beautiful, beachside resort, Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island timeshare resort is the newest Marriott timeshare property in Florida, opening in March of 2009. At build-out, this Florida timeshare will feature approximately 219 timeshare villas. The resort is a showcase of Marriott’s newest architectural and interior design direction. At the time of opening, Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International explained, “After more than 17 years of searching for just the right location on Marco Island, we couldn’t be more pleased to see this resort come to fruition on this prime beachfront setting.”

Marriott timeshare deserves a round of applause from all of us as well as our gratitude. They have taken significant steps to improve the environmental consciousness of their timeshare resorts and the administrative offices of Marriott Vacation Club International. They set an excellent example of corporate America showing true responsibility for the environment and the future of generations to come.

Click below to read Parts I and II in this series on Marriott timeshare:

• Three Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation as Environmentally Conscious Resorts
• Part II: Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation from State of Florida

And click here to learn more about the opportunities available for you to become a Marriott timeshare resale owner or to rent Marriott timeshare for your next vacation:

• Marriott Timeshare Resales
• Marriott Timeshare Rentals (including many vacation properties)

This is Part II in a three-part report on outstanding Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Recognizing that Marriott has always been a leader in vacation ownership, and was one of the first branded hotel companies to offer timeshares, it is really no surprise that Marriott timeshare is now a pacesetter in creating environmentally responsible lodging.

This week, three popular Florida timeshares, all Marriott resorts, received the Green Lodging Program Designation, from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Marriott’s Grande Vista (the subject of yesterday’s post on The Timeshare Authority); Marriott’s Cypress Harbour; and Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island each received this special designation because of their efforts to recycle, reduce, preserve, and educate others about issues of environmental awareness.

In 2008, Marriott Vacation Club International launched the MVCI Green Initiatives, starting at their corporate headquarters and branching out their efforts to include their corporate offices and timeshare resorts worldwide. In so doing, they eliminated over a quarter million pieces of Styrofoam and plastic waste that would have annually wound up in the nation’s landfills.

Deas Bohn, director Florida Department of Environmental Protection Sustainable Initiatives, said, “It is wonderful to see businesses implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction because they are not only good for business, they are good for Florida’s environment.”

Marriott’s Cypress Harbour Timeshares Combine Vacation Comfort with Environmental Consciousness

Marriott’s Cypress Harbour timeshare is an Orlando, Florida timeshare resort, which instantly means vacation fun and a convenient location to all your favorite Central Florida attractions and theme parks. Offering a 15-acre lake for boating and fishing, three sparkling swimming pools, and an 18-hole golf course, Marriott’s Cypress Harbour timeshare is a vacation destination certain to please vacationers of all ages and interests.

With an “Old Florida” ambiance, the resort is a relaxing oasis of green, where stately live oaks and tropical palms create a relaxing atmosphere. The resort is built on both sides of the lake with a walking bridge across the water.

Boats, fishing gear, and bicycle rentals are all available on property, as is a convenience store, the Galley Grill for lakeside lunches, a 24-hour a day fitness center, and enough other amenities that guests and timeshare owners may be tempted to spend their entire vacation without ever leaving the property at this beautiful Florida timeshare resort.

Marriott’s Cypress Harbour timeshare resort… Another very special Marriott timeshare property that is clearly forward thinking and socially aware of what it means to all of us to protect and restore our environment.

Tomorrow’s The Timeshare Authority looks at Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, in Part III in this series.

Link to Part I:

Three Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation as Environmentally Conscious Resorts

This is a three-part report on outstanding Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Part I:

This week, Marriott Vacation Club International announced that three Marriott timeshare properties have achieved the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation. The resorts, Marriott’s Grande Vista, Marriott’s Cypress Harbour, and Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, are the first Marriott timeshare properties to gain this distinctive recognition.

As Troy Asche, regional vice president of operations for the Florida-Caribbean region of Marriott Vacation Club International said (source: Marriott’s media release of June 23, 2009), “Now, more than ever, environmental stewardship is a critical part of delivering unforgettable vacation experiences to our Owners and guests and vital to the future of travel and tourism. By taking strategic steps to ‘green’ our resort operations, our collective efforts can make a huge impact on preserving our beautiful Florida environment.”

Florida Timeshares that Earn the Green Lodging Award

The Green Lodging Program is part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This intuitive was launched in 2004, establishing the environmental guidelines for guest lodging facilities to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In order to receive the award, a hotel, motel, timeshare resort, or other lodging facility must demonstrate a successful commitment to protecting Florida’s resources, an ecosystem that is totally unique in all of the United States.

Resorts that qualify as Green Lodging properties have taken steps such as: implementing recycling in timeshare villas, commons areas, and food service areas; installing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) throughout the property; using low flow toilets, showerheads and faucets; asking guests to reuse linens and towels when possible; switching to the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, and using Energy Star rated electronics and appliances. Other environmentally responsible actions may also contribute to a timeshare resort receiving this award.

Marriott’s Grande Vista Orlando Timeshare

In upcoming The Timeshare Authority blog posts, we will look at all of these three outstanding Marriott timeshare resorts to receive the Green Lodging Designation this year, starting with Marriott’s Grande Vista, an Orlando timeshare.

Grande Vista timeshare is an Interval International Premier rated timeshare resort, offering four sparkling pool complexes, a serene lake for boating and water sports, the Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott, a 9-hole executive course, a 35-acre practice area, and access to Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club. Both golf facilities are members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

Located in the heart of the attractions area of Orlando, a Marriott’s Grande Vista timeshare vacation puts you conveniently close to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and all the fun of a central Florida vacation. Yet with 164 acres, the Grande Vista timeshare is an oasis of green, amidst pines, oaks and tropical palms, and well deserves recognition as a noteworthy environmentally conscious resort.

Tomorrow’s The Timeshare Authority blog will look at Marriott’s Cypress Harbour and Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island and how they have also earned the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

The Royal LePage 2009 Recreational Property Report was released this week revealing some interesting trends and vacation ownership preferences among Canadians.

According to the report, the dream of many Canadians to own recreational property has not diminished, despite the downturn economy. A media release from Royal LePage Real Estate Services showed that Canadians see vacation property ownership as both an investment and as a source of vacation enjoyment. The feeling is so strong, they are willing to make a variety of different sacrifices in order to own a cottage, cabin, or chalet.

Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage Real Estate notes that increasing traffic, overcrowding, and congestion in cities seems to be driving the intense desire of many Canadians to own recreational property, particularly lakeside property, for which the survey respondents showed a 68 percent preference above all other vacation destinations.

Among the survey respondents living in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, while fifty percent would prefer to individually own a cottage on a lake as their first choice, twenty-two percent would like to buy Canada timeshare.

The Attraction of Canada Timeshare and Why Timeshare Makes So Much Sense

Globally, many people must share the feelings of these Canadians. Work environments grow more hectic and pressured. The daily commute is increasingly stressful and time consuming. We are worried about our jobs, our futures, and our families, and at a time many people feel they can least afford a vacation; they actually need it the most.

Canada timeshares are some of the more outstanding in the world offering lakeside retreats, spectacular ski resorts, and to the surprise of many, some of the best golf destinations in North America. While owning a cabin in the Canadian woods may seem ideal for many people, once they have fully considered their responsibilities that go with property ownership, they realize that to buy Canada timeshare affords them all the pleasures of vacation ownership, without the hassle of handling maintenance and upkeep themselves. Canada timeshares are an ideal solution to pay for only the days and nights you actual use your vacation property.

Popular Canada Timeshare Resales

• WorldMark The Canadian Timeshare
• WorldMark Sundance Timeshare
• WorldMark Cascade Lodge Timeshare
• Whistler Resort & Club Timeshare
• Shell Vacations Club At Mountainside Lodge Timeshare
• Shell Vacations Club At Carriage Hills Resort Timeshare

This week, in the Orlando Business Journal, staff writer Christopher Boyd, covers a new feature offered by the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, one that brings the already overlapping concepts of timeshare and fractionals even closer together.

As of April 28, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has added a destination club option that allows buyers to purchase vacation ownership points; previously all Ritz-Carlton Destination Club membership purchased fractional ownership in a fixed property. The new ‘points ownership’ with Ritz-Carlton will give members access to Ritz’s properties worldwide.

According to the Orlando Business Journal article, the company believes that the new vacation property points ownership will increase the appeal of the high-end Ritz-Carlton fractionals, and will attract people who do not wish to be tied to a single piece of real estate. Quoting David Short, regional vice president for sales at Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, the article says, “Points give you much more flexibility. They allow people to customize each trip to their own needs.”

Points ownership pricing through Ritz-Carlton Destination Club ranges from $100,000 to $800,000.

Follow these Links to Learn More about Opportunities in Ritz-Carlton Timeshare and Fractionals at Timeshare Resale Prices:

• Ritz-Carlton Club Bachelor Gulch Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas Rentals
• Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands Rentals
• Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter Rentals

Source: Orlando Business Journal

Hawaii tourism has a new reason to celebrate with the recent opening of the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences at Kapalua Bay on Maui. Hawaii timeshare has been an important part of the timeshare and vacation ownership industry for a long time, and candidly, tourism in Hawaii has taken a hit with the depressed economy. So it is especially good news that this $355 million Hawaii timeshare resort and condo complex is open and operational. The Honolulu Advertiser quoted Ryan Churchill, senior vice president and lead project investor of Maui Land & Pineapple Company as saying, “We are delighted to welcome this stunning new property to Kapalua Resort’s portfolio of luxury living.”

The new Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences at Kapalua Bay is the first resort in Hawaii to introduce a fractional ownership condo development on such a large scale. The resort is built on 24 acres and it encompasses nine buildings, each three to six stories high. Included are 84 fee-simple condos and 62 timeshare units. The timeshare units are being sold as fractional ownership condos, in which 12 co-owners share ownership of a unit, each owning a minimum of three weeks apiece.

The Hawaii Timeshare Real Estate Market

Offsetting the challenge of selling timeshare real estate in this price range is the fact that many presales occurred as early as June 2006, before the Hawaii timeshare real estate market felt the worst of the current economic situation.

Jenny Ochtera, who is in charge of sales and marketing at the resort, notes that these are challenging times economically, but that the resort has been, “incredibly fortunate.” The Maui Land Company and Ritz-Carlton corporate say that the property continues to attract an impressive number of buyers.

Presently, 267 units of fractional ownership have sold for prices between $350,000 to $850,000. Twenty-five of those sales occurred in the first quarter of 2009. The resort plans for the sale of 744 timeshare intervals total, reserving 16 weeks per year for use at an additional cost by the member-owners.

The timeshare units (fractionals) are spacious, ranging in size from 1,912 square feet to 2,257 square feet, and offering a choice of two or three bedroom units. On-site amenities include a lagoon-style pool with a bar and grill and a private beach club. There is a second bar near the water’s edge. By late June of this year, a 30,000 square-foot spa is scheduled to open, followed by a Maui-themed general store.

The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences at Kapalua Bay was developed by Kapalua Bay LLC, which is 51 percent owned by Maui Land; 34 percent owned by Ritz-Carlton: (a unit of Marriott International); and 15 percent owned by Exclusive Resorts.

Opportunities in Timeshare Resales at Ritz Carlton Timeshare or Fractional Resorts

• Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Club Bachelor Gulch Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter Resales

I can’t wait for a day when I can write about timeshare owners at the old Royal Oasis timeshare resort in the Bahamas who are leisurely relaxing poolside, enjoying their vacation ownership Bahamas timeshare property. Last June, The Timeshare Authority posted that after three years of bad news, followed by some hopeful-sounding news, all we could give timeshare owners at Royal Oasis was “no news”.

This week, in what is becoming an anniversary topic, The Freeport News posted their own story of “no new news” about happenings at this Caribbean timeshare property. Their article chronicled the events since 2004, when Hurricane Frances permanently closed the already struggling Bahamas timeshare resort. As the article concluded, “In an attempt to get an update on the Royal Oasis project yesterday, The Freeport News contacted Harcourt’s Grand Bahama office (Harcourt Development Company, the owners who purchased the property in 2007) and was told that Archer (reference to CEO Donald Archer) was out of office and, Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace did not return our call up to press time.”

Will a Thriving Resort Return at this Caribbean Timeshare Property?

The failure of this once popular Caribbean timeshare is not a typical story in the world of vacation ownership. And despite the relational damage that has occurred between the former resort management, the property’s new owners, and the individual timeshare owners, I can’t help but think that at some point in the future, there will again be a luxurious Caribbean timeshare on this property. If for any reasonthe rebuilding of a successful Bahamas timeshare fails to happen here, it will not be because of lack of effort on the part of the owners association or of the Bahamian government. Both groups having put forth extensive efforts to support the return of a successful and thriving resort at this Caribbean timeshare property.

Archive of The Timeshare Authority Blog Updates on the Royal Oasis Caribbean timeshare:

• Dissent Continues Over the Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort
• Uncertain News about Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort
• Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort: A Litany of Problems
• Important Information for Royal Oasis Timeshare Owners
• Updates about Royal Oasis Timeshare
• Optimistic News about Bahamas Timeshare Resales
• Recent Announcement Regarding Royal Oasis Timeshare
• The Other Victims of the Royal Oasis Timeshare Owners Fiasco

In their Business and Tech News, Time Magazine (dateline April 30, 2009) describes timeshare resales as a “buyer’s market” … and in many ways, they are so right!

Time took a long look at the timeshare resale market. They spoke with timeshare industry experts and even profiled a recent timeshare resale buyer at Sell My Timeshare NOW.

“When 67-year-old Gary Furbee and his wife Rose decided to go shopping for a time-share vacation home in Hawaii, they couldn’t believe the bargains. The couple had rented a two-bedroom ocean-view penthouse unit at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club on Oahu in 2007, liked it and resolved to watch for resales. The Furbees thought the recession might flush out some distressed sellers, but they were stunned by how far prices had plunged. ‘At Marriott, it was [listed] for between $50,000 and $60,000, but we paid $18,400,’ Gary says. He bought their time-share through SellMyTimeshareNow.com one of a number of resale sites. ‘We don’t know if the person was in financial problems or needed the money, but we thought we would take advantage of it.’”

What the Experts Had to Say about Timeshare Resales

Scott Berman is a widely known expert on hospitality and leisure trends for PricewaterhouseCoopers. He explains in the Time article that even he has been surprised by how swiftly the timeshare sales industry has felt the impact of the current troubled economy. Berman says that timeshare sales have been influenced by the tight credit market resulting in less money available to consumers to borrow for buying timeshares and at the same time, there being a “glut” of properties available to buy as timeshare resales.

Yet adding an interesting twist to Berman’s insights is his own personal story of buying timeshare. In 1997, Berman bought a Colorado timeshare for less than $40,000. Today, that timeshare sells for $125,000 on the resale market. That’s right, contrary to the warnings you hear from consumer groups, governmental agencies, and even from us, here at Sell My Timeshare NOW, telling you to never buy timeshare with the idea that its value will appreciate, there are some timeshares that do increase in value.

Howard Nusbaum, president of ARDA, the American Resort Development Association cautioned prospective timeshare buyers in the Time article, “Don’t buy it to flip it.” Nusbaum warns that even when timeshare resales are temptingly inexpensive, know what you are buying before you sign on the dotted line; timeshares are “vacation plays, not investment plays.”

Timeshare Resales: Opportunities Abound

The Time magazine article says that Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Orlando have some of the largest inventories of timeshare resales on the market and are therefore places to shop for exceptional deals in timeshare resales. All three locations have long been popular vacation destinations. The first timeshares in the US were built in Hawaii where timeshare particularly suited a local culture that wasn’t eager to permanently sell their homeland to people from outside the islands. And Hawaii timeshares have had to deal with the added challenge of rising travel costs leading many US vacationers to bypass the expense of airfare to Hawaii and opt for a mainland vacation.

Orlando is year-in and year-out one of the top family vacation destinations in the world, while Las Vegas is one of the leading grown-up vacation destinations … it makes sense that you would find many timeshare resorts in both places. Since both locations offer nearly year-round climates, it makes sense that you will find plenty of timeshare, both new and timeshare resales available in both cities.

But for all the abundance in the market, there are still major timeshare developers moving ahead on new Orlando timeshares, new Hawaii timeshares, and new Las Vegas timeshares, even though the rate of development has slowed. Development is also moving ahead in other locations. If you are shopping for a great deal on a timeshare, don’t assume your options are limited to areas where timeshares abound.

There are great deals to be had in timeshare resales across the market, in “hot” destinations as well as in urban timeshares, regional vacation spots, and places that are truly off the beaten path. The bottom line is that for a variety of reasons, there are excellent opportunities available now in timeshare resales around the globe. And as the Furbees discovered, there is no one better than Sell My Timeshare NOW to help you find that ‘just-right’ timeshare.

Follow this link to read the full article online or look for it in the May 11 print edition of Time Magazine, available at your local newsstand soon.

The Rang Dong Group has announced that Vietnam’s Sea Link Golf and Country Club in Phan Thiet is now part of the RCI timeshare exchange.

Nguyen Van Thieu, vice chairman, Rang Dong Group, says working with RCI timeshare exchange was an easy decision. “RCI is the world’s largest timeshare and vacation exchange company. Gaining access to their 4 million leisure-bound members will be very valuable for our resort. I believe that our professional services as well as the stunning landscape in Phan Thiet will provide unforgettable experiences for guests at Sea Links Golf & Country Club.”

The Sea Links Golf and Country Club timeshare is east of Ho Chi Minh City and overlooks the Phan Thiet Sea at Mui Ne Bay. A five-star golf resort known for its lush foliage and sweeping views, the timeshare also includes a spa and tennis courts.

RCI Timeshare Exchange

Rang Dong Group is a leader in Infrastructure and Construction, and has been the lead on numerous key construction projects in Vietnam. Both RCI timeshare exchange and Rang Dong Group recognize the significance of the relationship. Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI, says, “This relationship is historic for RCI as Sea Links Golf & Country Club is our first affiliate in Vietnam. We are thrilled to welcome this beautiful resort to the collection of top vacation destinations we offer to our RCI Weeks(R) members.”

With all the stories in the news about layoffs at timeshare companies and the impact of the declining economy and tight credit market, it is important to remember that not every timeshare company is trending down. The UK timeshare company, Hapimag saw 5 percent growth in 2008, with an operating income of Euro 165.4 million (+5.1 percent).

Founded in 1963, Hapimag is one of the oldest names in timeshare. It is the leading UK timeshare company and today has approximately 140,000 timeshare owner/members. While Europe is the originator of the timesharing concept, and timeshare ownership has quadrupled there since the early 1990’s, European timeshare, as an industry, has previously not grown as fast as timesharing in some other parts of the world. This fact, combined with the down economy, makes Hapimag timeshare’s success in 2008 even more significant news.

Timeshare sales at Hapimag holiday resorts increased by Euro 5.1 million year-over-year for 2008, reaching Euro 64.2 million. The UK timeshare company recorded 3,068,000 overnight stays, or an occupancy rate of 78.5 percent at the 58 Hapimag timeshare resorts, which are located in 18 countries including Europe, Africa timeshare, and US timeshare.

Hapimag, which employees some 1700 people worldwide, spent Euro 4.3 million on maintenance and repair to its timeshare resorts and vacation ownership properties, while they spent Euro 39.0 million on renovations and expansion of timeshare properties. The timeshare company believes operating costs increased primarily because of the rising cost of energy, which means their 2008 profits were especially meaningful.

Congratulations Hapimag, this is good news for European timeshare and good news for the timeshare industry in general!