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Caribbean Timeshare Resort Awarded Interval International Award

Caribbean Timeshare Resort Awarded Interval International Award

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Author: Staff Contributor | Topics: , , , , ,

Caribbean timeshare resort, The Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club, has recently been honored by Interval International timeshare exchange.  Timeshare exchange is one of many benefits that makes timeshare ownership appealing. For more than thirty years, Interval International has been making timeshare ownership more fun and more appealing, helping millions of vacationers improve their vacation experience. Whether it is a Caribbean timeshare resort or one of the 2800 other Interval International affiliated resorts worldwide, you’re sure to find a timeshare vacation exchange that offers the getaway holiday of your dreams.

The full release as distributed by Interval International appears below.

Interval International recognizes the Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club in St. John

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services, recently presented The Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club, a vacation ownership property in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, with the Interval International Premier Boutique Resort® award for 2013. The annual award recognizes resorts that provide outstanding vacation experiences with excellent accommodations in desirable locations.

“Grande Bay features a unique setting just steps from all of the attractions of downtown Cruz Bay and offers luxurious accommodations in one of the most exclusive Caribbean destinations,” said Neil Kolton, Interval’s director of resort sales and service for the Caribbean. “We’re delighted to recognize the property and its wonderful team with this well-deserved award.”

“Our success is a testament to the hard work of our management and staff who dedicate themselves to continually providing unforgettable vacations for our valued owners and guests,” said Paul Helson, general manager of The Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club, and a 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry.

Tucked into a hillside, the Mediterranean-style property offers panoramic views of neighboring St. Thomas to the west and the British Virgin Islands 15 miles to the east. The resort features one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas, ranging in size from 550 to1,680 square feet. Spacious interiors feature living areas surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, elegant wood furnishings, fully equipped kitchens, and state-of-the-art electronics.

On-site amenities include a heated pool, hot tub, fitness center, wireless Internet access, and underground parking. Members and guests also can take advantage of pre-arrival grocery shopping, complimentary pick-up from the ferry terminal, twice-weekly housekeeping, and a full-time concierge that can arrange a variety of excursions.

About Interval International

Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market since 1976. Today, Interval has an exchange network of nearly 2,800 resorts in more than 75 nations. Through offices in 16 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and about 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

The Alderwood Group to Manage Colorado Condominium Project

The Alderwood Group to Manage Colorado Condominium Project

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Author: Staff Contributor | Topics: , , ,

The Alderwood Group has issued an announcement that it has been selected to manage a Steamboat Springs, Colorado condominium project. The Alderwood Group was selected to manage the Colorado condominium project, known as The Moraine Cornerstone Townhomes, by the condo Homeowners Association (HOA). The company assumed management control late in 2012.

You can read the full text of this media release as issued by The Alderwood Group as it appears below. You can learn more about other Colorado condominium and Colorado timeshare projects by following the links included here.

Alderwood Group to manage Steamboat Springs resort project

The Alderwood Group –known for its partnership approach to resort property management – announced the Moraine Cornerstone Townhome Association selected them to manage their condominium project, The Moraine Cornerstone Townhomes, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The property consists of 56 individually-owned three- and four-bedroom townhomes located within half-a-mile of the gondola stop at the base of the mountain.

“After considerable review, we determined The Alderwood Group can provide the quality of management and services to our owners that best suits our needs,” says the homeowners’ association (HOA) Board President John Platt. “After a lengthy due diligence period, we became convinced that this company upholds a sound standard of ethics and will provide consistent, accurate and transparent financial reporting.”

“Cheryl, Chuck and other employees have been so cooperative and professional since we hired Alderwood,” adds HOA Treasurer Steve Bennington. “Alderwood immediately took control of our management on December 1.  As treasurer, I am impressed with their comprehensive financial reporting and transparency.  Alderwood’s employees are completely loyal to the interests of our HOA which is different from most management companies in Steamboat Springs.”

“We are gratified to have been selected by the Moraine Cornerstone Townhomes’ HOA to manage this beautiful resort development,” says Alderwood President/CEO Thomas A. Johnson, CHA. “We take a great deal of pride in our ability to work closely with our clients to truly exceed their expectations. Our team is delighted to be here and we are looking forward to providing them with the highest level of service.”

About The Moraine Cornerstone Townhomes

Moments away from the slopes of world-famous Steamboat Springs, a.k.a. Ski Town, USA, The Moraine Cornerstone Townhomes are individually-owned units available for rentals or to use as year-round residences. There are 56 homes consisting of three or four bedrooms and are located within easy access to the slopes on a free ski shuttle. The property’s many amenities include outdoor hot tubs on the premises, a swimming pool for summer use, gas fireplaces, free WiFi, washers and dryers in each home and attached, heated garages.

About Alderwood Group

Since 1998, The Alderwood Group has provided high quality financial, administrative and resort management services to resorts and is seeking to expand its client base. Alderwood designs tailored partnerships with its clients and has built a reputation offering sensible timeshare and whole ownership resort management, effective sales positioning and strategic marketing while exceeding service and industry standards. Proof of the company’s success is in their relationships with clients, owners and guests. Alderwood is proud to say they have never lost a management contract. For more information on how Alderwood can help you or your organization, visit http://AlderwoodGroup.com or contact us at (909) 878-2277 or (970) 879-2333.

CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Stepping Down

CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Stepping Down

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Author: Staff Contributor | Topics: , , ,

Kathryn Taylor is leaving her position as CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The company issued the announcement today but has not given a reason for the transition and indicates that a successor to Taylor has yet to be identified.

You can read the complete media release as issued by Four Season Hotel in the text below. You may also be interested in following this link to news from October 2011 on unique way the Four Seasons Hotels commemorated it 50th anniversary, .

Four Seasons Hotels Announces CEO Transition

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts today announced that Kathleen Taylor will be leaving her role as Chief Executive Officer. The privately held Company, with the backing of its long-term shareholders Kingdom Holding Company, Cascade Investment and Triples Holdings, is focused on building on Four Seasons leadership position by accelerating execution of its existing strategy to drive global growth and expansion of its iconic brand.Ms. Taylor assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer from Isadore Sharp, the founder of Four Seasons, in 2010. During her almost 25 year tenure at Four Seasons she was integral to the expansion of the business which quadrupled its size, increased its global footprint from three countries to operations in 37 countries, and resulted in strategic partnerships with more than 100 hotel owners and developers across the globe.

Mr. Sharp continues as Chairman and a shareholder and is closely involved in developing and advancing relationships with partners, employees and customers around the world.

“I am deeply grateful to Katie for her nearly 25 years of outstanding service and wish her well in the next phase of her career,” said Mr. Sharp. “Katie has been a trusted colleague and fundamental to building Four Seasons into the admired and successful company it is today. She leaves us with a strong foundation for the future and we remain firmly committed to leadership in luxury hospitality and accelerating our goals for long-term growth.” Mr. Sharp added, “Katie embodied Four Seasons values in all that she has done.” She has been recently recognized through numerous awards including the first woman ever to receive the Corporate Hotelier of the World, the Cornell University Hospitality Innovator, and inductee to Marketing Hall of Fame.

“Our long-term commitment to Four Seasons has not changed,” said His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Hotels International. “We are confident that we can quickly identify a successor to Katie who shares Four Seasons vision and values and that the Company’s strong Executive Leadership Team, which has the full support of the shareholders, will provide the leadership and continuity necessary to guide us through a seamless transition. We see more opportunity today than ever before.”

“We have great confidence in the Company’s outstanding executive leadership and worldwide operations teams,” said Michael Larson, Chief Investment Officer of Cascade Investment. “We look forward to working with them and our hotel ownership partners to build our business as the global leader in luxury hospitality. Together with Kingdom and Triples, we are committed to achieving the long term strategic vision that has been established for Four Seasons.”

“Throughout my almost quarter century with Four Seasons the one constant has been the power of the employees – they have always been my inspiration,” said Kathleen Taylor. “I am also immensely proud of the members of my Executive Leadership Team and going forward, it is they, along with the nearly 40,000 employees who will fulfil the vision that we have put in place together, driving the future success of the company.” Ms Taylor added, “It has been a pleasure to get to know so many loyal Four Seasons guests, customers and residential owners around the world.”

Kingdom Holding Company, whose Chairman is His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Cascade Investment L.L.C., an entity owned by William H. Gates III, and Triples Holdings Limited, a company owned by Isadore Sharp, took Four Seasons private in 2007.

Four Seasons has initiated a search for Ms. Taylor’s successor and has retained Ferguson Partners Ltd., a leading executive search firm, to assist in the process. In the interim, Four Seasons nine-member Executive Leadership Team will manage the company with oversight from the company’s Board.

Diamond Resorts Focuses on Safety with CPR Training

Diamond Resorts Focuses on Safety with CPR Training

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Author: Staff Contributor | Topics: ,

Diamond Resorts timeshare has established a new protocol for enhancing the safety of its timeshare owners and guests. Now requiring its worldwide team members to be cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certified and trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), the Diamond Resorts team is better prepared than ever to respond to any unexpected situation.

The initiative is scheduled to continue throughout 2013 until all Diamond timeshare resorts have received the training and certification. The efforts have already proven effective as Diamond Resort team members at Woodford Bridge Country Club in Devon, England were able to assist in providing lifesaving measures to a resort guest.  Read more about the program in the Diamond Resorts International® media release republished in full below.          

Diamond Resorts International® Requires Team Member CPR Certification And AED Training At Resorts Worldwide

As A Leader In The Travel Industry, Diamond Resorts International® Takes Preemptive Measures To Ensure Optimal Safety For Its Owners, Members And Guests

DIAMOND RESORTS INTERNATIONAL®, a global leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries, has instituted a new precautionary safety strategy that requires  worldwide team members to be  cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certified and trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in order to respond appropriately in the case of a medical emergency.

In order to better prepare for medical emergencies at its resort locations, in 2012 Diamond started an initiative to certify and train team members and install an AED on site. Team members were properly trained by official agencies to comply with each country’s legislation. In total, 468 Diamond team members across the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, including Ireland, have been certified. Additionally, Diamond is the first resort chain in Spain to pioneer the full implementation of these strategies. This initiative will continue throughout 2013 until all resorts have received CPR and AED training and certification.

Diamond’s emergency preparedness programs have produced positive results. One instance occurred at Woodford Bridge Country Club in Devon, England, when the Front Desk received a call from an accommodation requesting medical assistance. The head receptionist and a maintenance technician responded quickly and rushed to the aid of the guest. Their immediate response, supplemented by their CPR training and the proper use of the AED, aided in saving the guest’s life. Since the installation of the AED equipment, there have been similar instances of medical emergencies at resorts worldwide with comparable results.

According to Stephen J. Cloobeck, Founder and Chairman, Diamond Resorts International®, “The safety of our owners, members and guests is a global initiative and is paramount as we strive to deliver service excellence and become the leader in the hospitality industry. It’s essential that we take every precaution necessary to ensure that our team members are fully prepared for any situation or emergency that may arise at our resorts.”

Diamond Resorts International®, with global headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world with more than 220 branded and affiliated resorts and over 27,000 guest beds in 28 countries with destinations throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to more than 490,000 owners and members through our branded hospitality service, Diamond Resorts International® is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.

Annually, nearly 1.4 million owners, members and guests enjoy the simplicity, choice and comfort Diamond Resorts International® offers through our branded hospitality experience.

About Diamond Resorts Corporation

Diamond Resorts Corporation and its subsidiaries develop, own, operate and manage vacation ownership resorts and, through resort and partner affiliation agreements, provide owners and members with access to 75 managed resorts, 149 affiliated resorts and four cruise itineraries through THE Club® at Diamond Resorts International®. To learn more, visit DiamondResorts.com.