timeshare blog

The Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera has just been added to the selection of beautiful Mexico resorts for Interval International timeshare exchange members to enjoy. Interval International, a part of the Interval Leisure Group, is known as a provider of vacation services and timeshare exchange. By adding the Azul Beach Hotel to its exchange inventory, Interval International timeshare exchange now features multiple properties owned by Azul brand of Gourmet Inclusive^® properties operated by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, including Azul Sensatori and Azul Fives Hotel & Private Residences.

Located in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, Azul Beach resort offers 144 units, some with views of Petempich, and others with garden views. Each unit includes a dark wood décor, with a private terrace, state of the art electronics, and a separate living area.

On property, guests can choose to relax in one of the resort’s many pools, dine in one of the five restaurants, relax in the full-service spa, or enjoy the fitness center, and the variety of day and evening entertainment. Young guests have fun at Azulitos Play House, which includes a Fisher-Price® designed, play space, educational toys, as well as a baby equipment and toy loan program. For older children, activities including mini-yoga, face painting, and beach treasure hunts, keep vacation time engaging for all family members.

For day trips and off property fun, the relaxing village of Puerto Morelos offers Mayan Temples to explore, the coral reef in Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, or and hiking or walking trails through Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin Botanical Garden, which is the last area of conserved forest on this part of the Mayan Riviera.

Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma is located some 25 minutes from downtown Cancun and 35 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.

Thanks to Extreme Engineering, Westgate Resorts River Ranch is being outfitted with a complete “High Action adventure™” area. High Action Adventure areas include thrill attractions such as climbing walls, zip lines, and Extreme Air Jumpers, all within one convenient space. Describing them as the new norm in resort entertainment, Philip Wilson, vice president of Extreme Engineering, explains, “High-action adventures  are … designed to keep the resort guests on the property and provide good, clean adventure with memories that will last a life-time.”

Westgate Resorts River Ranch is one of the full-service timeshare resorts operated by Westgate Resorts. Located south of Orlando, in River Ranch, Florida, this particular resort is already an adventure site, offering a true dude ranch experience with horseback riding, airboat and swamp buggy rides, fishing or target practice at the trap and skeet range, and other related activities. The High Action Adventure™ area by Extreme Engineering will add to the fun of this Florida timeshare resort. As Philip Wilson explains, “(it) is another layer of thrilling activities available on the ‘Dude Ranch’ resort. It’s like a babysitter on steroids … when they are done riding horses they saddle up again to ride the zip lines.”

Westgate River Ranch offers 1700 acres of natural lands to explore, western-themed accommodations, a pool and hot tub, a weekly rodeo, a full service marina, and even a petting zoo complete with llamas, pot-bellied pigs, and emus … plus soon, a whole new level of action adventure.

Here’s a view of an extreme adventure already in place at another destination.

The $7.3 million refurbishment of Wyndham’s Ramada Resort at Port Douglas has been officially unveiled. Located in Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia, the Ramada Port Douglas is a mixed-use property developed through a partnership with Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and the Wyndham Hotel Group. Included in the refurbishment were the resort’s reception area, heated pool and lush grounds. Inside spaces saw the conversion of 194 hotel rooms to 15 studios, 34 one-bedroom and 37 two-bedroom apartments.

CEO and Managing Director of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Managing Director of Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific, Barry Robinson, explains, “We are very proud to showcase the new look Ramada Port Douglas as a premier resort in our South Pacific resort portfolio. Through the refurbishment and service-focused management of this resort we aim to further enhance the experience of guests who visit this very special part of the world.”

Robinson hosted the cocktail function at which the refurbishments were unveiled. Guests at the event toured the resort including the Tree Bar Grill, which is set among ancient fig tree trunks, the swimming pool, waterfall, and swim-up bar, as well as the resort’s wedding and conference spaces and the day spa.

The Hon. David Kempton, Member for Cook praised the Wyndham Hotel Group for its contribution to the local region, saying, “I am thrilled to see Wyndham and its international brand, Ramada establish its presence in Port Douglas. The resort has already established itself as a premier resort for the region and has made great contributions to the community, the tourism industry, and regional employment.”

CRDA, the Canadian Resort Development Association, has announced the dates and is setting the agenda for its VO-CON, Vacation Ownership Conference. Scheduled for October 22-23, in Vancouver, B.C., at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, the VO-CON mandate is: “Exploring The Business Of Vacations.”

CRDA, much like ARDA in the United States, is a timeshare and vacation ownership industry based association, dedicated to furthering the shared ownership resort and leisure industry. Founded more than 20 years ago, CRDA was originally known as “the Resort Timesharing Council of Canada,” and was created in response to a public demand for more information about fee simple and deeded timeshare.

Each year, the CRDA Conference covers all aspects of the vacation ownership industry from timeshares to fractionals and condo hotels and vacation club membership, showcasing speakers, forums, vendors, and the timely topics, challenges and opportunities of the industry.

You can find out more about the conference by contacting Vicki Welstead at 416-924-2002, ext. 233 and by visiting the CRDA website at www.vocon.ca. You will also find more information about registrations, speakers and schedule.

Other news from The Timeshare Authority about this year’s CRDA Vacation Ownership VO-CON:

• CRDA Has New Partner to Produce Vacation Ownership Conference