Distinctive Holiday Homes

In 1994, two brothers started a internet service provider out of a garage, and within ten years their company, Internet Home Users Group, most commonly referred to as ihug, had grown to become New Zealand's third largest ISP and soon was sold for close to $100 million.

When the company was sold, the CEO and largest shareholder was Nick Wood, one of the two brothers working out of a garage less than a decade earlier. After the sale of ihug, Woods purchased and overhauled the Octopus Resort in Fiji and started to develop the concept of his own destination club. A world traveler himself, Woods implemented a global reach for the club, having sales divisions in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The club's launch followed this vision with a 17th century villa in Tuscany, a ski lodge in Colorado, and an 86' yacht in Southern France as a part of the club's April 2007 launch.

The diverse collection of properties helped Distinctive Holiday Homes move from emerging launch club to one of the top clubs in the highly competitive sector. The global focus helped create a global membership base, with members in the US, Mexico, France, the UK, Sweden, Scotland, New Zealand, and Fiji amongst other.

DHH also places a focus on the hospitality angle. Most properties are stocked with a luxury vehicle for member's use while they are in residence. $500 worth of food and beverages are stocked in the fridge prior to arrival. Homes include a phone with local restaurants and attractions pre-programmed in for the member's ease.

The club has membership options for virtually every price level and usage pattern available. With seven Individual membership plans ranging from $49,000 up to $449,000 with annual dues of $5,900 up to $49,900 and four Corporate membership plans from $179,000 to $329,000 and annual dues from $19,900 to $34,900.

In August of 2008, Distinctive Holiday Homes augmented their membership programs by introducing pre-paid travel cards, similar to membership plans offered at One Key World and Emperum Club. Members can purchase these "Pre-paid Card Membership" for $25,000 to $40,000, offering the member 14 to 28 nights of travel that could be used any time over four years.

By early 2009, the club had grown to approximately 60 members and Woods looked to change the club's operational structure my transitioning to an invitation only club. "We have decided the destination club part of our business can grow quietly and organically by invitation only," Woods said. "We aim to add one to two new destinations per year. As we have created something quiet special, we have decided to make it exclusive."

The club will begin operating under this new structure once a final 60 weeks of membership usage is sold. After that point, the club will only accept new members that are referred from current club members.

To learn more about Distinctive Holiday Homes, please visit any of the club's quick links found to the right or request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide.

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