Exclusive Resorts
News

The undisputed leader in terms of members and properties in the destination club industry, Exclusive Resorts counts well over 3,000 members and $1 billion in real estate holdings.

Selling their first membership in March of 2003, Exclusive Resorts would quickly surpass industry pioneer Private Retreats and establish themselves as the premiere destination club in the early years of the destination club sector.

Despite growing competition, Exclusive Resorts would average nearly 800 new membership sales over several years and has been described by industry insiders as the club that "perfected" the model.

We invite you to learn more about Exclusive Resorts through our collection of news features about the club below. If you would like to report any information on Exclusive Resorts or any other destination club, please feel free to contact us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com.

Featured Property: Exclusive Resorts Chicago
Date: May 16, 2010
Located at The Trump International Hotel & Tower, members of Exclusive Resorts have access to seven residences in Chicago, each with panoramic views of the Windy City through floor-to-ceiling windows, fully equipped kitchens, and gas fireplaces.

Destination Club Properties in Mexico
Date: May 5, 2010
Cinco de Mayo is upon us and we take a look at some of the dozens of properties available to members across the destination club industry at our neighbor to the south, including vacation hot spots like Cabo San Lucas, Punta Mita, and Puerto Vallarta.

Exclusive Resorts Auction To Benefit Milwaukee Art Museum
Date: April 29, 2010
Exclusive Resorts has auctioned off a four night stay at one of five of their most highly sought after destinations, with proceeds of the auction going to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the temporary home of Raphael's La Donna Velata.

Exclusive Resorts Announces 2011 Once in a Lifetime Journeys
Date: April 26, 2010
The 2011 roster for Exclusive Resorts' Once in a Lifetime program has been released, giving members eight new options around the globe, including Fiji, Patagonia, Tanzania, and even a cruise through the Mediterranean.

Exclusive Resorts Adds Ten Residences In Las Vegas
Date: April 24, 2010
Exclusive Resorts is pleased to unveil ten new corner unit, two bedroom, two and one half bath residences in Las Vegas, overlooking the strip and the mountains surrounding Las Vegas at the new Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter.

Featured Property: Exclusive Resorts Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Date: April 18, 2010
Described by the club as "cozy and welcoming," Exclusive Resorts counts six luxury vacation homes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in their ever growing property portfolio. Just 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park and an hour from Old Faithful, Jackson Hole has become a popular all season retreat.

Exclusive Resorts Kicks Off Annual Wine Tour Member Event
Date: April 14, 2010
Over 35 members and guests have already begun checking in for Exclusive Resorts' Annual Spring Napa/Sonoma. Over the next several days, these wine enthusiasts will enjoy gourmet meals and exquisite wines at the club's latest member only event.

Exclusive Resorts Hosts Après Ski in Vail
Date: April 2, 2010
Later this afternoon, Exclusive Resorts will host an event at the Great Room at the Arrabelle in Vail Square for those interested in learning more about the destination club experience and meet with current members while enjoying hot cocoa and cocktails.

The Rocks Club Property Visit
Date: March 30, 2010
Destination Club News tours The Rocks Club, one of the most popular resorts in Arizona and home to some of the world's largest destination clubs, including Exclusive Resorts, Ultimate Escapes, the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, and The Markers.

Exclusive Resorts Seeks To Expand Awareness In Latin America
Date: March 23, 2010
With over 100 residences in popular destinations such as Los Cabos, Costa Rica, and Puerta Vallarta, Exclusive Resorts has begun working with The Americas Group to further expand their presence in Latin America.

Destination Club News Sets Off For Arizona
Date: March 12, 2010
We are off to one of the destination club industry's most popular locales, Arizona. Known for its world-class golf and excellent winter weather, clubs like Exclusive Resorts, Ultimate Escapes, and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club all count homes in the state.

Exclusive Resorts 2009 Year In Review Statistics
Date: March 5, 2010
Following our Exclusive Resorts 2009 Year In Review article last week, we profile the statistics of the club from last year, including new membership growth, occupancy numbers, future reservations, and planned growth for 2010.

Is Singapore The Next Great Destination Club Frontier?
Date: March 1, 2010
A number of destination clubs already have or have expressed an interest in bringing their clubs to Singapore. Known for its low unemployment rate, high gross domestic product, and ban on chewing gum, will Singapore be the next great destination club market?

Exclusive Resorts 2009 Year In Review
Date: February 23, 2010
Despite a "challenging year" in 2009, Exclusive Resorts outlines the accomplishments the club made during the course of the year, including the reduction of club costs and the addition of nearly 50 new residences available to members.

Exclusive Resorts Member Remarks On Club Experience
Date: February 19, 2010
Just as Exclusive Resorts CEO Jeff Potter returned from Arizona to celebrate the club's 100,000th vacation, another delighted member spoke about her experiences with the club and how joining was "one of the best family decisions" they had ever made.

Exclusive Resorts Comments On Whistler Property and Winter Olympics
Date: February 18, 2010
Members staying at the Exclusive Resorts' residences in Whistler were lucky enough to "hear Lindsey Vonn from the hot tubs on their decks" following her dramatic gold medal performance yesterday in the women's downhill event.

Exclusive Resorts Reaches 100,000 Vacations
Date: February 11, 2010
Exclusive Resorts have reached the 100,000 vacation mark, the first destination club to do so. To celebrate the event, CEO Jeff Potter personally traveled to meet with the record breaking guests on their trip to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Destination Clubs and Football
Date: February 11, 2010
With Super Bowl XLIV just a few short hours away, learn more about the many football players who have both hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy during their playing careers and enjoyed the benefits of destination club membership following.

Exclusive Resorts Wrigley Field and Chicago Cubs VIP Tour Approaches Capacity
Date: February 5, 2010
A VIP tour of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is nearing its capacity for members of Exclusive Resorts. One of the club's most popular member only events, participants get to view batting practice from the field and play catch and hit on one of the most famous stadiums in history.

Exclusive Resorts Sponsored Guest Program Continues Success
Date: February 4, 2010
More than a year following the introduction of their Sponsored Guest Program, Exclusive Resorts' trial membership option remains popular, giving travelers access to a collection of some of the destination club's most spectacular properties.

How To Reduce Destination Club Spending
Date: February 2, 2010
Over the past several years, nearly every destination club has reduced their annual overhead to combat the economic climate. Learn how the industry's leading clubs are reducing their operational costs without compromising the membership experience?

Exclusive Resorts Members Comment On Antarctica Trip
Date: January 29, 2010
Last month, a group of over 140 Exclusive Resorts' embarked on a trip to Antarctica on the National Geographic Explorer through the club's Once in a Lifetime program. The highlights of the expedition include following an estimated 50,000 penguins and a dip in relatively warm volcanic water.

Exclusive Resorts 2011 The World Itinerary Posted
Date: January 29, 2010
The World, one of the most famed luxury cruise ships, has released their 2011 travel itinerary with stops in South Africa, Spain, and New York amongst others. Members of Exclusive Resorts, who owns four residences on the ship, will be able to make reservations in the coming weeks.

Exclusive Resorts Closes 2009 On A High Note
Date: January 22, 2010
As 2009 came to an end, Exclusive Resorts posted their highest sales month of the year. With other leading destination clubs concluding the year on a similar note, is the destination club industry beginning to show signs of recovery?

Exclusive Resorts Releases 2011 Christmas and 2012 New Years Weeks To Members
Date: January 14, 2010
Exclusive Resorts has released their 2011 Christmas and 2012 New Year's weeks to members via the club's members' only website this morning. One of the destination club industry's leading innovators, learn more about the club's holiday process inside.

Exclusive Resorts Closes In On 100,000 Vacations
Date: January 5, 2010
Exclusive Resorts is on the verge of passing yet another virtually unheard of milestone with the execution of their 100,000th member vacation. Projected to take place in the first quarter of 2010, the club is already working on special surprises for the record setting trip.

Exclusive Resorts Steve Case Appears on CNBC
Date: January 4, 2010
Exclusive Resorts' Chairman Steve Case appears on CNBC, discussing the present and future of the world's largest destination club, including his long-term plans and changes to the club that will make them break even with no new membership sales.

Exclusive Resorts Voted Destination Club of the Decade
Date: January 3, 2010
Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest and longest tenured destination club, has been voted the destination club of the decade by our readers, a testament to the club's unrivaled success through the years, edging out leading clubs Quintess and Ultimate Escapes.

2009 Destination Club Review
Date: January 1, 2010
Arguably the most influential year in the history of the destination club industry, 2009 has come to its end and 2010 begins with far greater hopes than one year prior. Learn more about all of the positive and negative news that took place during a long 2009 in the destination club sector.

The Claims of Destination Clubs
Date: December 19, 2009
In an increasingly competitive market, some destination clubs have added their own "marketing spin" to make themselves compare favorably to others in the sector. Read more to learn who claims to be the second largest destination club and who has the best homes, prices, and services in the industry.

Steve Case Wishes Happy Holidays To Exclusive Resorts Members
Date: December 18, 2009
Exclusive Resorts' Chairman and majority owner and former AOL Chairman and CEO Steve Case wishes happy holidays to members of the world's largest destination club following a "very challenging" 2009 that claimed the lives of many of Exclusive Resorts' competitors.

Lessons Learned From Failed Destination Clubs
Date: December 5, 2009
Over the past year, several leading destination clubs have filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations, leading to a drastic restructuring of the industry. Despite these failures, what elements can today's destination clubs take from yesterday's generation?

Exclusive Resorts Travel Planners Discuss Their Roles
Date: November 28, 2009
Members of the Exclusive Resorts' member services team discuss what it is like to be a destination club member and how they strive to make every vacation seamless, hassle-free, and as memorable as the last.

Exclusive Resorts Conducts Member Advisory Committee Meeting
Date: November 13, 2009
With 2009 coming to an end, Exclusive Resorts has hosted a Member Advisory Committee meeting to discuss not only the current state of their club, but to seek the guidance of members about how to improve upon the world's largest destination club.

Does Dow Jones At Year High Benefit Destination Clubs?
Date: October 15, 2009
Yesterday, the Dow Jones moved above 10,000 for the first time in over a year. Does the success of the stock market provide any tangible gains to the destination club sector following a year of change throughout the luxury travel industry?

The Troubles of Naming A Destination Club
Date: September 20, 2009
Branding is an integral component of every industry. Now over ten years old, the destination club sector has seen a surprisingly large amount of clubs introduced with virtually identical names, causing some clubs to rethink their plans and even go to court.

The Benefits of Joining A Destination Club: Then and Now
Date: August 25, 2009
A decade ago, Private Retreats had members answer the question "Why did you join a destination club?" Since then, the industry has changed significantly, but the answers provided then closely mirror the reasons why members are still joining today.

Exclusive Resorts Discloses Mid-Year Update
Date: July 30, 2009
Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club, has released the results to their 2009 mid-year valuation of the club's collection of luxury vacation properties to determine if they are in compliance with the Net Asset Test.

Exclusive Resorts Announces New Beach Properties At Kapalua Bay, Hawaii
Date: May 30, 2009
For the prime summer months, Exclusive Resorts has announced the introduction of 12 new luxury vacation properties available to members in Kapalua Bay in Maui, pushing the club's total number of residences to 40 in Hawaii alone.

ARDA President Howard Nusbaum Discusses Destination Clubs
Date: May 22, 2009
Howard Nusbaum, the President of the American Resort Development Association, speaks about his impressions of the destination club industry, including the questions he would ask if he was considering joining a club and suggestions he has for the industry's leading clubs.

Opportunities For The Destination Club Industry
Date: April 8, 2009
With real estate values at record lows and hundreds of previous destination club members left without travel options following a string of closures within the sector, the industry's leading clubs have a surplus of opportunities available to them.

Threats To The Destination Club Industry
Date: March 24, 2009
Following a string of bankruptcies and closures throughout the industry, there are several pending threats against the destination club sector, including consumer confidence, litigation, and sharply declining real estate values.

2008 Destination Club Review
Date: January 1, 2009
In 2008, the Dow fell over 33%, making for a rather difficult economic climate for nearly every industry, including destination clubs. Read about the failures and successes in the destination club sector over the past year.

Exclusive Resorts' CEO Jeff Potter Discusses The Future Of Destination Clubs
Date: November 24, 2008
Jeff Potter, Exclusive Resorts' CEO, speaks about the the destination club industry, including his thoughts on the Exclusive Resorts' business model, the club's biggest concern, and why people should join Exclusive Resorts today.

Exclusive Resort Prospects Vote Vail and Beaver Creek Top Winter Vacation
Date: November 21, 2008
Readers of the Exclusive Resorts' monthly newsletter have voted on their favorite winter ski vacations and selected Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado. Just an hour and a half away from Denver, Exclusive Resorts has 16 properties in the popular destination.

Exclusive Resorts Introduces New Sponsored Guest Program
Date: November 17, 2008
The world's largest destination club has introduced a new way to enjoy the destination club experience prior to joining. Exclusive Resorts' Sponsored Guest Program lets luxury travelers stay in select properties for four or seven nights and receive the treatment traditionally reserved for members.

Destination Club Famous Sports Members and Partnerships
Date: November 7, 2008
A growing number of professional athletes are discovering the benefits of destination club travel, and now nearly all of the major clubs count at least one major star in their ranks, but now clubs are starting to craft memberships specifically to athletes and are bringing them onto the executive staffs.

The Benefits and Risks of Joining a New Destination Club
Date: October 13, 2008
Joining a new destination club can often provide members a myriad of benefits, including reduced costs, additional travel benefits, and direct contact with the club's executive team. Learn more about the benefits and the risks of joining an upstart destination club.

Survey Suggests Strong Canadian Interest In Destination Clubs
Date: October 1, 2008
A recent Canadian study indicates a significant interest in the purchase of recreational real estate property. The results seem to confirm what many destination clubs have long known in the importance of crafting their offering for the Canadian audience.

Exclusive Resorts and Destination Cellars Announce Partnership
Date: August 28, 2008
As the destination club industry continues to grow, the concept is more readily being applied outside of the United States. Over the past several years, clubs have emerged in the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, and South Africa to name but a few.

Exclusive Resorts and Destination Cellars Announce Partnership
Date: August 22, 2008
The industry's largest destination club and the industry's only wine themed destination club have announced a partnership. What does this mean for Exclusive Resorts and Destination Cellars and their members?

TopEight Names Their Best Destination Clubs
Date: August 19, 2007
TopEight.com has assembled their lists of their top eight Miami Beach hotels, scariest movies, and indoor water parks since 2002 and have now announced their top eight destination clubs, featuring a mix of industry staples and some surprising newcomers.

Exclusive Resorts Releases Study Results
Date: June 20, 2007
Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club has released a letter to members, outlining the results of a study of usage trends of the club's global portfolio of luxury residences and their plans based on these findings.

Executives Predict Tanner & Haley Bankruptcy
Date: August 3, 2006
As members and clubs across the destination club industry continue to respond to the bankruptcy announcement of the pioneering Tanner & Haley, several executives within the sector forsaw a major destination club bankruptcy in 2006.

Exclusive Resorts Files Suit Against Private Retreats
Date: December 20, 2003
Exclusive Resorts is filing a suit against their primary competitor, Private Retreats, claiming that Private Retreats and Rob McGrath are sitting on a website bearing their name while McGrath's retort is Exclusive Resorts is playing "very dirty, competitive pool."

Exclusive Resorts Acquires Mirabella Estates
Date: December 10, 2003
Exclusive Resorts is already approaching the 200 member plateau and is expanding their property portfolio through the acquisition of Mirabella Estates. Exclusive Resorts will add two new ski properties and receive Mirabella's proprietary marketing and customer service systems.

Exclusive Resorts Acquires Start Up The Odyssey Club
Date: December 10, 2003
The up and coming membership club Exclusive Resorts has acquired The Odyssey Club, a rival club planning on launching in January of 2004. The acquisition will bring new members and industry executives to the Exclusive Resorts family.

Exclusive Resorts Surpasses 100 Members
Date: September 3, 2003
Just a short nine months in operation and Exclusive Resorts has surpassed the 100 member plateau. Over the past several months, the club has set several new milestones, including an average of one new member every two days and the introduction of their first international member.