Gentry Retreats

"Our mission is to make luxury second home ownership affordable, provide exceptional service to our Members and bring the non-equity destination club industry, which is still in its infancy, to a broader audience."

Competing primarily against High Country Club and Private Escapes at the value level of the industry, Gentry Retreats never reached the levels of success that their competitors did.

Based in Celebration, Florida, Gentry officially launched their club in May of 2005. Their collection of properties averaged between $500,000 and $1 million. Led by CEO Joseph LaTurner, Executive Vice President Kari Kron, and Chief Financial Officer William Rosenblatt, the club continually reinvented their model to try to keep pace in the industry. For example, during their tenure, the club's resignation policy launched with an 85% refundable policy, transistioned to 90% refundable before settling on 100% refundable. This was in sharp contrast to other clubs in the industry who were decreasing the refundable portion of the membership deposit. The club followed the lead of Abercrombie & Kent Destination Club, Exclusive Resorts, Dream Catcher Retreats, and others and were a frequent Wall Street Journal advertiser despite having far less capital available to them.

Gentry also provided guaranteed reservations to members, meaning the club would rent, at no cost to members, a property outside of their portfolio to accomodate members who attempted to reserve the same property. This operating model requires the club to make numerous short term leases and was one of the major contributing reasons for Tanner & Haley's bankruptcy.

Private Escapes and High Country Club each grew organically and soon had a stranglehold on the value market and news out of Gentry became non-existant. LaTurner stated that the club was working on a major announcement in 2007 but the club was never heard from again and the club's website and phone numbers were pulled.

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

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