DUO by Quintess and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Host Webinars

By: Destination Club News
Date: November 19, 2010

For those interested in joining a destination club, it is becoming a full time job watching all happenings in the space. Yesterday alone, Demeure confirmed the purchase of Ultimate Escapes, Exclusive Resorts released their monthly newsletter, and M Private Residences contacted us about an announcement that we will profile next week. DUO by Quintess, a newcomer to the industry but with an established track record as part of Club Holdings, and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, one of the world's leading equity clubs, both hosted webinars yesterday for interested parties looking to learn more about their respective clubs.

Hosted by Ben Addoms, Todd Miller, and Jeremy Lee, DUO by Quintess began their webinar with a quick background, detailing the success seen at Quintess over the past six years and how members over the years have expressed an interest in residences that weren't as expansive as the $4 million homes attached to Quintess. This was the genesis of DUO, where homes average approximately $2 million each, but with all of the same services as their predecessor. The young club would quickly dive into the financial component of membership, a focal point for nearly all former Ultimate Escapes members currently evaluating DUO.

Geoffrey Kent, the man behind Abercrombie & Kent and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, and Gaia Banovich, hosted their own webinar just a few short hours before DUO, outlining their equity based structure and an attractive incentive ending on December 15, 2010. New members will receive 15 complimentary nights over their first three years of membership. The other exciting news coming out of the club in recent weeks has been a partnership with the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, giving members even more vacation options by allowing them the option to convert their nights into access at Ritz-Carlton Destination Club residences. To date, Jupiter, Florida has been the most popular Ritz-Carlton destination for A&K members, followed by St. Thomas, San Francisco, and Hawaii. From the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club side, the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club homes in Scottsdale, Jackson Hole, Turks & Caicos, and Snowmass/Aspen have topped the list.

The Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy continues to loom over the market, creating a handful of options for all buyers as virtually every club makes a play for the former UE members. This presents an enviable position for those currently evaluating membership. If you are considering joining a destination club, contact us and we will help you evaluate the various options available to you.