Featured Property: Ritz Carlton Destination Club Vail, Colorado

By: Destination Club News
Date: January 9, 2011

Winter is in full form and clubs across the destination club industry are making sure that their members have an abundance of lavish ski destinations to frequent while the snow is fresh. Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club, opened Steamboat Springs to members, adding five new properties in the popular area. Joining a beachfront property in Anguilla, a three bedroom mansion in Snowmass was introduced to members of Equity Estates late in November. Giving members access to over 5,000 acres of land, the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club has added Vail to their ranks, taking home our inaugural property of the week honor for 2011.

"The Ritz-Carlton Club, Vail is a spectacular addition to the brand's two existing Colorado mountain resorts in Bachelor Gulch and Aspen Highlands," said Peter Watzka, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company. "Our members have shared with us their desire to be in this exceptional location, and we are excited to bring it to them."

Found at the base of Vail Mountain in LionsHead Village, two, three, and four bedroom residences are available as part of the Ritz-Carlton's Home Club Membership. Ranging from 1,300 to 2,874 square feet each, units come complete with hardwood flooring in living areas, master suites with walk-in closets, gas fireplaces, and more. An underground, heated garage with valet parking, twice daily housekeeping services, an outdoor heated pool, and whirlpool spa top the resort's list of amenities.

After a somewhat surprisingly slow start following their launch, particularly given their excellent brand name, the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club has kept themselves at the top of the destination club ranks with several exciting programs. Catering to their younger members, the equity destination club unveiled their "Adventure Passport" program, rewarding children for undertaking activities at every club residence. Keeping their focus on children, the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club partnered with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services to provide school supplies to foster children as part of their "Backpacks for Success" program.

The final quarter of 2010 also included arguably the biggest partnership announcement in the history of the destination club industry as the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club forged a strategic alliance. The union allows members of both clubs reciprocal access to the other club's portfolio, adding another 17 residences to the Ritz-Carlton catalogue from the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club collection. And how did the club close out the year? By giving new members a free week of travel. Not a bad way to wrap up 2010.