How Fun Resorts Update

By: Destination Club News
Date: January 25, 2010

Two years ago, The LUSSO Collection would be one of the more attractive options within the destination club industry, bringing a boutique club structure and extravagant property portfolio to the highly competitive sector. One year ago, the club had announced their bankruptcy, stating, "The current national financial crisis has resulted in a precipitous drop in new member enrollments and a significant contraction in the availability of debt financing, which has affected the club’s ability to acquire new properties and service existing obligations." Today, the club's final fate still rests in the hands of the courts, but we did get the opportunity to speak with Bruce Howard about the state of his destination club, How Fun Resorts.

Following the LUSSO Collection bankruptcy, a small group of club members looked to fill the void left by their club and created How Fun Resorts. Originally conceived as "LUSSO 2," the young club was founded to give former LUSSO Collection members "a high quality travel experience with a low risk entry program."

Marketing exclusively to the former members of The LUSSO Collection, who had likely lost all of their refundable membership deposit paid to join the club, coupled with a declining economic market and bankruptcies at rival destination clubs such as High Country Club and Solstice Collection, and How Fun Resorts wasn't able to reach their initial membership goals.

"A small group of us former LUSSO Collection members have gotten together to form How Fun Resorts," Howard told us. "While I can't discuss everything with The LUSSO Collection, our group of members is traveling through Elite Destination Homes."

"Members are paying approximately $750 per night," Howard would continue, "but they can sleep well at night not having to worry about the security of their large deposits. Really we are just happy that we could help salvage some of the vacation experiences for our members."

Following High Country Club's bankruptcy, two other clubs would emerge with similar aspirations as How Fun Resorts, Paragon Destinations and The Phoenix Club. Both would look to create a travel option for the members of the former club.

We spoke with Jason Bindra of Paragon Destinations earlier this month and he informed us that he would be able to further comment on the status of his destination club approximately a month from now as High Country Club's court case proceeds. The Phoenix Club has not responded to our requests for more information.

We told Mr. Howard to keep us apprised of any news about the club, and How Fun Resorts is still accepting new members. If you would like to be put in touch with the club, please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help you make introductions.