Interview With Arizona Concierge Wendy Brown From M Private Residences

By: Destination Club News
Date: April 5, 2010

During our recent visit to Arizona, our stops with Exclusive Resorts and The Markers Club dominated much of our time, but we were able to connect with Wendy Brown, the local concierge for M Private Residences' homes in both Gold Canyon and Paradise Valley.

Wendy started with M Private Residences in 2005. "They found me at the Concierge desk on property at the Private Golf and Country Club. I loved the Country Club and members there and could not imagine leaving, but when the position was offered to me and I was able to see that I would have the best of both worlds, still be in the area and around the Country Club and have a great new position and experience, I went for it. To this day it is the best thing that has ever happened to me professionally and I am truly blessed."

Wendy was kind enough to sit down and answer some of our questions about popular activities in the region and her thoughts on Canada's largest destination club.

Destination Club News: What are the most popular activities for members during this peak travel season and what do you suggest locally?

Wendy: There is so much to do during the peak season! Obviously, our most popular activities are golfing, hiking, arts and cultural events, sporting events, day trips, spa visits and shopping. Dining is right up there too as we have so many wonderful restaurants in the Valley.

Golf is almost always the most requested activity from members. There are two world class golf courses on the property at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club and five minutes away is the #1 rated Public Golf Course in Arizona, Dinosaur Mountain at Gold Canyon Golf Resort.

I also recommend a short drive to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum or to Canyon Lake. Taking a day or night cruise through Canyon Lake on the Dolly Steamboat is breathtaking. The area there is known as the Little Grand Canyon. Lastly, The Lost Dutchman Museum and Goldfield Ghost Town for history buffs! You can see a mock gunfight any day of the week!

Destination Club News: And what activities are popular for those members who which to visit during the hotter seasons?

Wendy: Swimming in the pool is always a popular option for those who want to stay at the residences, but spa days, shopping, day trips to Sedona or Flagstaff are also great. We have many museums, and of course, you have to go attend an Arizona Diamondbacks' baseball game! Another popular request I get is for a private chef prepared dinner or wine tasting. Sometimes even both!

Destination Club News: Is there a "Wendy Brown" custom experience you provide to members? Anything that they get specifically from you that they won't get at other M Private Residences' properties?

Wendy: Of course there is! Actually, I am very lucky to be only one of this elite group known as Mbassadors for M Private Residences. They are all very friendly and service oriented and we try to be consistent with how we do things. However, I must proudly admit that I am a native Texan, and yes, I have an accent. The Southern Hospitality I put in the mix is your "Wendy Brown" experience! I am here for them. I have a positive can do attitude, and if I don’t have an answer to your question, I will get it! You are never bothering me, and I understand what it means to be somewhere you are not familiar with and not really knowing where to go for this or that. I try to anticipate questions before they can be asked. I pride myself in providing our members with an experience where they will not miss out on anything unless they choose to. When you are on holiday at the Arizona Properties, you are home and made to feel that way. I guess in a nutshell, I am very available to our Members and they are my priority. I make sure they are comfortable with calling me at any time for anything.

Destination Club News: Are most of the members that travel to your properties return visitors or first timers?

Wendy: I would say that it is about half and half! The members that return are great because they love the property and area and are coming back for another great holiday or experience. It seems too that before a member departs the property, they are already planning who they would like to bring back with them so that they can share the same great experience. I love first timers because I love the reaction I get when they walk in the door. They always say the same thing..."WOW. The pictures just do not do these homes justice. It's beautiful here, and I need to come back and bring my entire family or a group of friends!"

Destination Club News: What do you enjoy most about your position with the club?

Wendy: Beside the fact that it is the best job in the world, I would have to say that I enjoy the nature of the work. I am a people person and I enjoy meeting new Members and visiting with ones I have seen on many occasions. I love being a part of creating wonderful memories for our Members. I appreciate the invaluable support I get from the head office Team in Calgary. We are a close nit group even for being so far away from each other. The company really listens to the feedback I give them and also that of its members. They set high, yet obtainable, goals and help me achieve them. I enjoy this position because my teammates and Members really value me and I think it motivates me and shows in my work. My friends always tell me how lucky I am.

Destination Club News: Lastly, what have we missed? What else can you tell us about the properties or M Private Residences?

Wendy: Yes! Thank you for allowing me to elaborate. There is a so much rich history in the Superstition Mountains right outside our back door. Some of our Member’s favorite thing to do is watch the sunset from the patio and swim at night under the stars. So many stars! Its magical, and hard to explain until you experience it. They love watching the Quails and the little chicks all run around, bunny rabbits in the yard and gorgeous desert landscape. I'm making you wish that you visited the properties, didn't I? I guess I could go on and on. I do love Arizona.

About the Club - M Private Residences is a great club with a very personal touch from the Travel Experience Coordinators that start with getting to know the members, helping them with making a reservation and creating a memorable vacation, to the local “Mbassador” like me who takes care of all the members pre-trip and in-travel requests nothing ever is left to chance, we ensure our members have wonderful experiences. With 17, and counting, multi-million dollar homes all over the world, our Members have a lot of places to choose from, and best of all, it is a full equity ownership so our members really do feel like these are their homes. At M we all strive to keep operating costs down without compromising on what we call "M Standard." The corporate culture at M promotes team building, motivation and company spirit, and I am happy to be part of such a special one of a kind club.

Based on Wendy's high praise, both of the Arizona properties available to M Private Residences' members is high on our to do list for our next visit. Comments similar to Wendy's exist throughout the destination club industry from nearly all employees who work with members directly either assisting in their travel planning or their in residence stay. This high service element is one of the chief differences between destination club travel and other luxury vacation options.

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