Ultimate Escapes Introduces New Florence Residence
By: Destination Club News
Date: January 13, 2010
Giuseppe Verde once said "You may have the universe if I may have Italy." Members of the world's second largest destination club, Ultimate Escapes, may not have the universe, but they now have access to yet another Italian residence with the introduction of an ideally located property in the historic Florence, Italy, joining the hundreds of multi-million dollar private residences and luxury hotels in their collection.
 Regarded by most as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence offers countless historic landmarks to travelers. The Uffizi, where the works of da Vinci, Donatello, and Botticelli are displayed, is just one of the many renowned museums and numerous architecturally stunning cathedrals dominate the horizon. While millions throughout the world flock to Florence annually, few will have the ideal base camp available to members of Ultimate Escapes.
Overlooking the renowned Ponte Vecchio bridge on the Arno River, the two bedroom, two bath residence is the first Ultimate Escapes Elite property in Italy, joining a Tuscan residence at the Signature Club level and two Premiere Club properties also in Tuscany. "This spectacular Elite Club property in the Lungarno Suites in Florence helps to further round-out our international destination collection," said Jim Tousignant, Ultimate Escapes' CEO and President in the club's press release. "The art, culture and history of Florence make it a very special addition to our portfolio. Our members now have a place they can call home in this spectacular city."
The Langarno Suites were inaugurated in January of 2002 by Lungarno Hotels, a hotel management company owned by the Ferragamo family. Totaling 44 suites ranging from studios to two bedroom suites, each suite includes a fully equipped bar-kitchenette with minibar, microwave, espresso/cappuccino coffee machine, dishwasher, and CD player. Ultimate Escapes members will also enjoy all of the amenities they have come to expect from the world's second largest destination club, including:
- High speed internet
- Satellite TV
- DVD Player and DVD library
- Air conditioning
- Twice a day housekeeping
- 24 hour reception service
"Lungarno Hotels and Lungarno Suites are committed to offering visitors an experience that conveys hospitality, elegance, sensitivity and culture – values that mirror the foundation of our family business," said Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Lungarno Hotels. "Ultimate Escapes’ members are an ideal fit for Lungarno Suites given their commitment to quality time with loved ones. We are thrilled to offer them these quintessential values native to our Italian character."
Within Ultimate Escapes exists three distinct club levels: Premiere, Signature, and Elite. Each of the three clubs have their own respective property portfolios and pricing, letting members decide the properties they wish to access and the money they would like to spend.
Late last year, Ultimate Escapes became the world's first publicly traded destination club following a business combination with Secure America Acquisition Corporation.
While the relatively young destination club industry suffered through many growing pains in 2009, Ultimate Escapes concluded the year with many notable announcements, including:
If you would like to compare Ultimate Escapes to some of the other leading destination clubs in the industry, please request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide.
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