Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes Create Master Brand Ultimate Escapes

Date: May 28, 2008

In September of 2007, Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes announced a $200 million merger joining the two clubs together. Yesterday, the collected clubs introduced their new collected brand, Ultimate Escapes. The official launch announcement will take place in Miami this week at the 2nd Annual Destination Club & Private Residence Industry Symposium.

The new club will adopt a structure similar to the one used at Private Escapes, with three distinct clubs, each with their own price points and property portfolio.

  • Premiere: Collection of $1 Million Homes
  • Signature: Collection of $2 Million Homes
  • Elite: Collection of $3 Million Homes

Between the three club levels, Ultimate Escapes now has the most homes in the destination club industry in the $1 million and $2 million price range, the second most in the $3 million price range trailing only Exclusive Resorts, and the most total destinations in the sector. The combined collection of 140 properties in 50 destinations will now be available to all members.

"The fusion of two powerful brands, Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes, enriches membership travel options for our growing base of existing club members," said Richard Keith, co-CEO of Ultimate Escapes and the former CEO of Private Escapes, in the club's press announcement. "It also creates a highly attractive and flexible membership offering to best compete in the growing and ever changing luxury vacation market."

Jim Tousignant, the former CEO of Ultimate Resort, will also serve as co-CEO at Ultimate Escapes until August 1, at which point he will take over the role of CEO of Ultimate Escapes. Keith will transition to Chairman of the Board.

The new destination club already has an established partnership network to add to the destination club experience, including Bruce World of Travel, American Express, and Mombardier Flexjet and Skyjet.

Now using the tagline "Experience the Vacation of a Lifetime, Every Time," Ultimate Escapes is planning on continuing the famed service that the members of Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes came to appreciate.