New Private Retreat Club Botiga

Date: May 3, 2008

The founders of the luxury-chalet operator Descent International are launching a new private retreat club called Botiga.

Botiga was created by Kit Harrison and Peter Scott, the co-founders of Descent International, widely recognized as the most luxurious chalet operator in the Alps; and James Lees, developer of premier sporting resorts worldwide.

It is supported by a highly experienced board of leading customer service, travel, property, investment and legal specialists.

Other founders include Soren Jessen, former executive director at Goldman Sachs and now one of London's most successful restaurateurs, Alasdair Hadden-Paton, who spent 15 years as FD of Townhouse Investments, the five-star hotel group including The Egerton House, The Franklin and Dukes Hotel, and Leo Scheijde former FD of CC Africa, Africa's leading luxury safari company.

Peter Scott, who founded the ad agency WCRS, and Kit Harrison, his partner in Descent, have adapted the American destination-club concept to offer members access to a portfolio of luxury private retreats around the world.

Subscriptions to Botiga are between €21,000 (£16,400) and €35,000 a year, after a signing-on fee that can be up to €625,000.

Membership of Botiga is by invitation only. Charter membership will be launched in Summer 2008. The initial launch portfolio of properties will be available to members from Winter 2008.

There are two Botiga membership types available.

The first 30 members are called Founder Members. Subsequent members are called Charter Members. Together they have exclusive use of all peak weeks and access to the reduced points weeks.

Affiliate Members are entitled to off peak usage and access to the reduced points weeks.

If you would like to discuss membership options in more detail, please contact Kit Harrison on 020 3326 4000 or email kitharrison@botiga.co.uk