Luxury Destination Clubs: The Ultimate Resort Destination Club offers luxury residences in many of the most desired vacation and recreation hotspots worldwide. Members can stay at homes in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Park City, Telluride, Vail, Jackson Hole, Scottsdale, New York, London, Paris, and more. An Ultimate concierge is a personal host who is available 24/7 to ensure that needs are fully addressed. The Ultimate concierge is a member's personal facilitator. The lavish houses are luxuriously furnished and have living space of 3,000 to 5,000 square feet. However, some of the quarters in urban areas are smaller. Annual availability ranges from 14 to 42 usage days.
All accommodations feature kitchens fit for award-winning chefs, and there is plenty of room for entertaining indoors and outdoors. A well-stocked wine cellar and refrigerator awaits incoming members. Most homes have either a swimming pool or a hot tub or both. Home-entertainment equipment includes large LCD or plasma televisions with DVD players, an iPod with a docking station, a CD and a DVD library, and an audio/stereo system throughout the house. Additionally, personal computers with high-speed Internet service, including Wi-Fi, and a fax machine are on hand. There is even a digital art service that can download and display family photographs for members during their stay.
There are five levels and two tiers of membership. Corporate plans also are available. Acceptance is subject to approval by the Ultimate Resort Membership Committee. Fees include a one-time membership payment and annual dues. All properties acquired by the company are placed in a members trust. Members can redeem their membership deposits at 80 percent of the current membership fee, which may result in a gain for a resigning member.
Ultimate Resort also features a Membership Appreciation Program, whereby members accumulate points that are redeemable for travel and entertainment rewards, such as additional days special services. Visit the company's Web site for full details.
Luxury Residence Clubs: Members of the Private Quarters Club can choose their home course from three exclusive residential-golf communities located in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Florida. Twenty-one nights of residency are offered yearly to members at their home course, along with full privileges of the country club. Additionally, members can enjoy golfing at the other locations too. If residences are available at the other communities, members may use those accommodations during their stay. Members of the Private Quarters Club own deeded real estate at their home-course. Residences range from 1,600 to 2,700 square feet. Concierge and housekeeping services are available at all of the club's locations.
The Geneva National, which is located in Lake Geneva, Wis., provides three championship golf courses designed by Lee Trevino, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer. Amenities provided include access to club's dining and lounges, use of exercise/health center, swimming pools, and tennis courts, locker rooms, and practice facilities. The residences are located at Hole 15 of the Trevino course.
The Old World Italian-Mediterranean-styled Porto Cima golf community is located in the Land of the Ozarks, Mo., and presents golf opportunities at three championship golf courses: Porto Cima, Witches Cove Golf Course, and Season's Ridge Golf Course. The par-72 championship course of Porto Cima is a Jack Nicklaus-designed course. There is access to Porto Cima's numerous attractions, such as the yacht club with reserved deck space, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and the tennis courts. Additionally, various services of the Four Season's resort, including room rates, are offered to members at a discount.
Members who select Amelia National as their home club will enjoy Northern Florida's lush and scenic Amelia Island. There is a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course to play. The club offers swimming pools, tennis courts, private dining and lounges, and other services provided by the country club. The residences have three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2.5-car garages, and spacious outdoor decks.
The PQC's plan is to increase residences at current facilities as well as add more sites for members. Two-night preview packages for each club are available at very reasonable rates. Three ways to hit the fairways and live luxuriously are presented splendidly by the Private Quarters Club.
Luxury Investment Club: Being an executive producer of a motion picture could be either a lucrative or a fruitless venture. However, for those capable of speculating on such endeavors, IndieVest is a company worth checking out. The firm is an independent film studio, financier, distributor and member community of high-net-worth investors. IndieVest unites executive producers with filmmakers to produce independently made motion pictures.
Generally, profits from these projects are split 45/45/10. Executive producers are filmmakers receive 45 percent, respectively, and IndieVest receives the remaining 10 percent. The minimum investment required is usually $50,000. In order to invest in a project with IndieVest, investors must fit the criteria outlining an
accredited investor as specified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
A film project is usually set up as an LLC solely to facilitate the completion of one film. IndieVest's Web site has a thorough FAQ section that offers clarifying answers to anticipated questions of prospective executive producers. It offers the timeframe it normally takes to receive a return from the investment, and it lists the potential revenue streams that stem from completed film projects, and a lot more.
IndieVest is a members-only organization comprised of accredited investors. Once a membership is approved, the annual fee to affiliate with this exclusive organization is $5,000. Visit the company's Web site for further information.
For LxM James Rothaar
Company: IndieVest, Inc. Business: Film Project Investment Location: Los Angeles, CA Web site:www.indievest.com Contact: (877) 463-4383 / info@indievest.com
Luxury Destination Clubs: Solstice is among the premier luxury destination clubs worldwide with its impressive collection of five-star-plus accommodations at the most desirable vacation destinations in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean. The properties of Solstice are fully furnished, large enough to house numerous guests, and have an average value of $6 million or more. The three membership plans offered, Sky, Platinum, and Signature, are based upon how much flexibility a member wants in planning a vacation. Advanced reservations are made eight and five months prior to the desired timeframe, while spontaneous reservations are placed 75 days preceding the vacation date.
Solstice has two spacious mountain retreats in Aspen, Colo., in Silver Skies and Shimmering Trees, and a third location in Telluride. Silver Skies, which is located in Aspen's West End, features four bedrooms and baths, high ceilings, a media room, and a large kitchen. This newly constructed contemporary offerings breathtaking views of Aspen's mountains. Shimmering Trees has over 4,000 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, two stone fireplaces, and a gourmet kitchen. The quarters of Telluride are secluded in the Aldosora Ranch and just minutes from the ski slopes. This is a 5,800 square-foot mansion with a stone exterior and 2,800 additional square feet of outdoor terraces, including an outdoor fireplace. The amenities are unbelievable.
Solstice is building a beautiful estate in the Wine Country of Napa Valley, Calif., for members. It is expected to be ready by 2008. Meanwhile, a beautiful "substitute" estate is available that sets on 70 acre Calistoga vineyard with a tennis court, a large swimming pool, spacious outdoor entertaining areas, and a picturesque view of vineyards and mountains.
The deluxe destinations club has European residences in Florence, Paris and London. The Villa Dolce is located on Piazza Della Signoria. It is just steps from the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. Michelangelo designed the exterior of the residence. It has three bedrooms and baths and frescoes from the 17th century. There is 3,000 square feet of living space, and, despite being built in the 16th century, numerous modern amenities. The Beau Rivage is a 17th century two-level apartment located on Paris' Ile-Saint Louise. The flat been renovated yet retains its definitive Old World elegance. Some of the world's best shopping venues, the finest restaurants, and world-renowned art galleries are within walking distance. The Terrace Suite, which is in London's West End, is a large apartment with lavish decorum and 24-hour room service.
The French Caribbean is represented well by the L'Etoile du Berger estate in the hills of Columbier overlooking Flammands Beach. The subterranean view of the pool from a dining room window is as incredible as the sweeping oceanfront view from the master suite. The 6,500-square-foot Casa Estrellas, which is located just minutes from Cabo San Lucas, has five master suites, an infinity-edge pool, a gourmet kitchen, eight skylights and a Jacuzzi and a wading pool.
Solstice I, which is the company's 90-foot yacht that is available to members, cruises the New England coastline during the summer, the Bahamas in the spring and fall, and the Caribbean for the winter. There is a three-man crew and a bevy of water sports toys, including a speedboat, a wave runner and a 12-foot RIB.
The club's open-book policy and premium services have spurred its unprecedented growth and ranking in the industry. It maintains a membership-to-residences ratio of six to one to ensure members' satisfaction comes first. The Robb Report named Solstice among its Best of the Best for two consecutive years. This is a club whose membership definitely has advantages and privileges.
For LxM James Rothaar
Company: Solstice Business: Luxury destination club Location: Scottsdale, Ariz. Web site:www.solsticecollection.com Contact: (800) 543-4047
Luxury Club Residences: The Mt. Holly Club proudly proclaims that it is the "world's finest private ski and golf resort." With a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and an Olympic gold medalist skier, Ted Ligety, as the club's director of skiing, the statement would appear to be empirically supported and arguably accurate. Mt. Holly, Utah, is a dreamscape setting for people who demand dual lifestyles with convenient accessibility to both rural and urban areas. Mt. Holly Club is private gated community set on 2,000 acres surrounded by 700,000 of national forests.
Vibrant Las Vegas is a 22-minute flight or a less-than-three-hour drive away. Three national parks, Bryce, Zion, and Capital Reef, are an hour's drive away. Aside from the obvious amenities of aforementioned golf and skiing, other outdoor activities such as hiking and biking trails, sailing, fishing, and horseback riding are available too. The golf course, which is 7,588 yards and has five tee-boxes to accommodate all levels of golfers, is a distinctive Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. Nine holes will be playable in 2008, and the entire course will be done by 2009. Upon its completion, there will be 10 lifts and 48 runs for snow skiing. Six lifts and 36 runs are now up and waiting for snow.
The 118,000-square-foot community center, the Village, will offer the gamut of dining options. Entertainment venues, upscale shopping, grocery and retail stores also will be present. Three hundred estate lots ranging from one-half to 10 acres are currently being marketed. Three hundred mountain homes with four floor plans 2,700 to 5,000 square feet are on hand. Six hundred condominiums also are on the block with 1,500 to 3,000 square feet of living space. There are golf-course lots and ski-in/ski-out lots, and sites that provide mountain scenery and lake views.
This very exclusive upscale golf-cart community took years to bring to fruition. Move-in dates are approaching at the Mt. Holly Club.
For LxM James Rothaar
Company: Mt. Holly Club Property: Private golf/skiing community Web site:www.mthollyclub.com Location: Mt. Holly, Utah Contact: (877) MT. HOLLY / (877) 684-6559
Luxury Residence Clubs: How does a renowned luxury residence club rated Best of the Best by the Robb Report in 2006, in the Luxury Residences Clubs category, improve upon its overall status? Quintess does it quite convincingly by merging with Dream Catcher Retreats and then partnering with the Leading Hotels of the World organization to create Quintess, Leading Residences of the World. The partnership enables the company to expand its benefits and services to include special privileges for members at 440 plus hotels and resorts that belong to the esteemed Leading Hotels of the World organization.
Quintess has distinctive, lavish residences throughout the world. The average residence offered to members is $4 million. All houses are selected with criteria based on 36 quality points. Destinations include major cites such as New York, Paris, and London; balmy beach areas like Costa Rica, Amelia Island, and Maui; mountain homes in Telluride, Aspen, and Jackson Hole; golfing adventures in Scotland, Carefree, Arizona, and Pinehurst offer members myriad majestic choice dwellings to use for vacations, getaways, or special gatherings. Additionally, VIP treatment is offered at renowned golf courses, spas, hotels and resorts. Destination hosts are available to handle all details associated with trips from traveling to transportation to entertainment to the most basic needs or extraordinary requests.
The growth of the progressively evolving club is based upon solid business principles. Club members receive a say-so on the direction of the organization. Additionally, refunds are 100 percent during the first year of membership. Perhaps the most compelling qualifier that validates the quality of membership is the testimonies volunteered by members themselves.
It is an endorsement of quality that is priceless.
For LxM James Rothaar
Company: Quintess, Leading Residences of the World
Business: Luxury residence club
Location: Boulder, CO
Website: http://quintess.com
Contact: (800) 550- 0324
Luxury Residences: You always wanted a vacation home. The idea of jetting off to your own mountaintop retreat or villa on the beach has played out in your daydreams since you were old enough to care what label was stitched into the back of your jeans. But these days owning vacation property comes with a hefty price tag. You have to think about upkeep when you're not there, insurance, and taxes, and to top it all off, you're stuck with the same vacation year after year. Eventually that mountaintop retreat feels like Thoreau's cabin and that seaside villa is more like the antithesis of paradise.
You want to throw your hands up in frustration. But before you sign up for one of those fly-by-night timeshare programs, you'll want to hear what Dream Catcher has to say. Dream Catcher offers a portfolio of extraordinary vacation homes and year-round access to some of the world's best private resort facilities for the exclusive use of its members. From Maui to Manhattan and
Telluride to Turks & Caicos, members stay at spectacular vacation homes that average $3 million in value.
For as little as $150,000 and modest yearly dues (still far below the average home price in many American cities, especially in popular vacation destinations), and without the hassle of private homeownership, members can live far beyond their means, without breaking the bank. So, instead of pooling all your money into one property, why not get access to dozens, where you are given the royal treatment? A dedicated service team ensures that every detail is tended to and every request filled so that your visit or event is a success. Your personal concierge service is available 24/7 for the duration of your stay.
A Dream Catcher membership is perfect for corporations too. Imagine entertaining clients in a ski lodge at Beaver Creek or hosting a team-building retreat in Los Cabos. Why not reward top-producing employees with a free vacation (that's already paid for)? Whether you plan to bring the whole family, the sales team or keep it all to yourself, a Dream Catcher membership redefines getting the most for your money.
Luxury Auto Clubs: Entitlement to desires is the spoils of success. The Van Horssen Group is a very appealing club for elite automotive enthusiasts. Its never-ending supply of luxury, exotic, classic and vintage automobiles leaves its members in a euphoric state of mind. Imagine driving a Maybach, a Rolls Royce, a Bentley, an Aston Martin DB9, a Ferrari, a Maserati, or a Lamborghini completely carefree with no concerns regarding the accompanying "serious" issues of owning such an auto. Just start it up and drive!
Members can reserve a vehicle of their choice in weekly increments up to four times yearly. A vehicle is delivered and picked up as per a member's directions. Members of the VHG experience all the joys of ownership. Arrangements also can be made to store another vehicle to make space if needed. Driving four super cars yearly is a very unique experience.
The Van Horssen Group keeps members informed on new arrivals. Special VIP events and instructional programs are announced throughout the year. Aside from the luxurious door-to-door services, the group is an alliance of kindred spirits. It also is a great way to network and make establish new friendships.
Luxury Residence Clubs: Spectacular natural beauty, perfect weather and soothing tranquility have made Los Cabos, Mexico the premier resort destination. Nestled on the longest and most majestical peninsula on earth, Los Cabos couples old world colonial charm with modern luxury, and has become one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the world. It's an ideal place to own a vacation or retirement home that offers five-star hotel services, and with deeded fractional ownership becoming the hottest trend, here's an exclusive resort we think you should know about before it's all snatched up.
Puerto Los Cabos first community, Mision La Serena, is currently the only beachfront property available in this area. With striking views of the mountains and the sparkling sea, it consists of a high-end Private Residence Club within a gated community. Currently in development with a grand opening just around the corner, its layout of 75 two- and three-bedroom residences is situated on 7.4 acres. Luxurious amenities and services at this exclusive resort include private airport transfers, a personal assistant, an en-suite chef, and state of the art fitness center. With access to a world-class spa and private beach club on the property, you can expect that your every wish is someone else's command. In the heart of the marina, developers have incorporated the existing village of La Playa into their grand plan by providing dock space for the village fishermen to create a fresh-fish and farmers market. Golfers will be pleased to find that the two signature golf courses were designed and built by two of the biggest names in golf: Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, and exhibit some of the most challenging greens in Latin America.
Each residence has unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez, its own infinity pool, wet room, and whale watching deck where owners can enjoy candlelight dinners, private massages and cookouts. Attention to detail is key at this elite resort, where unparalleled luxury, security, and privacy have set the standard high. Be one of the first to purchase a portion of the property and receive title, giving you all the benefits of an elite resort with hassle-free, maintenance-free living. Expect to enjoy luxury living combined with traditional Mexican hospitality and charm.
Private Luxury Clubs: It is one of those egg-or-chicken dilemmas. Which came first, the Celux club or its privileged members? Celux is a private club where membership is granted only through a referral from an existing member. The mission of Celux, which is backed by the LVMH Group, is to "curate" a lifestyle of luxury that substantially distinguishes itself from the status quo. Celux began its upscale club in 2002.
The club is located on the top floors of the Louis Vuitton Omotesando Building in Harajuku area of Tokyo, Japan. The penthouse of the building serves as the lounge and the shopping zone for Celux members. The shopping zone is predominantly filled with limited editions or exclusive items from the fashion houses of the LVMH group, such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy. A pair of Nike sneakers, bespoke clothier Timothy Everest, and handbags by Wild Wans are a few of the items featured in the shopping section Celux's website.
Celux also hosts events for members akin to those sponsored by art galleries and cultural salons of Paris. The club also publishes a biweekly newsletter and a magazine. The majority of the club's website is presented in Japanese. However, topic headers and certain parts, but not all, are printed in English too. It is noteworthy that the Future Members section found on the About Us landing page is in both Japanese and English.
Luxury Destination Clubs: A crescendo occurs when music builds and becomes more intense and increases in volume. There is a buildup, a swelling,
and then a climax. It is a listening experience that begins small and ends big. The upsurge is definitely felt. Similarly, when people invest in a second residence or a vacation home, they do so with high expectations. Optimally, a return both on investment
and pleasure is expected, and anything less is unacceptable. Investors who join luxury-destination clubs that offer return on investments have similar
hopes. The Crescendo Luxury Real Estate Investment Group seeks to provide clients with all-encompassing measurable satisfaction, as the value of members' investments increases in accordance to the company's assets appreciating.
Crescendo offers up vacation retreats in luxury residences throughout the world with accompanying five-star amenities packages. A personal manager addresses every detail for clients. All residences are furnished lavishly, sparing no creature comforts, including luxury transportation and an in-house staff. Personal usage of residences is available 20 to 60 nights annually. Lake Tahoe, Los Cabos, NYC, Punta Mita are just some of the dreamy destinations offered by Crescendo. There currently are 36 luxury residences
available to members.
Crescendo offers its members more than numerous luxury vacation residences. It also provides a real-estate-investment-trust (REIT) with complete transparency, as the terms "members" and "owners" are interchangeable. This is an equity club. The Robb Report, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Trader Daily, the Helium Report have written favorably about Crescendo's and its way of doing business.
Luxury Memberships: You're used to getting what you want but you did learn a thing or two about diplomacy. It's one thing to ask politely for what you want and another to demand it. Not too many people like being told what to do, so the former is usually the PC path to take. You require the finer things in life but in order to keep your polished reputation intact, a little discretion is required. The Preferred Hotel Group gets you what you want, and you come out looking as sweet as pie.
Their I Prefer memberships grant access to those finer things in life. As an I Prefer member you'll get all those seemingly "high maintenance" extras like priority early check-ins and late check-outs, room upgrades, complimentary internet access, special offers and surprising delights from each hotel-all without calling attention to yourself (unless, of course, that's what you prefer).
JustLuxe is a luxury Web publication providing objective analysis and information to affluent consumers to assist with their decision making, decisions such as charting a yacht, purchasing a jet membership card, booking a luxury hotel, traveling to a specific destination, or buying real estate. Our writers conduct interviews with industry executives and leaders in their fields, analyze product offerings and review the Web sites of leading companies to ensure our readers have up-to-date data to make informed decisions. Consumers can find purveyors of fine luxury goods, services and travel solutions throughout the pages of JustLuxe via content or with our advertising partners. See our Best of Luxury High end Brands and partners.
NewsletterSignUp
Sign up for regular updates on the latest
trends, ultimate destinations and hottest
deals on selective items.