The Ritz-Carlton Club Portfolio Expands Into The Bahamas

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ABACO, The Bahamas , Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ritz-Carlton Club has its sights on The Bahamas , and today the industry's leading private residence club announcesits expansion at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, A Ritz-CarltonManaged Club.
A secluded residential development and sporting retreat, The AbacoClub offers more than two miles of pristine powder soft beaches,stunning turquoise waters and a multitude of activities from golfand fly fishing to horseback riding and a full-service spa. Thefractional ownership, Ritz-Carlton Club, Abaco now joins theproperty's existing real estate offerings of estate lots andturn-key cottages.
This fractional program is a points-based concept where Membershave three membership options:
With initial membership pricing starting at $110,000 , Members receive points annually for use toward their vacations inAbaco. This approach provides increased flexibility as each Membercan select the travel dates and residence floor plan best suitedfor their trip. Additionally, when choosing from the collection ofhomes, each residence is assigned a varying nightly point value.
The possibilities are endless on how a Member might enjoy theirmembership. For instance, a Member could elect to spend 14 nights(1,190 points) in a cliff-side cottage with the family to escapethe winter chill, seven nights (280 points) in a similar cottage insummer while the kids are on vacation and four nights (30 points)in a cabana in the fall for a romantic getaway.*
"For those seeking a vacation home alternative in The Bahamas , The Ritz-Carlton Club provides a lifestyle like no other," said Peter J. Watzka , executive vice president and chief operating officer for TheRitz- Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of TheRitz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C). "It affords a carefree homeownership experience, complete with a staff of dedicated Ladies andGentlemen to assist Members with their every need. This islanddestination, and specifically The Abaco Club, is the ideal settingto expand our growing brand."
Now in sales, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Abaco is targeted for firstphase occupancy in December 2008 , and ultimately offering 16 homes in the program. Furthermore, theconcept grants a deeded interest as part of a Bahamian real estatetrust. This approach allows Members to will the interest to theirheirs, if desired. Membership also includes privileged access tothe 7,183 yard / par 72, Scottish-style links golf course designedby Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie - named number one in The Bahamas by Golfweek in 2007.
"The key ingredient to this new concept is Member feedback,"continued Watzka. "Our Members told us they are looking forenhanced flexibility when using their second homes. As a result, wedesigned a program as diverse as their travel plans."
When making a reservation, Members may choose from four, fullyfurnished home options. The cabanas will provide approximately 570square feet of living space. Overlooking Winding Bay, cliff-sidecottages will include from two- to three-bedroom floor plans(roughly 1,656 - 2,385 square feet). Two-story, four-bedroomfairway villas (approximately 2,800 square feet) will meander alongthe golf course, and finally, two-story beachfront cottages willoffer a three-bedroom floor plan at approximately 2,250 squarefeet. All homes will boast a blend of southern hospitality withlarge porches and comfortable furnishings, as well as a Caribbean color palette.
The Ritz-Carlton Club lifestyle is tailored to each Member'spreferences. Services include pre-arrival provisioning of theMember's residence, such as pre-stocking of their refrigerator;concierge services; storage of personal items; assistance withtravel arrangements; vacation activity planning; and twice-dailyhousekeeping. Ritz-Carlton Club Members will also take pleasure inthe octagonally-designed clubhouse featuring gourmet dining andentertainment, as well as views of the bay and its double crescentshoreline. At the beach, Members will discover numerous wateractivities including snorkeling at a nearby coral reef, andBuster's, a casual thatched-roof bar and grill at the water's edge.
In addition, Members will have the option of traveling to otherdestinations through reciprocal use privileges at Ritz-Carlton Clublocations from San Francisco to Aspen, Colo.
Architects collaborating on the fractional residence designs arePlan It Bahamas located in Nassau , The Bahamas , and Cooper Johnson Smith Architects, Inc. in Tampa, Fla.
About The Ritz-Carlton Club
The Ritz-Carlton Club is a deeded, fractional ownership real estateoffering combining the benefits of vacation home ownership withpersonalized Ritz-Carlton services and amenities. For information,visit www.ritzcarltonclub.com .
*Premium membership example.
SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Club