Ultimate Resort has announced a merger with Private Escapes, creating a destination club with more than 140 properties and more than 1200 members. Including the Ultimate Resort Collection, which comprises more than 60 boutique hotels, members will have access to more than 200 luxury properties around the world.

Ultimate Resort property in Maui, Hawaii

Ultimate has announced that current prices will be increasing by at least $25 000 in the very near future, and they imply that redemption policies and other details may change for members who join later.

The new entity claims to be:

The fastest growing club in the $1 billion destination club industry

The #1 club by number of global destinations

The #1 club in the $1 million home value club category

The #1 club in the $2 million home value club category

The #2 club in the $3+ million home value club category

The #2 club by total number of members

The only destination club that operates 3 distinct clubs and 5 flexible membership plans

This kind of consolidation has been predicted for some time, and only widens the gap between what the largest and smallest clubs can offer their members. Number of properties isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it’s important - and not just for prospecitve and current members. More properties means more potential for economies of scale and operating efficiencies. Jim Tousignant, Ultimate Resort’s CEO, on the subject:

Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes are both market leaders that share core business values that are focused on an unwavering commitment to providing our members with exclusive access to the best club homes, most memorable vacation experiences and the top concierge and member services in the industry. Combining our individual strengths creates a much stronger family of destination clubs that offer our members the most club membership plans, the best flexibility, and a vastly improved range of new club destinations and member vacation experiences, all while operating a prudent, sustainable business model.

OTHER ARTICLES THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

• Private Escapes pre-merger offer
• Tanner and Haley acquisition
• Ultimate Resort
• Private Escapes - space available reservations
• Ultimate Resort price increase