Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes Sign $200 Million Merger Agreement and Create Industry’s Second Largest Destination Club

Ultimate Resort®, the industry’s second largest destination club and Private Escapes®, the industry’s third largest destination club, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to merge and create the industry’s fastest growing and second largest destination club by a large margin. Read full press release (PDF)

Most recent media coverage:
Audio:
Business for Breakfast(AM 1060) – 10/03/07
850 KOA Interview

Online:
BYM Waterside Property News – 9/14/07
The Post & Courier – 9/14/07
Denver Business Journal – 9/13/07
Denver Post – 9/13/07
Forbes.com – 9/13/07
Fort Collins Coloradoan – 9/13/07
Helium Report – 9/13/07
Helium Report – 9/13/07
The Motley Fool – 9/13/07
MSN Money – 9/13/07
Northern Colorado Business Report – 9/13/07
Rocky Mountain News – 9/13/07
Sherpa Report – 9/13/07
Vacation Home Insider – 9/13/07
Wall Street Journal – 9/13/07

Private Escapes Destination Clubs announces today, August 18th, 2006, the launch of its new and most exclusive club offering: Private Escapes Pinnacle. With the company’s inception in 2003 and following the roll out of sister clubs Private Escapes Premiere and Private Escapes Platinum in 2004, the founding team created Private Escapes Pinnacle as the next logical step in offering members a selection of membership levels that best suit their needs.

“We have felt from the very origin of Private Escapes Destination Clubs that every member has unique interests, needs and resources, and that we should offer a choice to determine what is best for their individual circumstances,” said Richard Keith, president and CEO of Private Escapes Destination Clubs. “With the addition of Private Escapes Pinnacle, we offer the industry’s only multi–option portfolio where both existing and new members can choose exactly the right club level for them. This has been our plan since the company launched, and we’re thrilled to bring this option to the market.” Read full press release (PDF)

Popular CBS Sports personality and former European Ryder Cup player David Feherty joins Private Escapes Destination Clubs as its newest member and spokesperson for the clubs’ unparalleled golf destinations.
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The Destination Club Association (DCA) announced today the appointment of Richard Keith, president and CEO of Private Escapes Destination Clubs, as Vice President of the organization. The DCA focuses on consumer education, awareness and responsible industry growth and serves as the independent regulatory arm to govern the destination club industry. In his new position with the DCA, Keith will help lead legislative efforts for the sector, create industry provisos that continue to protect consumers and will be a key spokesperson for media.
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Golf and real estate have always gone together, but a new venture combines the two like no other.
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From wheels down to your front door and everything in between, Private Escapes Destination Clubs handles everything you need to make your trips hassle free.
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Steve Young has found a new home away from home and is the newest member of Private Escapes Platinum! Steve and his family have joined the Colorado-based Private Escapes Destination Clubs, the holding company for destination club affiliates Private Escapes and Private Escapes Platinum. Young led an illustrious career as former NFL Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and Private Escapes Destination Clubs wishes to congratulate our newest member for joining another elite club, the NFL Hall of Fame, when inducted this coming August.

"My family and I were looking for a travel option that fit our needs–we’re very active and love exploring new areas–Private Escapes Destination Clubs fit the bill perfectly because of its residences all over the world and stellar locations,” said Young. “We debated between buying another vacation home but this option was far too limiting—my family wants to travel where they want, when they want. Private Escapes Destination Clubs has a track record of success, and I know their homes will provide locations and experiences that will create wonderful memories for my wife and my sons."

Destination clubs differ from other travel/real estate options because they provide members access to luxury resort residences around the world without the limitations of second home ownership or time constraints of timeshares.

"Obviously, Steve and his family could have joined any destination club they wished,” said Richard Keith, president of Private Escapes Destination Clubs. “Their decision to join Private Escapes offers powerful testimony to the value our firm presents when compared to the others in the sector."

Young is a member of Private Escapes Platinum and will be privy to the high-end amenities and benefits of membership including Escape Planners, who take care of every detail from plane tickets and ground transportation to daily activities and restaurant reservations, and Local Hosts, who act as an on-site concierge, giving the member an insider’s view of the location and taking care of their every need, including babysitters and tee times.