The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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Hualalai Resort Reports Unveils $40 Million Enhancement

(KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII) - Hualalai Resort, one of the most luxurious residential golf course communities in the world, is closing in on $130 million in resort sales this year, spurred by $43.5 million in sales in August alone, according to resort executives.

In a recent Honolulu Star-Bulletin story, Hualalai chief executive officer recently said sales at Hualalai Resort have "surpassed our highest expectations in spite of the worst recession in recent history."

August sales, which equal more than a third of the resort's total sales during the last 13 years, pushed the year-to-date sales of homes and home sites to $90 million, according to Fitzgerald. He anticipated a strong finish at the exclusive Four Seasons-anchored private resort property, where prices range from $2 million to $30 million.

Despite the recent successes, Fitzgerald did say it's been a difficult environment and "2010 will continue to be a challenging year for Hawaii." Fitzgerald figures prices have dropped anywhere from 1 to 20 percent this year, but the market appears to be stabilizing after the late summer run-up in sales.

Situated on the renowned North Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, Hualalai Resort is riding enthusiasm driven by the recent completion of $40 million in resort improvements. The 15-month renovations, completed in August, encompassed a sweeping transformation of the Hualalai Sports Club and Hualalai Spa, a rejuvenated beachfront bar and restaurant, stylish new retail boutiques and 20 new suites at the AAA Five Diamond Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

The Hualalai Club, available only to those who own real estate at Hualalai, features two spectacular championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus (resort course) and Tom Weiskopf (private Ke'olu course) and clubhouses as well as an amenity package reserved only for members. Real estate offerings are comprised of custom homes, custom home sites and luxurious condominium villas.

Located on the Big Island's renowned "gold coast," so named for the exquisite luxury resorts and multi-million dollar homes scattered along its 40-mile stretch of pristine oceanfront, Hualalai Resort is conveniently situated just 10 minutes north of the Kona International Airport, and 15 miles north of the city of Kailua-Kona and all of its community services, retail outlets and entertainment.

With gently sloping topography rising from sea level to 225 feet in elevation, the Hualalai real estate is comprised of individual communities each possessing a unique character and ambiance. At the completion of the Hualalai real estate development, just 500 families will be fortunate to call Hualalai home.

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Renowned Casa de Campo Resort Holds Dye Club Championship

(LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) -- The annual Dye Club Championship was recently held this year at the highly acclaimed Casa de Campo Resort, recently voted the "World's Best Golf Resort" at the World Travel Awards.

The event, held for members of Pete Dye and Dye Family-designed golf courses around the world, turned out to be another successful event, according to Pete Dye's son, golf course architect Perry Dye.

"It is really great to get so many people from different Dye courses together," Perry Dye said at the event. "We have participants here from as far as China and Germany! It is such a unique opportunity to get to network with so many great people from all over the world, who share a love of Dye golf. This tournament is a testament to how much respect and appreciation people feel for my dad's work and for the work P.B., Cynthia, and I do. To get everyone at Casa de Campo, one of my dad's favorite places, has been a real thrill for us as a family. It has been such a remarkable journey to watch this resort grow, and to be able to share it with so many Dye golf lovers is great."

Director of Golf Gilles Gagnon did a fantastic job setting up the tournament, Dye reported. On the first day of the tournament, golfers were treated to Casa de Campo's newest gem, Dye Fore - a challenging and undulating layout with beautiful views of the Chavón River and the new resort marina. The weather was perfect, and the golf course was in excellent condition.

On the second day, participants played the fan favorite Teeth of the Dog course. Later that evening, everyone headed up to Altos de Chavón, the gorgeous hilltop castle for a traditional Dominican show complete with fire dancers.

The winner of this year's event was PGA National.

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