The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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Timbers Resorts Announces New Private Residence Club project at Doonbeg, Ireland

(CARBONDALE, CO) -- Timbers Resorts, a leading developer of intimate luxury resort properties, announced Aug. 18 its partnership with Kiawah Development Partners (KDP), master developer of Kiawah Island and other premier golf course communities, to launch and oversee the new private residence club at Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland called The Links Cottages at Doonbeg. The Links Cottages will allow residential interest ownership in one of Europe`s most desired golf and lodging destinations, with a setting featuring five-star services and amenities.

"The partnership between KDP and Timbers Resorts allows two of the most successful luxury lifestyle brands to extend their offerings to a new and larger audience both here and in Europe," says Charles P. "Buddy" Darby, III, CEO of Kiawah Development Partners. "With The Links Cottages now a Timbers Resorts Residence Club, owners may enjoy residential interest ownership on Ireland's stunning southwest coast which also allows membership in the prestigious Doonbeg Golf Club plus access to the idyllic locations that the Timbers Collection offers."

Easily accessible from Shannon airport, Doonbeg is set along one and a half miles of crescent-shaped beach and may be the last true links course built in Ireland and Great Britain. Designed by two-time British Open champion Greg Norman, the course was named Golf Digest's "Best New International Course" in its opening year. The Links Cottages at Doonbeg are located near the Lodge, which gives owners access to all of the resort amenities including dining venues from renowned chef and lead judge of Bravo`s "Top Chef" Tom Colicchio, the culinary force behind New York City's Gramercy Tavern and Craft, an acclaimed spa designed by award-winning Clodagh and an extensive golf program. Membership in the private golf club with purchase, assures full access to the course and members club areas.

"Timbers Resorts is delighted to partner with KDP at Doonbeg and at several other planned locations in the future," said David A. Burden, CEO/Founder of Timbers Resorts. "We admire the casual sophistication and quality nature of their resorts, as well as their attention to detail in the key areas of comfort and enjoyment that their impeccable operations teams deliver. Timbers Resorts strives to deliver the best experience anyone could envision at each of our locations and with KDP at Doonbeg, this will be surely the case."

Spanning an average of almost 3,000 square feet, each of the eight Cottages offers four bedrooms and an expansive living space with decor representing a simple yet elegant country style. Each cottage boasts kitchens custom-designed by SieMatic, large living and dining areas, and bedrooms with a private bath that feature large marble slab showers, stone vanities, and heated towel racks. Owners will enjoy waxed limestone slab and wide-plank old oak floors, timber casement windows, two gas-burning fireplaces, carpets in natural fabrics and reclaimed wooden beams throughout. All cottages are designed for the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and luxury with stunning views of the fairways and lush Irish countryside from all four bedrooms. The launch price per deeded interest is €165,000 or $235,000.

Over the past 10 years, Timbers Resorts has created an incomparable host of benefits and privileges for owners to ease and enhance the vacation experience. Owners will become Members in the Timbers Collection and have access to the Timbers Reciprocity Program (TRP) that allows them to trade their vacation weeks and stay at any of the other Timbers Collection properties in the world`s most sought-after ski, golf, beach and countryside destinations. In addition to TRP, Doonbeg owners will also receive access and services from Sentient Jet, Hertz Car Rental, MedjetAssist, Luggage Forward and more, as well as, savings at hospitality affiliates.
 
Doonbeg`s coveted location on Ireland`s famed southwest coast makes it an ideal destination for surfing, sailing, hiking, cycling, picnicking, antiquing, fishing, horseback riding, dolphin watching and more. The ancient village of Doonbeg is a short drive up the road, offering an assortment of restaurants and old pubs for vacationers to enjoy.

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Exclusive Isleworth and Christie's Great Estates See Opportunistic Signs

(WINDERMERE, FL) -- Savvy buyers are recognizing opportunities in this challenging economic climate by acquiring real estate while prices are at historic lows and inventories are high, according to Christie's Great Estates.
 
"I believe people will look back on 2009 and regret not buying real estate," says Kay Coughlin, President/CEO of Christie's Great Estates. "Trophy estates are being offered for sale, some of which have not been on the market for generations. In a number of locations, prices are back to 2001 levels. Prevailing economic forces are creating a value proposition for qualified homebuyers that will not be available for long."
 
Isleworth Realty, a Christie's affiliate in Central Florida, sold two homes during the second quarter of 2009. The real estate company, which exclusively sells property behind the gates of Isleworth Golf & Country Club, said both homes were purchased by cash buyers who closed within days of contract signing.
 
An 8,747-square-foot lakefront home, featuring five bedrooms and five full and three half baths, was listed at $6,950,000. The new owners closed on the residence in eight days.
 
A 3,780-square-foot garden villa, featuring four bedrooms, four full and one half baths, was listed at $2,975,000. The new owners closed on the residence in four days.
 
"While there is no doubt that the global economy has slowed, we are seeing the return of consumer confidence," says longtime Isleworth Realty president Lisa Richards.

"Real estate, when invested wisely, has historically proven to be one of your greatest assets."
 
It certainly doesn't negatively affect matters when some of your fellow Isleworth homeowners are the likes of Tiger Woods and numerous other well-known professional golfers, as well as basketball stars Shaquille O'Neal and Vince Carter.

Nestled amongst the Butler Chain of Lakes in southwest Orlando, Isleworth Golf & Country Club is a 600-acre community with more than seven miles of shoreline and a championship golf course originally conceived and designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, and later enhanced by Steve Smyers.
 
Isleworth's premier amenities include a children's program, a concierge service and a lavish 89,000-square-foot Mediterranean clubhouse offering unparalleled services to its members. Elegant estate homes, priced from $2 million to more than $20 million, are afforded commanding golf to water views.

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Bermuda's Reefs Club Debuts New La Serena Spa

(SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA) -- The Reefs Club, Bermuda's highly anticipated private residence club, is now open and has already welcomed several enthusiastic owners. The luxurious, shared ownership property is one of the few ways foreigners may purchase a Bermuda vacation home. Strict government regulations have limited the sale of whole ownership real estate to non-Bermudians, paving the way for the sensible, convenient ownership The Reefs Club offers.

"It's been tremendously gratifying to finally welcome owners to The Reefs Club and see how it has lived up to their very high expectations," reports David Dodwell, president of The Reefs Club. "The response has been fantastic, and we enjoy witnessing positive, first-time reactions from our owners."

Steve Comeau, an owner at the Reefs Club, recently vacationed at the new property.
"For those considering a fractional residence, it all comes down to the math," he explains. "Take the best services of a five-star hotel, plus all the space and amenities of a beautiful new home, minus 1000 headaches. Then, put it in Bermuda."

"The Reefs Club is even better and more beautiful than we expected," comments owner Paula Ganzi. "No details were missed to make this spacious, fully equipped residence luxurious. ... We have vacationed in Bermuda for over 25 years, and now we are so happy to have our own place to enjoy as often as we can. This is a dream come true for us, our family, and our friends!"

Another owner of The Reefs Club, Rudy Valli adds: "A vacation home at the top of The Reefs Club brings Bermuda to a whole new level."

Sharing a spectacular private pink-sand beach with Bermuda's most award-winning hotel, The Reefs Club offers the same exceptional service for which The Reefs has long been renowned. Club owners enjoy exclusive amenities, including an infinity-edge pool, rooftop putting green with Atlantic views, state-of-the-art fitness center, and owners' lounge. The Reefs' three fine restaurants, for which owners may purchase meal plans, are shared by both properties, as is the new La Serena Spa. The Spa, with eight treatment rooms, opened August 14.

The Reefs Club maintains the hotel's intimacy by offering just 19 two- and three-bedroom residences, all with unobstructed ocean views and private hot tubs on the verandas. Residences are furnished in contemporary Bermudian style and feature amenities such as flat screen televisions, spa bathrooms, and gourmet kitchens. One-tenth ownership starts at $350,000, providing owners flexible and generous use.

Bermuda is just two hours or less from most East Coast cities, making the island a logical and accessible second home destination.

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