Latest news with #ExclusiveResorts
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Wealthy Americans Are Ditching Fancy Hotels For Vacation Homes
Affluent Americans—especially the ultra-wealthy—are increasingly choosing private vacation homes over luxury hotel stays. An Exclusive Resorts villa on Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica Courtesy Exclusive Resorts The usual desires for privacy and more space drive the trend, while expectations of exceptional amenities such as concierge support, private chefs, housekeeping and in-villa spas have become the norm. In response more luxury hotel operators are adding villa-style (a.k.a. branded residential) accommodations to their properties, away from the maddening crowds. This year, according to Statista, the global vacation rentals market is expected to generate a revenue of $105 billion and reach $125 billion by 2029. But competition is fierce, as the proliferation of fractional ownership and private membership club models continues, with French luxury players like Fontenille Collection and Iconic House adding evermore dazzling, design-conscious properties to their books. Others, like Equity Estates, offer globetrotting investors the option to invest directly in their real estate portfolio and potentially reap the rewards of capital appreciation. Earning money while traveling? Imagine that. An Equity Estates holiday home in Tuscany, Italy. Courtesy Equity Estates But the latest salvo at the ultra-luxe end of the spectrum comes from Exclusive Resorts, a private membership club which is majority owned by AOL co-founder Steve Case, and comprises a $1 billion portfolio of more than 400 private residences across 75 destinations. 'We operate, and control 70-plus percent of the real estate. And because we have one primary shareholder that owns the majority of the organization, we have a tremendous amount of flexibility in terms of how we strategically manage the growth of the club,' James Henderson, CEO of Exclusive Resorts, told Forbes. Growth Requires New Tactics So, last month the company announced it is taking a minority stake in the Onefinestay vacation rental brand, owned by the French hotel giant Accor. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but it clearly enables Exclusive Resorts to cross-market across the two customer bases, and expand into new markets where it might not have a strong presence. Onefinestay lists about 3,000 homes, villas, and chalets across 40 destinations, including the gateway cities of London, Los Angeles, Paris and New York, and across the Caribbean, Tuscany, the South of France and Thailand. Both companies offer round-the-clock concierge support, airport transfers, housekeeping, and 24/7 guest assistance. 'For me, private villas and yachts are the most important kind of product out there for high net worth clients,' says Jaclyn Sienna India, CEO of Sienna Charles, a lifestyle and travel concierge agency. 'Because everything in that house or boat is all about you, and can be customized to very high standards. Staff can be handpicked, from the captain to the person serving you food.' Having complete control over the travel experience without the responsibility of maintenance and insurance of the real estate can be rather appealing. This is why Case's company is now breaking into the branded residential business, the first of which is a development being built on Costa Rica's Cacique Peninsula on the northwestern Pacific coast. 'Many of the club's members are not only frequent travelers—they're also active buyers,' said Henderson. 'By entering the branded residential market, we are providing our members with an opportunity to invest in homes backed by the same quality, trust, and service standards they have come to expect from the club. And for the first time, we're introducing an extended stay option—a request we've heard for years.' Inside the lounge at Nekajui, the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica Jennifer Leigh Parker Destination: Costa Rica With a new Waldorf Astoria, Ritz Carlton Reserve, and an established Four Seasons, Costa Rica's Guanacaste province is very much the 'It' holiday destination this year. It's only about a 30-45 minute drive from Liberia's international airport and a key market for Exclusive Resorts. On Peninsula Papagayo, a stunning crescent-shaped peninsula jutting straight out into the Pacific Ocean, Case's company already owns and operates 21 four-bedroom villas or 'jicaros' (fruit bowls) complete with private pools, fully stocked kitchens, outdoor showers, and access to a private beach club. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the whole place is surrounded by lush tropical nature reserves, and that members can cruise down the hill in golf carts to avail themselves of the neighboring Four Seasons' spa, restaurants and golf course. Picture waking up to the sounds of the ocean, taking your morning coffee at sunrise on the private pool deck, and peering down a dramatic cliffside to see secluded bays and beaches beckoning with powdery white sand and turquoise waters. From here, your outdoor adventures begin. Costa Rica is an ecological marvel with jungles, rainforests, and active volcanoes, and people from all over the world come here for yoga or surfing retreats. If that's not your thing, you can easily explore other parts of Guanacaste on foot with epic guided hikes, take boat trips to spot whole schools of dolphins, fish for tuna or snorkel with sea turtles, dorado and colorful parrot fish in the surrounding waters. Pura vida , indeed. Peninsula Papagayo Costa Rica Residence Courtesy Exclusive Resorts The Villa Experience Immediately, you get the appeal. The bar is fully stocked, there are fresh flowers in every room and there are not one, but two outdoor showers to match your private plunge pool and jacuzzi bathtub. You promptly run and jump on the made bed (vertiginous ceiling heights allow it), squealing like a toddler with delight regardless of your age. As this is not a hotel, you can pretty much make as much noise as you want. Dance to the music. Use a megaphone to announce breakfast. Howl at the moon, like your new howler, capuchin and spider monkey neighbors! Their troops certainly won't complain, so this is going to be great. You live here now. That's your fridge, your espresso machine, and your brand new fluffy robe with matching slippers. Properly enrobed, you can fully embrace the fantasy that everything in the past is behind you, and you can finally just go stir that chilled martini Stanley Tucci keeps raving about. The concept of room service seems quaint, when a specific list of groceries can be delivered and a private chef can be summoned to whip up local dishes like red snapper baked in a banana leaf, ginger rice, and savory sofrito. This being Costa Rica, the real culinary gems are also the simplest: think fresh, ripe mangoes, avocados, bananas, and coconuts fallen straight from the trees. And we haven't even talked about the quality of their famous coffee beans. There's simply a lot to be said for this trendy style of travel. If you can afford the eye-watering membership fees. More From Forbes Forbes Virgin Atlantic Unveils Free Starlink Wi-Fi, OpenAI Partnership And More By Jennifer Leigh Parker Forbes Why Now Is The Time To Sail The Azores, In 12 Stunning Photos By Jennifer Leigh Parker Forbes LVMH Stake Helps Boutique Hotel Group Triple Its Growth Outlook By Jennifer Leigh Parker
National Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Exclusive Resorts Expands into Branded Residential with Costa Rica Launch
Article content New residential initiative marks the next step in the company's strategic diversification—from a private club focused on luxury travel to a fully integrated lifestyle platform for the ultra-high-net-worth. Article content DENVER — Exclusive Resorts today announced the launch of a new branded residential vertical, marking a strategic step in the company's transition from a private club focused on luxury travel to a fully integrated lifestyle platform for the ultra-high-net-worth. The initiative is designed to deepen engagement with Exclusive Resorts' 4,500 Member families seeking extended stays and ownership opportunities, while also positioning the brand to capture new demand in the growing branded residential segment. Article content Article content While The Club will remain the cornerstone of the new travel and lifestyle platform, the move underscores a broader diversification strategy—recently endorsed by investment from Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners, a private real estate firm and strategic investor in Exclusive Investments LLC, the newly established holding company of Exclusive Resorts. Article content 'Exclusive Resorts has established a best-in-class platform, and we're proud to help accelerate its next phase of growth,' says Webb Wilson, CEO and CIO at Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners. 'We focus on backing exceptional management teams and empowering them to build enduring value. Exclusive Resorts has built something truly rare: a loyal Member community, an exceptional service ethos, and a leadership team that understands how to scale. We look forward to supporting this next chapter as the brand expands thoughtfully into residential real estate and continues building a lifestyle platform with long-term relevance.' The inaugural residential project will break ground at Punta Cacique, a master-planned coastal development on Costa Rica's Cacique Peninsula, just 25 minutes from Liberia International Airport. The site plan is being developed in partnership with Hart Howerton, the internationally recognized architecture and planning firm known for its work on high-end resorts and residential communities. Exclusive Resorts' entry into branded residential builds on The Club's 20-year track record of disciplined capital deployment and operational oversight of a $1 billion real estate portfolio, including 21 residences on Costa Rica's Peninsula Papagayo. The expansion also responds to ongoing demand from The Club's 4,500 Member families—more than 60% of whom already own second homes and regularly seek ownership and extended-stay opportunities in destinations where The Club operates. Article content 'Many of The Club's Members have built deep connections with the destinations we serve. As a result, they are not only frequent travelers—they're also active buyers,' said James Henderson, CEO of Exclusive Resorts. 'By entering the branded residential market, we are providing our Members with an opportunity to invest in homes backed by the same quality, trust, and service standards they have come to expect from The Club. And for the first time, we're introducing an extended stay option—a request we've heard for years.' Article content Ownership, Reimagined: A Model That Extends Beyond the Home Article content Existing Members of Exclusive Resorts will receive priority access to purchase homes in the initial release with sales expected to begin in early 2026 during the project's pre-construction phase. Select homeowners will have the option to place their residence—professionally managed and operated within the Exclusive Investments platform—into a closed-network portfolio. Unlike traditional vacation rental models, this approach offers owners the opportunity to generate income while retaining greater control over how, when, and by whom their home is used—providing peace of mind to those who value both return and discretion. The homeowner experience is expected to reflect many of the same service hallmarks that have defined The Club. Article content Since its inception in 2002, Exclusive Resorts has evolved into a highly curated community of Fortune 500 executives, leading entrepreneurs, Michelin-starred chefs, renowned artists, and elite athletes. For those who join The Club, ownership extends far beyond a single residence—it becomes a gateway to a broader, experience-driven lifestyle. This integrated model sets the offering apart from traditional vacation-home ownership, providing access to an expansive portfolio of 400+ luxury residences and rare experiences across 75+ destinations, along with priority invitations to exclusive events around the world. Article content A New Vision for Luxury Living in Costa Rica Article content Punta Cacique, a new 600-acre coastal development on Costa Rica's Cacique Peninsula, blends high-end hospitality, residential real estate, and regenerative design in one of the world's most sought-after locations. Backed by Revolution, the investment firm founded by AOL co-founder Steve Case, the project reflects a growing demand for purpose-driven luxury rooted in wellness, sustainability and cultural authenticity. Waldorf Astoria was the first to develop on the peninsula, opening a flagship hotel and branded residences in April 2025. Punta Cacique also has plans to include a working farm, equestrian center, wellness campus, and a locally curated commercial village. Article content 'Punta Cacique represents the future of luxury living—not a private enclave behind gates, but a vibrant, open community shaped by connection and everyday wellbeing,' says Steve Case, chairman and CEO of Revolution, and chairman and majority owner of Exclusive Resorts. 'Exclusive Resorts, with its long-standing presence in Costa Rica and its mission to help Members live more meaningful lives, perfectly aligns with that vision, making it a natural fit for this project.' Article content Exclusive Resorts has an active pipeline of additional branded residential projects in development, with further announcements expected early next year. Article content About Exclusive Resorts Article content Exclusive Resorts, the world's leading members-only club dedicated to luxury travel and curated experiences. Founded more than two decades ago, Exclusive Resorts has evolved into a fully integrated lifestyle platform—curating not just where its 4,500+ Members travel, but how they live richer, fuller, and more meaningful lives. With an ever-expanding portfolio valued at over $1 billion comprising 400+ private residences, rare experiences, award-winning partners, and an unmatched global network of industry leaders, tastemakers, and visionaries, The Club continues to redefine the art of living well. Exclusive Resorts is majority-owned by Steve Case, co-founder of AOL and chairman of Exclusive Resorts, and led by James Henderson, CEO. Exclusive Resorts is building a fully integrated lifestyle platform for the ultra-high-net-worth. In 2025, the company expanded into branded residential real estate, leveraging two decades of operational expertise and a global Member community to redefine ownership-led hospitality. For more information, visit About Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners ('KWHP') is a hospitality-focused investment management firm founded in 2017 by the 3 rd generation of Kemmons Wilson family, the visionary founder of Holiday Inn hotel chain. Upholding the family's legacy, KWHP manages value-add and opportunistic flagship funds as well as its Core Plus strategy focused on high-quality, income-generating assets. With approximately $500 million in assets under management, KWHP invests various capital structures throughout the USA. KWHP brings deep expertise across all facets of the hospitality sector including design, development, construction and operations, including limited‐service hotels, full‐service luxury resorts, timeshares, and short‐term rentals. For more information, please visit Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive Resorts Expands into Branded Residential with Costa Rica Launch
New residential initiative marks the next step in the company's strategic diversification—from a private club focused on luxury travel to a fully integrated lifestyle platform for the ultra-high-net-worth. DENVER, June 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exclusive Resorts today announced the launch of a new branded residential vertical, marking a strategic step in the company's transition from a private club focused on luxury travel to a fully integrated lifestyle platform for the ultra-high-net-worth. The initiative is designed to deepen engagement with Exclusive Resorts' 4,500 Member families seeking extended stays and ownership opportunities, while also positioning the brand to capture new demand in the growing branded residential segment. While The Club will remain the cornerstone of the new travel and lifestyle platform, the move underscores a broader diversification strategy—recently endorsed by investment from Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners, a private real estate firm and strategic investor in Exclusive Investments LLC, the newly established holding company of Exclusive Resorts. "Exclusive Resorts has established a best-in-class platform, and we're proud to help accelerate its next phase of growth," says Webb Wilson, CEO and CIO at Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners. "We focus on backing exceptional management teams and empowering them to build enduring value. Exclusive Resorts has built something truly rare: a loyal Member community, an exceptional service ethos, and a leadership team that understands how to scale. We look forward to supporting this next chapter as the brand expands thoughtfully into residential real estate and continues building a lifestyle platform with long-term relevance." The inaugural residential project will break ground at Punta Cacique, a master-planned coastal development on Costa Rica's Cacique Peninsula, just 25 minutes from Liberia International Airport. The site plan is being developed in partnership with Hart Howerton, the internationally recognized architecture and planning firm known for its work on high-end resorts and residential communities. Exclusive Resorts' entry into branded residential builds on The Club's 20-year track record of disciplined capital deployment and operational oversight of a $1 billion real estate portfolio, including 21 residences on Costa Rica's Peninsula Papagayo. The expansion also responds to ongoing demand from The Club's 4,500 Member families—more than 60% of whom already own second homes and regularly seek ownership and extended-stay opportunities in destinations where The Club operates. "Many of The Club's Members have built deep connections with the destinations we serve. As a result, they are not only frequent travelers—they're also active buyers," said James Henderson, CEO of Exclusive Resorts. "By entering the branded residential market, we are providing our Members with an opportunity to invest in homes backed by the same quality, trust, and service standards they have come to expect from The Club. And for the first time, we're introducing an extended stay option—a request we've heard for years." Ownership, Reimagined: A Model That Extends Beyond the Home Existing Members of Exclusive Resorts will receive priority access to purchase homes in the initial release with sales expected to begin in early 2026 during the project's pre-construction phase. Select homeowners will have the option to place their residence—professionally managed and operated within the Exclusive Investments platform—into a closed-network portfolio. Unlike traditional vacation rental models, this approach offers owners the opportunity to generate income while retaining greater control over how, when, and by whom their home is used—providing peace of mind to those who value both return and discretion. The homeowner experience is expected to reflect many of the same service hallmarks that have defined The Club. Since its inception in 2002, Exclusive Resorts has evolved into a highly curated community of Fortune 500 executives, leading entrepreneurs, Michelin-starred chefs, renowned artists, and elite athletes. For those who join The Club, ownership extends far beyond a single residence—it becomes a gateway to a broader, experience-driven lifestyle. This integrated model sets the offering apart from traditional vacation-home ownership, providing access to an expansive portfolio of 400+ luxury residences and rare experiences across 75+ destinations, along with priority invitations to exclusive events around the world. A New Vision for Luxury Living in Costa Rica Punta Cacique, a new 600-acre coastal development on Costa Rica's Cacique Peninsula, blends high-end hospitality, residential real estate, and regenerative design in one of the world's most sought-after locations. Backed by Revolution, the investment firm founded by AOL co-founder Steve Case, the project reflects a growing demand for purpose-driven luxury rooted in wellness, sustainability and cultural authenticity. Waldorf Astoria was the first to develop on the peninsula, opening a flagship hotel and branded residences in April 2025. Punta Cacique also has plans to include a working farm, equestrian center, wellness campus, and a locally curated commercial village. "Punta Cacique represents the future of luxury living—not a private enclave behind gates, but a vibrant, open community shaped by connection and everyday wellbeing," says Steve Case, chairman and CEO of Revolution, and chairman and majority owner of Exclusive Resorts. "Exclusive Resorts, with its long-standing presence in Costa Rica and its mission to help Members live more meaningful lives, perfectly aligns with that vision, making it a natural fit for this project." Exclusive Resorts has an active pipeline of additional branded residential projects in development, with further announcements expected early next year. For more information, visit About Exclusive Resorts Exclusive Resorts, the world's leading members-only club dedicated to luxury travel and curated experiences. Founded more than two decades ago, Exclusive Resorts has evolved into a fully integrated lifestyle platform—curating not just where its 4,500+ Members travel, but how they live richer, fuller, and more meaningful lives. With an ever-expanding portfolio valued at over $1 billion comprising 400+ private residences, rare experiences, award-winning partners, and an unmatched global network of industry leaders, tastemakers, and visionaries, The Club continues to redefine the art of living well. Exclusive Resorts is majority-owned by Steve Case, co-founder of AOL and chairman of Exclusive Resorts, and led by James Henderson, CEO. Exclusive Resorts is building a fully integrated lifestyle platform for the ultra-high-net-worth. In 2025, the company expanded into branded residential real estate, leveraging two decades of operational expertise and a global Member community to redefine ownership-led hospitality. For more information, visit About Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners ("KWHP") is a hospitality-focused investment management firm founded in 2017 by the 3rd generation of Kemmons Wilson family, the visionary founder of Holiday Inn hotel chain. Upholding the family's legacy, KWHP manages value-add and opportunistic flagship funds as well as its Core Plus strategy focused on high-quality, income-generating assets. With approximately $500 million in assets under management, KWHP invests various capital structures throughout the USA. KWHP brings deep expertise across all facets of the hospitality sector including design, development, construction and operations, including limited‐service hotels, full‐service luxury resorts, timeshares, and short‐term rentals. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Leanne DragoLeanne Drago Communications Leanne@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Skift
24-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Exclusive Resorts Takes Stake in Accor's OneFineStay — Exclusive
The partnership with OneFineStay, which offers hand-picked luxury homes and personalized concierge services, represents a strategic expansion of both companies' reach in the affluent traveler segment. Exclusive Resorts, the luxury travel brand, has reached a strategic agreement with Accor to take a significant minority stake in the French hotel giant's OneFineStay luxury vacation rental brand, the companies confirmed. "OneFineStay will power our villa rental strategy," Exclusive Resorts Chairman Steve Case told Skift exclusively. "We're launching a luxury villa rental business, which OneFineStay will anchor." Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Exclusive Resorts told Skift it was taking "a significant (not majority) interest" in OneFineStay. The partnership, signed a week ago, gives Exclusive Resorts "a minority interest" in the high-end home rental service. Accor acquired OneFineStay in 2016 for $168 million, betting on the growing demand for luxury alternative accommodations. But it had to take a writedown of an unpublicized amount
