“This is a completely different economic climate, and therefore a completely different marketing, sales and PR climate as well, “says Luca Franco, President of Luxury Leisure Properties International (LLPI). “We have already created many successful mixed-use products in the past, and now we are moving creatively forward with our newest project, Vallarta Gardens, on Banderas Bay near Puerto Vallarta.”

It is no wonder Luca is proud. Even in this capricious economic climate, the Vallarta Garden’s launch in mid December 2009 has created major buzz. Its location is on Banderas Bay, a peaceful body of water that spans about 40 miles, and is protected by the Sierra Madre mountains. This area is known as the Nayarit Riviera, located on the Pacific, non-Hurricane side of Mexico, midway between Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita, near a picturesque town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

“And this beachfront getaway is much more than the phrase implies..” Luca comments, “It is a boutique resort, with many luxury amenities. A few minutes away from the residences owners have access to Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf signature golf courses. There is also is a yacht on the property for owners and members to use. Sportfishing and pleasure cruising are just two of the great amenities here. And then there is the spa… on the beach!”

Vallarta Gardens combines fractional, full ownership and basic vacation rental structures. The homes themselves are between 3,500 and 5,000sf, four and five bedrooms respectively. Pricing starts at $80,000 for 1/13 share.

Luca is one of the few people in the luxury fractional industry whose international reputation is widely known and respected. Multilingual, multicultural, and of European descent, he has been involved in finding and creating successful fractional projects for the past decade. He puts teams together that define the who’s who of the fractional interest industry. Jim Marmorstone, Lisa Manley, Sarah Rezak, Andrew Berry, Daned Kirkham, Eric Pierce and others who are very well-known as the best of the best when it comes to negotiating, sales, and marketing, now consult for the various LLPI projects.“ We have hand picked the best in the fractional field, and can call on them anytime to create new strategies for each of our projects.”

LLPI is an international advisory and management company servicing developers and investors in luxury mixed-use hotels & resorts. Luca said: “Our aim is to maximize value for the hospitality real estate asset,” said Luca, "and this is done by applying creative strategies toward the leisure real estate product. In turn, we can drive significant synergies between the different hotel and resort components.”

LLPI is working in partnership with Valhalla group, with its visionary president Preben Vestdam, in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) to deliver a consistent global product line -- sharing resources, know-how and operating processes & procedures.

LLPI has also established a preferred alliance with Strategic Hotels & Resorts, a leading owner, developer and asset manager of luxury hotels in North America and Europe. SHR is viewed as the pioneer and “blue chip” of hotel and resort asset management with its leading edge systems -- setting the standard for operators and owners alike.

One of the more fascinating aspects of Vallarta Gardens is the marketing decision to include a major emphasis on the Mexican market. As Luca says, “We are, of course, vitally connected to the American and pan-Asian market as well, but we know that Vallarta Gardens is only three hours away from Guadalajara, Mexico, with nearly 5 million people, and we believe that many of them want and need a beachfront getaway.”

Luca pauses, then says, “Actually, we all need a beachfront getaway, and Vallarta Gardens combines the best of both. It is a true sanctuary.”

www.llpi.us

An Optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty -- Winston Churchill

To many in the fractional interest and the destination club industry(s), this year has been the definition annus horribilis, a year most horrible, in the sense that the economy is flat, consumption has become more conscious than conspicuous, and lenders are not lending. It was projected to be, and actually was, the perfect storm of horror for developers on one end and buyers on the other. However, toward the end of this year, a few green shoots of hope have been popping up here and there, giving rise to some of the most reputable consultants, sales and marketing people and all around seers giving their thoughts on what happened this year and what’s to come.

Bill Orwig - Director of Sales, Pond Bay Club, St. Johns

I have been in fractional sales for the past ten years, having started selling the very first fractionals in Deer Valley, Utah. This year has been quite flat and really depressing. But I am convinced, especially after speaking to many this year, that the need is still there. Over the years, having worked with clients at the Villas at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California, The Rocks in Scottsdale and Pond Bay on St John's, the need for the fractional is still there! But sales people have to be hired who have the ability to help the potential member/owner to overcome fear of the economic unknown, and guilt at buying something that is beautiful, and will provide pleasure for years and years to come. So, I am cautiously optimistic. I have heard there were seven sales at the Residences at Mission Beach this past fall, there were some sales at Old Greenwood in Lake Tahoe. There have been sales with the Timbers Company properties also, so not everything is flat..

Daned Kirkham - Fractional Sales Consultant

The fractional idea still interests people, and many want to buy, I speak to them all the time! It is just that the new idea “bloom” has worn off, so we as salespeople and consultants have to help those who sell second homes to give the fractional idea a more viable chance, through educating them as to what the fractional idea really is.

Meadowood, though not a true fractional, has been very successful here in Napa because the members can buy fractions of the vineyard and have their own wine and label. It is a club idea, with fractional purchases attached. These types of themed fractionals may be one of the waves of the future.

Wally Hobson – Hobson Advisors

I recently met with some bankers and developer/investors in Chicago, who helped me see a financial reality that I, and others also, were unaccustomed to seeing - how extremely complicated it is now, and will be for eth near terms, probably until first and second quarters 2011, for developers to get loans from banks, as bankers now must personally guarantee a loan will be paid in a defined period of time. Most bankers, according to those I met with, never personally guarantee loans for anything or anyone. It has historically been too risky, and now it is untenable.

What will happen now and in the future? Well, projects in Mexico are doing well. That’s because those projects are selling to the high-end Mexican population – one that is an interesting group. They do not have the uncertainty that the Americans have nowadays. They have other problems – drugs wars being the main one - but they do not have a deeply uncertain, recessed economy. Consequently, they are not as fearful in buying fractionals as Americans right now.

With that said, there are a few successful fractionals in the US right now. I heard of one, The Meriwether Ranch in Montana, that was selling quite well. But in general, as our economy becomes more stable, as consumer trust in the economy becomes stronger, so will fractional sales.

Jim Whitteron - President, Spring Creek Partners, Sales and Marketing Director, Capella Pedregal

Capella Pedregal has been exceptionally successful, even though sales have slowed somewhat in this new economic reality. This year and next, we have learned something new: that in order to adjust to the New Normal Part 2 (The "New Normal (1)" was a phrase coined post 9/11) we had to create new marketing ideas that were completely different from those of last year. In addition, our strategic alliance with Ultimate Escapes has been very successful.

What do I think about 2010 and beyond? I have some optimism that the industry will come back, but very slowly. Gone are the good old days when sales people were order takers. Gone are the days when people would write their checks after looking for a few minutes at the project.

Luca Franco – President of LLPI, Luxury Leisure Properties International

This year has been very difficult for everyone, but here and there are some fractionals that have been selling well. We manage the Four Seasons Residences in Punta Mita, Mexico, and there have been excellent sales there. The brand, of course, is exceptional, but the property is spectacular also. Slow, but picking up, Four Seasons Punta Mita has done very well this year.

I see 2010 as full of creative possibility. We are re-launching another of our projects in Mexico, Vallarta Gardens, in December. We have generated quite a bit of interest, and much of our marketing will target those who live in Mexico. Vallarta Gardens in Puerto Vallarta is a few hours from Guadalajara, a large city of ten million. In this economy, we have learned to use new strategies to market and to sell, and we have been successful. We must use new ideas for this new economic reality.

Eric Pierce - President, Pierce Group, LLC

Here are some standard answers for poor sales performance in 2009:

1) Consumers can’t afford to purchase second home real estate anymore because they took such a hit in their savings and retirement accounts.

2) Consumers can’t justify the expense right now because they are still worried about market turmoil and the possibility of values dropping further.

3) I even heard one example of someone who said they wouldn’t buy because it would look bad to their friends; i.e. “rubbing it in their faces”… whatever, not buying that one.

4) There is no consumer financing for fractional and until that comes back, nothing will sell.

But here is one that we don’t hear about:

The more difficult it is to sell, the more developers push super incentives and price breaks with sales people hammering the phones and email all day long to a point where they have offended the prospect. These tactics have been around for decades and are a recipe for disaster. What sales organizations have not done is provide methods to reduce buyer risk. I spoke to someone in Telluride recently and they said Franz Klammer fractional re-sales have been somewhat steady this year. This is because the development is sold out so there is very little risk. In July of this year, the Aspen Times reported that “fractional sales are carrying the market right now” with a 23% increase from the first half of 2008. So, instead of adding price breaks or trying to find financing for something that is already heavily discounted, developers should have been wowing their prospects with experience and lifestyle and using tools that reduce risk.

What will happen it 2010?

We should continue to see slower sales pace for the next 6 to 8 months but I’m optimistic for the start of a rebound in Spring/Summer of 2010. The high-end buyer will have been sitting on their hands (and wallets) for two years by then and will be anxious, especially as the stock market continues to correct itself. One point of caution however is primary home values. If they continue to remain stagnant, fewer buyers will have equity line opportunities that they can use for a new fractional purchase.

Developers without finished product will continue to struggle next year. We still have a glut of completed inventory on the market at very low prices. Furthermore, preview stays have becoming very popular and help bring in additional revenue to developers not to mention a strong audience of affinity buyers, so those developers without the completed inventory will be at a severe disadvantage.

Fractional sales should be the leader in the resurgence of resort real estate sales. We should start to see an emergence of new risk mitigation products and services for the industry which will help kick start sales again. When the perceived risk is reduced or eliminated and the market comes back the industry will take off.

Full ownership transactions might regain a little bit of the momentum they once had but definitely nothing like we saw in 2004 and 2005. It is just not practical for the majority of the vacation population. Due to the lack of demand for full ownership there will likely be fewer investment buyers as well for the foreseeable future.

Calistoga Ranch is one of the few seasoned private residence clubs in the California wine country. In keeping with the rich heritage of the area, the club features an on-site vineyard and wine cave where owners and guests can immerse themselves in the wine culture of the area.

Calistoga Ranch architect Scott Lee knew that Calistoga Ranch needed to reflect a well-defined, natural organicity. “Our charge was to create a private retreat, a sanctuary celebrating what Napa Valley is all about - food, wine and nature. We designed and individually placed each of the more than 200 structures on the site not only to avoid cutting down the 100-year-old heritage oak trees but also to integrate them into our design.”

Lee and his team focused on the tradition of outdoor living by creating what he calls the campground legacy. Each guest lodge is its own camp, he says, made up of a cluster of spaces centering on the outdoor living space and fireplace, just as in a campsite. And interior designer Darrell Schmitt used rustic, natural materials to create a connection between the inside and outside, incorporating such elements as handmade tile baths and fabrics like hand-woven chenille and Tibetan wool carpets. There are outdoor and indoor showers, and multiple meditation spaces as well.

Mark Harmon, principal and CEO of Auberge Resorts, the company that owns and operates Calistoga Ranch, says members love the sense of peace the club’s design and surroundings offer. “I have spoken to so many members over the years,” he says. “They say that Calistoga Ranch is their true sanctuary ... When they leave here, they are refreshed and calmed.”

I spent some time recently at Calistoga Ranch, the experience was one of true sanctuary, just as Mark Harmon said. Calistoga Ranch is a little off the beaten and crushed wine paths of Napa. It is a high end resort with guest cottages as well as a Private Residence Club with owner’s residences. The owner’s residences are of an exceptional, modular design, with an enclosed interior living area, kitchen, and two master bedroom modules. What ties these together is the exceptional outdoor living space, with deck, fireplace, grill, outdoor dining areas, all with views of California's live oak bosques, Ponderosa and Cottonwood trees.

The undeniable feeling is that of living in an elite treehouse, with all the spa and dining amenities of living at a large resort, defining the best of both worlds, nature and culture, sanctuary and society, peace and - if you choose - activity.

The Spa at Calistoga Ranch is one that allows an enhanced feel of true sanctuary. It is located in area called The Bathhouse, where you can truly “take the waters” in a multiplicity of ways. The soaking pools overlook one of the ranch’s creeks, or you can take a mud bath in one of the large private outdoor spaces. When I was taking one of the baths, along with my thoughts, a hawk was flying high above me, moving from Live Oak to Live Oak. There was no sound, save of the soughing of the oaks and pines. The scent of cucumber and a slight odor of something vegetable, probably the mud in the bath, were all that I was aware of. When the mud bath and massage session was over, I felt as if my body had been freed from all the stress armor I wear.

The sense of peace, brought on both the complement of external environment and interior design, stays with the guest or the member or the owner. Here, everything else that used to matter, seems so far away.

Like the United States, Canada is a huge country, but unlike the US, it occupies most of North America, extending from the Atlantic to the pacific, and northward into the Arctic Ocean. It is the world’s second largest country by total area, and shares the longest common border with the US to the south and northwest.

With the multiplicity of fractional, PRC, and destination club products in the united States, it is no wonder that Canada is a fertile ground for the shared residence idea. Though there are not as many as in the U.S., those that Canada does have are substantial, and more are growing in popularity.

At present, only two high end destination clubs have residences in Canada, but there are many high and mid-range fractionals that are paving the way.

Exclusive Resorts

Exclusive Resorts is the largest non-equity Destination Club in the world, where members pay their membership deposit, annual fees, do not own a share of the club or the residence, and just go play. Membership deposits range from $160,000 for 10 nights to $500,000 for 60 nights.

Exclusive Resorts has four options in Whistler, British Columbia. Each is a four-bedroom, 4200 sq' residence on Whistler Mountain - located near Whistler Creekside - with its own separate steam room and commanding views of the valleys and mountains.

M Private Residences

As Canada’s first and largest Equity Destination Club, M Private Residences’ members collectively own a diversified property portfolio. M Members have access to a variety of vacation residences averaging from $2-$3 million with locations all over the world. The membership fees range from $180,000 – to $360,000, from 21 to 60 nights a year, excluding annual dues.

At present, M Private Residences has lodging in the following Canadian locations:

Kelowna, BC

• 3,600 square foot home
• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
• 2 fireplaces
• Private outdoor BBQ area
• Private boat lift

Bear Mountain

This hilltop home overlooks the Jack and Steve Nicklaus co-designed golf course, as well as Bear Mountain views of the Pacific Ocean. The nearby Westin Bear Mountain Resort features five different dining venues, from casual to sushi and fine dining, as well as the Santé spa.

The home also has 5,000 square feet of living area

• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
• Large private outdoor deck and firepit
• Private outdoor hot tub
• Pool table

Victoria, B.C.

A top floor residence at The Shutters, vacation residences 10 minutes from downtown Victoria. 1,904 square feet.

Whistler

M’s Whistler home is located on the Nicklaus North Golf Course. The home is within walking distance of hiking and biking trails and is a five-minute drive from the renowned Village of Whistler ski resort. Whistler/Blackcomb is known as one of the top downhill ski destinations in North America. The residence is situated on the 16th tee box of Nicklaus North Golf Course. It is a 2,359 square foot townhome.

• 4 bedrooms
• 4.5 bathrooms
• Private hot tub
• Fireplace

Northstar Mountain Village – Kimberley, BC

Kimberley, BC is a small ski community in the south eastern corner of British Columbia just north of the U.S. Border. The City population (6,484) enjoys views overlooking the fertile and beautiful Kootenay River Valley and the Rocky Mountains to the east.

Northstar Mountain Village Resort is a community that combines whole ownership, rentals and fractional residences with ski-in/ski-out access to the Kimberley Alpine resort, with 68 runs, and 8 lifts on 1800 skiable acres. Base elevation is 4000 feet, summit is 6500 feet.

Quarter share ownership ranges from $149,000 to $159,000 for 12 weeks of use. Residences range from 1610sf to 1834 sf, all have 3 bedrooms, 3 baths,plus access to the Alpine Club, the 10,000sf the property club house with pool, hot tub, fitness facilities and extra amenities.

Whitewater Village, Ottawa, Ontario

Whitewater Village, located where the Ottawa River flows into the Rocher-Fendu lake, is a club that has showcased a variety of sustainable development ideas as it was built by one of Canada’s green developers. Featuring geothermal heating and cooling, solar hot water and electricity, the development lies northeast of Ottawa near rapids that draw whitewater rafters and kayakers from around the world.

Whitewater Village is surrounded by a 4,000-acre land trust to keep further development at bay, aims to be carbon neutral and will have a peat moss sanitation system. The exterior of the cottages, generally two-storey structures of 1,700 square feet, will be constructed of logs certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Interior features will include bamboo floors, wool carpets, formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets and recycled-paper countertops.

There are 38 cottages on 35 acres of treed land. It is a four season development, where the cottages will be sold on a fractional basis – 6 weeks, from prices ranging from $60,000 to $85,000.

Frontenac Shores

Frontenac Shores is the first luxury year-round fractional resort in the township of North Frontenac. Located in the heart of the Land O'Lakes region in southern Ontario. Frontenac Shores is located on Mississagagon Lake; a completely spring fed premier lake in the heart of Land O’Lakes vacation region. Frontenac Shores is less than 3 hours from Toronto and less than 2 hours from Ottawa located near the village of Cloyne Ontario,

Offering 34 residences, either 2 bedroom single story ranch style, a 3 bedroom single story ranch style or a 3 bedroom loft style, these homes range in size from 1,949 – 2,138 sq. ft. (including screened porch and sundeck) they also come complete with a fully equipped, gourmet kitchen, screened porch with private sauna, sundeck with BBQ, two baths with a thermal air massage tub in the private master ensuite, high speed internet, telephones and two LCD TV's with satellite service.

Pricing per share ranges from $60,000 - $90,000 per share. The member/owner may purchase up to seven (7) shares.

Pacific Shores Resort and Spa

Located on Nanoose Bay on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, The Pacific Shores Resort and Spa offers fractional and whole ownership fractional residence opportunities.

The fractional residences are 1200sf, two bedroom, two bath properties located within the resort space, where there are also 15 acres of botanical gardens, the Aquaterre Spa, as well as complimentary kayaks and canoes.

Prices range ¼ shares from $149,900 to $192,900 CDN. Owners have at least 6 weeks/year of usage. Each owner has a fixed prime block of 4 weeks from June to September and between October - May, a rotating 14 night block every 8 weeks. Owners also are able to swap their time, for blocks of 30-60 days in a row.
It is also possible to purchase ½ ownership blocks, or as many as needed up to whole ownership – which can be purchased also.

Parkside Victoria

On Wharf Street in downtown Victoria, BC is the Parkside Victoria Resort and Spa. Like many urban fractionals, this one is quite successful, as over 75% of the residences have been sold before completion.

Victoria, BC is located on the southern tip of Vancouver island, and is a major port as well as tourist destination, hosting over 3 and a half million visitors a year. It is a very popular capital city, due to the mild maritime climate, and the exceptional British influence that infuses the city. The Parskide Victoria include rooftop gardens, a penthouse lounge, a 25meter pool, a hot tub and fitness facilities.

The fractional ownership is structured as 1/8 and ¼ interests. 1/8 interests for 2 bedrooms, 2 bath residences range from $95,000 to $150,000CDN, the 1 bedroom, two bath residences range from $76,000 to $125,000.CDN

The ¼ shares from 1 bedroom, 1 bath range from $142,000, to 3 bedroom, 3 baths residences at $343,000CDN

On Ocean’s Edge, Labrador/Newfoundland

While fractional ownership looks to be taking off in Ontario and in British Columbia, there is also a unique fractional cliff-side sanctuary named Ocean's Edge, situated minutes from St. John's, Newfoundland.

The luxury of the development's 2,800-3,600-sq. ft., four-bedroom villas does not come cheap: a one-12th share sells for $138,000 CDN, a one-quarter share sells for $350,000. On top of that, maintenance fees for each villa run at $55,000 in total, or nearly $4,600 per one-eighth share. That has not deterred owners who range from Canadians looking for a unique vacation spot to Europeans and homesick Newfoundlanders, says Robert Hall, co-owner of Nolan Hall, developer and operator.

The On Ocean's Edge residences are located on the eastern tip of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The homes feature stone-carved fireplaces, gourmet kitchens, Tempur-pedic beds, plasma TV's, walk-in closets, a master suite with private balcony and relaxing hydrotherapy tub.

The leisure spaces in the home comes equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, media room, backyard and oceanview hot tub. Amenities also include a truck, SUV or car such as the Mercedes ML 320, personalized concierge service and enrollment in a vacation exchange program.

Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa

Osoyoos, British Columbia

At the other end of the spectrum, in terms of geography and scale, is resort specialist Bellstar Hotels and Resorts. The Edmonton-based company owns or operates 10 vacation properties in Alberta and British Columbia, including two of its own B.C. properties where it is selling fractions running between $80,000 to $125,000CDN for a one-eighth share at its residences at its Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa in the Okanagan Valley. With views of Osoyoos Lake and surrounding vineyards, the property is billed as a desert golf getaway with nearby hiking, biking and skiing opportunities.

Sonora Dunes Golf Course is part of the Spirit Ridge development . Every tee box overlooks orchards, vineyards and the desert landscapes that surround Osoyoos Lake.

BigHorn Meadows Resort

Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia

Bighorn Meadows Resort is a fractional ownership resort development, in the middle of The Springs Golf Course in Radium Hot Springs, BC. And Radium Hot Springs is very close four national parks, Banff and Mt. Assiniboine. Yoho, and Kootenay. Radium Hot Springs is indeed located within the boundaries of Kootenay National Park, which has the same mountain peaks and glaciers as Banff National Park. Visitors come for the natural hot springs, and Canada's largest hot springs pool.

Bighorn Meadows is on a 9-acre site surrounded on three sides by the Springs at Radium Golf Resort in the Village of Radium Hot Springs. The development consisting of 123 one, two and three bedroom suites, with living room walkout balconies with BBQ; fireplaces; high end designer fixtures and furnishings which include leather, tile and granite; and lock-off units. The suites range in size from 700 to 1450sf, and ¼ share ranges from $112,600 CDN , 1/8 from $59,300 and a 3week fractional title from $29,800.

BigHorn Mountain Resort

Canmore, British Columbia
The Bighorn Mountain Resort is Canmore’s only Private Residence Club. Nestled in the Bow Valley on the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains the resort surrounded by 2.8 million acres of protected wilderness, yet is an hour from Calgary, 5 minutes to Banff National Park. For the outdoor person, winter brings world-class downhill, heli- and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and even dogsledding. The remaining seasons bring hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing, as well as fishing, canoeing and kayaking in the waters of the Bow River.

The 20 fractional 2400sf residences start at $250,000CDN per 1/8 share, entitling the member/owner to six weeks per year. Additional use is booked space available. Homes include three master bedrooms, 3 ½ baths 14 foot beamed ceilings, 4 fireplaces, 2 steam showers as well as four decks and patios.

Pinnacle Ridge

Fernie, British Columbia
Fernie is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies; set against the Lizard Range, and flanked by the peaks of the Three Sisters and Hosmer Mountains. Pinnacle Ridge has three home designs, with the fractional chalets ranging from 1824 – 2537 sf., with slate floors, expansive fire places, spa bathrooms, two and three bedroom suites. Pricing ranges from $200,000 per quarter share to over $520,000 for full ownership.

Touchstone on Lake Muskoka

Touchstone on Lake Muskoka is built on a 25-acre site that was once home to Tamwood Lodge and Aston Beach Resort. Wherever possible the original foundations of the old buildings have been used to minimize the impact on the surroundings.

It is also a Private Residence Club, where member/owners can choose the type of residence they want, and can choose the time they wish to stay. If the buyer plans to use the residence 13-weeks per year, then they need only purchase one quarter of their cottage or villa of choice. Thirteen weeks of ownership entitle purchasers to two fixed weeks of ownership per year in July or August, plus one fixed week every month for the balance of the year, plus one "long weekend week” every year. Families can choose lakefront cottages with direct walk-out access to a white sand beach or select a two or three bedroom villa perched atop a rocky cliff with uninterrupted lake views.

The developers – GenerX Corp. and the Rose Corp. – came up a master-planned home development of 75 homes made up of three and four-bedroom cottages and villas

The Grand Muskokan Cottages range in price from $274,000 to $339,000CDN for 13 weeks of ownership per year of a 2,132-square-foot three bedroom cottage, or 2,805-square-foot four-bedroom cottage, respectively.

Cascade two-bedroom suites, or two and three bedroom villas, range in price from $164,000 to $349,000CDN for 13 weeks of ownership per year for units ranging in size from 1,074 — 2,618 square feet.

The three-bedroom Tree Top Villas are 2,889 square feet, and are priced at $399,000 for 13 weeks of ownership. If an owner isn't using their property during their weeks, they can place it in a rental pool to gain some revenue.

Below are a multiple number of smaller cottage fractionals in various places in Ontario, Canada.

Canadian Waters Vacations - Brockville
Norwood Resorts - Collingwood
Chandler Point (Marcus Beach) - Haliburton
The Cottages at Port Stanton - Muskoka
Diamond´s Edge Muskoka - Muskoka
Lakeside at Rocky Crest - Muskoka
Inaski Shores - Kawartha Lakes
The Lodge at Pine Cove - French River

The Muskokan - Muskoka
The Cottages of Stoneridge Cove - Westport

Seasons of Muskoka - Muskoka
Touchstone On Lake Muskoka - Muskoka
Resort Tapatoo - Parry Sound

Blue Water Acres - Huntsville
Frontenac Shores - Cloyne

The Shorelines - Peacock Bay
Wolfe Springs Resort - Westport/Rideau Lakes

Woodland Echoes Resort - Magnetawan

Whitewater Village - Renfrew

Cottages at the Pointe - Peterborough
Painter's Landing - Kearney

This article originally appeared in FraxFinderPart of Aspen’s unique cachet lies in its relative isolation, as it was not until 1879 when a few pioneers crossed the Continental Divide, discovered a Ute hunting area, and stayed. They found that the area was not only rich with game, fish, and fresh water, but also with a great abundance of silver. So even then, the dream of exceptional wealth, combined with the intrigue of getting away from it all, were main attractions of Aspen, much the same as it is now. To most who visit Aspen, it is still hard to get to, but well worth the trip.

Fractional and high-end destination clubs are usually placed in and around the most elite of destinations, and Aspen is arguably the most elite ski destination in Colorado. The cachet of Aspen is multifaceted: a winter hub for the rich and famous, a world-class destination for extreme sports fans and exceptional skiers, and a place known in the Spring and Summer for its wine, film and music festivals.

In recent years, fractional real estate has become quite popular as a second or third home alternative for those who love Aspen. Here is a list of the most exclusive, the most expensive, and the most amenity laden:

The Residences At Little Nell

At present, the RLN is most expensive fractional private residence club in existence, ranging in price from a 1/8 share at $1,900,000 to a ¼ share at $3,800,000. There are 26 residences, adjacent to the Silver Queen Gondola, at the base of Aspen Mountain, with nineteen three-bedroom units and seven four bedroom units. The four bedroom units have been sold out.

The St. Regis Residence Club Aspen

The St. Regis, also close to the base of Aspen Mountain, and two short blocks from downtown Aspen, offers for fixed or four rotating weeks per share in their two or three bedroom residences. In addition, the Remede Spa and the Aspen Back Institute, both renowned for the healing therapies and treatments, are on property. Fractional re-sales at the St. Regis range from $170,000 to $1.2M per share.

The Hyatt Grand Aspen

The Hyatt Grand Aspen offers 50 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedroom suites with 33 unique floor plans. The Hyatt Grand Aspen is the first purpose-built luxury Aspen timeshare ownership project in downtown Aspen. Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, Hyatt Grand Aspen combines fixed week ownership and flexibility of floating space-available time as well. Pricing ranges from $125,000 to $2,450,000 per share.

Dancing Bear Aspen

Dancing Bear Aspen is located in Aspen’s downtown area near Wagner Park. There are 20 residences sold in one-eighth fractional shares that grant owners at least six weeks of use a year. One of the buildings has been completed, and the other is expected to be ready in June 2010. There are nine three-bedroom corner units, averaging about 2,100 square feet, in the finished building, which has an exterior of red sandstone, black slate, steel and copper. Prices start at $775,000 per 1/8 share.

The Snowmass Club

$150,000 - $475,00 per 1/7-1/8 share.

The Residences at Snowmass Club off either fractional or whole ownership, of two through five bedroom townhomes. Phase 1 of the Residences offer 1/7 fractional ownership, and phase 2 offers 1/8 shares, ranging in price from $150,000 to $475,000 per share. At the Residences at Snowmass Club, owners are welcomed into warm surroundings that echo the Aspen/Snowmass mountain lifestyle. Award-winning architecture features oak hardwood floors, custom- designed carpets, fully equipped kitchens with slab granite countertops, and steam showers. And of course, all homes come complete with exceptional views of surrounding peaks.

The Ritz Carlton Club Aspen Highlands, The Ritz Carlton Destination Club

The Ritz-Carlton Club, at Aspen Highlands sits at the foot of a 12,500 ft. mountain with stunning views and 125 trails. This ski-in/ski-out village is surrounded by terrain for every class of skier and includes the legendary "Highland Bowl." Two and three bedroom residences look out and up on Upper, lower and mid-mountain terrain. The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands is located 5 minutes from the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, 20 minutes from Snowmass, 2 hours from Vail and Vail/Eagle Airport.

It must also be mentioned that The Ritz Carlton recently launched its own destination club, and Aspen Highlands is one of its destinations. The Ritz-Carlton Club offers two purchase choices, – either a Home Club Membership (identical to the successful fractional ownership offering noted above)) which provides use of a titled residence at a property they can return to throughout the year, or a deeded, destination club Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of premier destinations and accommodations. Home Club prices range from the low $100,000s to the low $800,000s per deeded interest. Portfolio Membership pricing starts at $130,000 for 5,000 annual Club points.

Roaring Fork Club

The Roaring Fork Club is 15 miles outside of Aspen, near the small village of Basalt, Colorado, at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan Rivers. Since 1999, this private club that features a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and exceptional fly fishing, with certified Orvis ® instructors.

The residences at the Roaring Fork Club combine whole and fractional ownership. 48 rustic hand-hewn log cabins are spread out around the property from the wooded riverbanks and areas along the fairways to those perched against the hillsides. The one and two story cabins have 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath floor plans. Residences closer to the Main Lodge are a scaled down version of the larger cabins. The outdoor fireplaces and roomy decks are also features of the Lodge Residences. Being situated on the top of the hillside, the Lodge Residences offer excellent views of the Jack Nicklaus Signature course, the fishing ponds, and the unimpeded views of the Roaring Fork Valley. Wholly owned cabins range from $3.6 to $6M, fractional pricing for ¼ share as of this writing range from $650,000 to $765,000. 1/6 and 1/8 shares are less. The Lodge residences are 1/6 ownership range and range from $219,000 to $314,500

The Timbers Club Snowmass

The Timbers Club at Snowmass is a Private Residence Club located at the base of Assay Hill at the Snowmass Ski area. The ski in/ski out member owned club has 36 3 bedroom and four town home residences, with a total of 288 fractional memberships starting at $418,000 - $500,000 for 1/8 share.

The Innsbruck

The Innsbruck is a fractional ownership residence development in Aspen, Colorado. Seventeen furnished residences are being offered on a deeded 1/12 interest, ranging in price from $93,700 to $227, 000. The Innsbruck is in the heart of Aspen, within easy walking distance to the Aspen Music Festival, the historic Wheeler Opera House, Theater Aspen and the quaint boutiques, galleries and restaurants of downtown Aspen. The Innsbruck Ownership Program guarantees owners a minimum of four weeks in residence per year, three selected from prime vacation seasons and one from shoulder seasons. Additional vacation weeks are always offered to The Innsbruck owners on a space available basis with no minimum length of stay.

Quintess

Quintess is a, non-equity based destination club, where members pay an initial membership fee, plus annual dues. They do not own the residences, but partake in their exceptional amenities. Quintess is the only club that has two residences in Aspen, one in town, the other on Red Mountain. Membership price levels ranges from $210,000 to $715,000 depending on the number of days desired.

Abercrombie & Kent – Aspen/Snowmass Residence

The Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club is an equity based destination club, meaning that members own and use the properties in the club portfolio. The Aspen Snowmass residence owned by the Club is on Brush Creek in the Snowmass Club, at the base of Snowmass Mountain and less than 10 miles from the heart of Aspen.

Membership deposits range from $225,000 to $495,000, depending on whether the member/owner chooses 15 or 45 nights a year.

Still Others

Green Aspen Lodge

Jet Luxury Resorts

Prospector of Aspen

Shadow Mountain Lodge

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