DC4MS

I just had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Good (aka DHHUSA) and he gave me an update on DHH.

The Hawaii property will be ready for member use September 15th and he stated that there will be a BMW X5 and also a fun car (possibly a convertible Mustang). He stated that there is huge interest of this property from DHH members. This is a 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom home just a few hundred feet from the beach in Lanikai, O'ahu, Hawaii.

He also stated that there will be a membership price increase on September 1 and they will be adding some new membership plans including a "Super Plan" that will offer 63 nights per year and cost around $500k.

They are currently at 56 members and the average member has 3 weeks of travel. He indicated that many members start with a 1-2 week plan and upgrade after their first trip.

Robert also stated that the Lady K will NOT be coming to the Caribbean and they will be purchasing a new boat for that location.

Some HOT news is that DHH will soon allow members to book THREE WEEK STAYS, that's right a total of 21 nights at one location.

More HOT news - DHH will start to allow members the ability to BANK a week for next year and BORROW a future week to use immediatly. This is very cool news as members will love that ability.

Unfortunately, due to the HUGE costs of maintaining the yachts, they are planning on increasing the requirements for yacht usage by charging a slightly higher conversion of member nights to Yacht nights, but they are still working on the exact details.

One more bit of news is that DHH will now allow adult children of members to stay at properties without the member being present.

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I also took the opportunity to poke some fun at him by asking - When are you going to "upgrade" your website? His answer was - What do you think needs improvement.

Here are my suggestions, perhaps members here can add to this list:

1. It is too slow
2. It needs a better layout as the menu on the left side are clunky
3. It should be stretchable (i.e stretch to fill the browner screen)
4. Consider adding better photos on the home page
5. Use a better map
6. Add larger home pics
7. Add a floor plan for the homes
8. Include a pic of the cars
9. Consider adding some video or music
10. Update your press release and media coverage and testamonials

LTTravel

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We have been able to bank and borrow since last year.

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The adult children rule. Is that for all weeks or just for the "family" weeks?

DC4MS

All weeks - It will not be counted off your family weeks

LTTravel

That's good, but too bad about the yacht news. I was really looking forward to booking the yacht.

Kagehitokiri

is the change going to be a "travel by" or "book by" date? (for the yachts)

LTTravel

Just noticed on the DHH web site a 1 1/2 bedroom apartment in Times Square opening November, 2008. Did he mention this?

saluki

I wonder what a 1/2 size bedroom looks like in NYC.

Bourne

a walk in closet

__________________
The Nile is a river in Egypt......

DC4MS

Quite honestly, their effective fees to use the yachts was way to LOW as a charter for these type of yachts can easily be $25-50k per week or more.

I am not aware what the exact future usage will be, but I would recommend booking one ASAP if you can get in under the current booking rules.

I also think they are considering a 2 bedroom NYC location at 1600 Broadway.

DHHUSA

Hello Everyone. Thank you for the feedback about Distinctive Holiday Homes. We are excited about updating our Club Guidelines shortly for the benefit of our Members and those who join us. We do have some new and interesting plans that will be available which will open the door for an increase in Members too DHH and further flexibility for them and our current Members.

Without giving away too much before our "official" announcement, we will be allowing our Members to stay at our locations for longer than the current 21 days per vacation.
An adult child (over 23) will be treated as the Member (without the Member present) and be able to use the properties as the Member. This will not take from the family days. Grand Mother, Cousin, Niece etc will still have to utilize the family days.
We will allow more than 7 days to be transferred to and from the next year.

Hawaii will be ready for booking very soon, New York is getting close to being announced and an additional motor yacht of 68-72 ft is expected to be added to our fleet before the end of 2008. The motor yacht will be for use in the Bahamas and the East Coast of the USA. WE do listen to our Members and a few mentioned that they would prefer the Lady K to stay in the Mediterranean as they like her there. Therefore she will stay where she is.

As we have actually reduced our annual fees since inception we do need to make modification to the days used for use of our boats. This will not be offensive and will still be very heavily subsidized compared to any yacht charter available. Even after our price increases coming September 1st, our annual fees will still be less than they were originally, so it is a win win for anyone who joins us now, or after our increases. We are finalizing these details, and our Members will be the first to get the official information on this when it is announced.

We thank you for your interest in Distinctive Holiday Homes and we look forward to welcoming you to our world.

Regards

Robert Good

Kagehitokiri

thanks for the post robert.

more unique offerings. :thumbsup:

for reference, ciel had allowed one 26-day reservation per year.

DHHUSA

Whoops... I meant we will allow our Members to stay at our properties longer than the current 14 days.....
Thanks for catching that one...

Kagehitokiri

gotcha. still very competitive, especially combined with banking/borrowing. UE is the only other DC to currently offer 21 day reservations.