TravelGuy

I haven't seen any recent news on the status of the PE and UR merger.

Is this still on schedule to be completed at the end of the year?

Any additional info from either of these two DCs?

LTTravel

They have been quiet over the last few weeks. I was getting emails from them daily until a couple of weeks ago. From what I understand, it was scheduled for mid December and now for the end of December. But it ain't over till its over.

vineyarder

As a PE member, I've been getting updates, but they are marked confidential, so I cannot post any details, other than to say that there have not been any surprises so far, and that as I understand it, the closing is still scheduled for EOY...

AmyG

I'm the new Editor at Helium Report. We just posted a story covering the latest news on the merger, including the just-announced name of the combined company.

Destination Club Merger Yields Ultimate Escapes | Helium Report - Luxury 2.0 Guides and Reviews

Steamboat Bill

Amy

Nice to see you online...we all are looking forward to your fantastic Destination Club news and reviews.

LTTravel

Thanks for the info Amy. Being a person with an in, I would love to ask Tousingnant the following and wonder if you have any info on:

1. The purchase of Ventures Equity by Ultimate
2. Any additional info on the reciprocity model, other than there will be one.
3. A complete and thorough and accurate list of the owned homes and leased homes that will be in the three club levels once merged, not just estimates.
4. Do they have an actual date for completion of the merger, it seems to be rolling forward.

The information I get from them is very vague.

AmyG

Hello! The folks at Ultimate Resort and Private Escapes see the merger closing in about 30 days. Post-holidays I'll be reaching out to them again for more details on Ultimate Escapes, including the questions outlined above, and we'll give readers a closer look at just what this newly combined club is all about.
Amy

Steamboat Bill

I spoke with someone at UR and I asked if it was better to join UR or PE (pre-merger) and the official answer was....join the club you currently like best as the merger has not happened yet.

He indicated that there is a 99% probability that the merger would take place as planned and that they were evaluating almost every member's contract one at a time and it was taking a lot of time.

DCTraveler

Does anyone know the purpose of the web-site: Start The Experience It seems to have the Private Escapes logo and membership information, but at the same time promoting the merged entity. Maybe this site is a back-up for getting the domain name they wanted?

vineyarder

I don't know what the purpose is/was, but it has been around quite awhile; I recall seeing it very soon after the merger was announced... at the time I assumed that it was just a splashier version of the press release...

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Living in a vacuum sucks!

jam

I heard it was signed and will be announced in the next few days. New web site will soon be open as well.

LTTravel

ultimateescape.com and ultimateescapes.com now both go to the same web site. -which is under construction-

3DH

Oddly enough, I got a mailer (advertising the "free" cruise aboard La Buscadora) just two days ago. It seems strange that with things this close, they are (were?) still marketing separate clubs! Link in the mailer was to private-escapes.com/lbdm -- it takes you to the Private Escapes site, but obvoiusly they are tracking with the /lbdm

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"Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

Desties

Nice! The Whois notes that Ultimate Resort took over the domain on April 7.

I'm glad to see that they finally negotiated for the domain. Though as I mentioned earlier, they should have probably haggled BEFORE going public with the club name. Who knows how much that mistake cost the club in ransom?!?

Either way, it's a great sign that things are coming together.

Kagehitokiri

i hope this merger is closed soon, and the other announced.

pwrshift

It seems strange that I would receive a newly created magazine called PRIVATE ESCAPES DESTINATION this week, with no mention of UR at all. The cover date is March/April 2008 with a cover price of $8.95. I assume it was in the works before merger talks, but it's surprising they still went ahead with it at this time until the two companies sorted it all out. This issue is Vol. 1/No. 1

52 pages printed on heavy glossy paper stock with quite impressive photographs. Editorial content was primarily on golf but editorial layout somewhat amateurish. Their in-house advertising was quite spectacular and probably done by another firm...again no mention of UR or the mentioned 'theme'. Produced in Colorado, not exactly the hub of publishing.

There was no outside advertising from the likes of Mercedes, Rolex, etc. Interesting concept of communications that gives members a nice sense of belonging. I wonder how many other DC's communicate in this way ... or if the new PE magazine will continue.

DC4MS

This was posted here on March 10th.

http://www.destinationclubforums.com...april-498.html

pwrshift

Are you aware of any other DC that publishes a magazine like this?