DC4MS

The founders of the luxury-chalet operator Descent International are launching a new private retreat club called Botiga.

Botiga was created by Kit Harrison and Peter Scott, the co-founders of Descent International, widely recognized as the most luxurious chalet operator in the Alps; and James Lees, developer of premier sporting resorts worldwide.

It is supported by a highly experienced board of leading customer service, travel, property, investment and legal specialists.

Other founders include Soren Jessen, former executive director at Goldman Sachs and now one of London's most successful restaurateurs, Alasdair Hadden-Paton, who spent 15 years as FD of Townhouse Investments, the five-star hotel group including The Egerton House, The Franklin and Dukes Hotel, and Leo Scheijde former FD of CC Africa, Africa's leading luxury safari company.

Peter Scott, who founded the ad agency WCRS, and Kit Harrison, his partner in Descent, have adapted the American destination-club concept to offer members access to a portfolio of luxury private retreats around the world.

Subscriptions to Botiga are between €21,000 (£16,400) and €35,000 a year, after a signing-on fee that can be up to €625,000.

Membership of Botiga is by invitation only. Charter membership will be launched in Summer 2008. The initial launch portfolio of properties will be available to members from Winter 2008.

There are two Botiga membership types available.

The first 30 members are called Founder Members. Subsequent members are called Charter Members. Together they have exclusive use of all peak weeks and access to the reduced points weeks.

Affiliate Members are entitled to off peak usage and access to the reduced points weeks.

If you would like to discuss membership options in more detail, please contact Kit Harrison on 020 3326 4000 or email kitharrison@botiga.co.uk

Botiga luxury destination club

Kagehitokiri

hmm, points like hideaways club, pricing like ciel.

1. retreat - "private residences with values of up to €7m"
2. city retreat - "serviced apartments" - €4MM, avg 1600ft2
3. lodge - "members-only [resorts]"

expected "winter" (december) 2008
-st moritz
-val d'isere
-marrakech

will be interesting to see what kind of properties they acquire...

Kagehitokiri

Kagehitokiri

Botiga Introduces New Charter Membership Level - SherpaReport

hmm this doesnt match up with the article in my last post..

its like they increased the price of the founder 500 to closer to what the non founder 500 will be.. (meaning membership is increasing?)

5/20/80 on sherpa
- founder 500 - €183,000
- non founder 600 - €312,500

6/18/08 on sherpa
- ? 500 - €275,000

DC4MS

There are three Botiga membership types available: Charter 500, Charter 1000 and Affiliate.

Charter Members have exclusive use of all peak weeks and shared access (with Affiliate Members) of all off peak weeks. Affiliate Members have access to off peak use, perfect for those not bound by school holiday dates.

Charter 500 Membership offers members 500 points per year, allowing for 2-3 weeks use of the club’s properties.

Charter 1000 Membership offers members 1000 points per year, allowing for 4-6 weeks use.

Affiliate Membership offers members 500 points per year, allowing for 3-4 weeks use.

Click here for examples of use.

The number of peak and off peak weeks will vary by the seasonality of each property's location. However, on average, there will be 18 peak and 22 off peak weeks per property per year.

A few remaining Founder Memberships (Charter 500, Charter 1000 and Affiliate) are currently available. Founder Members benefit from the lowest share price and are also offered up to three 'dues free' years of membership. The Founder offer is expected to close in July.