One of the oldest and most expansive properties in Barbados has been awarded the highest rating by Resorts Condominium International (RCI).
The Crane Private Residence Resort was awarded the highest points of every one of the 3,700 resorts worldwide that are members of Resort Condominiums International (RCI).
RCI is a US-based entity that is a global provider of leisure travel services to businesses and consumers, and the worldwide leader in vacation exchange.
Founded in 1974 as an exchange service for condominium owners called Resort Condominiums International, Ltd. RCI quickly became a driving force for growth within timeshare, and has been at the forefront of the vacation exchange industry ever since. three million members worldwide, who enjoy dream vacations at RCI’s over 3,700 affiliated resorts.
Paul Doyle Managing Director of the Crane Resort and Residences disclosed this new achievement of the property on September 23 2009, as he took the media on a tour of the multi-million facility that features some the greatest amenities and views in the Caribbean.
A Crane Private Residence Member can exchange their weeks with members of other interval ownership clubs in resorts all over the world. This exchange is managed by RCI.
Based on its point value, one Crane week can typically be exchanged for up to three weeks at any one of the 3,700 RCI Points Resorts worldwide. In addition, Crane Members only pay one maintenance fee, while other RCI members are required to pay three to obtain the same point value.
All Crane Private Residence members are RCI Points Members and owners in the Historic Hotel are RCI Weeks members. In addition to accommodation exchanges, Crane’s RCI points can be exchanged for other international vacation options, including airfare, rental cars, cruises, and more.
The Crane pays for all Private Residence Members to enroll in RCI, and for their first year of membership.
Barbadians and resident investors are not taking full advantage of the trade in property that is possible at at the Crane Resort and Residences.
This was the announcement made by Paul Doyle Managing Director and owner of the property who has the oldest hotel in the Caribbean under his management.
Doyle said this to the media recently, in the wake of the Crane Residence and Resort being rated the highest from among 3,700 properties worldwide by Resorts Condominium International (RCI).
Moreover, the resort boss explained that those Barbadians who have developed an affinity for the property particularly for vacation ownership are amazingly not looking to exchange with other properties across the world but are continuously coming back to the property every year.
He noted that for them it feels like they are away. He said, “A lot of Barbadians are buying into the programme of vacation ownership.”
The Crane Private Residence Resort was awarded the highest points of every one of the 3,700 resorts worldwide that are members of Resort Condominiums International (RCI).
RCI is a US-based entity that is a global provider of leisure travel services to businesses and consumers, and the worldwide leader in vacation exchange.
But Doyle who is the owner of the multi-million dollar property reiterated that Barbadians or residents of Barbados who invests in timeshare property investments overseas are not looking enough to their own shores to park their investment which they can get at half the price, with less travel time and some of the greatest in amenities and the best views around the globe. He was adamant that unlike a number of the properties overseas, the Crane was not putting a lot of add on gifts in their packages but ensuring that their product was the best it could be for anyone investing with them.
The Crane, offers the opportunity for outright or interval ownership of luxurious one-, two- or three-bedroom residences in its Private Residence development. There are one, two and three-bedroom residence units, bringing total rooms to 202 currently with new rooms being added to the product as the property is still being developed. Prices for whole ownership at the exquisite residences range from US $425,000 for the deluxe studio to US $1,781,000 for the 2 Bedroom, 3 bath, with 28′ Pool. Meanwhile quarter share ownership ranges from US $179,159 for a one bedroom rooftop deck pool with a Gazebo and the two bedroom with similar amenities starts at US $220,266.
Outright ownership provides the opportunity for owners to have flexible usage of their own luxurious oceanfront residence and a unique rental programme to ensure a significant return on investment, if desired.
The Crane’s interval ownership program combines the benefits of a guaranteed specific residence each year with the flexibility.
On the hotel side of the business, Doyle explained that despite a the global economy and the local recession, the hotel will have a good year. He applauded the marketing drive of the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) to the various markets. Additionally he lauded the support of Barbadians in coming to the hotel with the Staycation programme which has resulted in 700 room nights from the local market. He explained that Barbadians are taking full advantage of the programme and spending weekends at the St. Philip resort.
The local marketing programme performed so well for the property that the hotel has extended the Staycation programme for the Crane resort as a year round promotion for the local market.
A public meeting is on the cards to discuss the environmental impact assessment of the proposed multi-million dollar Merricks Development in St. Philip.
The meeting will be hosted by the Town and Country Planning Department and is part of the Environmental Impact Assessment that was conducted earlier this year.
The meeting is to be held at Bayley’s Primary School, St. Philip on October 6, 2009 and scheduled to commence at 7:30 pm.
The Report conducted by the Town and Country Planning Department can now be viewed at the Department’s Office at the Garrison St. Michael, Six Roads Library St. Philip and the Bayley’s Primary School in St. Philip.
Contention among conservationists and other concerned parties about the Merricks resort development erupted in 2006, when word of the proposed development became public knowledge.
The site of development will cover some 70 acres offering 101 villas, 600 apartments, leisure areas, entertainment facilities, commercial spaces and a 5 star Hotel and Spa from which home owners will have full use of facilities, which include swimming pools and tennis courts. The unit types available are Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom Cabanas and 4 & 5 bedroom Villas.
Residents in the area have raised concerns about the development surrounding the issue of not having access to the popular beach in the area once the resort has been completed.
