Monthly Archives: February 2024

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Bluegreen Vacations has officially announced that Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations LLC has acquired the Stonewater Cove Resort and Club. This property offers a deluxe wilderness retreat set in Stone County, Missouri.

Stonewater Cove is a picturesque destination located on 470 acres in the Mark Twain National Forest within the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The resort overlooks Table Rock Lake with 38 cottages, a clubhouse, restaurants, a swimming pool, a hot tub, a mini golf course, hiking trails, ziplines, and other fantastic outdoor amenities.

Ray Lopez, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Bluegreen Vacations, commented:

“We are thrilled to expand our presence in the Ozark Mountains with the acquisition of Stonewater Cove Resort. This new addition underscores our commitment to offering our valued owners a diverse range of vacation experiences in some of the most coveted destinations in the country.”

This occasion is the second acquisition by the Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations LLC in 2023 after the Branson Cedars Resort in Ridgedale, Missouri was acquired in April. The group also operates The Cliffs at Long Creek and Wilderness Club at Big Cedars resorts in Ridgedale and Paradise Point in Hollister, Missouri.

Mr. Lopez also stated:

“The acquisition of Stonewater Cove demonstrates the vision of our joint venture with Bass Pro Shops. We have seen a persistent and strong demand for leisure travel, and our strategy is to meet this demand by enhancing our vacation ownership offerings. Stonewater Cove Resort aligns with this vision, providing a unique and luxurious escape for our owners.”

Learn more about Bluegreen Vacations on their website.

Top ten tips and hacks to best use your point-based timeshare!

A point-based timeshare allows owners to use their allotted points for various vacation options at different locations and times throughout the year. With this flexibility, owners can maximize their investment by using their points for shorter trips or upgrading to higher-end accommodations. It’s a great way to enjoy vacations without the hassle of owning a property. 

Timeshares are a popular way to enjoy a vacation property without the commitment and cost of owning a second home. However, the effectiveness of your timeshare depends on how well you use it. 

Here are ten tips and hacks to leverage your point-based timeshare:

1. Plan: Before the start of the year, map out your vacation plans and dates so that you can plan the allocation of your points accordingly. Book your vacation in advance to get the best availability and prices.
2. Stay flexible: Flexibility is vital when it comes to maximizing your points. If you can be flexible with your travel dates, you can take advantage of off-season rates and avoid peak-season crowds.
3. Use the exchange program: If you have a point-based timeshare, you can use the exchange program to access other resorts in the network. It can help you maximize your point-based timeshare and explore new destinations.
4. Take advantage of bonus Time: Many timeshare resorts offer bonus time, which is extra time beyond your allotted points that you can use to extend your vacation. Take advantage of this feature to maximize your time and enjoy your holiday.
5. Consider splitting your points: If you need more points to book an entire week, consider splitting your points and booking a few shorter stays throughout the year. It can help you make the most of your issues and enjoy more vacations.
6. Upgrade your membership: If you cannot use all your points or want more flexibility, consider upgrading your membership level. It can give you more points, booking options, and flexibility.
7. Use your points for more than just accommodations: Many timeshare resorts offer additional perks and services that you can use your points for, such as spa treatments, golf courses, and restaurant discounts. Take advantage of these perks to make the most of your points.
8. Don’t let your points expire: Use your issues before they expire. Consider donating them to friends or family if you can’t use them all.
9. Book your vacation early: Book your resorts to ensure the best availability and prices. It is essential if you’re planning to travel during peak season or to a popular destination.
10. Be mindful of point values: Understand the point values of different resorts and locations. Some destinations may require more points than others, so plan accordingly.

Following these tips and hacks, you can make the most of your point-based timeshare and enjoy more vacations without breaking the bank. Contact our team for more details if you want professional assistance regarding point-based timeshare!

By TST April 28, 2023 24 Comments

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I had never been to Buenos Aires before nor anywhere else in South America. I did not even know whether to pronounce the “Aires” as Aries or Irez. Now I know – it is Irez!

Buenos Aires is a City of Contrasts

Buenos Aires is a contrast of barrios (neighbourhoods), of architecture, of colours and of weather. Over a few days, I experienced both searing sun and drenching rain. I saw barrios of grey and barrios of vibrant colour.

There were Parisian-style grand chateaux and brightly painted timber buildings. I saw boulevards and I saw narrow, cobblestone alleys. I saw lots of beautiful green space and I saw churches of different eras.

Everywhere I looked, I saw a sprinkling of purple. Jacaranda, which I had always assumed was native to Australia, was in full blossom. A quick Google and I learnt that jacaranda is actually native to South America! I was 7,218 miles (nearly 12,000 kilometres) from my hometown of Melbourne but both towns have their annual jacaranda display at the same time. Serendipity.

Sometimes known as the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires, is the capital of and most populous city in Argentina. It is also proudly the birthplace of tango. Argentina and Buenos Aires were once very wealthy places. This is still evident in certain barrios like Recoleta where I stayed. This affluent area is marked by grand, tree-lined boulevards and late 19th-century Belle Époque buildings.

Where to Stay

I stayed in the beautiful Alvear Palace Hotel which opened in 1922. The grand, central lobby was inspired by the great Ocean Liners of the time. Meals are served in an ornate hall of mirrors and Palladian-style windows and in an adjacent conservatory.

Waiters are dressed in smart, red jackets. Housekeeping staff are dressed in black dresses with white, frilly aprons.

Have a drink in the moody, marble and gilt lobby bar and you really feel transported to yesteryear.

Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

I travelled on the Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus on the first day. This was a great way for a jet-lagged first-time visitor to get my bearings a little but the commentary wasn’t great.

The English narration is voiced by a non-native speaker. The unusual pronunciation coupled with a bad sound system meant that some of the commentary was unintelligible.

Regardless of the challenge of understanding the commentary, the bus was a great introduction to Buenos Aires and its diverse barrios and sites.

Read More: Gouchos and Estancias: Ranch Holiday in Argentina

Recoleta

The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus terminus is also opposite the Recoleta Cemetery. This Cemetery dates from 1822 and is full of marble mausoleums in many architectural styles.

Eva “Evita” Peron (nee Duarte) is one of the people buried there. Evita lies in the Duarte family mausoleum in a heavily fortified crypt some five metres underground. 

There is a small admission fee to enter the Cemetery and the paths are all paved. I found the Cemetery a combination of beautiful, sad and eerie.

Also in Recoleta, wander to the El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookshop, often referred to as the most beautiful bookshop in the world. This bookshop was formerly a theatre but now houses thousands of books, CDs and DVDs and a café. The café is actually situated on what was the stage, half shrouded in a red velvet stage curtain. You can pretend you’re performing if you like!

The building opened as a theatre in 1919 when Buenos Aires was booming economically. There are gorgeous frescoes on the soaring ceiling and ornate cornicing.

At the start of the 2000s, the theatre opened as a bookshop. Former theatre boxes now offer quiet reading nooks. There are not many English titles on offer but it is a wonderful building to visit and an inspired re-purposing of a historic building.

Move from La Recoleta to other barrios such as Palermo, San Telmo or La Boca and you could be in a different city. The neighbourhoods are that diverse.

Palermo

Palermo is the biggest barrio of Buenos Aires. I visited the area around Plazoleta Julio Cortazar which is known as Palermo Soho. Full of boutiques, bars and eateries, it lives up to the Soho name! Palermo is also the Polo capital of the world. Each year, in November, the city hosts the Argentine Polo Open commonly known as the Palermo Open.

Palermo also happens to be the birthplace of new President Javier Milei. Argentina’s dictatorship ended in 1983 and the country has been democratic since. Milei came to power in late 2023. He has a gargantuan task to tackle the crippling inflation plaguing Argentina.

Read More: Celebrating Christmas in Argentina

San Telmo

Changing gears from politics to food, walk the narrow, cobblestone lanes of San Telmo and head to Mercado de San Telmo. The Market dates from 1897. When I visited, it was full of locals eating and drinking.

After the hard decision of which eatery to choose for lunch, I chose a wood fire barbecue. Sitting on a stool at a counter looking at my lunch cooking, I was transfixed by the flames which were being continually stoked. Hot work for the cooks and delicious eating for me!

La Boca

Move to La Boca and see the football stadium plonked right in the middle of buildings. The colourfully painted stadium and surrounding buildings are a feast for the eyes. For the belly, there is more barbecue! I loved the vibrant La Boca but it did feel a bit seedy. I am not sure that I would want to be there late at night.

The terminus for the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus was less than a five-minute walk from the Alvear Palace Hotel – I actually stumbled on it by accident. I also bought tickets to a tango dinner and show at Gala Tango from the bus ticket window. I realised afterwards that the price I paid was much cheaper than the ticket price online.

Gala Tango

To be honest, I thought that the Gala Tango evening would comprise a fairly basic meal with a quick demonstration of tango. I was wrong – firstly, the restaurant in a cobblestone San Telmo street was lovely…fancy even, then the meal was terrific and the show was mesmerising.

Dinner was a choice of appetiser, main course and dessert with a bottle of wine between two. I couldn’t go past chorizo steak with chimichurri and an Argentine Malbec to drink. The show, which didn’t finish until 11:30 pm, was a combination of amazingly graceful and athletic Tango, singing and folklore.

Via the magic of the Uber app, I walked out the door and straight into an Uber.

Transportation Options

After the Hop-On Hop-Off bus day, I walked most places and, if the distance was too far, I Ubered. Buenos Aires does have public transport options – buses and trains – but I didn’t use them.

Floralis Generica, an Architectural Marvel

Something unique that I loved in Buenos Aires (and actually first sighted from the Hop-On Hop-Off bus) was the Floralis Generica – a sculpture made of steel and aluminium and located in Plaza de las Naciones Unidas.

It was a gift to the city by the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano in 2002. The sculpture was designed to move, closing its petals in the evening and opening them in the morning. It looks up at the sky, weighs eighteen tons and is 75ft (23 metres) high.

It is an architectural and sculptural marvel and I found it dazzling. A few days after I admired it, it was sadly damaged by freak winds. I hope Buenos Aires has the funds to repair it.

Top Tips for Traveling in Buenos Aires

• Use credit/debit cards wherever you can as the exchange rate is far superior. We took some US dollars with us and only used them for tipping. Our credit cards were accepted everywhere even for small purchases.
• Ubers are really cheap.
• There are TWO airports in Buenos Aires – Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE) and Jorge Newbery Airport, known as Aeroparque (AEP). We flew from Santiago to Buenos Aires on LATAM and landed at EZE but the LATAM flight a couple of weeks later from Buenos Aires to Santiago left from AEP. Very confusing and very easy to make a mistake. CHECK and double-check and make sure you go to the right airport.
• The best time to visit Buenos Aires is spring and fall (known as autumn in Australia). Buenos Aires is in the Southern Hemisphere so remember that spring falls between September and December and fall is between April and June. 

If You Go:

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Author Bio: Leonie Jarrett lives mostly in Melbourne, Australia with her Husband of more than 3 decades, her 4 adult children and her 2 Golden Retrievers. Leonie has variously been a lawyer and a business owner. Now that she is semi-retired, Leonie is loving writing about her life and her travels.

So, you want to buy a timeshare in Las Vegas? Buying a timeshare can feel like a gamble, but it doesn’t have to be. Timeshares Only is here with everything you need to know about buying a timeshare in Las Vegas, Nevada. You’ll learn about the benefits of vacation ownership, how to save thousands with a timeshare resale, the buying process, and more. Because while some timeshare companies like to play it close to the vest, at Timeshares Only, we always show our hand.

The Benefits of Las Vegas Vacation Ownership

Let’s face it, Las Vegas can be addictive. For many visitors, their first Vegas vacation becomes a yearly tradition. But you don’t have to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars on a cramped hotel room every time you visit the City of Sin. Because with a timeshare, you can own a home away from home in Las Vegas and save.

Unlike hotel rooms, timeshares usually offer large, luxurious accommodations with homey comforts like fully equipped kitchens, separate living and dining areas, private bedrooms, and even master suites with attached baths. Moreover, timeshare resorts often feature luxury amenities to enhance the fun and convenience of your vacation. Amenities may include pools, water slides, lazy rivers, fitness centers, spas, on-site restaurants, bars, mini markets, concierge services, and more! Don’t want to commit to the same week and location every year? These days, you don’t have to. With most timeshare companies now embracing the timeshare points model, you can travel when, where, and for how long you want.

While the initial cost of a timeshare is higher than a hotel fare, vacation ownership can save you thousands over the course of a lifetime. Want to save thousands more on your Las Vegas timeshare?

Save Thousands More with Las Vegas Timeshare Resales

When you hear “timeshare,” what comes to mind? If it’s sales presentations and high-pressure sales tactics, you’re not alone. This is what most people envision when they think about the timeshare purchase process. But did you know there’s a vast resale market with for-sale-by-owner timeshares priced at thousands less than timeshares for sale by the developer?

As one of ARDA’s recommended timeshare resale marketplace, Timeshares Only is your premier source for secondary-market timeshares for sale at the best resorts in Las Vegas. With Timeshares Only, you can quickly and easily find the best Las Vegas timeshare for your needs, get your offer seen right away, and pay less. Here’s how the buying process works.

How the Buying Process Works

Buying a Las Vegas timeshare can seem like a daunting process. And in all honesty, it can be somewhat complicated. But that’s where we come in. With Timeshares Only, you don’t have to go take on the challenge of buying your Las Vegas timeshare resale alone. We’ll help you every step of the way through your timeshare acquisition, including:

Searching for Your Las Vegas Timeshare

Our enhanced search features make finding the best Las Vegas timeshares for your needs easy. Filter by brand, resort, week, size, and more!

Making an Offer

When you find a Las Vegas timeshare resale ad you like, just fill out the attached form to make an offer. Our simple, secure online platform lets you interface directly and anonymously with the seller 24/7.

Closing

Once your offer is accepted, we can refer you to a broker to help you finalize your purchase. Our partners at Fidelity Real Estate are fully licensed and qualified to help you at every step of the closing process, from document preparation to transfer of ownership and everything in between!

Financing Your Las Vegas Timeshare

Even when you buy on the resale market, a timeshare is a big purchase. But you don’t have to pay everything out of pocket. Our partners at Vacation Club Loans can help ease the financial burden of your purchase.

Learn more: Timeshare Financing!

Best Las Vegas Timeshare Resorts

Now that you have a better understanding of how to buy a Las Vegas timeshare, one big question remains: Which timeshare resort is right for you? Truth be told, you can’t go wrong with any of the Las Vegas timeshare resales in our marketplace. But in the end, choosing the right resort for your needs comes down to…well…your needs. So, to help you get started, we’ve handpicked three of the best Las Vegas timeshare resorts based on their standout features.

Elara, A Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel – Stay Center Strip

If you want to be in the heart of the Las Vegas action, look no further than Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel. Centrally located on Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the Strip, Elara is arguably the best-located timeshare in Vegas. And at a height of 52 stories, it boasts some of the best views!

Browse Timeshares for Sale: Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel!

Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo – Iconic Las Vegas Style

Located on the same property as the world-famous Flamingo Hotel, the oldest operational resort on the Strip, Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo lets you stay in iconic Las Vegas style. Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of Vegas’s heyday, when the Mob ruled and the Rat Pack was the hottest ticket in town.

Browse Timeshares for Sale: HGV Club at the Flamingo!

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort – A Quiet Desert Oasis

Looking for a quieter, more family-friendly alternative to the decadence of the Strip? Look no further than Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort. Located just far enough from the bustling city center to be quiet yet close enough to be convenient, Desert Club Resort is a tranquil oasis near the non-stop excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. And with a bounty of family-friendly amenities, including five heated pools, a game room, and volleyball courts, it offers on-site fun for the whole family!

Browse Timeshares for Sale: Holiday Inn Club at Desert Club Resort!

Things to do in Las Vegas That Aren’t Gaming

Everyone knows Las Vegas is the gaming capital of the world. But the City of Sin has more to offer than just world-class casinos. Vacationers flock to Las Vegas for all kinds of reasons. Here are just a few of the fun things to do in Vegas that aren’t gambling.

Sphere

The Sphere is a marvel of technology. Measuring 366 feet high, 516 feet wide, and featuring 580,000 sq. ft. of LCD displays, the Las Vegas Sphere offers a uniquely immersive environment for concerts, movies, and other types of entertainment.

Area15

This expansive entertainment and retail complex is a wonderland of interactive art installations, restaurants and bars, and unique shops. Wander the brightly lit aisles in the liminal space-themed Omega Mart. Or, stop into the otherworldly, football field-sized Lost Spirits for a drink at the distillery. It’s hard to describe this dreamlike facility in words, so best just to experience it for yourself!

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Located at the Bellagio, the Conservatory serves as a lush oasis in the parched desert landscape of Las Vegas. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, colors, and scents of Mother Nature as you stroll the 14,000-square-foot botanical gardens, which change with the seasons.

Try Before You Buy: Las Vegas Timeshare Rentals

Still on the fence about Las Vegas vacation ownership? You don’t have to commit to ownership to enjoy all the great timeshare perks on your Las Vegas vacation. Our resale marketplace is brimming with rentals at top Las Vegas timeshare resorts, including Elara, the Flamingo, Desert Club, and more. Get the spaciousness and luxury that only a timeshare can provide, and try before you buy. Browse our selection of timeshares for rent in Las Vegas today!

Buy a Las Vegas Timeshare With Timeshares Only

If you’re ready to buy a timeshare in Las Vegas, you can bet on Timeshares Only to help you find the best timeshare at the best Las Vegas resort for your needs. Our resale marketplace is overflowing with great options, while our state-of-the-art search features help you narrow them down. So, what are you waiting for? Discover all of our Las Vegas timeshares for sale today. Need assistance? Give us a call at 1-800-610-2734.

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Vail Resorts has just announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland from CPI Property Group. This is the company’s second ski resort in Europe. Crans-Montana Mountain Resort offers over 4,593 feet of skiable vertical terrain and 86 miles of trails.

Crans-Montana Mountain Resort is easily accessible from five airports and by train. It’s located in the Valais canton of Switzerland, two and a half hours from Geneva and less than four hours from Milan and Zurich. It is also two and a half miles away from Vail Resorts’ other European resort in Andermatt-Sedrun.

This new resort is set in the Swiss Alps, a top-rated ski destination, and is known as one of the best ski resorts in all of Europe. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc as gourmet restaurants, high-end retail stores, and the new Six Senses lodge and spa in the Crans-Montana commune. Crans-Montana Mountain Resort features 45 ski-in, ski-out chalet-style rooms above the main gondola.

Vail Resorts’ industry-leading line of Epic Pass products allows skiers and riders to access the company’s resorts at an unbelievable value, whether they want to ski one day or every day of their trip. The company plans to include access to Crans-Montana Mountain Resort on select Epic Pass products for the 2024-25 ski and ride season.

Kirsten Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts, commented:

“Crans-Montana is an iconic ski destination in the heart of the Swiss Alps, with a unique heritage, incredible terrain, passionate team, and a community dedicated to the success of the region. Our acquisition of the resort aligns to our growth strategy of expanding our resort network in Europe, creating even more value for our Pass Holders and guests around the world. Much like Andermatt-Sedrun, we believe Crans-Montana has a unique opportunity for future growth.”

Vail Resorts is acquiring an 84-percent ownership stake in Remontées Mécaniques Crans Montana Aminona SA, which controls and operates all the resort’s lifts and supporting mountain operations. The company is acquiring an 80-percent ownership stake in SportLife AG, which operates one of the ski schools at the resort. Vail Resorts is also acquiring 100 percent ownership of the 11 restaurants located on and around the mountain.

In a statement from its Board of Directors, the Association of the Municipality of Crans-Montana stated:

Crans-Montana looks forward to working closely with Vail Resorts, which will undoubtedly have a clear, long-term strategy for development, marketing, and providing top-quality guest experience. Vail Resorts will bring new energy to the ski area, positively impacting the entire economic structure of the region of Crans-Montana. Vail Resorts as new owner of the ski area will also have a positive impact on the organization of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2027 at Crans-Montana.

Vail Resorts will work to drive significant growth for the resort through investments in the property and attracting a broader population of international guests looking for a luxury resort experience in the Swiss Alps.

The transaction is expected to close during the 2023-24 ski and ride season, subject to certain third-party consents. Operations at Crans-Montana Mountain Resort for the 2023-24 winter season will continue without interruption. Vail Resorts is committed to keeping on the majority of employees, as well as the the existing operational infrastructure, and local expertise.

Learn more about Vail Resorts on the company’s website.