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On April 17, 2024, Hilton Grand Vacations announced a partnership with Great Wolf Lodge. The Great Wolf Lodge is North America’s largest family of indoor waterpark resorts. It is known for its family-oriented, fun-filled vacations at nineteen different resorts across the U.S. With this partnership, Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) members can now use their club points for stays at any of these resorts. Meanwhile, guests of Great Wolf Lodge are able to learn about and consider the benefits of vacation ownership under HGV.

Hilton Grand Vacation’s Partnership With Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is unique in its appeal to families with young children and its extensive water park features. This family of destination resorts includes interactive amenities the whole family will enjoy. This includes a ropes course, arcade, mini-golf, bowling, and more. Not to mention, Great Wolf Lodge resorts also include complimentary entertainment and activities, on-site dining options, and delightful retail opportunities.

As a premier vacation ownership and experiences company, Hilton Grand Vacations intends to strengthen its position as a leader in family-friendly vacations with this exciting partnership. They hope to curate deeper relationships with their current members and introduce themselves to new members. Yet, this partnership is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for HGV, as well as Great Wolf Lodge.

“Our focus is on bringing joy to families, and we’re extremely excited to introduce Hilton Grand Vacations members to the beloved family experience offered at Great Wolf Lodge. With 19 resorts stretching from Southern California to New England, and three more opening within the next 14 months, we look to further enhance the travel options available to Hilton Grand Vacations members by providing a close, convenient and carefree resort experience, ideal for a fun-filled family getaway.”

John Murphy, CEO of Great Wolf Resorts

The Hilton Grand Vacations and Great Wolf Lodge partnership has an anticipated start date of summer 2024. Then, HGV members can begin using their club points to book stays at Great Wolf Lodge resorts. Meanwhile, Great Wolf Lodge guests can receive personalized offers to explore HGV’s expansive resort portfolio.

Great Wolf Lodge Locations

Great Wolf Lodge is adding three new resorts to its portfolio within the next fourteen months. This brand expansion will soon give you and your family more convenient opportunities for unforgettable travel. Below you’ll find a list of the Great Wolf Lodge locations across the U.S.

Buy or Rent Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshares For Less

Following Hilton’s acquisition of Bluegreen Vacations in January 2024, Hilton Grand Vacations now offers nearly 200 properties at stunning destinations across the nation. With their flexible points-based membership program, nearly 700,000 club members consistently enjoy high-quality vacation ownership with an exceptional standard of service. If you’re interested in buying or renting a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare, browse our resale market today. For questions or concerns, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-610-2734.

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Leading external exchange company, RCI, is celebrating 50 years in the industry and recently celebrated Earth Day by announcing the winners of the annual RCI® Green Awards program.

RCI Green Awards are given out annually to RCI-affiliated resorts that are leaders in environmentally sustainable operation practices. Third-party eco-certification expert GreenCircle Certified, LLC verifies the nominated resorts and chooses winners in the Platinum, Gold, and Silver categories. The rankings are based on advances in energy and water conservation, waste management, community outreach, and environmental management.

The program is typically only open to US-based RCI affiliates, the 2023 program expanded to include the worldwide RCI affiliates. This doubled the number of winners from three to six, with one US and one international winner per category. Additionally, the audition scope was increased which doubled the number of finalists for consideration.

“The RCI Green Awards shines a light on the champions of sustainability in our industry,” said Paul Mulcahy, managing director for RCI North America. “We hope all resorts within the RCI affiliate network will be inspired by our winners’ commendable efforts to protect their local environments, while continuing to provide vacation experiences of the utmost quality for owners and guests.”

The RCI Green Platinum Award (International) was awarded to Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The resort’s environment strategy is led by a Green Team that meets quarterly. The resort has implemented advancements like energy-efficient lighting, water-efficient appliances in all guest rooms, and accessible recycling bins available across the property. Plus, the resort has a Gold Label certification from Earth Check and has been a part of The United National Global Compact since 2017.

The RCI Green Platinum Award (US) was awarded to Florida’s Legacy Vacation Resorts Orlando/Kissimmee. This property has implemented bamboo key cards, installed rain barrels for water collection, and replaced bottled water with boxed water in its market store. The resort is also part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program, a program that recognizes hotels and resorts that are committed to conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources.

Additional winners include:

Gold RCI Green Awards

• Club Mahindra Ashtamudi Resort in Kollam, Kerala, India
• Club Wyndham Skyline Tower in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Silver RCI Green Awards

• Ultimate Leisure Club in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and the Dominican Republic
• Club Wyndham Sedona in Sedona, Arizona

Learn more about RCI by visiting the company’s website.

The humidity outside the airport in Iquitos had already slapped me like I was a newborn when the buzz of the city’s activity hit me like a left-right combination on the receiving end of a boxing match.

Iquitos, Peru

After flying in from the drier, laid-back vibe of Lima and into “The Capital of the Amazon,” as Iquitos, Peru, is commonly known, my senses were overwhelmed by a steamy confluence of color and noise.

The road leading from the airstrip was clogged with busses and moto-carros (often called tuk-tuks) – motorized rickshaws that raced around this jungle city and turned every street into a wild game of Frogger.

Situated where the Amazon and its tributary, the Itaya River, meet 2,300 miles upstream from the Atlantic, isolated Iquitos is a ragged shell of the city.

It was the center of the rubber trade and exported the valuable resource to America and Europe starting in the late 19th century, ramping up the export when the automobile began mass production.

Nowadays, with a population of over 400,000, Iquitos appears as beaten as the backs of the native Indians who slave labored their way through decades of abuse at the hands of their foreign merchants.

Who nearly decimated the Yagua, Witonos, Matses, Boras and Huitoto tribes during that dark period.

The lavish, Spanish-style mansions of the wealthy rubber barons are still there. But time and neglect have reduced most to abandoned rubble.

Others have been reinvented as hotels with only remnants of the gilded, mosaic tile walls and ornate palace doorways remaining.

The Legacy of Iquitos’ Churches Amidst the Amazon’s Contrasts

Most of the churches where Jesuit missionaries left their stamp still chime on the banks of the Itaya. A wide walkway divides the beauty of what is the natural Amazon with the grim reminder of what The Rubber Boom wrought.

It includes the savage treatment of those indigenous tribes who, in a sense, are still enslaved 100 years after local labor laws were enacted.

Through it all Iquitos has maintained its importance as a major port on the Amazon. Under the dark blue gaze of an abandoned, ten-story former hotel, the city is surrounded by river on one side and green Amazon rain forest on the other three.

The only way to get here is either by air or, as most native visitors do, a long, crowded ferry trip.

My Room at the Hotel

As I settled into my room at the no-frills Shamana Hotel I was just thankful for the working air conditioner. I purposely scheduled my trip through Peru in May at the tail end of the rainy season (before the student tourists arrive) and was lucky enough to enjoy mostly dry weather throughout the month.

But this was the Amazon basin and I now had to contend with sporadic showers and the ever-present humidity which soaked me over my six days here.

From the comfort of my chilled hotel room I looked out my second-floor window with its panoramic view of the swampy Itaya and all of the river life that surrounds it. 

Women scrubbing their clothes outside their wooden shanties, children splashing through the garbage of the murky swill and unintentionally catching glimpses of men using the Itaya like a public bath house. And I do mean public!

The Itaya

The Itaya is an ever-changing being all its own — the terrain is unrecognizable from one season to the next. During the dry season (June-August), the banks of the Itaya recede so much men actually set out goalposts.

They play soccer right where the large passenger ferries now chart their courses. At the peak of the rainy season, water levels may increase by nearly 20 feet flooding the garbage-strewn cliffs where people usually walk.

The morning action in Iquitos seems to kick off around 4 a.m. at the main dock on the Itaya and doesn’t let up until nightfall. A loudspeaker blasts a mix of raspy dance music and garbled announcements to the hordes gathered on the water banks below.

Unluckily for me, I was sleeping in a hotel within earshot. Luckily for me, I could photograph the madhouse of activity from my hotel window just as things started out in the morning sun.

The Banana Boats 

And what I saw was a constant flow of motorized banana boats (called peka-pekas after the engine’s putting noise) piled high with the green and yellow fruit.

They jostled with the larger ferries and fishing skiffs, all filled with baskets of giant catfish, piranha and other scaly delectables, as they putted into the docks (mainly planks stretched across floating logs).

Shirtless men covered their backs with sheets of cardboard and hauled the goods up a long, slippery staircase to the market on the muddy street above, while women barked out prices to buyers.

Larger ferries brought in everything from motor parts, lumber and tools, along with families who endured the weeklong journey down the Amazon, having slept on hammocks slung up in an open area. 

Those who can afford it can tuck away in a few cabins outfitted with simple bunks.

Like lines of leafcutter ants in a jungle of boats, unending streams of men and women navigated the planks on the river and steps leading up to the street.

They carried anything from their body weight in bags of cement to so many bananas they toppled over their heads and covered their straining faces.

In one line I even spotted a man shoulder a whole motor scooter up the hundred or so stairs like it was nothing.

Iquitos’ Riverside Favella, Belén

Just a short walk or boat ride from this mayhem and the main square of town lies a favella called Belén.

It is one of Iquitos’ four districts where the rows of rickety wooden houses line up on the banks of the river.

Whether topped by tin or grass, the homes are propped up by stilts or floating on logs. They rise and lower at the whim of the rainy and dry seasons.

Many of the goods brought into port are headed to an area of Belén called the Merkato del Brujo, loosely translated as Market of Witchcraft or Shaman’s Alley.

It is the highlands section where you can usually find anything the Amazon region has to offer.

Exploring the Eclectic Markets of Iquitos

It’s the kind of market you find in most developing cities — an atmosphere that enchants tourists with the merchants’ strange array of foods, crafts and wares. And it doesn’t get any stranger than this place.

Every sense is overwhelmed by blocks of street vendors peddling everything from weird species of fish, fruits you won’t find north of Colombia, exotic potions, coca leaves and tempting (but not for consuming) street food.

And although I didn’t know if they were for eating or companionship, there were tiny monkeys and giant iguanas you could buy for less than a bag of socks in the U.S..

It was all under the watchful eyes of mangy street dogs and black vultures gazing down through the colorful tents.

Authentic for sure, but so was the possibility of getting robbed. So I was told.

Almost all of the tourist sites I Googled before my trip stressed how safe Iquitos was —  red flag up — despite its reputation throughout Peru as being rough.

Visitors are warned to avoid Belén not so much for violence as the pickpockets and thieves. Still, during such petty robbery, one can never predict how far an incident could escalate.

Hiring A Guide

So as a precaution, I hired a guide named Christian to take me through the market on a private tour for a few hours one damp morning, although he seemed reluctant to go into Belén as a hired hand.

He warned me that my expensive Nikon would equal a few months wages to any quick-handed strap grabber and briefed me about a British woman who recently had her purse snatched while she was pole dancing on a boat (I didn’t even ask) and lost everything.

Christian told me not to flaunt my camera or, basically, anything shiny. At his suggestion, he brought along another guide to trail me through the market so I wouldn’t get jumped from behind.

I felt like Michael Corleone in that scene when he strolls through Sicily, or even a president with my own Secret Service — only without the agents procuring prostitutes which, sadly, are common in these slums.

I managed to make it through the crowded streets with more stares than jostles. The only things taken were the brightly colored images I got with my camera.

Check out this 3-day private tour of Iquitos run by a native community.

Life Along the Watery Roadways of Belén

The real novelty of Belén is the watery roadways. Like a less romantic version of Venice — way less actually — locals go about their business fishing or heading to market cruising the murky canals in their crude, mud-caked dugout canoes.

You won’t hear O Sole Mio being serenaded here. And even a cheerful tour guide can’t sugarcoat the poverty, despair and abject conditions which permeate the area.

And as you coast by a quiet sawmill awaiting the next barge of timber to arrive, you can’t help but notice the crude but colorful structures that the lowlands people call home.

Whether rising or lowering on logs or held steady by crooked stilts, the buildings have one thing in common — they all answer to the river’s temperamental water levels.

These hovels are as bare-boned as you can get and many don’t even have four walls. Using sheets of plastic to serve as rain shields and help keep bugs out at night, some structures are just patchworks of old fences and billboard signs.

During the day when the flimsy barriers are lifted, it easy to literally peer into the lives of its denizens and imagine the hardscrabble existence these people endure.

It’s all right there. Their best chance for privacy might be behind the ragged curtains that hang from primitive outhouses bouncing on tiny rafts outside the homes.

Floating in one of the ubiquitous canoes, hiding behind the lens of a camera and gawking into these people’s lives makes you compare them to your own.

That whole ‘Well it’s a simpler way of life’ seemed just an excuse for those of us who have been dealt better hands. Like most children anywhere, the innocent ones here saw me as a curiosity while they frolicked among the filthy river banks.

But in the adults’ unblinking eyes, it was easy to see that I was just another intruder. And just as hard as it was to blend in, it was even more difficult to be unaffected by their plight.

Nighttime In Iquitos: Safety Tips & Experiences

Nighttime in Iquitos becomes mostly a matter of safety and common sense for the curious tourist. And, like travel anywhere, being aware of your surroundings is a no-brainer — although maybe a little more so here.

Even if you tour in a group, just leave flashy valuables at the hotel. Employees at my hotel recommended I even leave my passport at the front desk.

Most Iquitos shops are closed at sundown and the nightlife is almost non-existent, but I took a short walk to an ex-pat hangout called The Yellow Rose of Texas near the center square.

It’s a divey restaurant/bar where the waitresses wear University of Texas t-shirts, the bar stools are real western saddles and you can get American-style food your system won’t regret a few hours later.

And while I’ll admit I’m no beer connoisseur and couldn’t distinguish an artisanal brew from Old Milwaukee, that frosted glass of Cristal was heaven to my parched throat.

Or, if you prefer, there’s Ari’s, a Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine) that seems to be clean, with a friendly staff.

Try the juane — a flavorful combination of rice, chicken, egg and olive wrapped in a bijao leaf that is traditionally eaten for the feast of St. John the Baptist. For the more adventurous.

There is ceviche — but I wouldn’t recommend it — at least not here in Iquitos.

After almost a week here, I’m just guessing that Iquitos may the most authentic Amazon city you will find in Peru — maybe in South America for all I know.

If You Go:

Wanderers can enjoy day-long boat excursions up the Amazon to a village where you can meet and barter with the local Yaqua tribe and there are nighttime jungle tours.

For the off-beat, there are the shaman retreats where you can embrace Nirvana with the hallucinogen ayahuasca. And for animal lovers, there is a rescue reserve where you can see large anacondas, and blue-beaked toucans and even cuddle a sloth.

What you won’t see in Iquitos are McNuggets, super stores or city life as you knew it before. So if you want to experience the real Amazon, Iquitos is a good place to start.

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Summertime is travel time, and warm temperatures are quickly upon us. Whether you’re trying to escape the heat or chase the heat this July, we have vacation options for you. Spend the warmest month of the year beachside with a drink in hand, or strap up your hiking boots and hit the trails of a national forest. Or maybe you prefer feeling the wind fly through your hair as you ride your favorite rollercoaster. However you relax, we’ve put together a list of the best places to travel in July. We can’t promise you won’t be hot, but we can help you find a good deal on timeshare rentals and resales for your travels.

Discover the Best Places to Travel in July

Selecting a destination for your summer vacation can feel impossible. Then, once you find that perfect place, what about the resort? When it comes to vacationing in July, one of the busiest months for travel, putting all the pieces together is a lot. That’s why we did the work for you! We’ve paired resorts to three fantastic categories of vacations. So, what are the best places to travel in July? In our opinion, you don’t have to visit a Greek island to have a fantastic summer vacation. So, when staying in the U.S., little can beat a vacation spent among national parks, sparkling beaches, and riveting theme parks. Read on to discover the vacation possibilities for July.

Adventure in National Parks and Forests this Summer

Fuel your wanderlust this July by spending time in the great outdoors. As you adventure among looming mountains and sprawling forests, you won’t regret skipping the city trips this summer. Here are two stunning resorts in Tennessee and Colorado that are local to enchanting national parks or forests.

Gatlinburg Town Square in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The mist-shrouded Great Smoky Mountains conquer the landscape of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As you reach the Gatlinburg Town Square resort, nestled amongst the lush, lively forests of the Tennessee Smokies, you’re met with simple, rustic elegance. This resort is located less than a mile away from the sprawling Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Timeless in design, it boasts a coziness that contrasts with the natural grandeur that awaits you in the national park. All of this combined certainly makes Gatlinburg one of the best places to travel in July.

Admire the vibrant diversity of the flora and fauna that call the Smoky Mountains home as you hike, bike, picnic, or fish at the national park. The rich history and Appalachian culture is evident at every corner of Gatlinburg. Moreover, a short walk from the resort brings you to downtown Gatlinburg. Here, you’ll find entertainment, dining, and shopping unique to the area.

Back at the resort, a spring-fed creek creates a tranquil melody as you grill up some dinner on-site. Consider a dip in the pool(s), or soak your sore muscles in the steaming hot tub. Then, return to your cozy accommodations for a restful sleep before a new day exploring the Tennessee wilderness. And before you leave, make sure to take an aerial tram ride on-site, rising 2,675 feet above the ground. Here, basking in the breathtaking views of the ancient mountains and the abundance of rivers and waterfalls nearby.

Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, Colorado

Though the winter season in Avon, Colorado, offers a wonderland of snow-based activities, the summer months bring balmy temperatures, perfect for a vacation spent outdoors. As the snow melts away, the landscape erupts with life, just in time for your summer vacation. Many of Colorado’s enchanting wildflowers reach peak bloom in the month of July, painting the landscape with vibrant purples, oranges, and yellows.

Follow the winding Eagle River amidst the Colorado Rockies and arrive at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa. Tucked away in the magnificent Vail Valley, Westin Riverfront provides a tranquil escape from the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain range. It’s an absolute must-see of Westin Vacation Club locations. Discover guided fishing trips, mountain bike rentals, and hiking tours across Vail Valley, all available on-site. The White River National Forest is just a short drive from the resort and stuns with its vivid landscape, reminiscent of a painting. Venture within and discover mirror-like lakes and rushing waterfalls. Not to mention, natural hot springs are also a short drive from the resort.

Return to the resort after a nature-filled day trip and indulge in delicious on-site dining at Stoke & Rye. Follow up your meal with a tasty libation atop the rooftop bar, One Rooftop Bar, with panoramic views of the countryside and town of Avon below. Finally, settle into your well-appointed studio or suite and curl up in your signature Westin Heavenly Bed.

Kick Back With a Beach Vacation in July 2024

Nothing says “summer” like a beach getaway. With summer in full swing, July is the perfect time to visit top destinations like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Newport Beach, California. So, consider these two luxurious beachside havens when planning your trip this July.

Ocean 22 by Hilton Grand Vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has long been a favorite seaside escape in the summer months, especially for family vacations. The sheer number of lively oceanfront restaurants and exciting local entertainment make Myrtle Beach one of the best places to travel in July, especially if you’re looking to celebrate the fourth beachside.

Explore beautiful Myrtle Beach with Hilton Grand Vacation’s Ocean 22, an oceanfront gem along the Grand Strand. This resort is one of Myrtle Beach’s premiere travel destinations due to its central location on the bustling Ocean Boulevard. Bask in the pleasant weather as you meander down the Boardwalk parallel to the beach from the resort. Here, discover live music, spirited nightlife, and fresh eats. Make the most of daylight hours with water sports, a sunset cruise, or golf with a refreshing ocean breeze.

At Ocean 22, enjoy direct beach access, as well as two sparkling pools overlooking the rushing waves below. Grab a frozen specialty drink at The Perch Pool Bar while catching some sun. Later, stop by the Sky Bar for a craft cocktail before a night out. This modern resort puts the luxury back in beachside living, offering spacious, modern suites with a southern beach charm. Everything you’d expect from a Hilton Grand Vacations Myrtle Beach resort!

Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas in Newport Beach, California

No one does summer like SoCal. For your July vacation, consider Newport Beach, California. Just missing the rainy season of California, your Newport Beach vacation is likely to be full of warm sunshine, clear blue skies, and turquoise waters. Perfect weather for lounging beachside at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas.

This fabulous Spanish-style resort stuns with its pristine position overlooking the Pacific Ocean from its perch on a bluff. As a guest of Newport Coast Villas, indulge in easy access to the glittering beach below, as well as Balboa Island and Fashion Island, famous for its luxury boutiques and designer shopping opportunities. Work on your tan beside the lavish Coast or Catalina Pool, sipping on a drink from La Vista Pool Bar & Grill. For extra pampering, stop by the Spa by the Sea for a massage or facial.

What’s more, these luxurious two-bedroom villas are a welcome escape from the sun after a day on the sandy shores of Newport Beach. Unwind on luscious, stylish furniture, enjoying the generous space provided in the living and dining areas. Make memories as you cook and entertain with a full kitchen and relish in this relaxing SoCal retreat.

Discover Thrills at Theme Parks with the Best Places to Travel in July

Of course, of July destinations, theme parks exude that classic summer vacation feeling. And who does theme parks better than Disney? Both Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California, ignite the magic of summer with thrilling rides, whimsical experiences, and unforgettable memories. Check out these two resorts that will make your resort experience as riveting as your theme park experience.

Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Florida

Settled just minutes away from the glittering gates of Walt Disney World, this fabulous resort is the flagship of Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Visit Animal Kingdom and other Disney parks with ease due to the resort’s location. Also, indulge in other Central Florida attractions just outside the resort’s property in Kissimmee. It’s important to note that the sprawling Orange Lake Resort is made up of East Village, West Village, North Village, and River Island.

Though Orange Lake Resort is not a part of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), there is no lack of incredible on-site amenities to entertain and satisfy whenever you’re not at the theme parks meeting your favorite characters. This resort boasts a 1,200-foot-long lazy river through the River Island Village. It also features four stunning golf courses, seven delicious bars and restaurants, three arcades, and various sports courts. Not to mention, the sparkling 80-acre lake comes equipped with water sports rentals for some extra fun in the sun outside of the four refreshing outdoor pools and splash pads.

Find sanctuary in resort studios or a one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom resort villa after a tiring day of walking the parks. You’ll find plenty of space to kick back and relax with these spacious living and dining areas, as well as full kitchens in some options to whip up a quick dinner or breakfast. This resort is one of the best destinations when you’re looking to book near Disney. Moreover, with the many refreshing water amenities and close proximity to the parks, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to travel in July.

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian in Anaheim, California

Venture to lovely Anaheim, California, and immerse yourself in the world of Disney storytelling at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian. As a Disney Vacation Club resort, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian brings the magic of Disney right to your villa’s doorstep. When you stay at this resort, you are mere feet from Disney California Adventure Park.

Start your day off with Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures, featuring a delectable three-course meal and meet and greets with your favorite Disney princesses. Later, lounge peacefully in a cabana beside a Mariposa Pool, Redwood Pool, or Fountain Pool, basking in the beautiful California weather. Then, end your day by sharing an intimate dinner of Californian cuisine at Napa Rose. This resort appeals to the young and the young at heart with a 90-foot waterslide. However, it also offers much-needed relaxation at Tenaya Stone Spa.

Unwind from your day of play with plush, spacious accommodations, be it a quaint studio or a generous three-bedroom villa. These lovely rooms and whimsical touches bring the wonder of Disney home with you, even after you’ve departed from the parks.

Indulge in the Best Places to Travel in July With Timeshare Rentals

Whether you’re a beach bum, Disney adult, or nature-lover, you can make your vacation dreams a reality this July (and stay in budget) with timeshare rentals! Not only do you get more space and better amenities than a hotel, but timeshare rentals cost less per night! Browse our rentals marketplace today to secure a great deal on your July vacation.

Buy a Timeshare and Visit the Best Places to Travel in July

If you’re considering vacation ownership, you’ve come to the right place! For more fantastic options to make this summer spectacular, check out the Timeshares Only resale market. When you buy a timeshare on the resale market, you save thousands on years of vacations. At Timeshares Only, For help through this exciting process, call us at 1-800-610-2734 or email us at [email protected].

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Leading vacation company Marriott Vacations Worldwide was recognized for its many hardworking teams, publications, and more at the annual American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Spring Conference 2024. The Marriott brand is widely known for having exceptional properties, personnel, and technology, and these attributes were recognized when it took home 11 awards.

ARDA is a nonprofit trade association for the timeshare industry known for its focus on advocacy. It has over 350 members, all of which are companies (privately held and publicly traded) within the timeshare industry. Each spring, ARDA honors individuals and groups within its members for the exceptional work and achievements they have completed in the past year. Categories for these awards expand across all departments including resort design, marketing, sales, management, administration, promotion, advertising, communications, and more.

This year, Marriott was able to celebrate milestones for many individuals and teams across its organization:

• ACE Philanthropy and Community Service Award: MVW Maui Wildfires Support Effort— This effort, accomplished by hundreds of employees, helped more than 1,600 associates impacted by the Maui wildfires.
• Digital Magazine: Interval World— Interval International’s digital publication is designed to highlight the partnerships and property exchanges available within its network while also accommodating its users’ preferred devices and languages.
• Housekeeping Manager: Eric Mearn— Mearn has a 100% associate engagement rating, a 98.1% Guest Satisfaction Survey score in resort cleanliness as well as promotion of diversity and inclusion at Marriott Cub at Custom House, Boston.
• Human Resources Team: HR Maui Wildfires Response Team— This team is recognized for its ability to adjust its communication channels as well as its programs to assist the more than 1,600 associates impacted by the wildfires.
• Newsletter: Triumphs— Interval International created a new publication to showcase its many travel products and offerings.
• Resort Operations Team Member: Howard Francis— Francis is known for his charming personality as a Pool Server at the Marriotts Crystal Shores in Florida and was a contributor to launching a new mobile order program.
• Salesperson In-House: Tony Quach— Quach became the top salesperson at MVW and broke the record for volume per guest for Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club.
• Sales Center: Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace in Indonesia— Awarded for its top-notch details and craftsmanship, this property highlights the brand’s modern features while also maintaining the personality and traditions this region of Bali offers visitors.
• Sales Team: Marriott’s Oceana Palms Sales Team— This team experienced a record-breaking year for overall budget, customer satisfaction scores, revenue production, and volume per guest.
• Technology Project Team: Website Technology Project Team, Hyatt Vacation Ownership— The tech team was acknowledged for their ability to combine two individually branded websites under a single brand, and in turn provide Owners with more vacation offerings and a better digital experience.
• Training and Development Team: Life Fulfilled Learning Map Team— Training and Development create new brand-specific training programs that act as a visual learning map with interactive and immersive features.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide President and CEO John Geller was excited to discuss the awards:

“I am honored to work alongside these incredibly deserving individuals and teams. They have made outstanding contributions to our business and our industry, not just during the past year but every day. I am proud to join this celebration of their hard work and dedication.”

To learn more about Marriott Vacations Worldwide, please visit their official website.