At the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS),?Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, announced the addition of three new Bluegreen Vacation Club? Resorts to its upscale Ascend Hotel Collection?as part of a multi-faceted strategic marketing alliance with?Bluegreen Corporation?(“Bluegreen Vacations”), an industry leader in vacation ownership sales, marketing, hospitality and resort management. Twenty-four Bluegreen resorts in highly desirable vacation destinations have joined the Ascend Collection during the past twelve months since this agreement was first announced.
The key new additions include the Club La Pension in?New Orleans, the?Lake Eve Resort?in?Orlando?and?Hotel Blake Chicago, the 100thdomestic hotel to be added to the distinctive Ascend Resort Collection. In just the past year, 61 new members have joined?Ascend Hotel Collection, including Bluegreen resorts in top vacation destinations such as?Hawaii,?Aruba,?New Orleans,?Las Vegas,?Miami,?Orlando,?Cape Cod,?Phoenix,?Savannah, Ga.?and?Myrtle Beach, S.C.
“Bluegreen Vacations?has been a fantastic partner during this past year and we are thrilled to continue to expand our agreement by adding these three fantastic destination properties to our Ascend Collection,” said?Mike Murphy, senior vice president of upscale brands for?Choice Hotels International. “This strategic marketing alliance has allowed?Choice Hotels?to continue to expand into the upscale lodging tier as well as the leisure segment. Our prospering relationship with Bluegreen and the rapid growth of the Ascend Collection brand reinforces to us that our model has strong appeal with the industry as well as with guests.”
Club La Pension?is located at the edge of the historic French Quarter and was recently refreshed to include the ever evolving and always hip artistic community in?New Orleans. Its six renovated historic buildings offer completely remodeled 1-and 2-bedroom suites featuring locally made artwork and decor, and are located just steps away from the culinary delights, renowned nightlife and invigorating culture of?the Big Easy. The historic building is a stylish intersection of past and present, featuring original exposed beams and brick walls as well as modern kitchenettes, all-new plush linens, spa-inspired bathrooms and pristine pine floors. This resort prides itself in representing the city of?New Orleans?as it stands today – an eclectic mix of history, art, music and new, sometimes boisterous beauty.
Lake Eve Resort?in?Orlando?is a spacious and private retreat which offers easy access to the region’s top attractions including SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Walt Disney World?, the Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine, as well as a number of top golf courses. This property also offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites with balconies overlooking the lake and features an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, flat screen televisions in all bedrooms and living rooms, grocery shopping and delivery service, a spa tub and a sauna, a 24-hour business center, fitness facility and even an arcade.
Hotel Blake Chicago?is the most recent?Bluegreen Vacations?addition and marks the 100th?domestic hotel to join the Ascend Collection. Located in the monumental 18th-century Morton and Duplicator building in the heart of historic?Printers Row?at?500 S. Dearborn St.,?Hotel Blake Chicago?sits in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods and is considered a landmark of luxury among downtown?Chicago?hotels, offering a robust taste of Chicago’s rich culture and diversity.
“We are very excited about the success we have seen so far working with?Choice Hotels?and are proud to announce these one-of-a-kind resorts as the newest additions to our partnership,” Bluegreen President and CEO?John M. Maloney, Jr.?said. “Our relationship with Choice has added value for our current owners and will continue to be very attractive to prospective owners based on the credibility of the Choice Hotel brands and the appeal of our expanded product offerings.”
Choice Hotels?first announced the strategic marketing alliance at ALIS in January of 2013, making?Bluegreen Vacations?the official vacation ownership provider for?Choice Hotels. In turn,?Bluegreen Vacations’?TravelerPlus? participants will be eligible to enroll as members of?Choice Privileges?and will be upgraded to Elite Gold status and receive special benefits. This will provide TravelerPlus? members with access to all of the Choice hotels worldwide including the more than 121 hotels in the?Ascend Hotel Collection. Additionally, all?Bluegreen Vacations’owners will be eligible to access discounted rates at all 6,300 Choice hotels, subject to availability.