Since its august 2006 merger with DreamCatcher Retreats and its acquisition of Leading Residences of the World four months later, Quintess has grown from 280 members and 49 homes to more than 425 members and over 80 homes. Its recent growth has placed Quintess in a position to provide both the services of a larger club and the stand-alone residences of a smaller club. “It’s a great balance, to be able to offer our members such a variety of services, locations, and options without resorting to buying townhomes and condos,” says cofounder and executive vice president Ben Addoms, who adds that more than 30 of Quintess’ properties are worth at least $6 million.
Like Exclusive Resorts, Quintess recently launched a program designed around experiential travel. The smaller club’s trips revolve around its new partnership with the Leading Hotels of the World organization. One of the first four experiences offered is a six-night stay at the 15th-century Palazzo Arzaga Hotel Spa and Golf Resort in northern Italy, where guests can golf at Jack Nicklaus– and Gary Player–designed courses and take guided tours of the Mille Miglia Museum. “The lake region in Italy is gorgeous, but its season only runs for about three months of the year,” says Addoms. “The partnership allows us to offer unique travel experiences in locations that our members would like to visit, but not necessarily frequent.”
Quintess also added a 70-foot Viking yacht to its portfolio in 2007, and this January opened the first homes at its initial resort-within-a-resort enclave. The development, set within the Villas del Mar community in Los Cabos, Mexico, will eventually include 16 residences reserved exclusively for Quintess members. A second enclave, at the Ritz-Carlton’s Molasses Reef resort in Turks and Caicos, will debut in 2010.
Prices for Quintess memberships range from $210,000 plus $18,750 in annual dues for a 20-night plan to $850,000 plus $66,500 in dues for a 75-night plan. Memberships include unlimited access to Quintess’ concierges, who are available to help members not only with their itineraries within the club, but also with coordinating business travel, special events, and other activities.
Unlike most other clubs, Quintess allows its members to share their time with their extended families. The club also offers the option of reserving more than one property in the portfolio at a time. Should someone choose to cancel his or her membership with the club within one year of joining, Quintess will refund the entire deposit.
Quintess, 800.550.0324, www.quintess.com
