THIS IS THE LIFE

GRANDTIMES
SUMMER 2008
THIS IS THE LIFE
IN THIS
ISSUE:
Online Vacation
Planning Made Easy
Olympic Hospitality
NO PLACE
LIKE
HOME
Hilton Grand Vacations Club
celebrates 15 YEARS in Las Vegas
PLUS:
RIVER
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
MEMBER NEWS
GRANDTIMES
THIS IS THE LIFE
SUMMER 2008
2
STARSERVICE
Recognizing outstanding
Club Counselors
3 CLUBNEWS
Website enhancements make
planning easier
4
C O V E R S T O RY
VIVA LAS
VEGAS!
Hilton Grand Vacations
Club celebrates 15 fantastic
years in Las Vegas
D e a r C l u b M e m b e r,
It has been 15 years since Hilton entered the timeshare
industry with the debut of Hilton Grand Vacations Club at
the Flamingo in Las Vegas, and what an extraordinary era
of growth followed. Our very first Owner, Richard Neppl
(featured on page 5), is now among more than 137,000
Club Members worldwide, and the flagship Flamingo resort
remains a jewel within a dazzling collection of renowned
destinations worldwide.
As Club membership has grown, so too has our commitment
to add value and intrigue to the Club program. We’re building
spectacular new properties and rejuvenating our existing
collection of treasured Club resorts. The Hilton Family continues to expand globally, bringing
you extraordinary travel advantages and the signature comfort of Hilton quality throughout
the world. To ensure your spirit of adventure is fulfilled with truly unforgettable travels, we
frequently enhance the variety of excursions offered through our distinctive ClubPartners.
Whether you’ve been a Club Member for 15 years or joined more recently, here’s hoping
you’re making the most of your membership. Our best advice to all Club Members is simply
to use the program to your greatest advantage—plan ahead for the grand vacations, be flexible
when arranging last-minute trips and please let us know how we can help you arrange the
travels of your design. Best wishes for magnificent and memorable journeys!
Sincerely,
10 ATYOURSERVICE
be hospitable® event highlights
12 CLUBPARTNERS
Take the vacation adventure of a lifetime
14
CLUBTRAVELER
Putting the spotlight on the Club
Member experience
15 RCIEXCHANGE
Vacation news
19
HILTONNEWS
20
CRUISENEWS
New specials, packages and services
Get ready for the 2009 ClubPartner
Perk Grand Adventures
22
CLUBSOURCES
Important Club contact information
6355 MetroWest Boulevard, Suite 180
Orlando, Florida 32835 USA
Grand Times is published by Hilton Grand Vacations Club
and is distributed exclusively to Club Members.
© 2008 Hilton Grand Vacations
Hilton Grand Vacations® and Hilton Grand Vacations Club® are
registered trademarks of Hilton Hospitality, Inc. and licensed to
Hilton Grand Vacations Company, LLC.
GRANDTIMES
ON
THE COVER: HILTON GRAND VACATIONS CLUB AT THE FLAMINGO
Kim Robert Kreiger
Senior Vice President and Chief Club Officer
STA R S E RV I C E
At Hilton Grand Vacations, we are committed
to providing excellent service at every
opportunity—and often our efforts begin
far in advance of your vacation experience.
That’s why we take time out every year to
honor the hard work and dedication of our
Club Counselors.
In April, Hilton Grand Vacations recognized
four Club Counselors in Orlando who set the
standard for great guest service:
The winning Counselors with their respective supervisors,
• Jolie Suarez received the Spirit of Service from left: Brenda Villegas, supervisor, Membership
Award, which recognizes outstanding telephone Support Group; Wanda Graciano; Lena Espinosa; Jolie
Suarez; Christina Carlsen, manager of Club and Call
productivity and is based on statistics.
Center operations; and Letrice Randolph.
• Letrice Randolph received the Aim for
Excellence Award, which honors exceptional customer service and is based on Member feedback.
• Lena Espinosa and Wanda Graciano each received the Hospitality Award, which recognizes
the Club team members who best exemplify what it means to be hospitable®: They display
positive behavior, both at work and in the community, and show a spirit of service toward Members
and colleagues.
“This year’s celebration was by far the most memorable,” says Christina Carlsen, manager of Club and
Call Center operations. “Not only did we honor the accomplishments of the individual award winners,
we celebrated the success of the entire Club team. These awards recognize the extraordinary results that
each of our honorees achieved.”
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
CLUBNEWS
Home
PHOTOALTO/ODILON DIMIER/GETTY IMAGES
Improvement
Point. Click. Relax. Planning your next Hilton
grand vacation online will now be easier than
ever. The Club’s virtual home (hgvclub.com)
has been streamlined, and although the site
will feel familiar upon logging in, Members will
immediately notice a fresh new design.
“Everything from the original site will still
be there, but Members should find it easier
to navigate,” says Kim Kreiger, senior vice
president and chief club officer. “The content
areas remain the same, but we’ve expanded and
enhanced the navigation to make the site more
Member-friendly and even more informative
than before.”
Key to the site will be the integration of
Revolution, a cutting-edge booking engine that
will allow Members to browse and compare
Club resorts regionally. Simply choose a
preferred destination and date, and the system
immediately begins searching the availability
for all unit types at every resort in the region.
It will then display the results in matrix form
from that day to 365 days out, allowing
Members to see what’s available throughout
the year, compare choices and determine how
best to use their points. “Members will be able
to see in real time what’s available and what’s
not and how many points they’ll need for each
option,” Kreiger says.
The enhanced website will be highlighted by a
new Resort Gallery, sure to be one of the site’s
most popular features. The interactive gallery
allows Club Members to “visit” the resorts via
pictures, descriptions and, in some cases, virtual
tours or floor plans. “We’ve also integrated our
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
technology to enable Members to view their
reservation options using Revolution while
simultaneously surfing their resort options,”
Kreiger says. “We’ve taken online travel planning
to a new level.”
Located under the My Resources button is
another new feature called Club 101 Tutorials,
which includes everything new Members need
to get familiar with the ins and outs of Club
membership: the Member community, current
issues of Grand Times and Inside Track newsletters
and the current Member Guide.
The navigation menu, previously across the top
of the home page, has been relocated to the lefthand side, but Members will still find their favorite
pages just a few clicks away under such headings
as My Club, My Ownership, My Points and My
Reservations. A banner ad featuring special offers,
important membership information or breaking
news will replace the menu on top of the page.
The debut banner ad leads Members to a survey
where they can weigh in on the new site design
and what they’d like to see in the future.
At press time, the website was being introduced
to randomly selected Members during its soft
launch phase. These Members were invited to
explore the site and share their opinions, which
are reviewed by the site’s development team in
preparation for the global launch to all Club
Members in the coming weeks.
“The new site is full of information and will be
updated regularly to remain timely and accurate,”
says Kreiger. “Now our Members have in one
location everything they need to create their
perfect vacation.”
Website
enhancements
make vacation
planning
effortless
GRANDTIMES 3
LIKE
HOME
YOSHIHIRO TAKADA/AMANAIMAGES/CORBIS
NO PLACE
Soak up the sun and fun poolside at the Flamingo.
A blast from the past: the Flamingo Casino, 15 years ago
4 GRANDTIMES
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
F
Take in the views from the Club on the Las Vegas Strip.
ifteen years ago, Richard Neppl made Hilton
history. Then a craps dealer at the Flamingo Hilton
Casino, Neppl was the first person to buy into Hilton’s
flagship timeshare project, Hilton Grand Vacations Club
at the Flamingo, also the first points-based product to be
offered in Las Vegas.
Cool off at the Las Vegas Hilton resort.
Neppl had firsthand information about the building
going up on the former employee parking lot. A friend of
his had been hired to sell the units in the new building and had practiced his sales pitch on Neppl, who
liked what he heard.
“I was so primed to buy one of these things, I arrived at 7 a.m. the first day of sales,” he remembers. “I
was sure there’d be a long line because this was such a great deal.” Neppl left the office that day with the
very first contract for a unit at the Flamingo—week 52 was his. Part of his motivation was the thought
of inviting friends to visit and giving them a great place to stay. “And what could be better than New
Year’s Eve in Vegas?” he says.
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
BACKGROUND: RAIMUND KOCH/JUPITER IMAGES
Hilton Grand Vacations Club
celebrates 15 YEARS in Las Vegas
GRANDTIMES 5
The new, modern interiors at
Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the
Flamingo feature the latest luxuries.
The line may not have been long
that morning in 1993, but Neppl was
ultimately right—people did line up.
And today, as Hilton Grand Vacations
celebrates 15 years in Las Vegas, they
still line up. More than 130,000 people
have become Club Members, securing
not only accommodations but the
vacation experiences of a lifetime.
“The Flamingo project launched the whole era of Hilton timeshare development,” says Kim
Kreiger, senior vice president and chief club officer. “There were a lot of unknowns,” Kreiger says,
“but we kept moving forward.” And 15 years later, the Club is still providing quality vacations
for its Members. Now with three properties in Las Vegas and plans for continued expansion and
improvement, it seems that Hilton Grand Vacations Club has played its cards right.
6 GRANDTIMES
CHANGE OF SCENE
The Flamingo is an iconic Las Vegas institution
perfectly situated just steps away from the
excitement of the world-famous Strip. This
year, the property is being totally renovated,
the culmination of plans that were made when
the building first opened its doors.
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
The $10.3 million refurbishment, scheduled to begin in August,
includes a total gutting of all units and the installation of the
latest luxuries, including new stone flooring and granite and stone
countertops. “It’s fabulous,” says Neppl, now a board member of the
homeowners association that governs the Club’s Flamingo project.
“They are really modernizing the rooms and making the units feel more
spacious and current.”
“The refurbishment is a wonderful opportunity for everybody who’s
involved at the Flamingo to recommit themselves to the value it holds,”
says Mark Shaffer, general manager at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club
resorts at the Flamingo and at the Las Vegas Hilton. “The Owners, who
are funding the renovations, obviously believe they made the right
decision when they purchased here years ago.”
The Flamingo isn’t the only Club property in Vegas set to get a
full makeover. The Las Vegas Hilton, which opened in 1999, is also
scheduled for a complete renovation in 2011.
“The Club resort at the Las Vegas Hilton is more like a country club.
It’s quieter and more residential than the Flamingo,” Shaffer says. The
property is a relaxing oasis for guests, who are still a close walk to the
constant and ever-changing excitement of the Strip.
Since its debut in 2000, Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las
Vegas Strip has offered Members a third grand venue from which to
explore all the town offers. Two of four projected towers are already
in operation. Joined by a common lobby and reception area, each
tower has its own distinct style and design, but both feature the flair
guests expect from Hilton. Beyond its spectacular views, the property
also features a magnificent spa where special discounts are offered to
Club Members.
POINT OF RETURN
In the years since that first sale,
ownership with Hilton Grand
Vacations has given Club Members
more than just access to some of the
best vacation destinations. “There’s
a real sense of community, a sense
of belonging,” Kreiger says. “By the
nature of what and where they own,
the Owners are all a part of something
very special. And our team members
have a very tangible spirit of belonging
to an organization that supports a very
specific, clear, simple service policy:
be hospitable®.”
That spirit is certainly flourishing at
the Flamingo, where guests return year
after year. “The repeat factor here is
incredible,” says Christopher Najbicz,
regional vice president of resort
operations in the West.
“They love the environment, they love the resort and they love the
way they’re being treated. And they love the community of friends who
come at a particular time of year so they can enjoy the resort—and each
other,” he adds.
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
Relax and refresh
at the Strip resort’s
world-class spa or
in secluded luxury
by the pool.
GRANDTIMES 7
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
Haven’t been to Vegas yet? Why not? And if you have, isn’t
it time to go back? As the Club celebrates 15 years in Las
Vegas, now is the perfect time to visit. But if that’s not enough
to pique your interest, consider the countless options for
shopping, dining and playing.
The Cloud at Fashion Show mall
PLAYING. If the games and shows aren’t enough to keep
you amused, check out the Fremont Street Experience, an
entertainment complex whose signature attraction is Viva
Vision, the largest LED display system with 12.5 million lights
and a 550,000-watt sound system featuring free shows every
night. You can also enjoy free concerts and special events
throughout the year or check out the Neon Museum, which
hosts some of the old hotels’ neon signs.
RUDY SULGAN/CORBIS
DINING. It wasn’t so long ago when people equated “dining in
Vegas” with “buffet.” No longer an afterthought, food is now
the main reason so many people make Las Vegas a destination.
Some of the world’s best chefs have set up shop here, including
Emeril Lagasse, who has three restaurants, New Orleans Fish
House, Delmonico Steakhouse and Table 10; Thomas Keller,
owner of French Laundry in California’s wine country, who
has Bouchon restaurant; Charlie Palmer, who has Aureole and
Charlie Palmer Steak restaurants; and the list—practically a
who’s who of the food world—goes on.
TODD KOROL/GETTY IMAGES
SHOPPING. Each of the big casino resorts offers a unique
shopping experience, but if you’re looking for more, the Fashion
Show mall packs a serious punch. At nearly 2 million square
feet, it boasts seven anchor stores and 250 specialty stores and
restaurants. It also features the Cloud, a 20-story architectural
canopy that serves as a projection screen for multimedia shows
at night.
The Fremont Street Experience
8 GRANDTIMES
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Las Vegas
Hilton has it all—a dazzling pool, stylish
accommodations and a country-club feel.
“It’s like a small-town fair every day,” Shaffer says. “The spirit here is
that of a collaboration of neighbors, a celebration of being together and
community.” That sense of togetherness extends to the team members as
well. “Check-in here takes a little longer because the guests want to hug
Annaleah or Fontaine at the front desk,” he says.
That’s because it’s more than checking in. “It’s welcome back home,
welcome back to your community,” says Olivier Chavy, senior vice
president of resort operations. “Our team members truly care about the
guests, which creates a very special, personalized and warm experience.”
For Neppl, who moved to Idaho in the mid-1990s and visits Las Vegas
often, the term “home resort” has taken on new meaning. When he signed
on the dotted line in 1993, he says, “I thought I was buying part of a
building, but I ended up with so much more.”
Proof that maybe you can go home again.
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
GRANDTIMES 9
AT YO U R S E RV I C E
Olympic Hospitality
Beijing-bound athletes teach kids about being hospitable
What do Olympic athletes have to do with being hospitable? On May 22, 40 Waterbridge Elementary
School second-graders found out when they attended a poolside event at Hilton Grand Vacations Club
on International Drive in Orlando. The be hospitable® Kids event was part of a month-long eightcity tour, designed to bring kids and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes together to talk about the
importance of kindness, sportsmanship and acceptance. These Beijing-bound athletes shared their
personal stories and discussed concepts such as graciousness, multiculturalism and accepting others
who are different.
“As a member of The Hilton Family, Hilton Grand Vacations prides itself on fostering relationships
with members of the community,” says Bob Lambert, general manager of the International Drive
Clockwise from top: Author Todd Parr and Olympic hopeful Diana Lopez pose with Waterbridge Elementary
second-graders at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive in Orlando; taekwondo expert
Lopez explains the spirit of competition; students show off their good luck cards.
10 GRANDTIMES
property and host of the event. “This tour offers
us an opportunity to do just that and to encourage
kids to perform basic acts of hospitality that make
other people feel valued.”
At the Orlando event, students met and chatted
with two hospitable heroes, Olympic hopeful
Diana Lopez and author Todd Parr, who paired
up to read be hospitable: A World United, a new
version of Parr’s book inspired by Olympic ideals.
Lopez, a 24-year-old taekwondo expert, taught
the children some basic moves and some Korean
phrases that are key to the sport. Then she
explained the spirit of hospitable competition, the
fundamental principle of the modern Olympic
Games. “A hospitable spirit, all the athletes
coming together in friendly competition, is what
the Olympics are all about,” Lambert points out.
Lopez also explained to the children her
definition of what being hospitable means: being
nice to people and using good manners in all
situations. Then she and Parr helped the children
demonstrate hospitality by creating cards to
wish the U.S. Olympians luck and thank them
for representing our country in Beijing. Lopez
promised the students she would deliver the cards
to the athletes who attended the games.
Each child received a copy of the book and a
T-shirt autographed by Lopez and Parr. But as
special as these gifts were, the children went away
with something much more important.
“They were reminded of the importance of
being nice to people,” Lambert says. “Learning
the taekwondo and the phrases was fun, but the
children learned so much more. They learned
that each of us can make a difference to people,
and we can make the world a bit better if we just
extend kindness to each other every day.”
Club Members interested in the book can
purchase a copy ($7.95) online at hiltonfamily.
com/usaolympic. It will also be sold at the USA
House at the Beijing Olympic Games, with
a portion of the proceeds benefiting the U.S.
Paralympic Team.
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
Featured athletes: Steven, Mark and Diana Lopez. ©2008 Hilton Hotels Corporation. 36USC22056
Families
win
together.
The Hilton family is proud to sponsor the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Like the Lopez
family, striving for gold in taekwondo, our Hilton Family of Brands is also striving for gold, to
provide you with the highest levels of hospitality. The Hilton Family… 9 distinct hotel brands,
one simple philosophy: be hospitable®.
HiltonFamily.com
C L U B PA RT N E R S
Overlooking the Green
River in Colorado
On the Colorado River in
Utah’s Cataract Canyon
Mystic
Rivers
Calling all vacation thrill seekers
When it comes to vacations, most people want rest and relaxation. But if it’s the vacation
adventure of a lifetime that you’re after, we’ve got you covered. The Hilton Grand Vacations
Club partnership with O.A.R.S., the Outdoor Adventure River Specialists, will ensure
that your next trip will be anything but ordinary.
Picture yourself navigating a sea kayak across the surface of an alpine lake beneath
the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Or imagine challenging the rapids of
the mighty Snake River as it rages through Hells Canyon, North America’s
deepest gorge. Or envision treating the family to an exploration of the
Lower Salmon, the gorgeous meandering river in Idaho that flows
through sprawling beaches of the state’s warmer canyon country.
These are outdoor vacations to the max. And with the guidance
of an O.A.R.S. professional, you can design the adventure that
will refresh your soul and invigorate your senses. “Our goal
at O.A.R.S. is to provide the best outdoor experience of
12 GRANDTIMES
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
C L U B PA RT N E R S
Navigating the Tuolumne River
near Yosemite, California
your life,” says Steve Markle, marketing and
partnership director for the O.A.R.S. family of
companies. “We maintain the highest guideto-guest ratio in the adventure travel industry.
This allows us to give our guests a world-class
adventure with first-class treatment.”
You can personalize your O.A.R.S. adventure
to fit your taste for adventure—and the needs
of your traveling companions. Choose your
destination, from the humbling landscapes
of Alaska to the raging waters of the mighty
Amazon, then decide the appropriate level of
intensity for the trip and choose activities to fit
your personal itinerary. From rafting to wine
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
tasting and snorkeling to horseback riding,
you can find just the right blend of activity
and relaxation to create a perfect vacation,
O.A.R.S. style. And your O.A.R.S. guide will
help make your vacation memorable, without
forgetting the cultural and environmental wellbeing of the sites you visit.
Ready to supercharge your next vacation?
Club Members can exchange their ClubPoints
for O.A.R.S. travel certificates at a rate of 4,750
points per $500 certificate. The certificates can
be spent on any of the excursions presented
on the O.A.R.S. website (oars.com). Club
Members will receive a 10% discount on
nearly all adventures (this discount may not
be applied toward Grand Canyon excursions).
Beyond that, the sky and your imagination are
the only limits!
GRANDTIMES 13
C L U B T R AV E L E R
Picture Perfect
Photographs are the best
kind of souvenirs for
these travelers
SSome travelers collect bags full of trinkets to take
h
home
as keepsakes from their travels. But not Club
M
Members
Ileana Cutié and her husband, Juan: They
fill up digital camera memory cards with the sights and
sc
scenes
of their trips. Ileana, who has always enjoyed
ph
photography
and who works as a photographer, says
sh and her husband don’t enjoy shopping, so they
she
fo
focus
on taking photographs and making memories
thei souvenirs.
their
T
That’s
not the only thing the Cutiés do
differently when it comes to vacation. When
the embarked on the 2008 ClubPartner Perk
they
Gr
Grand
Adventure to the Southern Caribbean,
a seven-night excursion aboard Royal
C
Caribbean’s
Serenade of the Seas, they bypassed
m
most
of the scheduled activities and wrote
t
their
own agenda. That trip allowed them
to do what they love best—tour an array of
islands, scuba dive in crystal waters, relax,
read and reconnect with each other—all on
their own time schedule.
“That’s the extraordinary thing about a
cruise,” says Ileana Cutié. “You can enjoy
th planned activities, or you can go off on
the
your own and design your own experience. It’s
really the best of both worlds.”
The Cutiés boarded in San Juan on March
8 and relaxed while the ship navigated the
waters between St. Thomas, St. Maarten,
Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. The Elitestatus Members booked a room with a balcony
and a private table at dinner, so they could
enjoy the spectacular views during the day and
share intimate conversation each evening.
But when the ship anchored in port, the
Cutiés were on the go, ready to feed their adventurous side by exploring each island. “It’s
wonderful to be able to get to know so many different places in a short amount of time,” says
14 GRANDTIMES
Above: Juan and Ileana Cutié enjoy an intimate dinner;
at left, scenes from their most recent trip
Cutié, adding that Barbados was her favorite
stop during the trip. The Southern Caribbean
cruise was the second voyage the Cutiés enjoyed
using their Club benefits. Four years ago, they
journeyed through the Hawaiian Islands on a
seven-night Norwegian Cruise Line excursion.
They use their points to cruise every few years,
and are considering a trip to Alaska or the
Mediterranean in the future.
The Cutiés are second-generation Hilton
Grand Vacations Club Members. “My dad
originally purchased the timeshare, and he
gave it to me seven years ago,” Cutié says. Her
father bought two weeks in Orlando, but the
Cutiés usually opt to explore new destinations.
“We’ve been to Orlando only once, but we’ve
been everywhere else,” she says. Some of their
favorite vacations sites include Hawaii, Cancun
and Cabo San Lucas.
Sometimes the Palmetto Bay, Florida, couple
uses their points closer to home. “Even though
we live right there, we like to spend a week in
South Beach just for fun,” Cutié says. “The Club
is so flexible. We can save our points for a big
cruise or use them for a quick getaway nearby.”
After all, great photographs and memories can
be collected anywhere.
RC I ® VAC AT I O N N E W S
Vacation
Stories
So many destinations, so many experiences,
so many stories to tell
,
Sedornin a
dise
a Golfer’s Para
Arizona, USA
Spa Splendo
at
n everything th ber
ow
d
g
n
ti
ri
w
em
I am
ip, so I can rem know,
tr
is
th
on
s
en
p
hap
y. (I
olf lesson toda I hit
g
a
k
oo
T
!
ll
a
d
it
) Then Marc an
hard to believe! as teasing me about
w
the course. He
bet. If I won
a
e
d
a
m
e
w
o
s
my swing,
to the spa with
o
g
d
e’
h
,
le
o
h
. If
the first
edicure and all d.
p
,
p
ra
w
d
ee
w
stea
me—sea
k climbing in t him
c
ro
o
g
d
e’
w
,
ad a
he won
UT! I was so m right on
O
IS
H
T
K
C
E
CH
all
I planted the b luck!
f,
of
ed
te
I
en
h
w
t beginner ’s
ou
b
a
lk
a
T
!
en
ole on
the gre
ot it into the h the
g
I
t—
a
th
ly
ed in
Not on
arc’s ball land prove
M
.
tt
u
p
t
rs
fi
the
res to
e got the pictu
v
I’
d
n
A
r!
te
a
w
f to the spa.
of
re
e’
w
w
ro
or
it. I won so tom more pictures of Marc to
et
Can’t wait to g ddies when we get home.
bu
share with his We’re having lots of fun!
!
Sedona rocks!!
GRANDTIMES 15
RC I ® VAC AT I O N N E W S
Every vacation
its own
ublic
Dominican Rep
,
a
t
a
l
P
eruetBo
Pu
Latin Culture
s with Lively
e
h
c
a
e
turesq
Pic
the kids would
d
an
ou
Y
t!
as
bl
a
g
n
We are havi
and Jonas we went
ke
Ja
l
el
T
o.
to
,
re
he
love it
gers at Ocean
ti
w
sa
d
an
st
re
fo
n
to a real r ai
Yesterday, we swam
!
rk
Pa
re
tu
en
dv
A
World
r mom but
u
yo
ll
te
t
'
on
(D
.
ns
with dolphi
od! Dancing
fo
at
re
G
)
o!
to
,
ks
there were shar
moves for an
e
th
ve
ha
ill
st
I
r!
after dinne
g the whole
n
gi
in
br
e
r
e'
w
e,
m
old guy! Next ti
cluded!
fa mily--gr andkids in
Love, Dad
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
Family Fun in the Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains
Vacation is really special this year! The kids are having so much fun fishing,
and they get so excited when they actually catch one. Lisa and I are having
fun just watching them. We’re taking lots of pictures, of course. Horseback
riding tomorrow! I’ll need another memory card for the camera. Who knew
Gatlinburg would be the perfect place for us? We’re already planning on
coming back next year.
RC I ® VAC AT I O N N E W S
has
story to tell
Southern Portugal
European Charm with Natural Grandeur
This is a dream come true! We're finally in
Europe! Jerome and I are loving the beautiful
beaches, and the food is amazing. Had the
most romantic candlelight dinner on the
beach last night. I'm seeing a side to Jerome
I never knew he had! The whole trip has been
wonderful! Tomorrow we’re off to Madrid.
Our 10th anniversary has been so special.
Don't ever want to come home but can't wait
to see everyone. Lots to tell and a million
pictures to share!
GRANDTIMES 17
RC I ® VAC AT I O N N E W S
Find your next
vacation story to tell!
†
It’s easy when you exchange with RCI®.
Your Club membership offers a variety of
vacation choices when you exchange your ClubPoints
at RCI affiliated resorts. Go away for a night, a weekend
or longer. Your ClubPoints give you the freedom to travel
your way, any time of year.†† Here’s how:
1 Use the chart to determine how many ClubPoints
you’ll need to plan your RCI vacation.
2 Choose your destination and experience by:
• searching your RCI Directory of Affiliated Resorts,
• going to RCI.com, or
• getting advice from a Club Counselor to help
you find the experience you’re looking for.
ClubPoint Values for RCI Exchange Reservations
RCI Vacation
Reservations
3 Bedroom Red time
ClubPoints Required
Per 7-night Stay
ClubPoints Required Per Night
Weekend
Midweek
(Fri–Sun)
(Mon–Thur)
5,800
580
1,160
White time
4,000
400
800
Blue time
2,900
290
580
2 Bedroom Red time
4,800
480
960
White time
3,400
340
680
Blue time
2,400
240
480
1 Bedroom Red time
3,400
340
680
3 Book your vacation now by calling 1-800-932-4482.
White time
2,400
240
480
4 Already used your ClubPoints? You can take
additional vacations with Extra VacationsSM
getaways* or Last CallSM vacations.**
Blue time
1,700
170
340
Studio Red time
2,400
240
480
White time
1,700
170
340
Blue time
1,200
120
240
Call a Club Counselor today
to start planning your next vacation.
1-800-932-4482
†
The information provided relating to local businesses, services and entertainment is for your convenience only. RCI has no affiliation, association, or
relationship with any of the featured vendors, and each vendor is solely responsible for the product or service it provides. RCI does not endorse any
of the affiliated resort activities, guides, vendors or service providers described. It is the individual’s responsibility to investigate the safety and
suitability of any activity, and the credentials and fitness of any guide, vendor or service provider. RCI expressly denies any liability for engaging
in any activity, and for using any guide, vendor or services provider that may be mentioned or described in any RCI advertisement or publication.
Additional fees and restrictions may apply to any activity or service.
††
Destinations and travel times are subject to availability and confirmed on a first come, first served basis. Offer includes only
accommodations and specifically excludes travel costs and other expenses that may be incurred. Taxes, additional fees and charges
may apply. Mexican resorts may charge a mandatory all-inclusive fee. Promotional discounts and offers may not apply to all
properties. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law.
*EXTRA VACATIONSSM: Prices are based on a seven-night stay. Additional fees, charges and taxes may apply. You won’t have
to deposit a vacation week. These Extra VacationsSM getaways are limited and subject to availability. Additional restrictions
may apply.
**LAST CALLSM vacations are limited and subject to availability. These prices are only available online, and additional
fees, charges and taxes may apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
CST: 2046555-50. Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-26552.
. Washington Seller of Travel Reg. No. 602357907.
Call 1-866-280-7723 for Web Site Terms and Conditions and Additional Disclosures or go to www.rci.com.
This inventory is made available by RCI, LLC (operating as Resort Condominiums International,
LLC in CO, IN, NC, NJ, NV and OH) an Indiana-licensed Limited Liability Company, whose
principal broker is John Lawrence Hertweck. RCI, LLC and the logo are service
marks used under license. All Rights Reserved.
RCI Address: 9998 North Michigan Road, Carmel, IN 46032
© 2008 RCI, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA.
CST-2081369-50. Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-36515.
. Washington
Seller of Travel Reg. No. 602560941. Call 1-866-280-7723 for Web Site Terms
and Conditions and Additional Disclosures or go to www.rci.com.
This inventory is made available by Resort Rental, LLC (operating as
Holiday Rentals, LLC in MD and TX) an Indiana licensed real estate
salesperson, whose principal broker is John Lawrence
Hertweck. All Rights Reserved. Each Office is
Independently Owned and Operated.
Resort Rental, LLC, 7 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054
© 2008 Resort Rental, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Printed in the USA.
Registration No. 2002-0793
Nevada Seller of Travel
Nevada Seller
of Travel Registration No. 2006-0006
18 GRANDTIMES
H I LTO N N E W S
Power Trip
A Summer to Remember
Where do you want to go this summer? Chances
are, wherever you’re thinking of going, Hilton
can take you there—and beyond. That’s because
Hilton believes that “Travel should take you
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
places.” When you experience new landscapes and different cultures, it becomes clear that travel
has the power to transform lives, ideas and attitudes. And Hilton offers great specials, packages and
services designed to make your summer escape an extraordinary experience.
See how far you can go at hilton.com/summer. Click your way to paradise with the featured
specials at some of Hilton Worldwide Resorts’ top destinations. Hawaii tempts you with the exotic,
the Caribbean promises a laid-back island escape and Florida offers fun for the whole family. Or
take a culinary journey with the Food Network Travel Package, celebrate that special someone with
the Romance Package or enjoy a personalized breakfast for two throughout your stay with the Bed
& Breakfast Package.
Whatever adventure you choose, there will be room for your four-legged friend. The new Hilton
Pet Friendly Program rolls out the welcome mat for your furry companion with a variety of special
amenities, including a complimentary welcome package filled with pet-pampering treats and inroom amenities such as Hilton’s Crypton® Clean Pet Pillow designed by William Wegman. And
to make your pet’s stay extra special, the concierge desk will have a list of local activities that may
include local pet services, information about nearby walking trails and pet travel tips from Pet
Shelters Across America. Go to hilton.com/pets for more details.
No matter where you stay this summer you can customize your journey with the Hilton Requests
Upon Arrival program. Want extra down pillows or a snack to arrive when you do? No problem.
This preorder service allows you to add personal touches to your room that will be delivered when
you check in. Visit hilton.com for details and more ways to make it a summer to remember.
GRANDTIMES 19
CRUISENEWS
Don’t Miss
the Boat
Announcing the
2009 ClubPartner
Perk Grand
Adventures
20 GRANDTIMES
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
CRUISENEWS
This year’s summer vacation might already be a great memory,
but it’s never too soon to start planning your next summer escape.
And why not spend it with your family and your extended family
of Hilton Grand Vacations Club Members? We’ve got two great
Member Cruises lined up for 2009, both of which include a
Member hospitality table hosted by a Hilton Grand Vacations
Club representative, a private onboard reception for Members
only and a special keepsake as a memory of your travels. Space is
limited, so be sure to call, or visit hgvclub.com soon.
THE CARIBBEAN IS CALLING
Departing Port Canaveral on June 7, 2009, for seven nights
aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, you’ll sail the
pristine blue waters that make this tropical oasis so famous. From
Royal Caribbean’s own private paradise in Labadee®, Haiti, to the
amazing shopping and diving in Grand Cayman, you’re bound
for an exotic adventure. For active cruisers, there’s no better
option; onboard thrills include rock-climbing walls, a wave pool
and more. Interior cabins from 14,000 ClubPoints plus $1,312.
HOTLINE 1-800-464-7893
EXPERIENCE THE ENCHANTMENT OF EUROPE
We’re pleased to offer a 10-day cruise sampling of the
Mediterranean departing August 7, 2009. Starting just outside
Rome, you’ll travel through the Italian and French Rivieras
and on to Spain. From there, you’ll head to the northern coast
of Africa to Tunis, ultimately stopping in Palermo and Naples
before returning to Rome. Aboard the m/s Noordam, you’ll
experience the hallmarks of Holland America’s award-winning
service, world-class dining, all the sophisticated amenities
you’ve come to expect and more. Interior cabins from 14,000
ClubPoints plus $2,685.
Prices shown are quoted in U.S. dollars per stateroom, cruise
only, based on double occupancy, and include port fees,
government taxes, prepaid gratuities and fees. Prices are based
on interior category staterooms, as indicated, and include
noncommissionable fares. Airfare is additional. Please note
that any combination of ClubPoints, Bonus Points or cash
may be used. Club fees and CruisesOnly processing fee are
not included in rates indicated.
Left to right: Snorkel,
sleep and play your way
through the Caribbean
aboard the Freedom of
the Seas.
Left to right: See the sights
of the Mediterranean
while you dine, unwind
and relax aboard Holland
America’s m/s Noordam.
GRANDTIMES 21
C L U B S O U RC E S
CLUB
SERVICE
RESOURCES
Grand Times Hotline
800-464-7893
Toll-free Within the
U.S. and Canada
800-932-4482
Direct Worldwide
Reservations from Europe
407-722-3141
44-870-606-1472
Reservations from Asia/Pacific
65-6324-9449
Club Member Website
hgvclub.com
Fax
407-722-3177
Mail Hilton Grand Vacations Club
6355 MetroWest Boulevard, Suite 180
Orlando, FL 32835 USA
Hours of Operation for Member Services
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to midnight (EST)
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST)*
*Limited reservation services after 5 p.m. (EST)
Club Member Website
24 hours a day/7 days a week
Also, as you make your plans to contact our Club Counselors
during the next several months, please be aware of the following
holidays we will be observing:
22 GRANDTIMES
SUNDAYS
OFFICE CLOSED
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 / LABOR DAY
OFFICE CLOSED
Introduce your friends and family
to a better way of vacationing.
And earn great rewards for yourself!
At Hilton Grand Vacations Club, we believe our Members deserve the very best. That’s why we designed
the Friends & Family rewards program to allow you to earn valuable Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Bonus Points when you introduce your friends and family to Hilton Grand Vacations Club. Give your
friends and family the opportunity to enjoy the same exciting vacations you enjoy every year, and you
can receive Bonus Points to use as you wish.
Use your Bonus Points to:
• Apply credit toward maintenance fees owed
• Enjoy a luxurious cruise to the destination of your dreams
• Vacation in over 100 countries through RCI exchange
• Stay at Hilton Grand Vacations Club resorts or affiliated resorts during Open Season
• You can even convert your Bonus Points to Hilton HHonors® points
Start sharing today! Simply call us at 1-877-224-4482 or visit hgvcfriendsandfamily.com to share with
us the names of your friends and family members who want to learn more about the exciting world of
Hilton Grand Vacations Club.
*Friends & Family rewards program subject to certain terms and conditions. Please visit www.hgvcfriendsandfamily.com or call 1-877-224-4482 for complete details.
CRP-OWP-0075.1 0508
JOSE LUIS PELAEZ/GETTY IMAGES
This is the Life.