ROCKVILLE, Md.—Choice Hotels International announced it is adding six new Bluegreen Vacation Club Resorts to its upscale Ascend Hotel Collection brand. This brings the total number of Bluegreen Vacation properties integrated into the Ascend Hotel Collection to 28, making Bluegreen the Ascend Hotel Collection’s largest franchise partner. The six new resort properties are located in Big Bear, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Aspen, Colo.; Myrtle Beach, N.C.; and two locations in Williamsburg, Va.
The strategic alliance between Bluegreen Vacations and Choice Hotels was launched in January of 2013. “We joined forces with Bluegreen Vacations with great optimism, and we are so pleased to be deepening the relationship,” said Steve Joyce, president and CEO of Choice Hotels. “This successful alliance has exceeded expectations on all fronts including franchise commitments, room night delivery, co-marketing, and financial performance.”
“The collaboration is growing our visibility across the globe and advancing our mission of providing guests with tremendous value at world class travel destinations,” said Peter Menges, senior vice president, Bluegreen Ventures. “Timeshare purchases by Choice customers are dramatically up year over year, and properties that joined the Ascend Hotel Collection have experienced double-digit gains in rate and occupancy.”
Additionally, this year the Ascend Hotel Collection has executed other franchise agreements for new construction, extensively renovated and adaptive reuse hotel projects in Moorhead City, N.C.; Hot Springs, Ark.; Pelican Rapids, Minn.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Aurora, Colo.; Kissimmee, Fla., and Erie, Pa.
The Ascend Hotel Collection, which launched in 2008, now includes more than 150 upscale properties around the world. “The Ascend Hotel Collection has achieved a successful balance in its appeal to both guest and hoteliers,” said Neil Cantor, head of Ascend Hotel Collection at Choice Hotels International. “Travelers experience something truly memorable at some of the world’s top travel destinations, while hotel owners, operators, and developers can maintain the independent, authentic flavor of their hotels and enjoy the benefits of a global brand. Established properties as well as developers of new construction and adaptive re-use projects are finding this a compelling combination.”
Guests of the newly added Ascend Hotel Collection Bluegreen resorts will be able to choose from beach, golf, mountain, city, country, family, gaming, and historic locations across the United States.
