Fractional Ownership News
Zorgvliet PRC aligns with The Registry Collection
The Zorgvliet Private Residence Club (ZPRC) has just formalised a partnership with The Registry Collection, which enables ZPRC members to exchange time in their five-star units in South Africa with time in top-flight resorts internationally. This ability to make such exchanges at top level is seen as one of the drivers set to take the popularity of fractional ownership to the next level.
A company spokesperson said ZPRC chose to align with The Registry Collection because they share the same culture: “That of offering exceptional, very exclusive five-star products and cast-iron standards. The Registry Collection currently has only two other partners in South Africa - Pezula and the Zimbali Private Residence Club. However, the ZPRC is the first multi-destination partner that it has here. We currently have three five-star resorts: Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge & Spa; Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa; and the luxurious Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club.”
“With not that many really top-end five-star destinations available in South Africa yet - and with ZPRC owning three of them - the value in the destinations offered by ZPRC is recognised globally as very high. Everyone wants to come to South Africa! For a relatively modest outlay in South Africa you now have access to incredible facilities at global resorts,” said a company spokesperson.
The Zorgvliet Group, a family enterprise headed up by CEO Mac van der Merwe, was initiated in 2002 with the purchase of Zorgvliet Wine Estate in the Banghoek Valley, in the heart of the Cape Winelands near Stellenbosch. The historic farm with its stately manor (now completely restored to a restaurant), award-winning wines and five-star Vineyard Lodge & Spa, dates back to 1692. Other destinations in the Zorgvliet Group’s portfolio include Ka’Ingo Private Reserve, the luxurious Riviera on Vaal Hotel, and Riviera Country Club, and the King George Hotel. A dedicated hospitality arm, MV Hospitality, has been established to focus on service excellence at the different destinations.
The Zorgvliet Group has now decided to introduce a mixed-use element at all of its destinations. Says Van der Merwe: “After wide-ranging research, a decision was made to set up the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club. This is a vehicle for 4 weeks per year fractional ownership based on real rights of ownership (in perpetuity) to the investor. There is also a model with personal usage rights linked to a pre-arranged time frame, where clients acquire a yearly allocation of 2 weeks for a 3- or 5-year period.
“Our focus on the five-star lifestyle enables us to offer attractive additional offerings, i.e. experiences and hospitality service levels, and an embedded value for value global exchange agreement. The association between Zorgvliet Private Residence Club and The Registry Collection (www.threregistrycollection.com) global exchange programme ensures access to more than 100 superior resorts in various parts of the world. Exchange is seamless and offers shareholders a financial hedge against future international holiday experiences. They can buy now at today’s prices and exchange later for a stay in top-flight international resorts.”
Vacation investment opportunities in Zorgvliet vineyard holidays consist of three separate elements, namely:
* Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge and Spa, a 6-room luxurious boutique hotel;
* The 6-room Le Pommier lodge, restaurant and wine tasting room; and
* Alluvia Boutique Winery and Guesthouse with 9 rooms, some with five-star self-catering facilities.
Explains Van der Merwe: “Investors can now acquire a vineyard lifestyle without the extreme capital involvement that is associated with buying and running of a wine farm! Vacation time and benefits are available through the association of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club. The Vacation Club option at Zorgvliet is 2 weeks per year in any of the above special vineyard destinations over 3 or 5 years. Members can exchange 50% of their usage at The Registry Collection for global holidays as well.”
He says his vision is to establish five-star leisure experiences based on diverse South African hospitality offerings. “The fractional ownership model measures up to our brand promise of special experiences for special people. The benefits of membership of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club are very special indeed – they receive extraordinary benefits associated with supreme wine estate living.” At Zorgvliet Wine Estate membership brings special advantages which include personalised wine tastings, invitation to wine-blending projects, short game golf tuition, arranged hikes to the notorious silver mine in the Simonsberg, golf arrangements and Zorgvliet Privilege Card rewards at the Herenhuis Restaurant. Members are also privileged to receive an annual allocation of personalised wine produced at the Zorgvliet cellar.
Van der Merwe says his vision is to establish five-star leisure experiences based on diverse South African hospitality offerings. “The Dinkweng Safari Camp fractional ownership model measures up to our brand promise of special experiences for special people. The benefits of membership are very special indeed Experiences on the Dinkweng Safari Camp are family-orientated and vary from adventurous mountain hikes to bird watching and leisure game viewing. Hunting excursions and special bushveld excursions such as elephant rides can be arranged on neighbouring hunting farms for Zorgvliet Private Residence Club members. Members can also access Big Five game drives on the Ka’Ingo main reserve at special rates, and other Ka’Ingo experiences such as visits to the cultural rock art sites and conservation projects. Zorgvliet Private Residence Club members can also make use of the landing strip and facilities on Ka’Ingo. Transportation is available from the landing strip to Dinkweng.”
A number of other exclusive, five-star options are to be launched by the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club soon, each supporting the Zorgvliet Group’s vision of becoming a South African brand with an elite local and international following.
For more information see www.zorgvlietprop.co.za
03/11/08
