Private residence clubs offer a fractional ownership model that’s become increasingly popular for those who enjoy flexible use in a specific destination. Folio Collection, which opened its Isle de France property on St. Bart’s in 2004, is in the process of selling shares of its second location, the Pond Bay Club, on St. John. Halogen Guides looks at ownership options offered by the club, and the specifics of each of its island destinations.

Ownership Options

Folio Collection is currently offering ownership only in these two Caribbean locations, but more properties are planned for Europe and North America in coming years. Each membership includes five reserved weeks annually, with unlimited space-available usage of the units during the remainder of the year. Notably, Folio Collection members have the option of re-leasing any unused weeks back to the club (at the Isle de France property, members are compensated to the tune of 60% of rental fees collected by the club on the unit), or renting unused weeks to non-members on their own. Multiple villas at the same property can be used by one member simultaneously as availability permits, and ownership at one location offers access to units in other Folio Collection developments for what amounts to the cost of housekeeping.

The Pond Bay Club

Scheduled for phase one occupancy in winter 2008, the Pond Bay Club in St. John is a 15-acre private beachfront enclave with 50 three-bedroom villas and cottages ranging in size from 2,200 to 4,300 square feet. Pricing starts at $300,000 and can leap to $700,000 or more for the larger, beachfront properties. Home values at the new development will range from $3 million to $5 million, and floor plans for the five types of villas are available on the Pond Bay website. In addition to size and location, the ability to reserve multiple popular holiday weeks each year is an optional feature that can bulk up the price tag.

Ownership at Pond Bay includes four pre-reserved weeks plus one week in a shared-usage pool, and on-site storage for clothing and other personal items is provided. Folio staff can set up reserved villas for owners prior their arrival with touches like hanging clothes in the closets and placing family photos throughout the home. Other amenities at the property include a beach club and pool, on-site 100-seat restaurant, fitness center and 14,000 square-foot spa managed by ESPA, which has a reputation for world-class holistic services.

Isle de France

Folio Collection’s existing property encompasses five villas and 33 rooms in the Hotel Isle de France, located on ten beachfront acres in St. Bart’s. Members and their guests have full access to all hotel amenities, including tennis, a spa and fitness center, concierge service and room service, but should be aware that Isle de France is closed September 1 through October 15. Villas range in size from 850 to 1,600 square feet with prices spanning from $430,000 to $770,000. Additional membership fees are assessed quarterly.

Ownership at Isle de France includes five pre-reserved weeks, and reservations for key holiday weeks are made on a rotating schedule to allow all members equal access to the coveted time slots. Properties can be booked for up to 14 continuous days at a time.