The third-largest luxury destination club, Quintess, LRW, today announced some major changes, including price adjustments and more nights-available for members. The club last revised their membership plans following their August 2006 merger with Dream Catcher Retreats. Quintess, LRW currently has more than 400 members and over 70 properties.

“We modeled these new programs expecting members to use their [vacation] days and we encourage them to do so,” said Quintess, LRW Founder and Executive Vice President Ben Addoms. “More than nine of every 10 members with Quintess, LRW use their full membership plan, and over half take advantage of the opportunity to use additional time.”

Simpler is better

Members want more nights and more nights is what they’re getting. The New Q5 Unlimited plan, which is the core of four new plans, delivers 50 nights with additional nights available at $1,250 each. The Q5 Unlimited plan is priced at the same $410,000 membership deposit as the original Premium Unlimited Membership, which included only 30 nights with extra nights at $950 each. The price difference comes in with the annual dues, slated to increase $9,000 from Premium to Q5 Unlimited. That translates to 20 additional nights at $450 apiece.

Extended family members can also use some nights (21, 30, 45, and 60 nights, respectively).

The new pricing structure is a dramatic shift from Quintess’ previous offerings, which once encompassed 12 plans. Addoms said that the previous plans with fewer nights were considerably less popular than the larger packages. He emphasized that non-holiday, group and customized plans are available for those who may want other options, but expects the 50-night plan to be the central one moving forward. “We’re trying to make the comparison [among plans] easier, and this new plan structure is just another step toward financial transparency,” said Addoms.

More properties on the horizon

In other Quintess news, the company recently announced several new mountain properties just in time for ski season, including eight this week in Steamboat Springs and Vail/Beaver Creek, Colo., and Deer Valley, Utah.

Addom said that additional properties and development projects are on the horizon. With Quintess’ recent round of financing and a growing list of top destinations, Helium Report expects interesting new home options coming down the line. “Development is exciting because we can customize the property based on what we know our members like, giving them the ultimate vacation experience,” explained Addoms, alluding to a $50 million private enclave in Los Cabos the club recently announced.

“I’m a beach bum at heart,” Addoms said. “I can’t wait to get to Canouan and Punta Cana next year, and hopefully I’ll catch a few waves in Cabo or Hawaii to break the winter chill. As long as I’m in the water, I can’t be on the Blackberry. Now that’s a vacation!”

The new pricing plan structure will take effect on November 16, and members will continue to have the option of a 100% refund of their membership deposit within the first year and 80% thereafter if they decide to resign.