Page 27 - virna2017april-june

Northern Europeans, drawn by themild climate and natural beauty,

flocked to the island, and the original resort grew to 370 rooms. These

were loyal guests who returned year after year, often for stays of two

weeks or more. Aware that this was a recipe for timeshare success,

the company built a new resort next to that original property in 1999,

gave it the Royal Savoy Resort name, and rebranded the first property

as the Savoy Classic.

“The owners knew that a five-star property would prove popular,

and they were right,” says Cristina. “The Royal Savoy sold so quickly!”

With its first foray into timeshare nearly sold out, Savoy Hotels and

Resorts is now so confident in the concept that it has demolished that

original property, which had a century-long record of success, to make

way for a new star: the Savoy Palace.

Personal Touch

One long-time tradition at Savoy Hotels and Resorts will continue at

the Savoy Palace: a close and personal relationship with visitors. “Our

members feel very much at home here; they call before they come to

see how things are going and check on the weather,” Cristina says.

“The world has become a very impersonal place, but here, we have a

very close relationship with our members.” Because many guests are

older, the staff maintains contact with local health care facilities so they

can make doctor and other appointments on their behalf.

51

SAVOY VACATION CLUB

Most timeshare companies are young by corporate

standards, but SavoyHotels andResorts, which operates

Savoy Vacation Club

, has been welcoming guests to

Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira since 1902.

Those first visitors were brought to the hotel by bullock

cart from the harbor. “Our first property, the original

Royal Savoy, started out with just 12 rooms,” says

Isabel Cristina, project director.

BY JUDY KENNINGER

New Era for

Seasoned Player in

EUROPE

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB AT HARD ROCK HOTEL MEGAPOLIS

50