The selection process is complete and the bubble properties have been selected.  Now you can participate in crowning the Luxury Vacation Rental Champion.  Check out the bracket below.  Your votes will narrow down the top 64 vacation rentals.  Don’t waste any time - Round 1 has started!  Vote now for your favorite properties. Feel free to share with your friends, family, and colleagues!

Interested in adding this to your blog?  Embed the following code:

<script id=”bracket_plugin_342″ type=”text/javascript” src=”http://www.bracketeers.com/javascript/plugin.js”>
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Stay tuned over the next four weeks to find out which property will be The Luxury Vacation Rental Champion.

Once the domain of tweens and teens, Facebook has become a worldwide phenomenon, just one component of the genre we now call “social media”. Many of our clients may know The Society is on Facebook and we offer options via our Global Bundle to promote via Facebook. Yet, we at The Society are also statisticians and well attired marketing geeks. We ran across the following concerning Facebook and wish to share it with our property manager and vacation homeowner audience.

Younger men and older adults flock to site.

Facebook may have started as a site geared toward the college crowd, but as the most popular social network in the US, it has broadened its user base considerably. The Nielsen Company reported that in June 2009 Facebook had a unique US audience of more than 87 million people, compared with fewer than 63 million who visited MySpace that month.

According to Inside Facebook, the fastest-growing group of users in August 2009 were males ages 13 to 17, whose numbers increased by 14.5%, followed by men ages 45 to 54, rising 12.8%. Among women, the highest growth was in the 45 to 54 and 55 to 65 age ranges, which were up 11.8% and 11%, respectively.

Female Facebook users of all ages outnumber their male counterparts. But new male users flocked to the social network at a faster rate than females in almost every age group, tightening the site’s gender gap somewhat.

Inside Facebook reported that 57% of the site’s users, or about 45.4 million people, were women, compared with some 34.3 million who were men.

The largest block of Facebook users is still ages 18 to 25, followed by 26-to-34-year-olds. Taken together, those groups made up 51% of the user population. But young adults also have the lowest rates of uptake, indicating that the age disparity may continue to close, along with the gender gap.

Considering the baby-boomer and Generation X demographic growth of eyeballs i.e. with the money to spend on vacations with family and friends, now, will you consider Facebook?

The Society.com has commissioned several reports and articles to assist our property management firms, vacation homes owners, estate representatives and vacation rental partners to navigate through the challenges facing those in the hospitality, tourism and vacation home rental industries. The first of several publications is entitled “Salvage the Summer Rental Season and Beyond” and written by Joseph Sobin, CTC/CTIE.

INTRODUCTION

As we enter the prime vacation season of the year, all of us in the transient lodging industry are concerned about present and future bookings. The downturn in bookings and subsequent decrease in RevPAR (revenue per available room) has not been seen since the immediate months following the attacks of September 11, 2001. While the attacks of 9/11 sent a chill into the hospitality industry, the rebound was spectacular as business and leisure travel increased in line with the expanding economy. Hotels and resorts were generating record revenues. The sale of 95% of Four Seasons Hotels Inc, a management firm for $3.8 Billion to Bill Gates and Saudi Prince Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal was the symbolic crescendo of the marketplace.

The first signs of trouble for the hospitality industry started during the summer of 2008 with record high prices for commodities across the board from oil (fueling cars and planes) to corn (increasing the cost of basic food staples).  Followed by the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the questionable fiscal health of large money-center banks, the world entered a deep recession, the worst since the worldwide depression of the 1930’s.

Yet, all hope is not lost. Hotels and resorts have been cutting room rates to attract business (both leisure and corporate). With commodity prices stabilizing and the belief the worst of the economic downturn is behind us, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The following article looks at the changing zeitgeist of the vacation culture. A movement towards “last-minute bookings”, a renewed interest in travel to relax and enrich, the desire for quality time with family and friends, a shift in attitude from materialistic boasting to value orientation. Of particular interest, the growing popularity of vacation home rentals.

To download the entire 9 page report including 16 tips to salvage your summer rentals,  submit your information below. Once you’ve submitted your information the page will refresh and a link to the pdf will appear where the form was.

When LuxuryRealEstate.com was founded in 1995, many pundits questions the “logic” of a website with such specific and discriminating standards allowing only the top 10% of property listings in any given market to have access to the site. Well, the pundits must be embarrassed as our Global Bundle partner, LuxuryRealEstate.com just secured their 1,000,000th listing, a stunning waterfront Belle Epoque villa in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, France along the Cote D’ Azur.

When TheSociety.com developed the Global Bundle, targeting the affluent demographic was paramount. LuxuryRealEstate.com was pursued as a partner entity for the Global Bundle as a leader in not only the high-end real estate marketplace but also at the forefront of technology, all focused on the luxury niche market which has been able to endue the present economic downturn with little effect on their travel, leisure and real estate spending habits.

What does this mean for affiliates of TheSociety.com acquiring access to The Global Bundle? The most tangible benefit is a listing on LuxuryRealEstate.com, the most-viewed luxury real estate specific website in the world. However, we at TheSociety.com would suggest considering peer entities who provide the listings and editorials for LuxuryRealEstate.com. The content is generated and continually updated by members of the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network which includes 1,500 of the world’s finest real estate companies and individuals with properties in over 100 countries. The following visitor statistics are sure to impress:

• Daily Hits: 1,700,000+
• 25-54 Age Range: 82.5% of visitors
• Traveled in the Prior Year:  91%
• Plan to Travel in Next 12 months: 94.7%
• Travel via Business/First Class/Private Air: 59.2%

What do the statistics above mean for a Global Bundle Partner?  Many, affluent, educated, qualified viewers and word of mouth marketing all providing qualified leads to your posted content.

For additional information, be sure to check out the LuxuryRealEstate.com Press Kit.

It’s spring time:  It’s a time for growth, a time for rebirth and a time for change and that’s exactly what is happening at The Society.  Over the past 12 months TheSociety.com has been working alone driving traffic and inquiries to our property owners and managers.  It’s a difficult marketplace and we’ve come together with some powerful companies to help expand the awareness and interest in luxury vacation rentals and villas.
Introducing the new Global Bundle product.  With one profile on The Society you get access to

• The Finest Luxury Websites
• The Most Dominant Vacation Rental Marketplaces and
• The Most Popular Social Media Sites

So get a SNEAK PEAK at the presentation below.

The Luxury Websites include:

• LuxuryRealEstate.com
• RobbReportCollection.com and VacationHomesMag.com
• DuPontRegistry.com
• LuxuryTravelMagazine.com
• TheSociety.com

The Vacation Rental Marketplaces include

• HomeAway.com
• Holiday-Rentals.co.uk
• GreatRentals.com
• A1Rentals.com
• CyberRentals.com
• Craigslist (up to 5 cities)

Social Media Sites include

• Facebook Page
• Twitter Updates
• LinkedIn Groups

It’s an amazing online marketing solution for all luxury vacation rentals.  There is no need to spend any money on online advertising again (of course, you should still manage your PPC campaigns).

Sign up today.  Contact The Society at info@thesociety.com or call 866-789-8222×4.

Spring Break Society Style

Sun or snow, what’s your go?

The Society has numerous rentals still available for last minute, Spring Break bookings. For as little as $40/person/night, you can spend your break in a luxurious and private vacation rental estate or villa. Destinations including Oahu, San Diego, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Venice Beach, Mayan Riviera, Whistler, Vail, Aspen, and Sun Valley are awaiting your inquiries.

Below are a few of our highlighted discounts in “Sun” destinations.  View rentals in “Snow” destinations.

**Note: Some rentals are not currently listed on The Society, and thus do not include profile links. Please inquire if you are planning a trip, and we will provide additional details upon request.

Ft. Lauderdale Estate: Super Spring Break Rate.

6,000 sq ft waterfront estate.
5 bedrooms. 10 person capacity.
Available Weeks of 3/21, 3/28 and 4/4
Retail: $9,500/week.
Special 20% off! Only $109/nt per person.

See More Details. Inquire Now.

Orlando Luxury Must-See: Close to Disney.

Award winning, riverfront home.
4 bedrooms. 8 person capacity.
Available Weeks of 3/21, 3/28 and 4/4
Retail: $5,000/week.
Special 20% off! Only $72/nt per person.

See More Details. Inquire Now.

Riviera Maya Retreat: Hard to Beat.

Sprawling family home for big groups.
4 bedrooms, Penthouse & Studio. Base rate for 8 ppl.
Available week of 3/28, 100’s more available 3/21-4/4
Retail: $6,500/week.
Special 20% off! Only $93/nt per person.

See More Details. Inquire Now.

Set your San Diego Trip in Motion: Stay Right on the Ocean.

Coastal paradise with perfect oceanfront location.
5 bedrooms. 15 person capacity.
Available Weeks of 3/21, 3/28 and 4/4
Retail: $5,070/week.
Special 15% off! Only $41/nt per person.

See More Details. Inquire Now.

Oahu Island Style: Vacation with a Smile.

Better than beachfront, private beach access.
4 bedrooms. 8 person capacity.
Available Weeks of 3/21, 3/28 and 4/4
Inquire for discounted Spring Break rates

See More Details. Inquire Now.

Venice Beach Rental Priced at a Fraction: Near to All Local Attractions.

Eco-friendly, minutes to beach, dining & attractions.
3 bedrooms. 7 person capacity.
Available Weeks of 3/21, 3/28 and 4/4
Retail: $3,800/week.
Special 13% off! Only $68/nt per person.

See More Details. Inquire Now.

More Discounts -

San Diego, CA:

Private Beach House on the Sand 1733
http://thesociety.com/vacation+rental/20345
Inquire Here
# it sleeps: 20
Retail Rate: $7098
Special Rate: $6033
Weeks available:
3/21-3/28       Y
3/28-4/4        Y
4/4-4/11        N

As you all know, The Society continues to add more and more luxury vacation villas and estates to our collection. Each home is screened and reviewed by our staff to ensure the highest standard of quality and service.

I wanted to take this time to highlight a few of the best rentals recently added across a few of our new destinations. Click on any of them for more details or to inquire, and please always feel free to send us a general inquiry and let us do the work to find you the perfect home for your next vacation.

The Nineteen Seventy: Lake Tahoe, CA
9 bedroom, 10 bath.  Sleeps 18.
Located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, Nineteen Seventy offers guests 12,000 square feet of glamorous yet relaxed lakefront living. The 145 foot pier features one of the few cribbed slips on the lake, providing the perfect platform for boating,swimming, and other water sports.



The Buttercup Lodge: Sun Valley, ID
11 bedroom, 17 bath.  Sleeps 20.
Just outside the charming Idaho town of Sun Valley, nestled in the Wood River Valley, the robust log and stone style of the Rocky Mountain West combines with this European Castle Fantasy to create a family retreat nothing short of enchanting.



Former Home of Gerald Ford: Beaver Creek, CO
6 bedroom, 9.5 bath.  Sleeps 12.
Recently benefiting from a 4 million dollar interior renovation, President & Mrs. Gerald R. Ford built this ski in/ski out property in 1983, and used the home as their ski and summer retreat until 2006.  This wonderful estate holds a special place in the hearts of many long time Vail Valley residents.


La Corte del Lago: Bellagio, Italy
7 bedroom, 8 bath.  Sleeps 14.
La Corte del Lago is an elegant historical villa located on the shores on Lake Como just a short drive from the “Jewel of Lake Como”, Bellagio. This villa is a wonderful base on Lake Como, giving the visitor the perfect place to stay, enjoy and understand just why Lake Como has the class and respect that it deserves.


Villa Ballena: Real Del Mar, Mexico
5 bedroom, 5 bath.  Sleeps 10.
Villa Ballena is a beautiful 10,000 sq. ft. ocean front villa in Real del Mar, a private gated residential community with all the amenties of a luxury resort.  The home is fully equipped with a high end kitchen, media room, living and dining room and outdoor palapa dining area, a full staff and private beach for Real del Mar residents.