Lifestyle product proves popular at Barnsdale

Popular timeshare resort Barnsdale Country Club is enjoying a boost in sales following the successful launch of a new five-year trial product at the RCI Gold Crown property overlooking Rutland Water in the heart of England.

The ‘Lifestyle Retreat’ package is a short-term timeshare programme that includes annual holidays, year-round leisure club access and discounts at the resort’s spa, restaurant and bar. The one-off cost crucially also covers all management fees and also includes RCI membership for the five-year period.

The product was launched earlier this year at a family fun day that raised more than £2,500 for the local Air Ambulance Service, and has proved popular with buyers looking for a more flexible product, according to the resort’s general manager Russell Waters.

Flexible product

“The idea was to give a more flexible approach to a leisure and holiday lifestyle while still owning within the timeshare structure, giving opportunities to exchange, rent or use their week of ownership annually, without being tied in to a long-term lease and annual management fee commitments,” he explained.

Prices range from £5,000 in low season to £6,000 in high season, with units at the resort – which range from rooms in Barnsdale Hall Hotel to three-bedroom A-frame lodges – uniquely available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The costs include all management fees for the five-year commitment, and prices are based on a first come basis, whether a one, two or three-bedroom unit is purchased, giving fantastic trading power for RCI exchanges,” added Waters.

At the end of their commitment buyers can sign up for another five years, upgrade to full timeshare, or simply walk away.

Initial reaction to the product has been positive, particularly from people in the local area keen to make the most of five years’ peak-time concessionary access to the resort’s extensive leisure facilities, which include fully-equipped gym, 22-metre pool, sauna and steam room, spa pool, tennis courts, squash courts and more.

The facilities can be used by up to two adults and two children, representing a saving of more £1,200 per year based on the leisure club’s annual family membership.

“We’ve had an excellent response from the local market due to the benefits of having access to the leisure club facilities all year round,” he said.

Oksana Terlecka, front of house manager at Barnsdale Hall Hotel, with Jonnie Irwin, presenter of BBC TV’s Escape to the Country

TV star

Barnsdale is also set to benefit from national TV exposure later this year after it played host to BBC’s ‘Escape to the Country’ TV show, whose team not only used the resort as a base but filmed a key scene on site.

The programme saw a couple from Wales seeking to relocate to the East Midlands with the help of presenter Jonnie Irwin, who showed them around a number of properties in the area. The couple and the crew stayed at the resort for three nights and filmed the all-important decision scene on a terrace overlooking Rutland Water, all of which will provide great exposure for the resort, according to Waters.

“We were delighted – it showcased the resort and the wealth or facilities that we have to offer, coupled with the fantastic surroundings of Rutland Water,” he said.

“The couple and crew loved the resort and area, saying it was peaceful, tranquil and a jewel in the crown – an all year destination.”

For more information about the Lifestyle Retreat product, click here.