Abercrombie & Kent Concierge Villas Combines the Ultimate in Luxury Vacation Rentals with Unmatched Personalized Services

Business Wire, May 21, 2004

Business Editors/Travel Writers

SOUTHPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2004

New Property Management Arm of Abercrombie & Kent Destinations

Provides Luxury Vacations to the Discerning Traveler and Unequaled

Services to Property Owners

Abercrombie & Kent Concierge Villas is the newest company in Abercrombie & Kent Destinations' portfolio of luxury travel offerings. A&K Concierge Villas provides travelers a unique opportunity to experience exquisite, well-staffed residential properties with full-time concierge service in the finest, world-class resort destinations. Additionally, Concierge Villas caters to qualifying homeowners by providing turn-key property management services and marketing of their homes to affluent travelers seeking to take a luxury vacation.

"Vacation time for today's busy, affluent traveler is harder to come by and more precious than ever, so the stakes are simply too high to have a bad experience," comments Abercrombie & Kent Concierge Villas President Larry Andreini. "Concierge Villas combines the finest in luxury homes and resort destinations with personal concierges dedicated to anticipating guests' unexpressed desires."

Abercrombie & Kent Concierge Villas consistently delivers unexpected comforts and amenities one outstanding vacation after another -- in all of its destinations. The homes are reliably exquisite and personalized service is Abercrombie & Kent's hallmark. This combination of luxury homes with 5-star service promises to deliver the vacation of a lifetime. Prices for Concierge Villas range from $1,500-$10,000 per night depending on the residence, location and season.

Currently Concierge Villas has properties in more than 20 destinations, including Aspen, Beaver Creek, Boca Raton, Cabo San Lucas, Captiva, Hilton Head, Ixtapa, Kauai, Maui, Miami Beach, Naples, Newport, The Outer Banks, Palm Beach, Palm Desert, Park City, Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Scottsdale, Steamboat Springs, Stowe, Telluride and Vail. Expansion plans include adding several destinations in the coming year, with up to ten additional homes in each destination depending on demand.

In the past, renting a home felt like a do-it-yourself vacation. Someone was left to plan activities, go grocery shopping, cook meals, etc. As a result, not everyone enjoyed the same vacation. By combining private residences with personalized services, Concierge Villas offers a new concept and experience for the discerning traveler and allows the entire family to have a truly relaxing respite. The company takes care of every detail, including having the lights on and music playing upon arrival, making restaurant reservations, arranging babysitters to allow for a romantic evening, getting prime tee times, providing grocery shopping and hiring a personal chef.

"Over and over again we've heard that property managers fail to impress owners of the homes they manage," says Andreini. "Abercrombie & Kent has set the standard for luxury travel worldwide and now delivers that same standard of excellence in the care and maintenance of every home entrusted to us."

For qualifying resort destination homeowners, Concierge Villas handles all the details, including marketing, reservations, security deposits, final payments, daily housekeeping and more. Homeowners also have access to Abercrombie & Kent's personalized services when staying in their own homes and can participate in an exchange program with other company properties, turning their one vacation home into dozens.

Headquartered in Southport, Abercrombie & Kent Destinations is the premier company for upscale, effortless and private vacation choices. Currently the company has three branches: Abercrombie & Kent Destination Clubs, Abercrombie & Kent Jets and Abercrombie & Kent Concierge Villas. The Destination Clubs (www.akdestinations.com) offers Members unlimited use of multi-million-dollar residences, resort suites, yachts and access to A&K journeys, cruises and safaris and virtually assures that Members can travel when and where they wish. A&K Jets (www.akjets.com), powered by Bombardier Flexjet(R), enables Members to have access to 10 times as many airports as standard commercial flights and the ultimate in luxury without restrictions, contracts or high depreciation. A&K Concierge Villas (www.akconciergevillas.com) is the property management arm, providing vacationers luxury rentals with unmatched personalized services and offering qualified homeowners turn-key asset management. For more information on each company, visit the Web sites or call toll free at 800-230-9310 (Destination Clubs) and 800-601-1985 (Abercrombie & Kent Jets) or 888-499-5745 (Concierge Villas).

For more than 40 years, Abercrombie & Kent has been internationally recognized as the premier name in luxury adventure travel. The company has built its award-winning reputation by being the first to bring unexpected comforts and amenities to remote destinations worldwide and providing privileged access to local cultures and experiences around the world. Travel with Abercrombie & Kent combines the convenience, service and security of a U.S.-based company with support 24/7 from a network of 45 on-site offices in destinations worldwide.