The Villas at La Samanna to Join the Elite Destination Club Portfolio of Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World

New York, NY (December 8, 2009) – Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., developer of The Villas at La Samanna on the French side of St. Martin, has entered into an agreement with the luxury destination club Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World, to add two of La Samanna’s free-standing villas to its illustrious portfolio as of February 20, 2010. Quintess, LRW is initially bringing on two villas for the club’s members, each with four-bedrooms, a private pool, unparalleled service and panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. 

“This interest from the elite membership of Quintess reinforces the status of La Samanna as one of the finest residential communities anywhere in the Caribbean, as well as the stature of Orient-Express in the world of luxury real estate.  We are delighted to be working together,” said Paul White, President and Chief Executive Officer, Orient-Express Hotels.

While many other destination clubs are reducing their portfolios, Quintess, LRW has been able to expand its horizon with additional properties and new destinations. Providing its 525+ members with access to more than 80 multimillion-dollar residences in more than 40 international destinations, Quintess, LRW continues to welcome new members.

Overlooking St. Martin’s Baie Longue, a pristine white sand beach, the eight newly-constructed Villas at La Samanna offer a graceful Mediterranean architecture with a Caribbean spirit and boast more than 4,600 square feet of space, with generous living quarters, master bedrooms, private terraces and indoor/outdoor dining space. The Villas are ideal for those who know and appreciate the personal care and fine amenities offered by neighboring resort La Samanna, an Orient-Express hotel, and want to share this experience on an even grander scale with their family and friends. With a private island feel, The Villas are only a short drive to the exclusive shops of Marigot and the gourmet restaurants of Grand Case.  (www.lasamanna.com)

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Note to editors:

In addition to the Quintess, LRW agreement, Orient-Express Hotels is progressing with several other real estate initiatives in 2010: Earlier this month, Orient-Express announced a new design direction for The Estates at Keswick Hall with the addition of five stunning estate home designs by Robert A.M. Stern. One of the world’s most celebrated architects, Stern has deep design roots in Virginia which are evident in his exclusive “modern traditional” home designs for Keswick – all of which blend seamlessly into the rolling Charlottesville, Virginia countryside. Located on the grounds of the historic 600-acre Keswick Hall resort, the country estate community features Stern-designed homes from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet, proportions that reflect the lifestyle, environmental and aspirational values of today’s sophisticated buyer. Two-acre sites start at USD $350,000 and the exclusive, customizable Robert A.M. Stern designs are available to buyers of home sites with no additional design fee. Homeowners have access to the various year-round amenities of the estate as well as to Keswick Hall and its five-star resort amenities. (www.keswickestates.com)

In the coming weeks, Orient-Express will welcome the first residents to Porto Cupecoy, a high-end real estate initiative in St. Maarten, which is approaching its grand opening with strong sales. Proving to be an exception to the rule in the Caribbean real estate market, Porto Cupecoy embodies the characteristics of a true Mediterranean village with 182 residences, high-end shopping, dining, services and amenities, in addition to the island’s newest and most exclusive marina. Phases 1-4 are 70% sold out, with the overall project 50% sold out.  Fueling sales successes are Porto Cupecoy’s attractive price points, which range from USD $400,000 to $1.4 million per unit, and pre-grand opening incentives such as 90% financing and two year’s complimentary homeowner’s association fees. (www.portocupecoy.com)

About Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World

Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World is a luxury destination club that creates highly personalized vacation experiences for its members. Quintess, LRW provides its members with access to 80+ multimillion-dollar residences and experiences in 40+ international resort and city destinations, including Aspen, Los Cabos, Florence, Hawaii, Jackson Hole, London, Napa Valley, New York City, Paris, Saint Martin and Tuscany, among countless others. As part of Quintess, LRW’s strategic relationship with The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., the club now offers Q Leading Experiences at select member hotels around the globe. With 525+ members, the company remains committed to financial transparency and full disclosure and continues the practice of providing its members with third party audited financial statements. For more information about Quintess, LRW please call 800.550.0324 or visit www.quintess.com.

Quintess Contact:      

Todd Miller                                        

VP Marketing

720.257.3819 

tmiller@quintess.com

Media Contact:

Keri Kirschner / Kelsey Paquin | The Brandman Agency | 212.683.2442 | firstname@brandmanpr.com