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West Caicos

A luxury destination club is partnering with a hospitality developer on the first of what might become several “resort within a resort” projects, giving buyers access to the same high-class amenities enjoyed by hotel guests. Quintess, which offers its members access to multi-million-dollar residences in international destinations, is working with Gencom Group on a $50-million enclave in West Caicos, a private Caribbean island in the Turks and Caicos. The island, 575 miles south of Miami, is part of Gencom Group’s Molasses Reef, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

West Caicos represents the beginning of a long-term relationship between Broomfield, CO-based Quintess and Miami-based Gencom Group, which has developed other Ritz-Carlton resorts. Quintess has only one other similar enclave, in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Quintess plans to build five multi-million-dollar residences on West Caicos in the year following Molasses Reef’s planned opening in early 2009, with an option for five more, says Ben Addoms, the company’s founder and EVP. He says Quintess and Gencom Group have worked together since the design phase to keep from imposing on the project as a whole.

“Their reputation as an owner of five-and six-star resorts has been exceptional,” Addoms tells GlobeSt.com. “In our business, you don’t get involved without knowing that the people you’re working with are going to be able to carry something that significant through to completion.”

In turn, Quintess stakes its own reputation. The club’s 425 members are given exclusive use of more than 70 multi-million-dollar residences in at least 30 resorts and cities around the world, with destinations ranging from Aspen, Napa Valley and New York City to Hawaii, London and Paris. Therefore, Addoms stresses the importance of not simply hitching to the strength of the larger resort.

“We’ve had to establish our bona fides as five-star service provider in our own right,” he says. “It’s one thing to say you’re going to have a resort within a resort, and it’s another thing for that resort to feel like your name, reputation and approach to service is going to be consistent with their own philosophy and outlook. You’ve got to make sure everybody is on the same page as to what that means.”

Andy Wimsatt, Gencom Group managing director, says Quintess is a worthy partner in the development of its $400-million West Caicos vacation development. “With their excellent reputation and unparalleled level of luxury service, Quintess is the perfect partner for this and for future Gencom developments.”

Quintess’ four-bedroom villas will offer 5,600 sf of private living space, designed in Caribbean plantation style, situated along 80 feet of ocean beachfront. Members will have access to all Molasses Reef services, including a spa, concierge service and three restaurants created by New York City master chef Gary Kunz.

An adjacent wildlife sanctuary, two national parks, and various archaeological and cultural sites will give the West Caicos development more of an eco-paradise feel, which Addoms believes will appeal to Quintess members who are incorporating green elements into their own primary residences. He notes that Gencom Group is developing only a small portion of the island for Molasses Reef, while Quintess intends to incorporate environmentally friendly design into its members-only villas.

“It’s good business sense and good marketing sense, and our members reward us for it,” he says. “If you’re bringing a new resort out of the ground in this economic climate, it’s very important to show investors and lenders that you have strong demand for your product.”