Vita Luxury, a self proclaimed “Destination Club 2.0,” is no longer in operation. E-mails were bounced back and phones at Vita Luxury were not operational. Their website design firm confirmed “They have moved their offices to the Bahamas and currently are not active with Vita Luxury. There are no contact numbers for Vita at this time as they are focused on other ventures.”
Vita Luxury claimed to have several very satisfied members that wrote glowing reviews and engaged in podcasts proclaiming their delight with Vita Luxury’s services and amenities, all despite the fact the club published that they would launch at the end of 2008. This “non-launch” joins Diamante Residences’ canceled launch as another new firm unable to make a start in the destination club industry. The Vita Luxury members providing these reviews posted only once each and have not been heard from since.
The club claimed to provide a wide spectrum of amenities, including guaranteed availability of residences, professionally trained butlers, maids, drivers, and chefs, an on-demand airfleet available 365 days per year at greatly reduced rates, and access to luxury watercraft and cars. Members could resign and rejoin the club whenever they wished by paying a registration fee of either $10,000 or $20,000 depending on their membership plan. Also based on their membership plan, members would pay a flat day rate to access the club’s properties.
Unfortunately, a staple throughout the Vita Luxury website is the company disclaimer: “Images and descriptions of Vita estates, Vita suites and resorts included within this website are examples of properties that may be used by Vita members or are comparable quality and style properties and accommodations. Vita retains the right to amend or alter any of the Vita locations at any time in its sole discretion.” Members paid $1,500 per hour for charter jet services, enough to pay for the fuel costs, landing and related fees. Pilots were complimentary. Similar fares for private jet travel are four times that what Vita Luxury charged. Watercraft would be stocked and ready to go at beach properties. Bentley Arnages and Flying Spurs would be at select Vita Luxury residences. Executive SUVs would be used for mountain residences. In resort locations, Vita kept a “fleet of limousines that will gracefully allow you to explore every destination or travel between destinations and ensure your schedules are always adhered to.” Your luxury driver remained on call 24 hours a day to whisk you off to wherever you wished.
From the Vita Luxury Frequently Asked Questions, “We have all heard the adage ‘Too good to be true,’ and typically we would agree. So what’s the catch with Vita? Well, we can’t find it and we challenge you to try us and see if you can find it yourself.”
The catch was Owner Thanos Papalexis left a trail of creditors in his wake between Vita Luxury, a former club called Grand Legacy Club, and other similar club ventures. Over $2 million in court judgments were awarded to parties suing Privee International, a previous venture, and Mr. Papalexis. Both Papalexis and business partner at Grand Legacy Club, Daniel Gorman, have past legal problems involving fraud. Gorman plead guilty to defrauding the Florida Citrus Commission out of $85,000 prior to his involvement with Grand Legacy. Scott Phillips, a vendor for Grand Legacy Club who supplied charter jet services said, “The guy is broke and can’t pay his bills,” speaking about Papalexis. “He was trying to use this airplane as part of his smoke and mirrors routine to lure investors.”
Vita Luxury employees don’t speak much better of the firm. “Vita Luxury and its owner Thanos Papalexis is/are complete frauds. Their website is a complete fraud. They own no homes, no cars, no boats, and no airplanes. Many of us had to leave because they ran out of money,” published a Vita Luxury employee, adding “What a scam.”
Industry insiders and consumers alike questioned the Vita Luxury business model since their public launch announcement. Thanks to organizations like the DestinationClubForums, there has been a continued vigilance by most destination clubs to be more forthcoming about services available to members and pricing structures. The Destination Club Association has also made headway in defining stable operating benefits, to which many of the leading firms adhere, including Exclusive Resorts, Ultimate Escapes, Quintess, Solstice Collection, High Country Club, Lusso Collection, and Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club.
Nonetheless, joining a destination club continues to be a time consuming and complicated process. If you would like to learn more about the destination club industry, please contact The Veras Group, your complimentary resource for destination club news and advising.
The Veras Group is the only unbiased destination club news, consulting and brokerage firm. As our client, we accompany your destination club purchase from start to finish: customized reviews of your travel needs, unrestricted access to our expert advisors, insiders' advice from industry veterans, insightful due diligence support, thorough destination club comparisons and points of difference, and the best available terms & pricing on your membership, all at no cost to you.
Please reach one of our destination club advisors at 877-VERAS-07 or 970-449-4680 to learn more about the industry, specific clubs, and our service, or visit our website http://www.theverasgroup.com/.
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Vita Luxury Destination Club Closes Destination Club News
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