Here are suggestions from our Escape Planners to help make sure you are getting the most from your membership…

A recent article on the importance of customer surveys and feedback forms stated this:
“The success or failure of any organization in the travel and hospitality market is closely tied to the ability to deliver consistent and high levels of customer service. This means that employees must be trained and their performance measured to ensure that every touch point with the customer is positive. Regular and consistent feedback is needed to continually monitor customer satisfaction and spot trends early before they cost the organization real revenue and issues that can be avoided in the future”.

Member feedback is important for some very specific reasons; it is often times the only way we have of knowing what is happening first hand at every destination – condition and feature wise, it helps us gauge service provided from the local host, as well as, the escape planners and it is also part of what the company bases its monthly incentives upon.

Some important key factors to remember when filling out the survey/feedback form:
• The local host will provide one for the members at the beginning of each stay for each property
• Members can also fill them out online once they return from their escape
• Escape planners have until the 21st of the following month to collect the forms for trips taken the previous month
• If you have a guest traveling without you please have them fill out the form
For each category, there are certain aspects members should comment about:
• Escape Planner – responsiveness, knowledge, reliability, enthusiasm, trip detail accuracy, and personalization.
• Destination – area amenities and activities.
• Property Features - home décor, layout, and outfitting. Please keep in mind the escape planners and the hosts have no input on this area.
• Property Condition - maintenance, cleanliness, and stocked supplies.
• Local Host/Concierge - area knowledge, responsiveness, and helpfulness – once members are in residence. Keep in mind the local hosts get the advantage over the escape planners, of meeting members face to face.
• MEMBER HINT! Please share one helpful hint for the next Member to visit this destination. This information may be posted anonymously in the Destination section on the Members Only Web Site. This can be a great new restaurant, new favorite activity, or any hidden gem you wish to share with other members.

Remember, we are all working behind the scenes to make every vacation, an ultimate vacation. If you have questions, ask your escape planner or local host, but don’t be shy, be it positive or negative, we not only welcome, but need and rely on all feedback. So, hit us with the good, the bad and the miscellaneous …we really do thrive on it!!!

Robin Clark

One of our very first Escape Planners was Robin Clark who joined Ultimate Escapes, previously Private Escapes, back in March of 2005. Robin has become a member favorite because her seasoned knowledge and expertise is reflected in her ability to truly spoil her members.

Robin grew up in New Mexico, where she also went to college and started her career in the hospitality industry. She decided to move to Fort Collins, CO in June of 2004 because she needed a change of scenery. Fort Collins is where Robin bought her first home, which she now shares with her 3 cats (one of which has 12 toes)! Robin spends a lot of her free time fixing-up her home and loves to garden and cook. Recently, Robin started up her own business as a Mary Kay consultant. She now spends many of her evenings hosting skin care classes and facials for her friends and colleagues at Ultimate Escapes.

Robin’s favorite hobby, however, is traveling. Her favorite destinations are London and New York, and she loves to visit places with historical and archeological significance.

Veronique Branger

When Veronique Branger started in the destination club industry 4 years ago, La Quinta was a relatively new destination, but has since become a year-round retreat for members, making her a very busy woman. Receiving only 3 inches of rain per year, La Quinta experiences beautiful weather for golfers and outdoor enthusiasts alike to enjoy from October through May. The weather is just one of the perks that Veronique feels attracts Ultimate Escapes members and tourists from all over the country to the desert oasis.

“Not only is the weather great, but it is safe here and La Quinta is a relatively easy destination for our members to get to,” explained Veronique. “This is truly a place where you get used to seeing blue sky,” she added.

Veronique moved into the La Quinta/Coachella Valley area 13 years ago, but is originally from Paris, France and has been living in the United States for 25 years. Besides her daughter and two stepdaughters who are in their teens, Veronique is actually the only one in her family who lives in the United States.

When asked about her favorite part of her job as a Local Host, Veronique replied that she loves “marketing and promoting La Quinta and the desert lifestyle to members, and helping them discover all there is to do in the valley.” She also mentioned that she enjoys creating and personalizing the perfect escape for members, and being part of their memories.