IFA Times

It’s the city that doesn’t sleep, king of the hill, top of the heap, New York…New York. They don't come any bigger, more vibrant or alive than the Big Apple. Home to world-class museums, iconic statues and skyscrapers, culture, and a whole lot more, it’s hard to put a finger on what makes New York one of the most exciting cities on earth but its hyperactive rush keeps drawing more and more people. From the Empire State Building to a gourmet meal in a Michelin starred Manhattan restaurant, New York has it all.

Pulsating with an almost tangible energy, visitors regularly find themselves invigorated and, on occasion, even a bit overwhelmed,

by the exciting, brash, and creative force that drives the Manhattan machine. Of course, five distinct boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) contribute to the synergy of New York City, but it is Manhattan that remains at the Big Apple's vibrant core, with its scores of museums and performing arts venues, one-of-a-kind shopping, bustling restaurants, nightlife scene and that classic New York skyline, unlike any other on the planet.

Still, the sheer number of museums and sights here is impossible to cover in a single trip. Three days—and a good dose of stamina—will definitely allow you to hit up the

major highlights, like the Empire State Building, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and Central Park, plus take in a Broadway show, one of the city's renowned art institutions (be it the Met, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), or the Guggenheim), and enjoy a late-afternoon stroll through Greenwich Village; you may have just enough time to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and pay your respects at Ground Zero.

Whatever you are looking for, New York has it and is a destination not to be missed!

As the long-awaited handover of our first property on The Palm Jumeirah began, the IFA Hotels & Resorts Handover team were standing by to make sure that each and every key was handed over as smoothly as possible. The Palm Residences comprise two buildings (Al Nabat & Al Haseer) containing 250 units on the trunk of the iconic Palm Jumeirah island with direct beach access, both of which are serviced and managed by the world-class Fairmont Hotels & Resorts group.

In Dubai, IFA Hotels & Resorts have sold over 2,000 residential units and are developing a total of 3,000 keys on the Palm Jumeirah, with a value exceeding over US$ 2.5 billion.Welcoming the first of these homeowners is a momentous occasion for the largest foreign investor on the island.

When asked about the handover, Patrick Smith, VP Asset Management IFA Hotels & Resorts, stated, “It is a key milestone for our company and we are delighted to be partnering with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, who have been appointed as the managers of the building and will be responsible for providing the highest of standards to our homeowners.”

With a choice of sea views, these deluxe shoreline apartments will have their own private health club, clubhouse, children’s playground, gardens and restaurant complex. In these Fairmont branded residences, owners enjoy a range of concierge services and the option to purchase additional ‘a la carte’ services that include child-care, housekeeping, grocery shopping and more.

Welcome Home.

Zimbali Coastal Resort has cemented its position amongst the finest in the world by receiving the highest possible accolade in the international property arena. At the

culminating event of the International Property Awards held in Las Vegas late last year, Zimbali Estates, the Resort's property marketing and real estate agency, was honoured with the Best International Property Marketing Award – this out of a field of 56 countries represented in over 18 various categories. To add to this outstanding international achievement – Zimbali was the only South African company to receive an award at this level.

The announcement follows hot on the heels of the illustrious recognition of four International Property Awards in September 2007 where Zimbali walked away with top honours in the following categories: BEST PROPERTY MARKETING - SOUTH AFRICA; BEST GOLF DEVELOPMENT - SOUTH AFRICA; BEST ARCHITECTURE SINGLE UNIT - SOUTH AFRICA [for 7 Cherrywood Lane] and BEST DEVELOPER WEBSITE - SOUTH AFRICA.

Zimbali boasts a multi media approach to marketing, utilising the traditional avenues of print and broadcast, together with the more innovative approach of e-media. Relationship building with both media and the public is central to the strategy and this is backed by the creation of strong public relations initiatives. A pivotal aspect of Zimbali marketing is the interactive website, which is employed in an educational and informative manner.

The rewards of Zimbali's marketing efforts are evident in the trend shattering sales figures boasted by the resort, with R440 million (approx US$ 57 million) in sales recorded in 2006, and a staggering R723 million (approx US$ 94 million) in sales in 2007.

Individual homes have also sold at record breaking levels during 2007, with the sale of a magnificent beachfront home for R29,5m (approx US$ 3.8 million) and the listing of a further beachfront home for sale at R35m (approx US$ 4.56 million).

IFA Hotels & Resorts Sales & Marketing Vice President for Africa and the Indian Ocean, Andreas Wassenaar says “Zimbali has surpassed the standard that it had set for Southern African developments and to be acknowledged as the global best is an indication of the recognition that the Zimbali Coastal Resort has garnered in the international property industry. The CNBC supported International Property Awards represent the pinnacle of recognition in the international property industry and Zimbali has once again demonstrated its overwhelming international appeal.”Widely regarded as a sales and marketing phenomenon within the industry, Andreas has been instrumental in delivering Zimbali to the international market as a niche destination offering and this award reinforces his and his team's exceptional efforts. The marketing strategy for Zimbali will be utilised as a blueprint across a number of IFA HR's investments in Africa and the Indian Ocean regions.

A highly appealing membership scheme in its own right, Pine Cliffs Vacation Club offers exclusive holidaying in the privacy of an apartment overlooking the resort's memorable golf course. For some, the attraction of the golf course, and the many challenges it offers, is a prime incentive to apply for Vacation Club membership and with this in mind the Pine Cliffs Vacation Club Golf Membership package offers excellent value.

With prices beginning at q10,950 this exciting package offers a host of golf related benefits joined by all the advantages of Vacation Club membership, including access to all the facilities of the Sheraton Pine Cliffs Hotel & Resort.

Valid for 21 years, with travel dates available within the Algarve's prime golfing season – November to March – golfers will be hard put to find fault with the line-up of special benefits this package offers.

Each year members can book seven nights accommodation in a threebedroom golf suite, or choose to split the week into two short breaks. For the first ten years golf members are entitled to four nine-hole rounds per seven-night holiday, while during the first five years members receive six driving range tokens.

Other benefits of Pine Cliffs Vacation Club Golf Membership include: affiliation to the Portuguese Golf Federation and membership to the same for two people for five years; preferred tee times; reduced green fees at many of the region's golf courses (10% to 50% discount); two years' affiliation to ‘The Registry Collection'; and on the first stay as a member, members can attend a one-hour golf clinic (two people).

We believe in the importance of excellence at IFA Hotels & Resorts and as we announced in a previous issue, we are happy to have extended our support to the members of the Kuwait Riding Center. The team who consists of Noaf Bin Essa, Zaid Al Marzooq, Ali Al Khorafi, Aysha Al Qaoud and Ahmed Al Mudahka were all recently in the UAE for show jumping competitions held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. They have also competed in Bahrain’s International Show with more competitions set for Qatar and Syria in the next couple of weeks.

With impressive results here in the UAE and Bahrain, we wish them the best of luck in the coming weeks ahead.