Member Spotlight: The Luxury of Connection
Andrew and Barbara Timblin have long been crisscrossing the globe with Exclusive Resorts. Now empty nesters, their thirst for travel is growing even more.
Members since 2009, Andrew and Barbara Timblin describe their decision to join Exclusive Resorts as “monumental.”
“Once we joined, we had all these trips lined up and vacation days planned, so we’ve gotten really good at going on vacation,” says Andrew, from his home in Northern Virginia. So much so, that these days the couple travels more than 25 days every year to favorite Club destinations including Kiawah Island, Cabo San Lucas, and Hawaii. In their 15 years with Exclusive Resorts, their two sons (now 25 and 28) have grown up with The Club. “When we joined, they were really little,” says Andrew. “And by now they’ve been on enough vacations where they believe there’s nothing quite like Exclusive Resorts.”
Barbara adds that thanks to The Club, the family, and especially her kids, are skilled, black-diamond skiers after spending several vacations at residences in Utah and Telluride. “And once you are privy to the boot doctor, you can never ski without one,” quips Andrew, referring to The Club’s Ski Butler partnership.
They have all also become avid golfers in destinations like Kiawah Island. “Kiawah is the definition of an Exclusive Resorts vacation,” says Andrew. What’s more, Barbara adds, “We would have never tried surfing together if it weren’t for Exclusive Resorts, plus zip-lining, jet skiing, parasailing, even cliff jumping. The Club pushed us to try activities we wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.”
The boys were young teens when they experienced an unforgettable manta ray night dive in Hawaii. “They were hesitant at first as they’d already seen mantas on another Club trip," Andrew explains. “But we went out to a harbor and there were big fancy boats with cocktails and champagne. We had a smaller, more agile boat that had been ‘rigged’ with custom-made rafts by the captain. Every time our captain moved, the fancy boats would follow. We put on wetsuits, and got on the raft he made, with stage lighting from a theater as he explained it. The lights attracted the plankton, and then these massive manta rays came up and they were easily twice the size of his boat, almost as large as a small school bus. It was unbelievable!”
Barbara is quick to note that while these types of unique experiences have been a reason to remain Members, The Club’s residences are also worth their investment. “If it's a rainy day and you don't have anything planned, there are just so many nice features in the homes,” she says. “You never lose a day. The Club creates an environment where you can really relax and feel at home. It's like visiting an old friend’s home, where things feel comfortable and familiar, yet with thoughtful details. And your guests are guaranteed to have a nice time.”
The couple has also guaranteed that their sons will continue to have a good time, in perpetuity. Andrew recently arranged to integrate their Membership into a family trust, ensuring travel remains an indelible teacher for their boys. “I went to our Ambassador and he quickly made it happen,” Andrew says. “They sent me a form the next day, I gave it to our lawyer, and she built it. So now our membership is in our family trust for future Timblin generations to enjoy.”
Next up, the couple is traveling to Eden Roc Cap Cana to play golf in the Dominican Republic and have planned a trip with friends to the Abaco Club in The Bahamas. Europe has also become a destination they plan to return to soon, citing a trip to San Sebastian as one of their favorite escapes, in addition to a recent experience in Portugal. “Our Portugal hotel was sandwiched between two Michelin-starred restaurants, which was great,” Andrew says. “But we purposefully didn’t go to those. Rather, we asked our local Concierge where the locals go and went to these little restaurants where musicians would play, and locals would sing along. The Club’s local concierges make you feel like you have travel superpowers, ensuring peace of mind and new experiences. Everyone that we’ve worked with at Exclusive Resorts has been off-the-charts good. Our San Sebastian Concierge was so cool that by the end of the trip, we were in a pintxos bar with her and her local friends. I remember joking at the time, saying I didn’t ever think I’d say this aloud, but I will definitely have more cow liver, pigs feet, and calf brain!”