Riverwalk Resort at Loon Wins the Prestigious ARDA – Ace Domestic Project of Excellence Award

ARDA (American Resort Development Association) recently held its annual meeting in New Orleans, culminating with the presentation of industry awards. One of the most coveted for an independently owned and developed US resort, is the Circle of Excellence Award (ACE). “The ACE Domestic Project of Excellence Award recognizes a timeshare or mixed-use resort built within the United States which is considered the best of the best;  taking into consideration, design, sustainability, impact on local community, sales and marketing and its day-to-day operations”.

More than ten years in the making, Riverwalk Resort at Loon was presented this award at the final banquet on March 29, 2017.

RiverWalk Resort at Loon and Developer Dennis Ducharme were nominated by one of their business partners;  RCI.  RCI is the leading provider of exchange vacations, offering the world’s largest vacation exchange network and providing unrivaled products and services to enhance the vacation ownership experience,  through approximately 4,300 affiliated resorts in more than 100 countries.

“RiverWalk at Loon Mountain is a gem in the RCI portfolio, and so deserving of the ACE Domestic Project of Excellence Award,” said Todd Menendez, Vice President of Business Development for RCI. “Every detail of the hospitality experience has been carefully thought-out, from the well-preserved history of the property to the exquisite on-site winery. The resort design has been developed with precision and expertise and it is reflected in an exceptional experience for guests.”

“Receiving this award is a great compliment,” says Ducharme.  “I was honored to accept this award on behalf of the team that has worked so hard to bring this vision to reality. ARDA has essentially recognized 10 years of work, from demolishing and remediating the Franconia Mill property, to the design and engineering and the actual construction of RiverWalk. I can’t tell you how many people were involved, but each one shared the extraordinary vision, so I share this with every one of them”.

Judy Kenninger, RRP, of Resort Trades writes:  “the stunning six-story resort with a bright red roof is located on 25 acres along the banks of the Pemigewasset River and provides easy access to skiing and outdoor activities as well as local restaurants and shops. Amenities include an on-site winery with tastings, full-service spa, 4,000 square foot fitness center, restaurant and lounge, game room, heated all-season pool, a one-of-a-kind skating rink with shows featuring past Olympians, and an Owners Club with personal storage lockers. When it opened last year, the luxurious units were already deemed worthy of RCI’s Gold Crown designation, and the top two floors are even included in RCI’s Registry Collection, the exchange company’s tier for elite travelers.”

In addition to developing this extraordinary resort, Dennis is also the President of InnSeason Resorts,  a collection of vacation ownership resorts throughout New England, which he has run for more than 25 years with, his partner, William E. “Billy” Curran, its CEO.