Exclusive Resorts Taps Bergdorf Alum Melissa Xides as President
The luxury retail veteran joins as the company brings multiple private travel brands under one platform.
Photo: Courtesy of Exclusive Resorts
Exclusive Resorts has appointed Melissa Xides as president, bringing a senior luxury retail executive into a newly elevated leadership role as the company consolidates its position within a broader private travel and lifestyle platform. The appointment takes effect immediately and follows the recent launch of the Exclusive Collective, which brings together Exclusive Resorts, onefinestay, and a planned acquisition of Inspirato under a single operating structure.
Xides joins from Bergdorf Goodman, where she most recently served as chief retail officer. Her arrival comes after what the company describes as a record-breaking December and ahead of projected revenue of $500 million-plus for the Exclusive Collective in 2026. The move places operational leadership of Exclusive Resorts under an executive whose background is rooted in relationship-led luxury rather than hospitality management alone.
In her new role, Xides will oversee all aspects of Exclusive Resorts and its more than 4,000 member families, with responsibility spanning service delivery, culture, and long-term brand stewardship. She will report to James Henderson, the chief executive officer of the Exclusive Collective and the portfolio’s overseer.
Xides brings more than three decades of experience across global fashion and luxury brands, including Gap, Kate Spade, and Tory Burch, before joining Bergdorf Goodman, where she spent seven years in a senior leadership role. Her career has centered on guiding established brands through periods of growth while preserving loyalty among high-value clients.
“Exclusive Resorts occupies a rare space. It’s not just about beautiful vacations, but about helping people live the lives they imagine,” Xides said. “I’ve always believed that true luxury is built on trust and relationships, both with customers and with the teams who care for them. That belief, shaped during my years at Bergdorf Goodman, will guide how I approach this role—bringing a deeply personal lens to experiences that elevate not just a stay, but how our members choose to live.”
The leadership change arrives as the company integrates multiple businesses into a single platform designed to serve high-net-worth travelers across different travel styles and life stages. The planned acquisition of Inspirato would expand the group’s reach into subscription-based travel, complementing onefinestay’s global portfolio of private residences.
Founded in 2002, Exclusive Resorts operates a $1 billion portfolio of owned residences and curated travel experiences across more than 75 destinations worldwide. The company is majority owned by Steve Case, who also serves as chairman.
Henderson framed the appointment as timely, given current demand trends. “Melissa arrives at a moment when Exclusive Resorts is experiencing remarkable momentum, driven by families seeking something more considered and more personal,” he said. “We’re coming off a record-breaking December, the largest in Exclusive Resorts’ history, which speaks to that shift.”
Xides’ appointment is effective immediately.
