Destination club homes are located in over 25 countries around the world. They tend to be in prime locations in exclusive resorts and at beaches, in mountains and in major cities. Some of the more popular locations include:

• Beach: Los Cabos, Hawaii, Florida, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas
• City: London, New York, Paris, Chicago, Miami, Florence
• Leisure: Tuscany, Kiawah, Scottsdale, Napa Valley
• Mountain: Aspen, Vail, Telluride, Park City, Jackson Hole, Swiss Alps, French Alps

The homes are typically large, spacious, single family residences which are impeccably furnished and provide chefs kitchens and spa like bathrooms.

The average values of the homes varies depending on the club, with a range from about $1m to well over $6m.

The SherpaReport Guide includes details on the locations of the homes for the leading clubs.

A large part of the appeal of club membership are the full services that they provide. The clubs ensure members can go on vacation and just relax and enjoy time with their friends and family.

The clubs help members plan and organize their whole vacation. The clubs vacation planners will help set up all aspects of the trip prior to departure, and local hosts or concierges are on site to look after members when they arrive. They will:

• book all air travel
• arrange car hire or ground transportation
• reserve restaurants, theater tickets or other cultural activities
• stock the pantry with your favorite food & wine
• arrange private chefs and book spa times
• book tee times, lift passes, tennis lessons, fishing trips or any other sports activity
• provide ideas, advice and arrangements for any other activities

Many clubs will also meet you at the airport as you arrive at your destination.

Most clubs offer a variety of membership plans. Different plans give varying levels of access to the homes. Membership works similarly to an exclusive country club, in that members pay a one-time membership fee, and then pay annual dues and sometimes nightly fees.

In some clubs the members are also investors and have an equity interest in the value of the club homes. In other clubs, membership works on a rental model, and the number of nights each year may be prepaid or on a pay-as-you-go basis. The level of these fees varies depending on the average value of the club homes and the number of nights that a member chooses in their membership plan.

The free SherpaReport Club Guide includes full details on the membership plans for the leading clubs.

The SherpaReport Guide is designed to educate you on the clubs and how they work. It includes a series of questions for you to ask the clubs to help find the one that is right for you and your family.

Answer the questions below and we'll suggest some initial clubs and then download the Guide.

By reading the Guide you'll learn about:

• How the clubs and funds work
• What to consider when reviewing the clubs
• Red flags to watch for - that brochures omit
• Comparisons to luxury vacation alternatives
• Comparative analysis of actual member benefits vs marketed promises
• Key questions to ask the clubs prior to joining

For many people, the Guide is all they need. It’s a filter designed to eliminate unsuitable options in under 25 minutes. If you have any further questions after reading the Guide, please contact our President & Senior Analyst, Nick Copley. His email is included in the Guide.

Compiled by advisors who have evaluated over 45 private clubs for private clients since 2006.