Which is the Best Destination Club?
Affluent members of Destination Clubs & Residence Funds enjoy access to private, luxury, vacation homes and appreciate the five-star travel services that the clubs provide.
For over 20 years, SherpaReport analysts have interviewed club members, interviewed club management, and spent hundreds of hours researching the clubs. The result is an in-depth, independent Guide to Destination Clubs, that includes details on over 25 clubs. The clubs covered in the Guide include Equity Estates, Inspirato, Exclusive Resorts, Equity Residences and the Ritz-Carlton Club among others.
Based on this research, the best club for you and your family depends on:
- your travel preferences
- your budget
- your feelings about club structure
Answer the questions in the Selection Tool and we'll suggest some initial clubs, and then download the Guide.
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 downloadable 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
Most clubs offer a variety of membership plans. Different plans give varying levels of access to the homes. Membership works similar 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 preaid 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 SherpaReport downloadable 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 access the Guide.
By reading the Guide you'll learn about:
- How the clubs and funds work
- What to consider when reviewing the clubs
- Comparisons of the leading clubs
- Comparisons to luxury vacation alternatives
- Comparisons of all costs & hidden fees
- Key questions to ask the clubs prior to joining
For many people, the Guide is all they need. 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.
Free Club Guide And Selection Tool
Readers comments
It was very useful in helping me evaluate the clubs and their options. The list of questions to ask helped me analyze the myriad of options out there.
Jack L., Dover, MA
Thankyou. I really appreciate the work you did in putting this together.
Chris B., Denver, CO
For somebody like me who’s just starting to explore the subject, the report was very helpful.
Bob F., Rome, GA

Whats in the guide?
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The characteristics of destination clubs and funds
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Comparisons of the leading programs
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What to consider when reviewing the options
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Comparisons of membership costs
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Key questions to ask prior to joining
For many people, the Guide is all they need. 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.
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I do appreciate having the whole landscape laid out in front of me in the Guide.
/ Brian W, Pittsburgh, PA





