Destination clubs, residence funds and luxury travel clubs provide their members with access to multiple luxury vacation homes, located all over the world. The homes are typically multi-million dollar residences, and are sited in major cities, at beaches, in mountains and leisure locations.
Membership of the clubs is an alternative to buying a second home. The clubs are sometimes also compared to, or even mixed up with, private residence clubs, but there are several key differences between the two.
If you're just starting out learning about the clubs and funds read the overview and the glossary. Then you can start to compare them in the comparison table. One way to financially compare them is using a cost per night calculation and we've provided downloadable spreadsheets for these calculations. Here are the top reasons to join a club, but they are not for everybody and here are the reasons not to join.
And for a real in-depth look at the clubs, their homes and services, comparisons to alternatives and questions to consider before joining, download our Guide for Prospective Members.
The latest news and research on the clubs is included below.
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- Written by Nick Copley
For folks who are interested in previewing the destination club experience, without committing to the full membership plans, Ultimate Resort now offers a way to try out the club.
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- Written by Nick Copley
In an article headlined "A Second Act for Destination Clubs", the Times gave a good review of destination clubs.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
New to the world of Destination Clubs? Maybe you just heard about them and want a quick and easy way to get going, and boost your knowledge on these luxury vacation options? The following articles will get you up to speed in no time. Soon you will be the one explaining this ever-growing luxury trend to your friends and family.
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- Written by Nick Copley
As of March 1st, the luxury vacation club Distinctive Holiday Homes has changed its membership plans and lowered the annual dues while increasing the initial membership fee on most plans.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Ultimate Resort has just acquired another destination club, Ventures Equity. The acquisition adds 6 new homes, with an average value of about $3m each, to Ultimates highest level "Elite" club.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
In the current financial climate we wanted to see what sort of financial packages each of the different destination clubs were offering to help members with their joining fees. We asked each of the clubs about the packages that they offer.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Quintess is building on its partnership with The Leading Hotels of the World to provide a variety of unique travel opportunities called Q Leading Experiences.
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- Written by Nick Copley
It seems that many of the destination clubs are out competing each other to offer joining incentives at the moment.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
If you are age 50 or up and looking for a destination club geared specifically to your demographic, Golden Years Holidays Club (GYH), a UK public company, might be worth checking out.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
Choosing a destination club can take a bit of thought and research. How do you know which one is best for you and your family? By following these simple guidelines our hope is that you will find the perfect club for your future vacations.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The Lusso Collection is increasing its member deposit from March 1st and also changing its membership rewards feature.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Under the heading "Paradise Lost" Fortune magazine just reported on the ascendancy and subsequent tribulations of Tim Blixseth and his Yellowstone Club. The article also covers his ultra luxury destination club, Yellowstone Club World.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
Accredited investors who enjoy traveling to luxurious destinations and prefer to own a portfolio of homes instead of renting them should take a look at Equity Estates, LLC. This new destination club has recently launched and offers luxury vacations and a promising end goal for investors.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
Sailor hats and boat shoes fly off storeroom shelves as Quintess members prepare for their voyages on Lady Quintess, a Viking Sport Cruiser 70' Motor Yacht. On February 29, 2008 members can set sail and explore the Eastern Seaboard from Hyannis and Annapolis to Miami Beach and the Florida Keys.
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- Written by Nick Copley
In a report entitled "Ernst & Young's Top 10 Thoughts on the Hospitality Sector in 2008", the advisory firm commented on the trends it sees for destination clubs, condo- hotels and fractional over the coming year.
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Natural beauty, amazing resorts and fun activities are in abundance in the Bahamas. This chain of sixteen main islands (and thousands of islets and cays) was named Baja Mar by the Spanish, meaning shallow sea, but the land is actually made up of mountainous plateaus that rise from the depths of the Atlantic.
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- Written by Erin L. Souza
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts entered the destination club market in late 2006. With its many years of boutique resort development under its belt, it launched the Banyan Tree Private Collection. The club has since expanded its focus, branching out from its predominantly Asian emphasis and now offers luxury residences worldwide including Tuscany, Provence and London.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The luxury destination club, LUSSO Collection, has just added two new homes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Both homes have direct ski access and are located in the Teton Village area, right at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
Listening to shareholders is key to making informed decisions about a club's future, especially when all the homes are owned by the members. Recently M Private Residences made several changes to their offerings as a result of a shareholder focus group and looking at usage patterns over the club's history.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Through a strategic partnership with Bruce World of Travel, part of the American Express Travel Network, destination club members, their families, and friends can book all commercial, personal, and business travel as well as luxury adventure vacations.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The state of Hawaii had been considering whether to bring in legislation to cover destination clubs, but the state auditor just issued a report recommending that no specific regulations should be introduced.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
Everlands is a new global club focused on conserving the environment as well as providing exceptional outdoor experiences for members.
Latest Club Research
- Additional Benefits at Equity Destination Clubs
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Who Joins a Destination Club – The Demographics - Guide to Destination Clubs Has Been Updated
- The Pain of Owning a Vacation Home
- Time is the Ultimate Luxury
- Destination Clubs - Should I Rent or Buy?
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Top 5 Reasons NOT to Join a Destination Club -
The Top 7 Reasons to Join a Destination Club - Increasing Interest in Purchasing Access to a Shared Vacation Home
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Destination Clubs - a Rose by Any Other Name?
Latest Club News
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The Top 10 Reasons to Join a Travel Club -
The August Collection - A New European Co-Ownership Group -
Equity Residences Adds Home Overlooking Central Park & Completes Belize Remodel -
Why Members Joined Exclusive Resorts -
Inspirato Launches JauntLiving and Inspirato for Good. -
Further Growth at Destination M With New York Home -
Equity Estates and the Introduction of Fund VI: The Philip Mekelburg Interview -
Equity Residences Acquires Two New Homes -
James Henderson, CEO, on the Exclusive Resorts Travel Club -
Adam Capes Discusses Lessons Learned From Decades in Home Co-ownership