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 map shows some of the main destinations where the clubs have homes. Click on the markers to see the actual homes.
The latest news and research on the clubs is included below.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
About a month ago, the two destination clubs entered into a reciprocity agreement to allow each others members to use some of their luxury vacation homes. We checked in with both clubs on how this was going.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
With each of the destination clubs and residence funds having different fee structures, it requires a little math to put them on a par to compare the cost per night. This article walks through the calculation and provides you with a downloadable spreadsheet showing the calculation for most of the clubs.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
The Markers has just announced an investment in Private Club Network that gives Markers members access to the 192 private golf and country clubs in the Network. In addition members of the Private Club Network can try out The Markers Club with a specially priced preview "experience".
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
We recently talked to Vicki Vorhees, the President of Premier Destinations to find out the latest details on this luxury destination club. The club has just launched its membership program in January this year and is in discussions with 15 charter members.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
In a first for a destination club, BelleHavens just launched GreenHome, an energy conservation program for its portfolio of luxury vacation homes. Many of the homes are already well on the way to conversion to being energy efficient and the club overall will be carbon neutral.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
Exclusive Resorts recently announced a membership financing plan that allow members to defer payment for up to 5 years on up to 80% of their initial membership fee. Members who join under the payment plan have all the other full rights of membership.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
High Country Club, one of the lowest priced destination clubs, has recently announced a new Associate membership level. For an initial membership fee of $30,000 and annual dues of $3,500, members can use the clubs properties for up to 15 nights a year.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
BelleHavens recently announced the acquisition of another destination club, the Havens Club. The signs are that almost all, if not all, of the Havens Clubs 40 members will be joining BelleHavens, giving BelleHavens a total of about 90 members. BelleHavens is also reviewing the acquisition of some of the Havens Club's properties, although many of these were not owned by the club.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
Ciel is an ultra luxurious destination club that offers its members a variety of unique customized experiences, in addition to providing access to its multi million dollar homes. Founded by billionaire J. Joe Ricketts, the founder of Ameritrade, the club is limiting its numbers to just 100 members.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
Another destination club has now passed the 100 member mark, with M Private Residences just reaching this number in February. The clubs 100 shareholders have completed over 500 trips and according to Ken McLean the CEO are using the properties for an average of 42 days annually.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
With its successful acquisition of Tanner & Haley properties Ultimate Resort has introduced Ultimate Resort ELITE. Members in this club enjoy luxury homes with an average value of $3.5m. Approximately half of Ultimates overall 105 homes are part of the ELITE portfolio.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
Overview
| Membership Pricing | |
| Initial Membership Fee |
$15,000 |
| Annual Dues (range) | $45,000 - $120,000 |
| # Nights (range) | 30 - 120 |
| % Membership Refundable | N/A |
| Homes | |
| # of homes | 8 + 5 |
| # of locations | 13 |
| Average Value | $6,000,000 |
| Members per Home | 6:1 |
| Club | |
| Number members | N/A |
| Founded | 2004 |
| % Homes owned | 100% |
website
solsticecollection.com/If you're seriously considering joining a destination club then download "Destination Clubs: A Guide for Prospective Members". The Guide will give you an in-depth view of the different clubs including their homes, services and questions to consider prior to joining.
Description
Solstice is a boutique second home club, with stunning artisanal properties in some of the most desirable destinations in the world. These special homes are in Florence, Italy; Paris, France; London, UK; Colombier, St. Barth; New York, New York; Aspen, Colorado; Napa Valley, California and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Members also have preferred access to 5 other additional homes.
Each home is locally managed by a dedicated Destination Manager and daily housekeeper – both included as part of your membership – who are there to enhance your experience, and make you feel at home.
The club offers three membership options for access to its unique ultra-luxury homes. The top "Sky" membership offers 56 days of advance bookings (up to 8 months in advance) plus 56 days within 90 days and 8 additional spontaneous use days, for a total of 120 days of travel. The middle "Platinum" membership offers a total of 60 days and the "Signature" membership offers up to 30 days.
Here's where you can start to look at the other destination clubs.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
When we first mentioned The Hideaways Club two months ago, they were still getting ready to launch. Now with them officially launched and accepting members and their first properties opening in May this year, it's time for an update on this European equity based destination club.
Latest Club Research
- Additional Benefits at Equity Destination Clubs
-
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?
-
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
-
Destination Clubs - a Rose by Any Other Name?
Latest Club News
-
Why Members Joined Exclusive Resorts -
HomeSlice Launches the Destination Home Collection - Co-Ownership of Ten Vacation Homes -
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 -
Inspirato Launches Select – Third Luxury Travel Subscription -
New Vacation Residence Fund My 5 Homes Launches