Destination Clubs

Destination 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 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.

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; Published: 12 April 2011

The new entrant in shared vacation home ownership builds groups of 100 participants who collectively own 12 luxury residences.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 04 April 2011

Our downloadable pdf Guide to Destination Clubs has been very popular since it was first published several years ago. We’ve brought the new edition up to date, covering the newest clubs with overview, insights and suggested questions for anyone considering this luxury travel option.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 16 March 2011

The lower annual fees represent a drop of roughly 20% from the prior levels and make the pricing incredibly competitive. The daily rates for the annual dues now vary between $715 and $865 depending on the membership level.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 15 March 2011

New entrant Demeure is creating a community of like minded discerning travelers who enjoy the homes that Demeure has assembled around the world. SherpaReport readers can take advantage of a special offer at no extra charge, dinner for 4 with a private chef, when you book the vacation of your choice from the four discounted properties below.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 11 March 2011

The first tours for members of destination club Quintess LRW under the clubs new "Beyond" program, will take members on African safaris to Kenya and South Africa this summer.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 07 March 2011

SherpaReport asked people who had joined a destination club, “which factors made you choose that destination club?” Respondents were able to list as many reasons as they liked, and on average these members provided three main reasons. Here are the results of this survey.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 03 March 2011

In a novel development for the destination club sector, the largest club, Exclusive Resorts, has just launched a new type of membership option with a non-refundable membership fee.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 23 February 2011

The Alberta based second home fund has just bought its first European property, a restored two-bedroom two-bathroom residence in Borgo di Vagli.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 15 February 2011

When asked to describe HomeWaters Club, Founder Donny Beaver, quips, “We’re a throwback to the weekend driving excursions our family took when I was a kid.” Beaver goes on to recall his happiest memories growing up in the 1950s and 60s, “Most weekends we’d drive to my grandfather’s camp along the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. It was there that I first fell in love with God’s great outdoors.”

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 03 February 2011

In a sign that the economy is starting to rebound, the largest destination club announced that sales of new memberships and membership upgrades totaled $66 million in 2010, an increase of more than 50 percent compared to 2009. The club told us that over 200 people joined and over 130 members upgraded their membership plans last year.