Vacations To Remember
The Latest Luxury Vacation Trend
Apr 6, 2007 - 6:45:38 PM

Affluents Choose Destination Experiences over Acquiring Private Residences

The idea that today's travelers want to add to their portfolio of experiences rather than their real estate portfolio is nothing new to Exclusive Resorts, the leader in the destination club market.

According to Todd Harris, Exclusive Resorts senior vice president of member services, members of the club have chosen effortless vacations in dozens of the club's destinations over more traditional forms of vacation ownership.

"For today's affluent consumer, enjoying a vacation trumps the research, purchase and maintenance of vacation homes, yachts and private jets," says Harris. "Plus, the restrictive travel dates and limited destination selection of fractional ownership options have become more evident with the rise of the destination club model."

Rather than invest in a second home, fractional option or villa rental, Exclusive Resorts members pay a one-time membership fee, which is 80 percent refundable, and annual dues in exchange for access to more than 300 multi-million dollar residences in 35 of the most desirable destinations around the world.

Of the many reasons the club's model has been so popular, a few stand out: * Variety. Exclusive Resorts members can experience new places around the world, from family-friendly destinations to those tailored toward adults. And the trend promises to continue, as the club plans to add several destinations a year to its portfolio. * Service. Vacations reserved by Exclusive Resorts members include pre-trip planning and travel assistance, member benefits through prestigious partners, on-site concierge service, five-star resort amenities and post-trip evaluation. * Peace of mind. For owners of a second home, the purchasing process, maintenance, property taxes, market fluctuations and even a sense of obligation to visit often overshadow the perceived financial benefits of ownership.

Keith Dalton, president of Seattle-based WirelessWerks USA, has been an Exclusive Resorts member for about a year. "My wife and I have had second homes before and we found that they presented a lot of hassles," he says. "We became members of Exclusive Resorts because we wanted access to luxury vacation homes without the headaches of home ownership."

The appeal of destination clubs has allowed Exclusive Resorts to build its membership ranks to over 2,500 in just four years, as well as attract investors such as AOL co-founder Steve Case. In that short time, the club has built a portfolio of vacation residences that is now worth nearly one billion dollars.

The caliber of homes in the club's portfolio is exemplified by the recent inclusion of several Exclusive Resorts residences in Travel + Leisure magazine's prestigious Top Ten resort listing. By comparison, a resort guest or an owner of a fractional program at these same resorts would have to pay considerably more than the club's annual dues for a week's stay at just one of these properties.

See www.exclusiveresorts.com