Best Destination Clubs
Solstice Collection Beach Club in Warapuru, Brazil
With destination clubs popping up faster than ever, the right choice is no longer clear cut. Destination clubs have revolutionized fractional home ownerships. These clubs offer luxury homes all over the world for the wealthy. Why stay in hotels when you can stay in some of the world’s most luxurious homes and enjoy all the same amenities. These clubs have world class concierges that will tend to your every need. With a plethora of destinations available with these clubs, you will not run out of exotic locales to jet set to (which can also be set up by the club). We have separated the men from the boys so you don’t have to.
A Solstice property in Cabo San Lucas
Best in Ultra Luxury
Solstice Collection
Membership: $615,000-$1,950,000
Annual Dues: $34,000-$86,000
Of the clubs reviewed, Solstice has the highest average home value at $6.5 million USD. The homes (and 90-foot yacht) also happen to be the most stunning and architecturally significant out of all that we reviewed. Although they only have thirteen homes now, many more are in development and look to be just as luxe as the current selection. Available locations include Aspen, Florence, London, Paris, St. Barth’s, and Telluride.
Along with some of the other clubs in our collection, Solstice has received Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” for 2005, 2007, and 2008. Business Britain has also recognized Solstice with its “Best Internationally” award for 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Solstice has secured alliances with Andrew Harper Travel, Sentient Jet, Savoya, and Medjetassist. One member perk of their alliance with Sentient Jet, they’ll have the plane ready with 12 hour notice.
Runner-up Ultra Luxury
Quintess Property in South Africa
Quintess, LRW
Membership: $250,000-$895,000
Annual Dues: $16,125-$64,500
Quintess has more than eighty custom designed homes in forty destinations at an average value of $4.24 million USD. Most homes are located in US and Europe with a heavy concentration in Italy and France. They also offer several unique locations in Australia and Africa.
Quintess has been recognized by the Robb Report as “Best of the Best” among destination clubs for three consecutive years. The Leading Hotels of the World has also recognized Quintess as an outstanding club; so much so they have decided to partner together to create distinctive member benefits. Its reservation policies are some of the most flexible there are. You can start and end reservations on any day of the week. Also, Quintess has been able to keep a low 6:1 member-to-home ratio which makes it much easier to make reservations if you are spontaneous.
Often it is the planning involved that makes vacations, Quintess can help here as well. They help plan the entire trip and their ‘Destination Hosts’ are on-site to help you feel like a local. You will not only gain instant access to world renowned golf and restaurants but will receive preferred reservations and reduced rates.
Exclusive Resorts home in Tuscany, Italy
Exclusive Resorts
Membership: $160,000-$500,000
Annual Dues: $13,900-$59,900
Exclusive Resorts has by far the largest number of properties available and in development with three hundred and fifty clubs in forty destinations. Named ‘Best of the Best’ twice by Robb Report, Exclusive Resorts has strategic partnerships with American Express, Merrill Lynch, Neiman Marcus, Warren Buffett’s Marquis Jet, and others.
Exclusive resorts offers twenty four hour concierge service to meet every member’s need, be it booking tee times, getting tickets, grocery shopping, or even planning a birthday party.
Most Diverse
Ultimate Escapes
Membership: $70,000-$450,000
Annual Dues: $8,000-$49,000
With 140 homes, there will be a destination for you. The average house price for the highest tier members is $3 million and the average house size is 4000 square feet. There is a heavy concentration of homes in Florida and throughout the United States. You also have access to an 80 foot yacht to cruise the British Virgin Islands. There are hosts to help ‘make your stay a perfect one’.
Most Green
Everlands
Membership: $475,000-
Everland has focused on its unique conservation theme and has partnered with many major groups with the same aim in the process. Together they hope to preserve and protect the world’s most beautiful places. Their major initiatives include river restoration in the Western United States, removal of nets at the mouth of the Great Atlantic Salmon river estuaries, and saving the Elkhorn Ranch- the birthplace of Conservation in the United State
s. Also, the Everlands Conservation Prize aims to design global awareness of how human stewardship makes a difference to the planet.
Destinations include The Point, which an originally summered by the Rockefellers; Lone Mountain Ranch which is now some of the best Nordic skiing in the country; Bristol Bay Lodge in Alaska, the Oasis at Castle Hot Springs in Arizona and the Inn at Blueberry Hill on Martha’s Vineyard. The growing inventory also includes Lake Rotoroa Lodge in Nelson Lakes National Park on New Zealand`s Sout
Everland's property in England
h Island. Some other resorts, including the Mangrove Cay Club on Andros Island in the Bahamas, and Hotel Endsleigh in Devon, England, are under contract or are about to be. Ultimately, Everlands expects to own more than 40 resorts, including several in Africa.
Everlands is also unique in its approach as a destination club. From the their “How it Works” page : “It’s simple. You become a member, by paying a onetime membership fee plus modest annual dues, and you not only co-own everything -the lodges, land, artwork, boats, floatplanes and horses- but you can use it as much as you want. Almost everything is included. That’s right, even your very own Experience Manager to help.”
When finished it is estimated to have a total membership of 1,800 people, according to Kenneth May, the company’s CEO. Not just anyone will be able to become a member, as the club is invite only.
Whichever club is right for you, I have no doubt that your new style of vacationing will not dissappoint. You will now be free to enjoy your family on vacations instead of worrying about your next move. Congratulations.
Interesting article on the destination clubs, but a little behind the times. One Key closed its doors in January – after succumbing to the current economic climate.
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Thank you Nick! OneKey has been removed from our list.
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I am so disappointed to read that One Key has been closed. My family and myself really enjoyed our stay there.
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Was this list done on March 2, 2009 or 2008?
Clearly need to spend some more time researching your picks. Spend some time on http://www.destinationclubforums.com for some insight.
One Key filed for bankruptcy. Solstice filed for bankruptcy. Everlands is out of the destination club business. Quintess supposedly has 10-20% of its members on the resignation list and recently raised its dues for members 25-100% or face bankruptcy. Ultimate Escapes recently did an assessment doubling its dues to avoid bankruptcy.
In my opinion, ER is probably your only good pick. Missed out on some other good picks as well.
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Kyle — it is best you know that Solstice declared Chapter 11 earlier in the month, and Everlands is not functioning as a destination club anymore, though it still has members and lodges.
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