There are some timeshare resorts that position themselves in the super-luxury end of the travel spectrum. However, more and more companies are going the route of “Destination Clubs” — high-end vacation property vacation clubs designed for the wealthy who do not want to hassles of ownership.
Memberships can run from $50,000 through to half a million dollars upfront with significant annual fees. For these large sums of money, members do not hold title or a deed to the portfolio of Club properties. Instead, they are granted now-and-then access to a collection of luxury houses in exotic locales around the world. Without the worry and upkeep of ownership, members need only spend there money and not much time to enjoy a mansion away from mansion (as opposed to a home away from home).
Destination clubs are not regulated as heavily as timeshares in terms of the sales & deeding process because they have been introduced only recently. Unfortunately, the lack of regulation and of course, the downturn in the economy may have contributed to many clubs having to close their doors. Hence, timeshare industry advocates are worried that fallout from bankruptcies of destination clubs could affect an already maligned timeshare industry.
