Eilene Zimmerman of the New York Times put the spotlight on fractional ownership and destination clubs on Sunday (July 1st) in her Travel section article. Luxury vacationers typically buy into the fractional ownership or destination club concept for the economic value, locations, and white-glove pampering – a point that Zimmerman makes early in the article, and one that Ben Stein should note.

Indeed very few luxury consumers are familiar with destination clubs or private residence clubs. While Zimmerman quoted Helium Report’s Jamie Cheng on several points, we explain more here:

Destination Club Background

• Destination Clubs Explained
• Destination Clubs: Understand the Risks
• Destination Clubs: Compare to Home Ownership
• The Destination Club Business Model
• The Refundable Deposit
• Helium Report’s Decision Guide to Destination Clubs (PDF)

The article also touched on destination club leader, Exclusive Resorts, and its current pricing plans – which are set to increase in the coming month. See these Helium Report articles for useful background on Exclusive Resorts:

• Company Profile: Exclusive Resorts
• Member Reviews
• Exclusive Resorts Announces $1 Billion in Luxury Real Estate
• More on Exclusive Resorts »

Additionally, the LUSSO Collection was named by the Times as a key destination club player, and we agree. More on LUSSO here:

• Interview with LUSSO Collection CEO, Steve Greer
• Profile: The LUSSO Collection
• Member Reviews
• More on LUSSO »

Quintess was named in the big-four names of destination clubs, too:

• Profile: Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World
• Quintess Announces Top Destinations
• Member Reviews
• More on Quintess »

Ultimate Resort’s acquisition of bankrupt Tanner & Haley was also given brief mention:

• Profile: Ultimate Resort
• Ultimate Resort Destination Portfolio Increases
• Member Reviews
• More on Ultimate Resort »

And finally, The NY Times quoted a Private Escapes club member. More on Private Escapes here:

• Profile: Private Escapes
• Member Reviews
• More on Private Escapes »

Private Residence Clubs

Alongside destination clubs, private residence clubs were mentioned as another luxury home alternative. Zimmerman dutifully categorizes them above timeshares, which are often compared with private residence clubs. The clear differences are explained by us here:

• Timeshares and Fractionals: What’s the Difference?
• Pros and Cons of Fractional Ownership
• Fractional Ownership: Ask a Helium Report Analyst
• Fractional Exchange Networks
• Reader Feedback on Fractional Exchange Programs
• Helium Report’s Decision Guide to Private Residence Clubs (PDF)
• More on Private Residence Clubs and Fractional Ownership »