Best Vacation Clubs You Should Join in 2023

Best Vacation Clubs You Should Join in 2023

Are you a frequent traveler looking to enhance your vacation experience? If so, then you have probably looked into timeshares, vacation clubs, and travel clubs. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they each offer unique benefits. Joining a vacation club allows you more flexibility than ever. What’s not to love about vacation savings over a lifetime, luxurious amenities, and spacious accommodations at a resort? If your 2023 goal is to see the world, joining one of the best vacation clubs will surely help you vacation in luxury.

What is a Vacation Club?

Vacation clubs are a more modern form of timeshares. They are typically points-based and allow members to spend points at various resorts in the brand’s portfolio. Traditional timeshares are often a fixed week at one resort. Owners return to their resort at the same time every year and even stay in the same unit! Vacation clubs, however, offer more freedom and flexibility. Members can travel worldwide with their membership and stay at different resorts each year.

Vacation Club Vs. Timeshare

Did you know that some of the best vacation clubs are actually timeshares? Marriott Vacation Club, DVC, Hilton, and more offer flexible points-based timeshares that appeal to any type of traveler. Vacation clubs often have multiple resort properties and exchange options compared to a traditional deeded timeshare. However, they are one and the same these days!

Travel Club Vs. Vacation Club

Travel clubs are a great way to save money and access a variety of travel services and experiences. Whether it’s a free or paid membership, clubs offer a range of discounts and exclusive perks to members. Airline discounts, hotel bookings, car rentals, and travel packages are some of these discounts. With the help of a travel club, you can save money and enjoy a range of travel services and experiences. Vacation Clubs have shifted to letting owners use points towards experiences outside of only booking resorts, similar to how travel clubs aren’t just booking hotels. For example, using your points for theme park tickets, concerts, flights, and more. With a travel club, you get discounts, and with a vacation club, you get annual points that are used as currency to put towards different resorts and experiences.

What is the Best Vacation Club to Join?

Best Vacation Club to Join Infographic

This question relies entirely upon you and your travel preferences. Disney Vacation Club has you covered if you’re looking for some Disney magic with the little ones. Is a vacation club with the ultimate luxury package what you’re after? Marriott Vacation Club offers exceptional accommodations and resorts. Trying to go worldwide? Perhaps a Wyndham vacation club is up your alley. We’ll go through our top best vacation clubs that you should join in the upcoming year.

Disney Vacation Club

Disney Vacation Club

Is Disney Vacation Club worth it? Well, with 15 resorts across the U.S. and some of the most family-friendly resorts, Disney Vacation Club certainly isn’t a bad choice. As DVC’s recommended resale broker since 2005, we can’t deny this club’s impact on the timeshare industry.

With a points-based membership, DVC owners love their flexibility with their vacations. Aulani Resort & Spa in Oahu is a favorite among families for tropical beach vacations. Or, if you’re looking to stay as close to the magic as possible, head to one of the 11 resorts right in Orlando. The newest resort, Riviera Resort, offers guests an escape to the French Riviera through its theming and dining options.

Get a look at all of DVC’s Home Resorts so you can decide exactly which one to purchase. Keep in mind that the latest resale restrictions from DVC make it a little more difficult for new resale owners to use their points at other DVC resorts. Disney Vacation Club is also part of the Interval International network, making it possible to exchange your DVC points for stays at other luxury resorts! Look through Disney Vacation Club timeshares for sale now.

Pros of DVC

  • Points-based
  • Resorts near best theme parks
  • Transportation to parks
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on Interval International

Cons of DVC

  • Popular dates sell out quickly—you must plan ahead!
  • Strict resale restrictions
  • Expensive to join
  • Fewer resort options for world travelers

Marriott Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club

One of the most popular and largest ownership brands in the industry is Marriott Vacation Club. After its acquisition of ILG in 2018, Marriott has over 3,200 resorts in over 80 countries. Its system is more unified and comprehensive than ever before.

Several brands fall under Marriott Vacations Worldwide, such as Hyatt Residence Club, Vistana Signature Experiences, and even the growing exchange network, Interval International.

Ultimate luxury awaits Marriott Vacation Club owners in resorts across the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Marriott’s world-class timeshare resorts offer top-notch accommodations with modern furnishings, spacious units, and amazing amenities.

Marriott Vacation Club is the first large hospitality brand to enter the timeshare industry and is now noted as one of the best vacation clubs for travelers. With locations in the most desirable destinations and a points-based system that offers flexibility, it’s no secret how great MVC is. Find the best Marriott timeshares for sale.

Pros of MVC

  • Points-based
  • Dozens of resorts in top destinations
  • Join the loyalty rewards program for discounts and savings
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on Interval International

Cons of MVC

  • Expensive to join
  • Popular dates sell out quickly, making it difficult to book

Club Wyndham

Club Wyndham

Belonging to the world’s largest vacation ownership company, Wyndham Destinations, Club Wyndham owners have over 4,000 resorts to choose from in 110 countries. Club Wyndham is one of the best and most luxury vacation clubs out there for its travel opportunities. Plus, you can also think of them as your all-in-one travel agency.

Wyndham can help you plan your vacations, book your flights and car rental, and create an itinerary packed with excursions just for you. There are several levels of VIP status, where owners can receive even more benefits. Get the latest specials, last-minute deals, or even discounts on activities. There are several Club Wyndham ownership types: Club Wyndham Select, Club Wyndham Access, and Presidential Reserve. Each type offers different deed options and tiers of benefits.

Under the Wyndham Destinations company, there is also Shell Vacations Club, Margaritaville Vacation Club, Worldmark by Wyndham, and more. With the best Wyndham Destinations resorts, there are amazing getaway opportunities regardless of your vacation preferences. Search here for some Wyndham timeshares for sale.

Pros of Wyndham

  • Points-based
  • Over a hundred resorts in top destinations
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on RCI
  • Works with a variety of budgets

Cons of Wyndham

  • Somewhat complicated product (many clubs and brands under Wyndham’s umbrella)
  • No rewards/loyalty program

Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Hilton

Hilton Grand Vacations Club offers both flexibility and one-of-a-kind luxury experiences for owners. Their easy points system is unique, in which owners receive deeded ownership interests at their home resort. Depending on the resort you own with, the unit size, season, or week number is how many ClubPoints you receive each year.

Owners can use their ClubPoints at their home resort time and time again or take their vacations across the globe. Another benefit for Hilton owners: the Hilton Honors program! When you purchase an HGVC timeshare, you are automatically enrolled in the loyalty program. HGVC members and timeshare owners receive special perks like triple or double points when they stay at qualifying resorts and hotels.

HGVC owners can use their ClubPoints and get their HHonors benefits at more than 5,800 resorts within Hilton’s portfolio of brands, located in over 114 countries worldwide. Hhonors can also grant discounts on travel packages, car rentals, air miles, Experience Rewards, and even on Amazon.

Before you buy, make sure you know what to expect with Hilton’s annual fees & dues. Browse Hilton timeshare resales here.

Pros of HGVC

  • Points-based
  • Dozens of resorts in top destinations
  • Loyalty rewards program for discounts and exclusive deals
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on RCI

Cons of HGVC

  • Pricier to join
  • Fewer resorts than Wyndham or Marriott

Bluegreen Vacations

Bluegreen

Bluegreen Vacations has you covered for an outdoor adventure in the Smoky Mountains, an excursion to the best theme parks in Orlando, and more. Owners of Bluegreen get a glimpse of all sorts of vacations with their Lighthouse Collection, Cityscape Collection, Amusement Collection, Heritage Collection, and of course, the Great Outdoors Collection.

Bluegreen is a points-based vacation club offering owners flexibility when vacation planning. Not to mention, their one-of-a-kind resorts make it possible to get the best of all worlds—quiet cabins, outdoor yurts, or beach resorts with luxury amenities. Their partnership with Bass Pro Shops really identifies this vacation club as your calling for adventure. Check here for Bluegreen timeshares for sale.

Pros of Bluegreen

  • Points-based
  • Dozens of resorts in top destinations
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on RCI

Cons of Bluegreen

  • No loyalty rewards program
  • Some resale restrictions

Hyatt Residence Club

Hyatt Residence Club

Falling under the ILG family of vacation clubs, Hyatt Residence Club provides total luxury. Their Maui destination, the Ka’anapali Beach Resort, will make your vacation feel like a dream. If island time fits your lifestyle best, but you want to stay closer to land, the three Hyatt resorts in Key West make up for that.

Hyatt owners can enjoy any of the 16 resorts within the portfolio with their points-based system. As Hyatt is also within the ILG network, you can also trade your points on Interval International’s vacation exchange network.

You may also be interested in the World of Hyatt rewards program, where owners can earn points from qualifying resorts or hotels in Hyatt’s portfolio. With four different tiers and elevated benefits for each level, members can work their way up to earn a free night at a qualifying resort or receive suite upgrades. Look through our Hyatt timeshares for sale.

Pros of Hyatt

  • Points-based
  • Luxury resorts in popular locations
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on Interval International

Cons of Hyatt

  • Fewer resort options
  • Properties have fewer family-friendly amenities

Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Holiday Inn

For a family-friendly getaway on a budget, Holiday Inn Club Vacations has been providing memorable experiences for guests since 2008. Offering over 25 resorts across the United States, families can use Holiday Inn timeshare points to stay at their favorite resorts in the brand’s impressive portfolio. Accommodations at every Holiday Inn Club resort location vary in size and include washers/dryers, living room areas to stretch out in, fully-equipped kitchens, and all of the comforts of home.

The flagship location, Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, is famous for its sprawling lazy river and on-site waterpark. There are multiple villages at Orange Lake, each with unique accommodations and amenities.

There are multiple levels of Holiday Inn Club, with varying tiers of benefits. Depending on your membership level within this luxury vacation club, you can receive 10% advanced booking window discounts, room upgrades, complimentary nights, and more.

Pros of Holiday Inn Club

  • Points-based
  • Family-friendly and budget-friendly
  • Flexible banking and borrowing
  • Exchange on Interval International & RCI

Cons of Holiday Inn Club

  • Fewer resort options (but growing!)
  • Popular dates can sell out quickly

Westgate Travel Club

Westgate Travel Club

Westgate Resorts started out as a modest 16-unit resort. Today, Westgate Resorts boasts over 14,000 villas spread out across 27 resorts, and they continue to add more properties to their portfolio! With fractional ownership, Westgate owners can enjoy vacationing in different destinations across the country every year through Westgate Travel Club. This means that in addition to visiting your home resort annually, you can also explore other exciting places too.

Among Westgate’s diverse portfolio are resorts in some of the most coveted vacation destinations. Stay in teepees, covered wagons, and other themed luxury villas while glamping in Central Florida. Take a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and stay in a mountainside cabin. Is Las Vegas more your style? Westgate has a resort close to the Convention Center and the Strip.

The Westgate Travel Club is divided into three distinct categories known as dimensions. Dimension One is made up of Westgate Club Weeks, while Dimension Two consists of exchange through Interval International. Finally, Dimension Three is comprised of Westgate Cruise & Travel Collection. Each dimension of the Westgate Travel Club offers its own unique set of deals and opportunities.

Pros of Westgate Travel Club

  • Luxury resorts in popular locations
  • Family-friendly resort amenities
  • Loyalty rewards program for discounts and exclusive deals
  • Exchange for cruises
  • Exchange on Interval International

Cons of Westgate Travel Club

  • Fewer resort options
  • Not points-based

How Much is a Vacation Club Membership?

Depending on the vacation club you want to join, the cost of a vacation club membership can vary. However, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has stated that the average cost of a timeshare is $22,942. Remember that while the cost of joining a vacation club is high, you are really paying for a lifetime of vacations. Plus, buying a vacation club membership on the timeshare resale market can save thousands of dollars. Of course, there are maintenance fees as well to keep in mind. These are normally due on an annual basis.

Learn more: 10 Best Timeshare Resorts for Families Across the U.S.

Join One of the Best Vacation Clubs for Less

Buying Timeshare Resale vs Direct Youtube Video

When you buy a timeshare or the resale market, you can save a substantial amount of money while still getting to stay at luxurious resorts. To learn more about the difference between buying resale versus direct, check our video to the left.

Did any of the best vacation clubs listed speak to you? Our timeshare resale experts can help you get the best deal on vacation clubs like Wyndham, Disney, Hilton, and more. Start by browsing our timeshares for sale. Or give us a call today at  1 (800) 410-8326.

Are there any other best vacation clubs that we missed? Leave a comment to let us know! If you’re an owner with any one of these brands, tell us your favorite vacation experience. We want to know!

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