Second Home Destinations Enjoys Early Success

By: Destination Club News
Date: December 3, 2010

Just a month after their formal launch, Second Home Destinations has jumped out to a quick start and are actively engaged with roughly 100 potential members. Working primarily with the former members of the bankrupt High Country Club, multiple Ultimate Escapes members are also in discussions with the new low cost option within the destination club sector.

Like many other new entrants to the destination club industry, Second Home Destinations has crafted a structure unlike their competitors.

"Second Home Destinations is crafted by savvy, experienced real estate investors who comb the country to identify unique acquisition opportunities such as buying properties in bankruptcy or creating strategic partnerships with developers," said Angela Osborn, Second Home Destinations' CEO.

"The benefit of our model is that we can add and subtract locations and properties based on the demand of our members," said Robin Lake, the club's Vice President of Sales. "This structure eliminates much of the overhead costs that other clubs bear and allows us to pass our savings directly to members."

Members pay between $10,000 and $80,000 to join, of which 75% is refundable. Second Home Destinations uses a points based reservation system with per night costs average approximately 350 points outside of peak season travel. Annual dues range from $4,500 up to $14,500 with an approximate conversion rate of one point per dollar with unused points rolled over into the next year. Second Home Destinations also has a unique escrow component we will profile next week.

Special offers have been unveiled for members of both High Country Club and Ultimate Escapes. The High Country Club offer allows for 50% savings off normal rates with only 25% due at joining. The remainder can be paid off over the following five years with 0% interest. The special incentive available to Ultimate Escapes members is a one year trial membership with no membership fee. While these custom offers were designed for each specific group of members, either option is available to High Country Club and Ultimate Escapes members and members of any other failed clubs, such as The LUSSO Collection and Portofino. The offers will be available through the end of the year.

If you are interested in learning more about Second Home Destinations, please complete this short contact form. We spoke with the club and will report more about their unique structure next week. Check back soon for more news about Second Home Destinations and the rest of the destination club industry.