TopEight Names Their Best Destination Clubs

By: Destination Club News
Date: August 19, 2007

TopEight.com has assembled their lists of their top eight Miami Beach hotels, scariest movies, and indoor water parks, and have announced their top eight destination clubs.

Number 8: Portofino

Late last year, Portofino acquired Signature Destinations and now offers three different membership levels, securing the number 8 spot on the list. The new Continental Collection joins the club's Signature Collection and Portofino Collection to offer three distinct membership options with three different home values, mirroring a club that ranks significantly higher on the list.

Number 7: One Key World

Led by Jay Sapovits, One Key World is the first club on the list that utilizes a slightly different model than the rest of the destination clubs on the list. Instead of owning the real estate assets available to members, One Key World procures partnerships with luxury residences around the world, and members have funds pulled from a pre-paid card to access those properties. This concept comes primarily from Sapovits time at Marquis Jet and their partnership with another club on this list, Exclusive Resorts.

Number 6: BelleHavens

Founded by Darin Gilson, BelleHavens introduced themselves as "the world's first and only equity destination club" when they first began selling their memberships in August of 2004. Members own the club and receive 90% of the then current value of their membership when they exit the club, a model that has less restrictions than the next club on the list.

Number 5: Crescendo Residences

A fully-compliant Regulation D securities offering, Crescendo owners purchase an equity interest in the company, essentially owning a mutual fund of luxury residences. Crescendo plans to liquidate their real estate holdings in the future and distribute 60% of the proceeds to members, 40% to the club. Due to the model where members are actually buying an interest in the company, the club is limited in its marketing efforts, which may have lowered the club's ranking.

Number 4: Exclusive Resorts

Far and away the leader in the destination club industry clocks in at number 4? TopEight drops the industry giant down a couple of slots for the fact that "the club has grown so large that it has to buy properties in bulk, making it feel less exclusive."

While Exclusive Resorts does buy many of their properties in bulk to satisfy demand, this strategy does also allow for significant discounts on real estate. TopEight says it makes it feel less exclusive. We say it is good spending. To-ma-to, tom-a-to.

Number 3: Ultimate Resort

Jumping past the industry giant Exclusive Resorts, Ultimate Resort moves to the number three spot after acquiring Tanner & Haley. The club eventually won out over ultra-luxury club Ciel who looked to acquire the assets as a mid-level club within the rest of the collection. Could have been number one, except for its "limited nightly caps."

Number 2: LUSSO Collection

LUSSO Collection occupies the number two spot on the list, citing the unlimited travel and Lincoln Continental sedans that can be found at most residences. Widely marketing the fact that they like not being a big player in the industry, the reason that Exclusive Resorts was dropped to number four, LUSSO's "boutique" offering and exemplary service move the club near the top of the list.

Number 1: Private Escapes

Drum roll please. LUSSO Collection shot to the number two position largely due to their unlimited travel membership. Private Escapes secures the top spot by offering the same travel option for far less than the LUSSO Collection plan. Introduced in April of 2004, Private Escapes launched as the "first and only affordable travel destination club." The combination of unlimited travel and the sub-six figure price tag to join, puts Private Escapes as the number one club according to TopEight.

What's your list?