Private Residence Clubs and Luxury Fractional Property

Owners of luxury fractional property buy a share of a single residence, that provides them with a couple of weeks to thirteen weeks of usage a year. The ownership period varies by development and can be expressed as a fraction (eg 1/10, 1/8, or ¼) or as a number of weeks (eg 5, 6 or 12 weeks).

Private Residence Clubs are the upper tier of the luxury fractional market, providing all the services of a five star hotel together with the ownership.

There are hundreds of fractional and Private Residence Club developments located in city, beach, mountain and resort destinations. Use our home directory to search through these locations.

They are sometimes compared to timeshares, although there are several key differences. For instance luxury fractionals are in better locations, are more luxurious and typically larger, providing 2, 3 or 4+ bedrooms. They also offer true, deeded ownership whereas timeshares usually just offer a "right to use."

This article covers the reasons people buy fractionals and PRCs, and if you're looking to buy read the list of questions to ask before buying your fractional. For easy reference there is a glossary of terms.

The latest news and research on luxury fractionals and Private Residence Clubs is available below.

Details: Written by K.C. Dermody; Published: 15 October 2012

Aspen is known worldwide as the Rocky Mountain playground for the rich and famous - it is sophisticated, artistic, and athletic - and it’s here that you’ll find Dancing Bear Aspen a new and luxurious private residence club.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 06 April 2012

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just reported that sales of vacation homes in the US rose 7.0 percent to 502,000 in 2011 from 469,000 in 2010. This is certainly an encouraging sign after falls in prior years and reinforces the trend seen in fractionals, where overall 2011 sales were up 4%.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 13 March 2012

The annual North America survey by Ragatz Associates showed a slight increase of 4% across all shared property types, including fractionals, private residence clubs and destination clubs.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 06 December 2011

Four Seasons has recently announced that it will be opening a new resort community at Disney World. Planned to open in 2014, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney will include a 444-room hotel, 40 residence club units and up to 90 private residences. The new development will be an enclave within the existing Golden Oak residential community which was created and master-planned by Disney.

Details: Written by Barbara McHatton; Published: 24 November 2011

While it's no secret that North America boasts many incredible skiing destinations, choosing the location that packs both great snow and slopes with great service, good food and other desirable features can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the readers of SKI magazine have taken much of the guesswork out of the equation, and with many of these resorts opening this week, now is the time to look at places to stay.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 19 October 2011

Many second home markets have seen price drops of 20-40% over the last few years. Private residence clubs and luxury fractionals in these markets have reflected these overall real estate trends. In some cases the prices are down by over a hundred thousand dollars. Here are some examples in some sought after locations.

Details: Written by Dawn R. Wolfe; Published: 06 October 2011

Owning your own ski home may mean you spend more time worrying about burst pipes and roof replacements, than the time you spend enjoying the slopes. That's where shared ownership comes in. It removes the worries and hassles of ownership, while giving you a place to call home. Deer Valley offers several high end fractional options.

Details: Written by Dawn Wolfe; Published: 20 September 2011

Located in the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is one of several small towns towns known collectively as "Los Cabos" ("The Capes"). And with average temperatures that seldom go below the mid-fifties and highs that seldom reach above the mid-nineties, this mild climate combined with access to both beaches and deserts makes "Cabo" one of the more popular resort communities in the world.

Details: Written by Barbara McHatton; Published: 07 September 2011

Have you ever envisioned owning your very own luxury lodge nestled in the heart of Napa Valley wine country? What if it included access to an indulgent spa, gourmet restaurant and five-star hospitality services? Now fantasize sipping a fine vintage from your own private wine collection stored in an on-site wine cave?

Details: Written by Barbara McHatton; Published: 18 August 2011

London's 47 Park Street Grand Residences by Marriott in the Mayfair district provides members with all the amenities of a five-star hotel as well as all the comforts of a luxuriously appointed home. Part of the Grand Residences by Marriott program, this firm offers fractional ownership shares of prime real estate in the heart of one of the world's premier cities.