The concept of a timeshare is well-known among second-home owners, but the concept of a fractional or a private residence club is demonstrably not. A study this year by the American Affluence Center reported only 33% of their respondents (who averaged a net-worth around $3 million) to be familiar with the more luxurious private residence club concept. So what are they and why compare them with timeshares? See chart below for a start:

Private residence clubs, which are a relatively new concept among vacation home owners, give an owner much more time to use the property. As shares start around 1/12 (or about a month), an owner can get considerably more use out of the property while also indulging in 5-star amenities for the duration of their stay. Brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons have entered into this market, but a full directory of private residence clubs is listed by Halogen Guides.

Also download a copy of Halogen Guides' Decision Guide to Private Residence Clubs and get the full research from industry experts. It's free and reflects hundreds of hours of industry research.