The Hilton Grand Vacations Club (HGVC) is a flexible points-based vacation ownership, reservation and exchange system operated by Hilton Hotel Corporation. There are two categories of HGVC resorts. There are the Hilton built resorts which are, just like they sound, resorts built and developed by HGVC since 1994 and the HGVC affiliated resorts which are resorts that have been built and developed by non-Hilton companies. These resorts meet the Hilton standard and are generally managed by HGVC. There are more than 3,700 timeshares located in Orlando, Miami South Beach, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Scotland, Colorado, Ireland and Mexico that are part of the HGVC system.
The biggest differences between HGVC-built resorts and affiliated resorts are in the type of property. All Hilton built resorts are sold as floating week timeshares, while most affiliated resorts in Southwest Florida are sold as fixed week timeshares. Hilton timeshares are deeded in lieu of ‘right of use’ (like Disney), so you may as well leave your timeshare to your heirs.
What Hilton timeshares have to offer that sets them apart from other timeshares is the excellence of the Hilton brand, which has a history of quality accommodations, services and amenities. In addition, the points system is one of the most flexible available. Hilton Grand Vacations Club also offers Resort Condominiums International (RCI) membership as part of the package. This means that members also benefit from RCI’s exchange holiday options. Of course, just like the timeshare accommodations offered by the other hotel chains, such as Marriott and Sheraton, you always pay a premium for a hotel brand resort. But it’s always possible to find great timeshare deals, even for the luxury brands, in the resale market.
HGVC also has ClubPartner Perks that come with your Hilton Grand Vacations Club membership. Benefits include cruise voyages on a selection of more than 150 ships calling nearly 2,000 ports, RV voyages on an El Monte RV, houseboat voyages on a Forever Resorts houseboat, adventure voyages that involve biking, walking, climbing, rafting, snorkeling and skiing in 90 world-class destinations around the world. And last but not least, ClubPartner Perks also offers motorcycle tours on an EagleRider motorcycle. Whenever you’re considering using your points for something other than staying in one of the timeshares, it’s a good idea to compare the costs of the points with the costs in cash. Sometimes it may be better to pay cash and save your timeshare points.
Let’s be honest. You take vacations every year (or you should for reasons of health and personal fulfillment). The biggest cost of a vacation is accommodation. Also, if you book your accommodation, sometimes you are taking a chance on how the quality will be. Perhaps the ownership of the hotel or resort has changed and possibly suffered in the interim. A series of local events can turn a great accommodation from last year into a regular accommodation this year. Timeshares typically provide consistent, high-quality accommodations that offer you more space and amenities than your typical hotel room, and if you buy the resale instead of the developer, they are often a bargain.
