Club Wyndham Review: Are Timeshares a Good Alternative to Vacation Rentals?

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As we start to ease back into travel, vacation rentals in hot destinations are selling out by the minute. Could a Club Wyndham membership be a good alternative to an Airbnb or VRBO rental? I stayed at one to find out. (Disclosure: This visit was hosted by Club Wyndham.) 

Immediately upon checking into the Club Wyndham in Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont, it was easy to see the benefits of a Club Wyndham stay. I’d previously stayed at Airbnbs in this popular mountain town before, and rentals were very typical of standard, bare-bones ski lodging—thin walls, uncomfortable beds, scratchy towels, etc. With a Club Wyndham stay, you know in advance that you’ll be getting a high standard of accommodation that feels like a luxury hotel but has all the amenities of a vacation rental. 

The spacious condo that I stayed in looked brand-new and was sparkling clean. The condo was stocked with everything you could need for an extended stay, including dishes, plenty of cooking supplies, luxurious towels, mini-bottles of toiletries, and incredibly comfortable mattresses. 

The condo was stylishly furnished, with plenty of comfortable seating for relaxing (both indoors and out on the scenic deck). 

It’s easy to see the appeal of the guaranteed comfort that you’ll find at a Club Wyndham property, no matter where in the world you go.

In fact, timeshares like this one are growing in popularity, as travelers look for alternative accommodation types. I’m not the only one who’s interested in vacation clubs these days—the market is moving towards a younger demographic. According to Wyndham Destinations, about 60 percent of new owner sales are now to GenX and Millennial travelers. 

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So what should you know about Club Wyndham membership before you commit? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions. 

Where Can You Book a Club Wyndham Stay?

There are over 240 Wyndham Destination vacation club locations available around the world. These timeshares aren’t just in the typical beach towns anymore. Wyndham Destinations has recently opened up resorts in major cities (they’re currently building one in Atlanta) to meet a growing demand for urban travel. 

Can’t find a Wyndham Destination resort where you want to vacation? Owners can use exchange company RCI to use their points to travel to thousands of other locations worldwide. 

How Much Does a Club Wyndham Membership Cost?

The average cost of a first-time timeshare purchase is around $20,000, but varies by type of membership. Members must also pay an annual maintenance cost that includes taxes, utilities, and upkeep.

How Do You Cancel a Club Wyndham Membership?

Heard horror stories about getting locked into a timeshare for life? Wyndham Destinations offers a Certified Exit by Wyndham program that will help owners quickly and easily quit the program at no additional upfront cost.

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