Travel Services are another “simple” area, in that it’s not complicated, but you want your club to be able to execute well. We think the following issues are important:

Pre-Departure Information
Many clubs offer travel guides about the destination, the home itself, and your access to local restaurants and services. You can buy your own guide book, but it is more valuable to be able to talk to a concierge/local that can really tell you the best dining options.

Onsite Help and Services
Is there a concierge available to help book reservations and organize local trips, etc.? Is that the same concierge that will be available at the home when you are staying in it? You should also understand what services are routine for the concierge to provide. The most important in our opinion? Pre-arrival grocery shopping.

Summary
We think that it is challenging for clubs to provide great onsite service – concierge, cleaning, service for the pool heater, etc. – especially for the smaller clubs that will not be able to justify hiring these people directly, so they will be outsourced. Do your due diligence calls with other members to convince yourself that they can execute well for you once you are in the home. Remember that you should be comparing (at least the higher end clubs) to a great 4 or 5 star hotel or resort.

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