It’s no secret that some of the biggest names in five-star hotels also offer luxury real estate options. Brands like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Fairmont have whole and fractional ownership units in their high-end digs, often with lofty price tags to match.

But with that premium price, comes five-star service. Of course, there is a certain level of luxury and attention to detail that is expected when joining any private residence club, but with these clubs offering units within the walls of some of the world’s most indulgent hotels, Helium Report wondered if there were any lesser-known perks of membership, like complimentary upgrades on hotel rooms, or a dedicated concierge line for owners. We spoke with representatives from three of the industry’s best known brands to find out what they have to offer.

Ritz-Carlton

Offerings
The Ritz-Carlton brand currently has whole and fractional ownership residences at five of its locations, with new projects in the works in Lake Tahoe, South Beach and the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Kauai. Sales at the new Lake Tahoe location start this month.

Perks
Along with the ability to exchange time at your own property for nights in alternate locations, membership with the Ritz-Carlton comes with a few compelling extras. Chief among them is their policy on member use of units with open availability. Members who have already utilized their alloted nights, can still stay in properties that remain open, for what basically amounts to a housekeeping fee.

Four Seasons

Offerings
Four Seasons has 14 operational private residence club properties, with ten new locations under construction and in pre-sales, and 25 in various stages of planning. Properties in Vail, the Mauritius Islands and Barbados are among the offerings members can expect to see soon.

Perks
Most private residence clubs offer touches like refrigerator stocking and event planning, but because Four Seasons’ residences are integrated into their full-service hotels and resorts, they have the ability to offer unique amenities like on-site golfing and spa treatments, as well as a wide breadth of high-end dining options including in-villa catering by their restaurants.

The brand also touts itself as having an unparalleled level of member services. Before heading to your property, a pre-arrival call from their team allows you to nail down every detail of your trip, from tee times to car rental arrangements to dinner reservations. Like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons also offers its members the opportunity to exchange nights at their own property for other units in the club’s portfolio.

Fairmont Heritage Place

Offerings
There are currently two Fairmont Heritage Place properties in operation in Acapulco and Telluride, and a third, located in San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square, will open this year. Fairmont also has plans for three additional fractional developments, and six whole ownership residences, with residents now moving in at their New York location and a Vancouver property opening in 2009.

Perks
Along with their reciprocal use program, which, like the other brands listed here, allows members to exchange nights in their unit for nights in other locations, Fairmont offers discounted rates and automatic upgrades on Fairmont hotel rooms to its members. They also employ a dedicated owner service team, which takes care of any member needs, from trip planning to travel booking.