With the onset of summer, travelers around the world will again descend on Europe’s beaches, cafes, and museums. While US based destination clubs have focused their efforts on developing real estate portfolios in locations close to home, the desire of affluent travelers to sojourn in a Paris pied-a-terre or a Tuscan farmhouse, has forced the clubs to expand into the continent. At the same time, European entrepreneurs eyeing the successful American model are starting to get in on the act themselves, founding a bevy of clubs on the continent.

Exclusive Resorts

Number of Homes in Europe: 35 current, 7 in development.
Locations: Bovey Castle, Devon, England; London, England; Paris, France; Megeve (French Alps), France; Florence, Italy; Tuscany, Italy.
Nationality: US

The destination club industry leader has stormed the continent with some 35 homes scattered across Europe. The homes include seven restored farmhouses in the Tuscan countryside, seven
properties in London�s top neighborhoods, three properties in the French Alps with views of Mont Blanc, and lavish apartments in Florence and Paris.

Solstice

Number of Homes in Europe: 4
Locations: London, England; Paris, France; Verbier, Switzerland; Florence, Italy. Planned: European Countryside.
Nationality: US

Ultra Luxury club Solstice does Europe just like it does everything else: with world class style, impeccable taste, and unapologetic decadence. For the lucky few who can afford it, Solstice offers European destinations unlike any other. After all, the club’s Florence residence was designed by a little artist named Michelangelo.

Ultimate Escapes

Homes in Europe: 6
Locations: London, England; Paris, France; Tuscany, Italy.
Nationality: US

In addition to residences in London, Paris, and Tuscany, Ultimate Escapes’ Ultimate Collection of hotel alliances around the world allows members to use their membership nights in countless cities across Europe.

Quintess LRW

Homes in Europe: 9
Locations: Gleneagles, Scottland; London, England; Paris, France; Florence, Italy; Tuscany Italy
Nationality: US

Highlights of Quintess’ European offering include a charming country house in the Scottish Highlands and swank apartments in bustling capitals. The club’s Leading Experiences program also grants members exclusive behind the scenes access to Europe’s premiere cultural attractions like the Uffizi museum in Florence.

The Oyster Circle

Homes in Europe: 9
Locations: Cannes, France; St. Tropez, France; Chamonix Valley, France; Les Trois Vallees, France; Kitzbuhel, Austria; Sotogrande Spain; Quinta do Lago, Portugal; Umbria, Italy; Lake Garda, Italy. Planned: London, England; Paris, France; Iles de Re, France; Bordeaux, France; Swiss Alps, Berlin, Germany; Barcelona, Spain; Majorca, Spain; Crete, Greece; Rome, Italy; Sardinia, Italy.
Nationality: Ireland

Europe’s first premium Destination Club was established to meet the growing demand for high-end exclusive holidays and short break destination clubs on the Continent. But unless you live in Europe full time, it might not be the best option for you, given its lack of destinations in and around the US.

The Hideaways Club

Homes in Europe: 11
Locations: Algarve, Portugal; Sotogrande, Spain; Majorca, Spain; Provence, France; Chamonix, France; Tuscany, Italy; Four Valleys, Switzerland; Kalkan, Turkey. Planned: Island of Brac, Croatia.
Nationality: UK

The Hideaways Club takes the equity destination club approach, giving members a stake in the club’s real estate portfolio. Its number of homes and plans for expansion throughout Europe are impressive, but like the Oyster Circle, it’s likely that American members would be able to get the most out of a membership given their distance to the majority of the club’s properties.

Distinctive Holiday Homes

Homes in Europe: 4 current; 6 in development.
Locations in Europe: Paris, France; Megeve (French Alps), France; London, England; Corsanico, Tuscany, Italy. Planned: Cotswold, England; Verbier, Switzerland; Bourdeaux, France; St. Tropez, France; Provence, France; Greece
Nationality: New Zealand

Whether it’s a rustic villa in Tuscany or a ski in/ski out 5-bedroom chalet in Verbier, Switzerland, Distinctive Holiday Homes has the continent well covered. The club has taken a truly global approach, targeting members in Europe, the US, and Australia.