Your personal concierge service has just handed you the keys to your multimillion-dollar vacation home. Well, you actually own over 50 “vacation homes” around the world, in 20 destinations, but you never have to lift a finger to maintain them. Nor do you pay taxes or the mortgage, mow the lawn, do the gardening, make repairs, or clean the pool.
Either you’re the worst home owner ever, or you have wisely invested in The Hideaways Club—a portfolio of asset-based luxury investment properties around the world, as well as an exclusive lifestyle and destination club—in which case, this is all taken care of for you.
The Hideaways Club is celebrating 10 years of exceptional property portfolio growth since it’s inception in 2007. Membership has gone from 40 founding members to over 500 global members, with a 98 per cent satisfaction rate in the first-class concierge service that accompanies the residences.
Welcome to the Club!
Own a share of luxury properties, hassle-free
This City Collection penthouse apartment boasts 360 degree Manhattan views (Credit/Hideaways Club)
Unlike a timeshare, where you own nothing, fractional ownership means you actually own a share in the collection of properties, and therefore benefit from any increase in property value when the shares are sold. Investors can buy one of six share types across two funds.
Mike Balfour, together with cofounders Stephen Wise and Helmut Schön, officially launched The Hideaways Club first fund, the Classic Collection, in 2007.
We prefer to call it asset share. It’s a way for likeminded people to pool their money and buy a portfolio of assets they co-own.
—Stephen Wise, cofounder
Classic holiday villas and chalets are worth approximately £1.3m (US $2.0 million). The Hideaways’ second fund—the City Collection—was launched in 2011. This fund buys stylish and sophisticated luxury apartments in the most sought-after city locations.
Why owners are finding vacation homes to be a hassle
It’s a pain when you’re on holiday and things go wrong or break. It’s even worse if you’re not there to fix it. Don’t speak the local language or even know where the boiler is? Year-round property management at The Club takes care of all of these little details, so that the member doesn’t have to worry. All maintenance is covered by one annual cost contribution.
It’s nice to go back to a particular destination or resort, especially if the service is excellent, the standards exceptional, the décor and grounds impeccably maintained, and the staff courteous and professional at all times. But even five-star hotels can seem a bit worn, and staff come and go, unfortunately. Your time is precious. Don’t leave these things to chance when you go away on holiday.
You’re going home, not staying in a vacation rental.
Stargazer is a former 18th-century sugar plantation on Mauritius’ south coast (Credit/Hideaways Club)
The Club allows owners the flexibility of travelling to different locations, but you always know you’re going to get fabulous accommodation in a stellar location, with five-star service. Spend time in a tropical beachfront villa, ski the slopes at Christmastime, play the greens, get back to nature or throw yourself into city life in a penthouse apartment.
It’s in the details: International and local concierge
Your personal concierge will know just where to go for those hard-to-get tickets or dinner bookings (Credit/Hideaway Club)
Hideaways destination club allows members to enjoy a hassle-free vacation, starting with pre-trip planning, flight arrangements and transportation to the property. A multilingual dedicated personal and local concierge can help with reservations, purchases, or even hire a private chef for your dinner party.
I am not exaggerating when I say that The Hideaways Club has an excellent operational team that knows how to please the guests.
—Sue S., Classic Collection member since 2010
In preparation for the house guests, the kitchen is stocked with groceries and books, games, entertainment and fresh flowers. No request is too small or too big for the concierge staff at Hideaways. The Hideaways club concierge was highlighted as one of the top four luxury concierge services in the Robb Report article, “Squaring Off: We Measure Four Luxury Travel Concierges Against Each Other”.
Why join The Hideaways Club?
Stunning property in Marrakech, one hour from the Atlas Mountains (Credit/Hideaways Club)
The club will maintain a shares-to-home ratio of 6:1, and the occupancy rate is expected to be around 40–45 per cent. Hideaways’ target is to have a collection of 100 Classic properties and 600 members, and 1,200 City members and 100 properties. Owning a share of such a diversified, worldwide portfolio of properties means lower risk during economic downturns in property markets.
So what differentiates The Hideaways Club?
- Ownership – remember those keys the concierge was handing you earlier? This is not a time share. You are not a guest at the property, but an owner. And an owner of not only one property, but of a collection of luxury residences around the world. If you decide to sell your share, keep in mind that, on average, the funds’ specially chosen properties have risen in value by about 20 per cent.
- Variety – it is the spice of life, so why not give a new locale a go! It may be in a different country, a different climate and they speak a different language, but one thing’s always for sure: you’ll be staying in luxury interior-designed homes—with first-class Concierge Service—in unparalleled locations around the world.
- Choice — there are two property funds. Classic consists of spacious four and five-room villas and chalets that are secluded but still within easy reach of the inner city and local attractions. The second fund, City, consists of stylish apartments in the heart of the world’s most vibrant cities. Becoming a Hideaways Club member also gives guests access to a further 200+ partner properties across the world.
Kensington Gardens Apartment from The Hideaways Club on Vimeo.
The Hideaways Club has properties in over 20 destinations, including Turkey, Marrakech, Switzerland, France, Rome, Prague, Berlin and London.
We have already been allowed to visit 19 houses from several collections, and we have not been disappointed yet. The consistent quality of the houses and the unique concierge services makes it truly a [second] home for us.
—Michael L., Classic Collection member since 2009
Whether you’re after a quiet, beach holiday or an adventure-filled vacation with the extended family, here’s some of Refined Travellers’ favourite Hideaways Club properties around the world!
Villa Asmara, Bali: Family friendly
Lush gardens, a gated entrance and live in staff, with plenty of space for everyone (Credit/Hideaways Club)
A perfect hideaway for families, Villa Asmara near Canggu village offers loads of lush green garden space and separate pavilions that will occupy kids of all ages. Play hide-and-seek among the palm trees and splash around under the stars in the open-air bath. (Don’t worry—the kids will have plenty to do while you’re soaking!)
Luxuriously private (Credit/Hideaways Club)
Explore the nearby temples, monkey parks, or spend a day cycling through verdant rice fields before coming back to Asmara for a blockbuster in the private cinema room. This peaceful and welcoming villa may be close to the popular resorts of Kuta and Seminyak, but it still offers a spiritual and welcoming retreat for the whole family.
Baan Metta, Thailand: Beachfront bliss
Beachfront, private villa holiday experience (Credit/Hideaways Club)
Baan Metta, a beautiful, five-bedroom villa in Koh Samui, is made up of single-storey pavilions and salas. These are linked by courtyard gardens and a beachfront pool terrace. This Thai villa offers the ultimate in beach living by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand with a lovely pool area and access to the beach directly from the villa. Trendy Nikki Beach Club nearby has been voted as one of the best beach clubs in the world where kids can also enjoy extensive water activities.
Nendaz, Switzerland: Mountain air
Snow sports in the winter, hiking and biking in the summer (Credit/Hideaways Club)
Chalet Gingembre is a ski-in, ski-out chalet, located just above Haute Nendaz. It’s cosy and rustic but it comes with all the pampering frills! Have the in-house chef cook up a dinner party before soaking your quads in the outdoor hot tub, overlooking the magnificent mountains and valley below. In the summer, Haute Nendaz offer fantastic alpine hiking and paragliding, so this residence is perfect year-round for all types of activities.
Villa Vidro, Portugal: Active holiday
Exclusive resort, 20 minutes from Faro Airport (Credit/Hideaways Club)
The five-bedroom Villa Vidro property sleeps 10. It’s close to beautiful golf courses, a tennis academy, and the largest marina in Portugal. You’ll want to get out on a bike after your 18th hole and cycle along the six-kilometre sandy stretch of beach, the Praia da Falésia, with the soaring red cliffs. Rent a yacht, go fishing or snorkelling, or do some wine tastings at Sir Cliff Richards’ Adega do Cantor winery. Get adventurous during the day and enjoy the secluded luxury of Villa Vidro when you’re back home again.
The River Apartment, Bangkok: City break
Facilities include a gym, riverfront infinity pool and multipurpose sports courts (Credit/Hideaways Club)
River Apartment is only 45 minutes from the airport. While it’s central to shopping and the financial district, it remains an urban oasis. Staying in your Hideaways residence while in the city is more private than a hotel, and vastly more personal! Views over the Chao Phraya River and excellent facilities, such as an infinity pool and gym, make for a fine home base while exploring Bangkok.
The Hideaways Club membership details
For more information on membership packages and properties, get in touch here, send an email to [email protected], or follow the Hideaways Club on Instagram and Facebook for more beautiful photos of their properties.
Next stop: Villa La Solana, Ibiza!
Villa La Solana, Ibiza from The Hideaways Club on Vimeo.
Written By: Adriane Rysz