The Biggest Trend in Luxury Travel Isn’t a Five-Star Hotel—It’s This Posh Perk

For as long as we can remember, a five-star hotel was the epitome of luxury travel. We mean, does it get any better than a well-appointed suite, high-end amenities, and an on-point staff to cater to your every need? Apparently, yes. Lately, members-only accommodations like Hoback Club and Yellowstone Club are sprouting up all over the West Coast, offering an elevated and intimate getaway.

Think of these members-only hotels as a modern take on yesteryear’s social clubs: Not only do members have somewhere to schmooze and take meetings, but they also have somewhere to stay. Instead of a mere guestroom, these hotel alternatives offer apartment-like complexes that are perfect for long-term stays. At Yellowstone Club, applicants can purchase an array of ranches, homesites, or custom residences.

Tuck Fauntleroy

“The private, intimate environment allows for connection with like-minded members, providing a warm, residential atmosphere that feels more like a home than a hotel,” Megan McClintock, property manager at Hoback Club. “The high-touch service feels intuitive and not transactional, and our staff become experts in understanding our members’ needs and preferences.”

Like most sophisticated spaces, there are also jaw-dropping amenities. Hoback Club, for example, boasts ski-in, ski-out access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort; a top-of-the-line spa with a full hydrotherapy circuit and Himalayan salt relaxation room, and cuisine curated by Michelin-minted chef Jean-Louis Dumonet.

Tuck Fauntleroy

The catch: If you’re going to belong to a members-only space that’s as fabulous as one of these spaces, prepare to fork over some money: Reports claim fees for Hoback Club start at $150,000, though various membership tiers make it possible to find a plan that matches your budget and preferences. Though Yellowstone Club keeps their numbers on the down-low, previous reports have quoted a $300,000 membership deposit, $36,000 annual dues, and an annual $10,000 payment to the property owner’s association. Of course, that’s before you factor in buying a unit, which many members-only properties require and can cost up to seven figures. (Almost like a timeshare, but with really, really fancy perks.)

An expense? Certainly, but McClintock says members-only properties offer a flexible, seamless travel experience. “We’re seeing a growing demand for flexibility and ease in travel, and membership-driven travel helps eliminate decision fatigue for high-frequency travel,” she says. “Knowing you have a seamless, tailor-made experience waiting for you reduces the need for constant planning and allows for more spontaneous travel, which appeals to both busy executives and families seeking efficiency and consistency.” She has a point: Since you’re buying a little slice of paradise, you can go to the same place every time and know it’s going to be a trip to remember.

McClintock adds that Hoback Club vets each member to maintain its “high standards of privacy, respect, and community,” so you’ll be in good company.

Pendry Newport Beach

If you like the idea of a members-only hotel, but don’t want to hop on a plane every time you want to enjoy the lap of luxury, maybe this is your sign to join a local program. From the Battery in San Francisco to the Soho House and The Aster in Los Angeles, social clubs with hotel components offer the best of both worlds—often for a fraction of the price. 

Nestled in the Pendry’s Newport Beach outpost, the Elwood Club gives members access to the hotel’s pool and spa facilities as well as private bars, restaurants, and family spaces on-site. There’s also a jam-packed social calendar, so you can make some friends along the way. While the Elwood Club says its annual fees are “confidential and not publicly disclosed,” some reports estimate a membership can set you back $5,000 per year. 

Pendry Newport Beach

More cost-effective, yet still an expense. But if you ask Patricia Wong, club director of the Elwood Club, membership can pay for itself in dividends. 

“Membership transforms luxury from a temporary indulgence into a lifestyle, offering a true home away from home,” she says. “From after-hours gatherings and intimate cultural programming to familiar faces and personalized experiences, the Elwood Club creates an atmosphere of effortless belonging that extends well beyond a traditional hotel stay.”