Is Hilton Grand Vacations Worth It? The Experts Weigh In

If you’re wondering if Hilton Grand Vacations is worth it, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Hilton Grand Vacations (formerly Hilton Grand Vacations Club), including what it is, how it works, Hilton Grand Vacations’ recent acquisition of Bluegreen Vacations and Diamond Resorts, and how upgrading to HGV Max can help you access 200+ resorts in HGV’s newly expanded portfolio. Finally, we’ll let you in on some of our favorite Hilton Grand Vacations locations and tell you how you can become an HGV member for less with a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare resale from Timeshares Only. So, is Hilton Grand Vacations worth it? Let’s find out!

About Hilton Grand Vacations

Hilton Grand Vacations is a timeshare company that started as a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide Holdings, INC. Later, it broke off as its own publicly traded company. Through a licensing agreement, it manages several Hilton Worldwide-owned timeshare brands. These include the Hilton Grand Vacation Club, Hilton Vacation Club, and Hilton Club. Hilton Grand Vacations’ portfolio consists of over 200 resorts. Ninety-two properties are part of Hilton Grand Vacations’ original portfolio. The remaining resorts were added when HGV acquired Bluegreen Vacations and Diamond Resorts. Hilton Grand Vacations resorts can be found in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the UK, Japan, and beyond.

How Hilton Grand Vacations Works

In order to decide if Hilton Grand Vacations is worth it for you, it is first important to understand how it works. Hilton Grand Vacations uses a points-based system of ownership. To become a member, you must first purchase a timeshare at a “home resort” in HGV’s original portfolio. Once you purchase your home timeshare, you’ll receive an allotment of ClubPoints. The number of points you receive is determined by resort popularity, the season of your ownership, unit size, and other factors. At the end of each year, your points will expire, and you’ll receive a new allotment of points at the start of the next use year.

You can, of course, use your points to stay at your home Hilton resort since the number of points you purchase is equivalent to the value of your home timeshare. However, you can also use your points to stay at differently valued properties in HGV’s original portfolio by banking surplus points, purchasing more points or borrowing points as necessary. Thus, if you want to go on a ski trip one year, a beach getaway the next, and a desert adventure the year after that, you can. Moreover, HGV’s flexible banking and borrowing system means you can bank unused Hilton points for future use, borrow points to take bigger vacations in your current use year or save for bigger vacations in the future. But the flexibility doesn’t end there.

Vacation Exchange With RCI: Exploring the Options

Hilton Grand Vacations is also affiliated with RCI, the world’s largest vacation exchange network. Thus, as a Hilton Grand Vacations member, you get the option to enroll in RCI and access thousands of destinations and vacation experiences around the world. Vacation exchange with RCI is simple. Once you sign up, you can simply deposit your Hilton ClubPoints on RCI. RCI will then determine the points value of your ClubPoints based on things like user ratings, demand, number of beds, etc., and convert your Hilton ClubPoints into RCI Points. These RCI Points can be used for stays at more than 4,200 platform-affiliated resorts and more than 600,000 hotels worldwide, as well as cruises, flights, car rentals, and more!

Hilton Honors

Another great perk for Hilton Grand Vacations members is the Hilton Honors loyalty program. While anyone can sign up for Hilton Honors, certain benefits are only available to HGV members. Through Hilton Honors, HGV members earn points they can use for free hotel stays, airfare, car rentals, and more. HGV members can also convert their ClubPoints to Hilton Honors points and use them at Hilton hotels around the world. Hilton Honors offers different membership tiers, and benefits vary depending on your tier. However, HGV members automatically receive Elite status when they join the Hilton Honors loyalty program.

Bluegreen Vacations and Diamond Resorts Are Now Part of Hilton Grand Vacations

Another reason why Hilton Grand Vacations ownership might be worth it for you is the company’s recent acquisition of Bluegreen Vacations and Diamond Resorts. With the acquisition, HGV expanded its portfolio from 92 resorts to more than 200.

Bluegreen Vacations

Bluegreen Vacations is known for its unique themed resort collections. These include the Lighthouse, Cityscape, Amusement, Heritage, and, most famously, Great Outdoors Collections. In addition to its Great Outdoors Collection, Bluegreen’s exclusive partnership with Bass Pro Shops makes it an especially popular choice with nature enthusiasts.

Diamond Resorts

Diamond Resorts offers everything you need to enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating vacation. Their resorts feature spacious suites with all the comforts of home and top-tier amenities that let you spend every minute of your vacation making lasting memories. Diamond Resorts timeshares can be found in the world’s most sought-after vacation destinations, including Hawaii, Orlando, France, Italy, and beyond!

HGV Max

While Hilton Grand Vacations owners don’t get automatic access to Diamond and Bluegreen resorts, they do have the option to upgrade to an HGV Max membership. HGV Max members get access to Hilton Grand Vacations’ full portfolio of Hilton, Bluegreen, and Diamond locations, as well as discounts at Hilton hotels and resorts, exclusive events, and more.

How Much Does a Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare Cost?

Now that you know the benefits of owning a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare, let’s look at the costs. The average retail price for a new HGV timeshare is $22,000, not including other fees for financing. However, while hotel prices go up year after year when you buy a timeshare, you lock in years of future vacations at today’s prices. This can potentially save you substantial sums of money over a lifetime of travel. Not to mention, when you shop on the resale market, you can save thousands on your Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare compared to buying retail.

That said, the initial purchase price isn’t the only cost associated with owning an HGV timeshare. Keep in mind that with any timeshare, you’ll be responsible for paying annual maintenance fees. These annual dues are the same whether you buy your timeshare directly from Hilton or on the resale market. They also tend to go up over time. Maintenance fees cover expenses like resort maintenance, staff salaries, and amenity upgrades, and they tend to increase due to factors like inflation and aging facilities. In 2024, the annual maintenance fee for Hilton Grand Vacations range from $600 to $5,000.

The Verdict Is In: Is Hilton Grand Vacations Worth It?

So, with the benefits and costs of owning a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare in mind, is Hilton Grand Vacations worth it? That’s up to you! In the end, whether or not a timeshare is worth it depends on your needs. If you’re someone who doesn’t tend to travel very often, or you prefer the streamlined nature of a smaller vacation club, then a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare may not be for you. But for avid travelers looking for a more luxurious way to vacation, timesharing is the way to go. And if you’re looking for a flexible vacation club with customizable ownership options and endless travel opportunities, you can’t go wrong with Hilton Grand Vacations.

Top Hilton Grand Vacations Resorts

We’ve looked at the benefits and costs of owning a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare. Now comes the fun part: looking at resorts! When it comes to Hilton properties, you’d be hard-pressed to find a resort that didn’t wow you. Still, a few Hilton Grand Vacations resorts are a little more, well, grand than the rest. Let’s take a look at some of the top Hilton Grand Vacations resorts!

Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations

Elara is a brand-new HGV resort located right on the Las Vegas Strip. Winner of ARDA’s 2024 ACE Project of Excellence Award, this 50-story high-rise exemplifies Las Vegas decadence with its lavish accommodations and superabundant amenities. Hilton Grand Vacations-designated units are located on the top four floors, offering stunning views of the Vegas cityscape. They come in studio, one-, and two-bedroom configurations and feature more upscale furnishings than the rooms below, as well as extra amenities like balconies. The resort amenities include restaurants, cafes, and bars, a swimming pool with private cabanas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a business center.

But the best thing about Elara has to be the location. Occupying center-Strip real estate, Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations puts you right in the middle of the Las Vegas action. Enjoy walkable convenience to everything the City of Sin has to offer, from world-class gaming and entertainment to endless shopping and dining opportunities.

Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld

Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld is located right across the street from the SeaWorld amusement park in sunny Orlando, Florida. Enjoy convenient access to all SeaWorld parks, including the main park, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove, as well as other premier attractions like Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. Take advantage of the shuttle to make accessing the parks even more convenient. It’s free for SeaWorld and Universal parks, but there is a fee for Shuttle service to Disney World.

When you aren’t spending time at the theme parks, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do at the resort. Amenities include three pools, five hot tubs, a children’s activity center, a fitness center, and a tennis court. On-site dining is also available at the Cora Reef Bar and Grille.

The accommodations at Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld are every bit as luxurious as you’d expect from a Hilton resort. Studios feature a kitchenette, while suites come with a full kitchen and master bedroom with an attached bath. All suites and some studios also feature a private patio or balcony.

Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations

Hilton Grand Vacations boasts resorts across the whole Hawaiian archipelago, but Kings’ Land is one of the best. Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations is what you think of when you think of Hawaiian resorts. It features lush tropical landscaping and views of the Mauna Kea volcano, the highest point in all of Hawaii.

Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations offers a free shuttle service to nearby Hilton Waikoloa Village. Here, you’ll find tons of shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a lagoon and spa. However, Kings’ Land has plenty of top-notch amenities of its own, including championship golf courses, sand-bottom pools and on-site dining options.

At Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations, you can choose from spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites with all the comforts of home and then some. With fully equipped kitchens, in-unit laundry machines, and flat-screen TVs, you’re sure to feel right at home during your stay. Meanwhile, warm Hawaiian décor and private lanais with views of the volcanic surroundings are a constant reminder that you’re not in Kansas anymore.

Other Great Hilton Grand Vacations Resorts

We’ve only scratched the surface of the amazing resorts you’ll have access to as a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare owner. Check out these other popular locations in HGV’s portfolio!

• Hilton Grand Vacations at Hilton Hawaiian Village – Honolulu, Hawaii
• Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations – Honolulu, Hawaii
• Hilton Grand Vacations at Anderson Ocean Club – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Hilton Grand Vacations at Tuscany Village – Orlando, Florida
• The Hilton Club New York – New York City, New York
• Hilton Grand Vacations at Craigendarroch – Ballater, Scotland
• Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo – Las Vegas, Nevada

Buy a Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare With Timeshares Only

As we’ve seen, Hilton Grand Vacations is worth it for the locations, luxury, and flexibility alone. But you can get even more value out of your HGV timeshare by shopping on the resale market. The resale, or secondary market, is where owners who can no longer afford or use their timeshares go to post them for sale. Because they set their own price, you can find an amazing deal on your HGV timeshare ownership by shopping on the resale market. In fact, you can potentially save thousands of dollars compared to buying directly from Hilton.

As an ARDA-recommended resale marketplace with 30 years of experience and an A+ rating by the BBB, Timeshares Only is the go-to outlet for owners looking to advertise their timeshares on the secondary market. In turn, that makes us your go-to source for secondary-market timeshares. Our resale marketplace features tons of HGV timeshares at top locations and bottomed-out prices. Find yours today!