A Surprise Start With Berlin

It all started with a simple call to book a hotel room in Berlin. Midway through, I was transferred to a Hilton Grand Vacations representative offering a vacation package. I figured, “Why not hear them out?” — especially if it meant earning some Hilton Honors™ Points.

Minutes later, I had committed to a New York City vacation package and a timeshare presentation. I may have forgotten to loop in my (now) husband — oops!

 

The Presentation That Changed Everything

We scheduled our presentation for St. Patrick’s Day at West 57th Street, a Hilton Club. Our plan? Get in, get out, and enjoy the city.

We were skeptical. Like many, we assumed timeshare meant rigid schedules and limited destinations. But from the moment we met our sales executive, our assumptions began to shift.

Instead of a generic pitch, we had a personalized conversation about our travel habits. The focus wasn’t on selling — it was on understanding how we travel and whether Hilton Grand Vacations could enhance that.

The Turning Point

As we reviewed destinations, ClubPoints, and ownership options, something clicked. We realized we were already spending a lot on travel, and HGV offered a way to prepay for future adventures with more flexibility than we expected.

We chose a biennial allotment of 3,400 HGV ClubPoints, which fit perfectly with our rhythm of taking a big trip one year and smaller getaways the next.

Why It Works for Us

Since joining, we’ve celebrated our engagement at West 57th Street, honeymooned at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Las Vegas, and Ocean Tower, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Hawaii, and explored destinations we never imagined. Ironically, we’ve never stayed at our home resort — Tuscany Village, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Orlando — because we’ve had so many other options.

That’s the beauty of Hilton Grand Vacations: it’s not a one-size-fits-all model. It grows with you. 

Final Thoughts

Two and a half years later, we’re confident we made the right decision. Hilton Grand Vacations has given us the freedom to travel how we want, when we want — and we’re just getting started.

"So how do I feel about becoming a Member two and a half years later? I can say 100 percent that this was the right decision."

 

Key Takeaways

• A spontaneous vacation package offer led to an unexpected introduction to Hilton Grand Vacations.
• Initial skepticism about timeshare was replaced by curiosity after a personalized sales presentation.
• The flexibility of HGV ClubPoints and the ability to match ownership to travel style were major decision factors.
• The couple chose a biennial allotment of 3,400 ClubPoints to support their alternating travel rhythm.
• Since joining, they’ve celebrated milestones and explored multiple destinations — without ever staying at their home resort.
• Hilton Grand Vacations' flexible ownership model allows Members to grow their travel experiences over time.
• Two and a half years later, the decision to become Members  is still paying off in unforgettable vacations.

Read “One Hilton Grand Vacations Owner Busts A Few Timeshare Myths” to learn more ways vacation membership isn’t your typical timeshare.