From the time you realize that Hilton Grand Vacations timeshares are worth it, the next question for many travelers considering vacation ownership is, "What should I expect after I make my purchase?"

That was the exact question that ran through our minds when we decided vacation ownership was right for us. 

"We were blown away by the countless, amazing travel opportunities that we learned about in our sales presentation and were ready to dive right in. Thankfully, the vacation ownership program at Hilton Grand Vacations empowers Owners with plenty of resources to make planning their vacations easy."

How Hilton Grand Vacations Works

I couldn't wait to book our first vacation. However, as someone new to the world of timeshares, there was a lot to learn. As I explored Plan Your Vacation, the blog on Hilton Grand Vacations' website, I found the "Ask a Club Counselor" blog series.  

And it became a huge resource for me, especially the two following articles:

1. What New Timeshare Owners Need to Know
2. How to Use Your ClubPoints 

Once I understood the basics, the booking process became a breeze, and the toughest part became figuring out where to travel. 

One of the best resources is the Hilton Grand Vacations website, which has an Owners-only login with a wealth of knowledge. 

This site is my one-stop-shop for everything related to Hilton Grand Vacations. You can access everything you need to make the most of your membership — from exploring destinations and viewing your benefits to booking your reservations.

And while online booking is my personal preference, it's great to know that the Club Counselors are available at any time to answer questions. 

I've also found the Member dashboard, especially the "ClubPoints Summary" section, to be extremely helpful. It offers a snapshot of our point allotments over the next few years — Bonus Points included and helped us customize the vacation ownership program to fit our travel style. 

Vacation Planning Made Easy with Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshares

We chose to stay local for our first getaway — Orlando. With four Hilton Grand Vacations Orlando resorts, we couldn't go wrong.

Parc Soleil® by Hilton Grand Vacations was an ideal choice for us. Everything we wanted to do during our Orlando staycation was in proximity to the resort. From relaxing in the sunshine to being "tourists," we were a hop and a skip away. 

Here are my top tips to make your first Hilton Grand Vacations trip memorable:

• Download the mobile app and visit the "My Trips" section for information on your stay.
• Read Plan Your Vacation blog articles about your travel destination for great vacation ideas.
• Research the travel destination to find out where to eat and what to do, buy tickets, or make reservations if needed.
• Create a checklist of your trip essentials or a grocery list so you can enjoy your in-suite kitchen. As an example, wine is always a must for our quick staycations. 

Welcome Home: What to Expect When you Arrive

From check-in to interacting with various Team Members, the process is seamless. We even had the opportunity to meet with a Hilton Grand Vacations representative to learn more about how we can best use our points in the coming years, view some of the new locations and ask any questions about the program.

However, one of the most significant benefits of vacation ownership is a home-away-from-home feeling, combined with resort-like amenities and services, such as Concierge services, on-site activities and participation in Hilton CleanStay™.

Read My Journey to Elite Preferred Status to hear another Owner's story.