Plan Hilton Grand Vacations Travel Based On Your Preferred Style
When you look at your HGV Points, do you see a relaxing resort week, a launchpad for day trips, or the start of a grand adventure?
When I plan how to use my Hilton Grand Vacations Points every year, I enjoy browsing the resort inventory, discovering new locations, and imagining what kind of trip each destination could become. I find that the HGV resort portfolio is usually the best bargain for my points. I use RCI when I want to visit specific locations that do not have HGV resorts, explore more remote areas, or use remaining points closer to home when I am not planning a big trip. Over time, I have noticed that my trips tend to fall into four travel perspectives — whether I am traveling with friends, family or solo.
Resort Relaxation As A Dedicated Getaway Strategy
Resort Relaxation
HGV offers wonderful options for choosing the perfect resort location and staying on-site for either a short getaway or a full week of relaxation. Moorea (Tahiti), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Cancún (Mexico), and the Big Island (Hawaii) were favorite places for this style of travel. With daily activities available on the property, no one was ever bored. Exercise classes, snorkeling, kayaking, gym workouts and spa activities were all great options to enjoy.
Most resorts also offer multiple restaurants and dining options to enjoy throughout the week. Of course, there is always the option to shop locally and prepare meals in the well-appointed condos. Dining off-property can be a bit of a challenge in some locations, but the right local recommendation can become the highlight of the day. A luau at a neighboring resort, for example, was a fantastic evening of Hawaiian food and culture.
Day Trip Adventures Using A Central Home Base
“Day Trip Adventures” is my favorite perspective on travel because I can unpack once and still explore a wide area. I select a central resort through either Hilton Grand Vacations or RCI, then take daily side quests to experience the local region. Carlsbad (California), Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), Orlando (Florida), Williamsburg (Virginia), Kalispell (Montana), and Vancouver (Canada) have all been favorites for this type of travel. Research is critical to understanding viable day trip options, hours of operation, and specific days when attractions may be closed.
I like to plan activities every other day and leave open days to relax at the resort or take advantage of niche recommendations from local contacts. This also creates flexibility if the weather becomes questionable. Over time, I have found wonderful options for boating trips, botanical gardens, unique parks, beaches, historical homes and monuments, hiking, art museums and distinctive shopping experiences.
Grand Tours Built With Strategic Planning
I have taken prepackaged group tours in places I’m less familiar with, such as Peru and Bosnia, where we changed hotels every two to three nights. I enjoyed those trips for their more in-depth educational perspective, but I now prefer to create my own tour itineraries. This style of travel requires extensive advance coordination and careful reservation planning. I recommend working with an HGV travel counselor to determine the exact dates on which inventory is released for each resort — typically 9 months out — so you can secure your preferred dates. I have successfully used this approach in Scotland, in Thailand, and while exploring the national parks in Canada with a combination of Hilton hotels, and HGV and RCI resort accommodations.
The flexibility of renting a car and creating a driving vacation from place to place is a fantastic option in many destinations. Trains in Europe work especially well. Flying from one place to the next takes more advanced planning, but it was perfect for Thailand. I am currently considering a grand tour of either Portugal or Japan next year and would like to use trains to travel between resorts. Using point stretching to save current-year points and borrowing forward from the subsequent year should provide flexibility for three or four stops on the tour.
Local Exploring For Flexible Point Usage
I become a local explorer when I have points expiring by the end of the year. Typically, I choose RCI resorts in Texas, although I have also considered Oklahoma and Arkansas as options within a three- to five-hour drive from home. There are so many state parks for hiking, small towns to explore, and unique history and art museums to discover. Local recommendations can also lead to lesser-known adventures. Driving out to Bandera, Texas — considered the “Cowboy Capital of the World” — was an unexpected and memorable way to spend an afternoon touring the Hill Country.
How To Choose The Right Travel Perspective For Your Goals
Whichever travel perspective fits your style, HGV and RCI can offer plenty of possibilities with advance planning, flexibility and a willingness to explore. The best use of your points is the one that matches how you most enjoy traveling, whether that means settling into a resort, using one location as a base for day trips, building a multi-stop itinerary, or discovering hidden gems closer to home. Which travel perspective fits your criteria? Where will your next adventure take you?
Key Takeaways
HGV Points Support Multiple Travel Styles: Choose between resort relaxation, day trip adventures, grand tours, or local getaways.
Advanced Planning Improves Availability: Booking early helps secure high-demand destinations and preferred dates.
RCI Expands Destination Options: Exchange access opens travel opportunities beyond Hilton Grand Vacations resorts.
Flexible Point Usage Maximizes Value: Borrowing and stretching points support longer or multi-destination trips.
FAQs
Q: What are the best ways to use Hilton Grand Vacations Points?
A: HGV Points can be used for resort stays, day trip travel, multi-destination tours or local getaways, depending on your travel goals.
Q: When should I book Hilton Grand Vacations resorts?
A: Inventory is typically released about nine months in advance, so early planning is recommended.
Q: Can HGV points be used outside HGV resorts?
A: Yes, points can be used through RCI to access destinations beyond the HGV portfolio.
Q: What is a grand tour travel style?
A: A grand tour involves visiting multiple destinations with planned stays across different locations.
Q: How can I use expiring Hilton Grand Vacations points?
A: Expiring points can be used for nearby trips, such as regional driving getaways or shorter stays.
