Why More Travelers Are Tapping Vacation Homes

The Encore Club at Reunion, a master-planned vacation rental community in Orlando, has completed its first 77 homes.

ORLANDO—Visitors to Central Florida can now get more “mouse” for their money. The Encore Club at Reunion, a master-planned vacation rental community in Orlando, has completed its first 77 homes, offering guests luxury and convenience a fraction of the price of nearby hotels—and presenting investors an opportunity to own a piece of the world’s vacation capital and the US’s number one tourism destination. Developed by Florida-based Encore Capital Management , a diversified real estate investment and development firm with nearly $2 billion in assets under management, The Encore Club features luxury homes comprising between five and 13 bedrooms intended as vacation rentals for families and groups. GlobeSt.com caught up with Encore’s James Schumaker to find out why this concept is hitting with travelers in part one of this exclusive interview. GlobeSt.com: Tell us about Encore’s newest development in Orlando. What’s the status of that project and what can guests expect? Schumaker : The Encore Club at Reunion is a luxury resort community of 742 vacation rental homes now under construction minutes from Walt Disney World. The first homes were turned over to their owners in January and all told over 250 of the homes have sold to investors around the world, most of whom will rent their properties out year-round. Our floorplans offer between five and 13 bedrooms, making them an ideal option for large groups and families traveling to the Orlando area. Each home has standard features such as an in-ground pool, two car garage, and the latest fiber optic technology. There’s an aqua park with water slides and kid’s splash areas, private cabanas, 24-hour concierge service, complimentary shuttle service to the theme parks, a fitness center, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, clubhouse with restaurants, and an upscale bar and lounge. GlobeSt.com: Why did Encore choose Orlando for this project, and why now? Schumaker : Orlando is the number one tourism destination in the world, with a record-setting 62 million visitors in 2014. That’s more than 30 million room nights. As hotel prices inch higher, we see opportunity in the luxury vacation home rental space—especially among price-conscious groups who don’t want to sacrifice amenities or location. This approach is attracting investors from as far away as Brazil, the United Kingdom, Dubai and China who view buying at The Encore Club as great way to have their own US home and rental capabilities when not vacationing themselves. GlobeSt.com: How do the economics of renting a vacation home compare to a hotel room? Schumaker : Rentals at The Encore Club appeal to travelers who don’t want to break the bank and don’t want to break-up into individual hotel rooms, which is a large segment of visitors in a family-friendly destination like Orlando. The average cost of a 4-star, five-bedroom home at The Encore Club begins at $60 per room, per couple for one night. A comparable hotel room at a nearby 4-star hotel would easily cost $300 per night. The rental model is especially popular among large groups and multigenerational families, which make up the fastest-growing category of the tourism.