When Hyatt Hotels Corporation* entered the exciting world of vacation ownership in 1995, the company was venturing into unknown territory. But 30 years later, what’s been created is a legacy of helping families discover the power of vacations and the value of reconnecting with each other regularly.
What started with one charming Key West resort has grown to a thriving collection of 20+ resorts in unique, hand-selected destinations, and beyond. The memories will last a lifetime for the thousands of families who have become part of the Hyatt Vacation Club® family. But how did we get here?
The Beginnings
Hyatt Vacation Club began in 1995, based on the philosophy of Hyatt Hotels Corporation that true hospitality is guided by genuine care and helping people be their best. And to this day, Hyatt Vacation Club is driven by the belief that vacations don’t just make life better — they make us better.
Hyatt Sunset Harbor – now Hyatt Vacation Club® at Sunset Harbor — in Key West was the answer. The location, themed as a classic Florida retreat in the heart of Old Town, would offer magnificent water views, splendid western sunsets, and be close to the charming festivities found only at Mallory Square.
Owners soon developed a personal connection with the resort and built long-term relationships with other Owners and associates who were there at the same time each year. They created a community at their home away from home.
Early Adopters
Jim and Jill Drum were the first Owners at Sunset Harbor.
Stumbling upon the construction site of Sunset Harbor during a trip to Key West, it was the beauty of the destination and the trust they had in the Hyatt hotel brand that made them wonder if this could be their home away from home. Having just started a family, they realized they might not be able to travel the same way they used to. It could be challenging to jet off to Australia with a new baby!
“I fell in love with the place as soon as I got down there,” Jim Drum says. “I knew they were going to do a good job with it.”
In addition to the beauty of Key West, he says it was the whole experience that kept them coming back. The villas provided extra space, unlike being jammed into a one-bedroom hotel. And when he and his wife first started going to Sunset Harbor, they met a family with children around their kids’ age and became friends who looked forward to seeing each other each year. They even traded in their time at Sunset Harbor one year so they could all go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, together.
Vacation Memories
Over the years, the Drums have used their Ownership to visit other resorts in the Hyatt Vacation Club family, including sites in Colorado, Arizona, and throughout Florida.
One of their favorite memories happened during a trip to Hyatt Vacation Club® at Coconut Cove in Bonita Springs, Florida, when a slow day on the links gave the family the golf course to themselves.
“It was just the four of us out on that golf course. It was just one of my favorite days,” Drum says. “It was a lot of fun … we spent the day as a family out there.”
Cherished memories are key to Jim Drum’s love of Hyatt Vacation Club — whether it be spending Thanksgivings with his parents or the hope that his kids will be able to use it one day for their own family vacations.
Growing Options
While some Owners prefer going back to where they own every year, the Drum family also enjoys exploring other destinations.
Carmel, California, was one of their favorite West Coast destinations, and they have been able to spend time as a family because of their initial purchase in Key West.
Hyatt Vacation Club’s expansion was swift. From 1998 to 2008, the company opened another 13 timeshare resorts, extending all the way to California and Puerto Rico, as well as some ski locations in Colorado.
More destinations for vacation memories followed the acquisition of Welk Resorts in 2021, adding eight additional properties. Then the expanded family of more than 20 branded resorts was officially dubbed Hyatt Vacation Club in 2023, with two unique offerings: the Platinum Collection and the Heritage Collection.
Even as more destinations came online, there were also new ways to use vacation ownership offering value to Owners, such as the BEYOND program.** It allows eligible Portfolio Points and Platinum Points Owners to take advantage of experiences including cruises, guided tours, culinary tours, destination credit, and Hyatt Inclusive Collection Hotels.
Celebrating 30 Years
Three decades is something special to celebrate. Sunset Harbor marked its birthday with events in early April, and there’s still plenty to commemorate.
In the meantime, take a moment to remember your own Hyatt Vacation Club memories as we, along with the Drums, celebrate 30 years of vacations past — and those yet to come.
Looking back, Jim Drum says he would highly recommend vacation ownership to anyone considering it now.
"It's so hard to block out a week to go away with your family but I think it's so important," he says. “We have used it and enjoyed every second.”
Book your trip to Sunset Harbor in Key West, or another Hyatt Vacation Club adventure now.
* Hyatt Vacation Club ("HVC") and its related entities use the Hyatt names and marks under license from an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. HVC is not owned by or an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Hyatt Hotels Corporation and its affiliates make no representations, warranties, or guaranties with respect to HVC programs or products.
** Access to vacation experiences available through the BEYOND program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined in the applicable Hyatt Vacation Club® Platinum Program documents or HPC Club documents. Actual experiences may be provided via contractual arrangements with third-party providers and may require the payment of additional fees. The experiences described herein are examples of potential vacation opportunities and are subject to change.
More Travel Inspiration
3 Fun Key West Day Trips
With its easy-breezy, anything-goes vibe and claim to fame as the southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West is a treasured vacation destination.
Still, one of the best parts of Key West is its proximity to other tropical destinations. While you’re making your home at Hyatt Vacation Club® at Windward Pointe, explore three worthy side trips beyond the Conch Republic.*
Kick Back in Tropical Key West
Key West, FL, is a tropical resort town with a famously laid-back and quirky vibe. There are so many unique things to do in the Keys.*
The southernmost point of the continental United States is a beautiful place to chill out. Make the most of your time by experiencing a few of its highlights, from six-toed cats with a literary pedigree to incredible sunsets with a celebratory sideshow.
