What began as a simple introduction to the timeshare world evolved into something far greater than vacations, memberships, or luxury resorts. It became a lifelong journey rooted in friendship, loyalty, purpose, and family.
Our story with the club started many years ago through a traditional timeshare presentation, one of those moments most travelers experience casually while on vacation. At the time, we never imagined that a single decision would eventually shape our retirement dreams, introduce us to lifelong friends, and immerse us in a community that would become an extension of our family.
From the very beginning, our relationship with the organization felt different. One of the defining reasons was our connection to a sales director we had known since he was just seven years old. Watching him grow into a respected leader within the organization created a level of trust and personal connection that made every step of the journey meaningful. This was never simply business; it was personal history intertwined with shared growth.
Over the years, we upgraded multiple times, not because of pressure or sales tactics, but because our vision for the future evolved alongside the club itself. What started as occasional vacations gradually transformed into a retirement goal: spending our winters in Mexico surrounded by warmth, culture, friendship, and the lifestyle we had grown to love.
Along the way, the resorts became much more than destinations for vacations; they became the backdrop for some of the most important moments of our family’s life.
We celebrated numerous family events at the resort properties, creating memories that are now woven into the fabric of our family history. We hosted a cherished family reunion that brought generations together in a place that already felt like home. We celebrated our mother’s 80th birthday surrounded by loved ones, laughter, and the beauty of Mexico, a milestone made even more meaningful by the warmth and care of the staff who helped make the occasion unforgettable.
Perhaps most special of all was our daughter’s wedding. Watching her begin a new chapter of life in a setting that had already become so important to our own journey was deeply emotional. What made the experience extraordinary was not only the breathtaking location, but the people behind it, the staff and team members who treated our celebration as though it were their own family event. It transformed a beautiful wedding into a lifelong memory shared by everyone involved.
As our involvement deepened, something extraordinary happened. We stopped feeling like members and began feeling like insiders, part of the heartbeat of the organization. We came to know not only executives and leadership, but also the behind-the-scenes staff who make the experience unforgettable year after year. Housekeeping staff, servers, concierge teams, entertainers, maintenance crews, the people whose dedication often goes unnoticed became some of the people we looked forward to seeing most.
Our connection also grew through active participation in the annual members meetings, where we had the opportunity to engage directly with leadership, learn about the organization’s vision for the future, and contribute as long-standing members invested in its growth. These gatherings strengthened our sense of belonging and reinforced the transparency and accessibility that made the membership experience unique.
That involvement eventually led to participation on the Member Advisory Committee, where I was honored to contribute more directly to the continued evolution of the member experience. Serving as a liaison between members and leadership allowed us to share feedback, advocate for member perspectives, and help strengthen the relationship between ownership and the organization. It was deeply rewarding to play a small role in shaping future experiences for both longtime and new members alike. Being trusted with that responsibility reinforced how much this journey had grown beyond ownership; it had become a partnership built on mutual respect, communication, and shared commitment to the community.
Beyond the meetings and committee involvement, we became fully immersed in resort life itself. From themed evenings and cultural celebrations to wellness activities, entertainment programs, excursions, and social gatherings, we embraced virtually every onsite activity available. What started as participation soon evolved into tradition. Year after year, familiar activities became part of the rhythm of our lives, and the activity teams themselves became close friends whose energy and passion shaped so many unforgettable memories.
The relationship became genuine. Handshakes became hugs. Familiar faces became lifelong friends.
One of the most impactful chapters of our journey was becoming involved with the club’s community foundation. Through the foundation, we witnessed firsthand how hospitality can extend beyond luxury and into compassion, community support, and meaningful philanthropy.
Our involvement soon expanded beyond the resorts themselves and into volunteering within the local community. Participating in charitable initiatives and outreach programs gave us a deeper appreciation for the culture, people, and communities surrounding the destinations we had grown to love. Whether helping support families in need, participating in community-driven events, or contributing alongside staff and fellow members, volunteering became one of the most rewarding aspects of our journey.
Those experiences changed the way we viewed travel. Mexico was no longer simply a place we visited; it became a place where we invested our hearts, our time, and our energy. Giving back alongside the club family strengthened the bonds we had formed and reinforced the values that kept us returning year after year.
Perhaps the greatest gift of all has been the friendships formed along the way. Fellow members from all walks of life became part of our annual tradition. Every year feels less like returning to a resort and more like returning to a reunion. These are not casual vacation acquaintances; these are lifelong friends we genuinely look forward to seeing each season.
What makes this journey remarkable is that it was never really about ownership. It was about belonging.
Today, when we look back on our path from first-time timeshare guests to deeply connected members of this vacation club community, we see a story built on trust, loyalty, shared experiences, philanthropy, service, and human connection. The resorts may have brought us to Mexico, but the people are what keep bringing us back.
And as retirement drew closer and eventually became reality, our dream remained beautifully simple: to spend our winters surrounded by the people, places, and purpose that have become such an important part of our lives.
For us, this was never just a vacation investment.
It became family.
Wendy Murray
Wendy Murray, Villa Group Member, MAC Member, & TAFER Residence Club Member
Have a travel story you’d like to share? We’d love to feature it in an upcoming newsletter. Submit your Member Moment HERE : include your favorite memory, a photo if you have one, and how long you’ve been a member.
