Travel and accommodation have always come in all shapes and sizes. From budget capsules in mega-cities to ultra-luxurious hotels in exotic locations. But what happens when you’ve exceeded that and want exclusivity that transcends a simple hotel check-in? Enter ThirdHome Reserve: the new way the wealthy are travelling and seeing the world.
And while this super-exclusive concept is reserved for a lucky few, I was invited to stay at one of their Reserve properties to learn more about the programme, meet their team, and experience how the one per cent holiday.
Chalet Gingembre Nendaz, Switzerland
ThirdHome Snapshot
Type: Luxury second-home exchange club
Founded: 2010
Best for: Owners of luxury second homes and vacation properties who want to travel the world without paying traditional rental rates
Property requirements: Generally accepts luxury second homes valued from around US$500,000, subject to approval and quality standards
How it works: Members make available one or more weeks in their qualifying property and receive travel credits called Keys, which can be redeemed for stays in thousands of luxury homes worldwide. It is not a direct home swap—members can book any available property using their Keys.
Destinations: More than 100 countries, with a portfolio of over 20,000 luxury homes, villas, yachts and residence clubs
Booking costs: Members pay an exchange fee for each stay, typically ranging from US$495–US$1,995 depending on the property’s Key value. Annual membership dues of US$295 apply after the first year.
Standout feature: Keys are awarded as soon as eligible weeks are deposited; you don’t have to wait for another member to book your home before planning your own trip.
What is the ThirdHome programme?
Ultimately, ThirdHome is for those who own a luxury second (or third, or fourth) holiday home. Once in, it allows its members to immediately reserve stays around the world for a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere.
Founder Wade Shealy
The concept itself was born from a simple observation. Founded by American business magnate Wade Shealy back in 2010, he noticed that many of his real estate clients would purchase luxury second homes, only to grow tired of visiting the same location within a couple of years. So, of course, why not travel to somebody else’s equally decadent holiday home in a new location instead? These days, the luxury travel club offers home and yacht exchanges and rentals around the world, with over 30,000 properties available in over 100 countries.
How does ThirdHome work exactly?
Casa Maleku Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
This isn’t simply another home swap, which usually requires exact dates and endless planning. Unlike other exchange companies, every property enrolled has to be the member’s vacation home, and not a primary residence. In fact, you don’t directly swap homes or money with anyone, and every property is strictly vetted for quality of location, furnishings, and value.
Instead, ThirdHome operates on a credit system called Keys, which serves as the currency for exchanges. Each home is assigned a Key value based on its market price, location, quality, and amenities. A peak-season week in a high-demand location, like Christmas in Aspen or summer in France, earns more Keys, while members can then spend their accumulated Keys to book stays in other homes within the network.
The exchange fee for a stay ranges from $495 to $1,995 USD for an entire week, which means members can expect to save around 90 per cent compared to the standard rental rate they’d usually pay. In short: by giving away weeks in your own holiday home, you unlock equally fabulous stays in other properties for a fraction of the price.
The ThirdHome Reserve Club is even more exclusive
Estate Paradise Valley, Arizona
The Reserve is an elevated tier within ThirdHome, offering access to an even more exclusive portfolio of ultra-luxury properties and experiences. While the standard Exchange Club requires a home valued from around $1 million USD, Reserve properties typically have an average value of well over $5 million USD and often come with exclusive features like staff, private chefs, and unique design elements. Reserve stays are often experience-led, like a fully staffed safari villa in Kenya’s Masai Mara or a private yacht in Southern Thailand, with property values reaching as high $70 million.
As a result, some of the world’s most famous faces are secret members of this exclusive society. While the ThirdHome team remains super hush about the names on their books, I’m told it’s everything from A-list actors and musicians to plenty of iconic sporting heroes. So not only do you get to stay in some of the world’s best properties, but you might just be sleeping under the roof of a global superstar, too.
As seen on TV: Millionaire Holiday Home Swap
The calibre of homes in ThirdHome’s Reserve tier is so lavish and downright mind-blowing that it landed its own TV show. The series Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, available to stream on Netflix, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the homes and holidays of ThirdHome members.
The series introduces viewers to US founder and CEO Wade Shealy and British Director of Strategy Giles Adams, who are both pros on screen – even though it’s their very first TV gig. Of course, it also showcases some of the incredible properties in the exclusive Reserve programme, including Cottar’s Mara Bush Villa in Kenya’s Masai Mara, Trail’s End in Whistler, Canada, and Seascape Escape in Koh Samui, Thailand, giving viewers a glimpse into the high-society home-swap lifestyle that has become an increasingly popular way for the elite to travel.
Southeast Asia is the new hot spot
Samujana villas, Koh Samui
ThirdHome started as a US-centric concept and has since expanded into a global network, with Asia Pacific now a key growth area. The company has seen a huge rise in luxury second-home ownership across Southeast Asia in recent years. However, demand for top-end Asian properties currently outstrips supply, so ThirdHome is actively working to expand its inventory in key Asian markets, particularly in destinations like Bali, Koh Samui, Phuket, and Niseko. In Thailand alone, there are currently 63 luxury homes in the network, with property values up to 330 million Baht (approximately $10 million USD).
Most recently, ThirdHome expanded its partnership with Samujana in Koh Samui, adding two sea-facing villas to its portfolio as part of its Thai luxury market expansion. During my visit, I had the chance to experience Samujana’s multi-level six-bedroom villa, complete with an L-shaped infinity pool and breathtaking ocean views. Each of the six en-suite bedrooms came with its own private balcony, and a dedicated villa manager was on hand to take care of absolutely everything. It genuinely felt like we had our own little boutique hotel. I could quickly see the appeal of ThirdHome Reserve’s programme – so much so that becoming a member one day has officially landed on my bucket list.
Frequently asked questions: ThirdHome
ThirdHome is a private luxury home exchange club for owners of second homes and vacation properties. Instead of renting your property, you exchange unused weeks for travel credits (“Keys”) that can be used to stay in other luxury homes around the world.
No. Unlike traditional home exchange websites, you do not need to find another member who wants to stay in your home at the same time. You earn Keys by depositing available weeks, then use those Keys whenever you want to book another property.
Membership is primarily aimed at owners of luxury second homes or qualifying vacation properties in desirable destinations. Every property is reviewed before being accepted into the club.
Keys are ThirdHome’s travel currency. Your property is assigned a Key value based on factors such as its location, quality and desirability. The more valuable the deposited week, the more Keys you earn to spend on future stays.
No. Once you deposit an eligible week, your Keys are issued immediately, allowing you to start booking stays without waiting for another member to reserve your property.
There is no upfront joining fee for most members. Instead, members pay an exchange fee for each booking (typically $495–$1,995 USD) plus annual membership dues of $295 USD after the first year.
Yes. ThirdHome operates as a members-only club with verified homeowners and provides up to $5 million USD in host protection for eligible stays, giving owners added peace of mind when welcoming guests.
Members can choose from a curated collection of luxury villas, city apartments, mountain lodges, beachfront homes, private estates, residence clubs and even yachts across more than 100 countries.
For owners of qualifying second homes who travel frequently, ThirdHome can offer exceptional value. By exchanging unused weeks instead of leaving a property vacant, members gain access to high-end accommodation around the world while paying only exchange fees rather than full rental rates.
Find out more about ThirdHome
But wait, there’s more…
- You’ll need some quality pours at any ThirdHome. How about some Gusbourne, England’s finest sparkling wine?
- We round up all the best boutique hotels and rentals in Phuket, Thailand
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