Holiday Property Bond in National Trust magazine

My parents have had these for years and have had fabulous holidays through them. The properties are always of a good standard.

I knew someone who had this. It all sounds wonderful but she found it was really hard to get into the properties she really wanted. From what I could gather with popular locations you had to try and make a booking the minute that property became available for the dates you wanted. And if you did manage it often
the same people booked the same dates every year and it was all a bit cliquey. Probably fine if you’re happy to try different locations and aren’t restricted with dates.

My daughter and family have some of these bonds. They are off to Portugal (hopefully) in August.
They have had a few holidays using the bonds and are very happy with the properties but you do have to book early to get what you want.

I had a friend who had some wonderful holidays through this.

I also know people who had these snd were very happy with them.

I have been very tempted in the past but heard horror stories about timeshares (being stuck with them , increasing costs etc) so never took the plunge. With the rising cost of living way outstripping pensions, I fear that boat has sailed for me now!

I only know one family that had them and went to the same place every year. I think the potential costs would put me off now, we prefer to just book a cottage somewhere when we want.

I think if you want to get the best value, you need to start whilst you have a good few years left of active life, though your family can inherit the bond.

We have some friends who have been very happy with PHB for years. They persuaded us to send for a brochure. We then decided it wasn’t for us but we have been inundated with brochures ever since.

I was interested in buying this many years ago when I worked for a bank . We decided in order to buy it we would take out a staff loan. I waited ages for head office to clear this and in the end they declined as the bond holder's monies were at that time anyway held in the Isle of Man . I would avoid anything even remotly like timeshare now as friends have paid to get rid of theirs.

Unlike timeshare you are not limited to a particular week or place. If you want a popular week you do need to book 2 years in advance. The properties are very well maintained and the site managers are astonishingly helpful. I don't think it is a very cheap option for holidays but the quality is excellent - unlike privately owned places which can be variable. I've never found it cliquey - people are friendly. As for getting rid of your investment there is the option to resell but as far as I know people pass their 'points' on to their children or others.