Timeshare resorts are a good option for people who want a luxurious vacation for a low price. Over the past decade, many major hotel chains have expanded into the timeshare market. In the mid 1980s, the renowned Marriott resort broke into the U.S. market, followed by Disney in 1991. Then came the really posh hotels like the Four Seasons resort and Ritz-Carlton chains, followed by exchange companies like Interval International and Resort Condominiums Inc.

Marriott is the most successful timeshare resort. Every other year, the timeshare owners of Marriott have the right to skip their visits to earn points that they can use at other Marriott hotels worldwide or swap with the timeshare owners of Interval International. Prices for a one-week ownership in this resort ranges from $9,000 to $51,900, depending on the resort and season with the annual fees ranging from $350 to $500.

The Walt Disney World timeshare resort is based mostly on the point system. Timeshare owners can use their vacation benefits in any of the five branches of the resort worldwide. If a family earns 230 points, they can stay for a week in the resort. Annual fees range from $475 to $600 for entry-level packages.

At the Four Seasons, a one-week stay in a 1,670-square-foot, two-bedroom villa costs $39,900 during the peak season in Scottsdale, plus an annual maintenance fee of $1,084.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Club operates 20 time-share resorts. Prices at these resorts start at $15,900 a week with an annual fee of about $600.

Many timeshare resorts are located in Egypt, which has a large services industry that is well equipped to handle the large number of tourists. The United States has the second largest number of timeshare resorts in the world.