Programs: LH Sen, EK G, A-Club Diam, HH Diam, RZGP G, Leaders Club, Vertu Concierge
Posts: 289
"Hotel Bibles" (not to be found in bookstores)
Gallivanter's Guide
Base: Wiltshire, UK
Key people: Lyn Middlehurst and David Maslin
Price: GBP 125, GBP 152, GBP 163 (UK, Europe, Rest of World) http://www.gallivantersguide.com/
Andrew Harper
Base: Austin, Texas, USA
Key people: Richard and Carol Atkinson (unconfirmed rumour)
Price: US$ 500 initiation fee, US$ 400 p.a. (US$ 350 for online version)
US$ 150 p.a. for a reduced version http://www.andrewharper.com
Nota Bene
Base: London, UK
Key people: Anthony Lassmann
Price: US$ 420 p.a. http://www.nbreview.com/
A Rare World
Location: London, UK and West Hollywood, USA
Key people: Steven and Gordon MacGeachy, Patrick Waechter
Price: US$ 199 p.a. USA, US$ 249 p.a. ROW (for one issue p.a.) http://www.arareworld.com
INworldguide
Base: Munich, Germany
Key people: Peter Finkbeiner
Price: € 300 (one-time; not a subscription; rather a corporate branded gift) http://www.inworldguide.com/
Feedback
Base: Notting Hill, London, UK
Key people: Angus Hyland, Alan Fletcher
Price: nil (only available to friends & clients of design agency Pentagram) http://pentagram.com
Last edited by TrophyCollector; Nov 5, 09 at 3:49 am.
Reason: Added "A Rare World" on recommendation from Revolution
Have been suscribing to the Gallivanter's Guide since 1995. Discovered a few issues while staying at Amankila. I'm hooked and agree with 99% of her reviews and I also appreciate David Maslin's pictures. I also enjoy Ms Middlehurst European sensibilities. She is very professional and answers emails promptly if you need advice and even once sorted an unpleasant stay at a very famous resort by calling the CEO right away and were compensated not long after. Fabulous service recovery
The Gallivanters Guide (the book) is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Luxury travel.
I personally prefer Gallivanters (the subscription publication) over Harpers as I find it delves into service in particular in great detail and can be trusted to suggest the best rooms/suites.
I sometimes come across interesting places in North America in Harpers.
I follow Andrew Harper on twitter and I'm suprised at how often 'old' news is presented as brand new. Recently AH 'introduced' us all on twitter to GHM as if it is a brand new hotel group. Today AH tweeted about the new Ritz Carlton brand 'The Reserve' and its first hotel at Phulay Bay, Krabi. There was no mention that it was a makeover of the old Tubkaak Resort as reported on FT last year : Launch of new Ritz-Carlton brand - The Reserve.
while the harper twitter posted some stuff from this forum quickly, they must be going back through the archives as well, catching up on past news. maybe now theyll clarify re ritz reserve.
ah, apparently RC put out press today with another opening date. lets see if they make it this time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrophyCollector
I doubt that there is a guide that lists luxury hotels and hidden gems in those remote places, but they do exist. Plenty of them actually.
Gallivanter's Guide
Base: Wiltshire, UK
Key people: Lyn Middlehurst and David Maslin
Price: GBP 125, GBP 152, GBP 163 (UK, Europe, Rest of World) http://www.gallivantersguide.com/
Andrew Harper
Base: Austin, Texas, USA
Key people: Richard and Carol Atkinson (unconfirmed rumour)
Price: US$ 500 initiation fee, US$ 400 p.a. (US$ 350 for online version)
US$ 150 p.a. for a reduced version http://www.andrewharper.com
INworldguide
Base: Munich, Germany
Key people: Peter Finkbeiner
Price: € 300 (one-time; not a subscription; rather a corporate branded gift) http://www.inworldguide.com/
Feedback
Base: Notting Hill, London, UK
Key people: Angus Hyland, Alan Fletcher
Price: nil (only available to friends & clients of design agency Pentagram) http://pentagram.com
Programs: LH Sen, EK G, A-Club Diam, HH Diam, RZGP G, Leaders Club, Vertu Concierge
Posts: 289
Quote:
Originally Posted by paul2
Which publication do you prefer trophycollector ?
Being from a German-speaking, and lately French-speaking background, I had not come across those subscriber guides until recently.
TBH I just learned about the existence of the Gallivanter's Guide on FT. Previously, I heard about Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, but never really saw the product.
I am still collecting information, as to which guide may be useful for me.
The problem is that I have pretty much covered the "standard" destinations and am keen to see new countries.
My last trips were Transafrica, part of Silk Road & Transsiberia, Caucasus/Iran/Iraq. Always totally individually researched and booked and travelled (self-drive or taxis/limos) - although sometimes together with TrophyWoman.
I doubt that there is a guide that lists luxury hotels and hidden gems in those remote places, but they do exist. Plenty of them actually. Smooth Hotels in Tough Places
Last edited by TrophyCollector; Nov 5, 09 at 3:52 am.
Programs: LH Sen, EK G, A-Club Diam, HH Diam, RZGP G, Leaders Club, Vertu Concierge
Posts: 289
Quote:
Originally Posted by paul2
I follow Andrew Harper on twitter and I'm suprised at how often 'old' news is presented as brand new. Recently AH 'introduced' us all on twitter to GHM as if it is a brand new hotel group. Today AH tweeted about the new Ritz Carlton brand 'The Reserve' and its first hotel at Phulay Bay, Krabi. There was no mention that it was a makeover of the old Tubkaak Resort as reported on FT last year : Launch of new Ritz-Carlton brand - The Reserve.
After browsing the various websites:
To Mr. Harper's defense: he usually posts direct links to third-parties on twitter (here: to Ritz-Carlton) and does not comment them. And he admits that he is relatively new to the concept of twitter (not surprising for his generation).
Programs: LH SEN, BA BLUE, AMEX PLAT, Leaders Club, FC St. Pauli
Posts: 239
Happy
I am extremely happy with my subscription of both
- Gallivanters and
- Nota Bene (which sends a good designed book each quarter and interesting e-mail updates each month)
Harpers is too conservative and too US-centred for my taste.
What bothers me about "Rare World" is this: they do let the property know beforehand that they are coming in to write a review, which as you can imagine probably influences the quality of their stay.
