Harper vs Gallivanter vs INworldguide vs ?
Nov 4, 2009, 9:12 am
#1
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Harper vs Gallivanter vs INworldguide vs ?
Who can give recommendations and a comparison on the various subscriber "hotel bibles"?
Nov 4, 2009, 12:10 pm
#3
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"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
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, 2009 at 2:49 am Reason: Added "A Rare World" on recommendation from Revolution
Nov 4, 2009, 12:39 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Here, There, and Everywhere
Posts: 226
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^
Nov 4, 2009, 2:40 pm
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
if were talking memberships as well >
^ can you say what hotel company?
^ can you say what hotel company?
Nov 4, 2009, 3:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin,Ireland
Posts: 1,294
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 :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...d-reserve.html
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 :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...d-reserve.html
Nov 4, 2009, 3:21 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
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.
http://www.departures.com/articles/t...avel-outfitter
http://www.wildfrontiers.co.uk/
ah, apparently RC put out press today with another opening date. lets see if they make it this time.
http://www.wildfrontiers.co.uk/
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 4, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Nov 4, 2009, 5:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin,Ireland
Posts: 1,294
"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
Key people:Anthony Lassmann
Price: US$ 420 p.a.
http://www.nbreview.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
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
Key people:Anthony Lassmann
Price: US$ 420 p.a.
http://www.nbreview.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
Nov 4, 2009, 10:45 pm
#10
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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. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...gh-places.html
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. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...gh-places.html
Last edited by TrophyCollector; Nov 5, 2009 at 2:52 am
Nov 4, 2009, 11:14 pm
#11
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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 :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...d-reserve.html
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).
Nov 5, 2009, 1:13 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Here, There, and Everywhere
Posts: 226
Interesting link: A Rare World Offers a Rare look at Luxury Hotels.
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20..._Luxury_Hotels
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20..._Luxury_Hotels
Nov 5, 2009, 1:26 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: BER
Programs: Amanjunkie, LH SEN
Posts: 750
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.
- 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.
Nov 5, 2009, 2:23 am
#14
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Interesting link: A Rare World Offers a Rare look at Luxury Hotels.
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20..._Luxury_Hotels
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20..._Luxury_Hotels
Nov 5, 2009, 2:54 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Here, There, and Everywhere
Posts: 226
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.