Originally Posted by
chicagocat
Thank you all for the suggestions, I haven't checked the website re: lounge amenities but am now most intrigued! I appreciate the experienced and helpful opinions of FT from various geographic and demographic perspectives. I called the reservations manager today to confirm our itinerary and ask that she coordinates our move with the activities concierge to ensure the "seamless"transition I agreed to when I accepted the (just under) 2k credit on our stay for the cabin switch. We are looking forward to our trip, I sense the resort relies heavily on seasonal help and has just expanded significantly under new management... A few communication blunders and system glitches is no match to the incompetence and incivility of the Winvian crew. Robyn, you are quite right to deduce that our family is (relatively) new to luxury travel. Whatever happens at "Paws Up," we've booked the hot air balloon ride at Amangani and that should be awesome- to which our 7 yr old son asked my husband, "but will I be able to hold your hand and bring snacks?"
Now... That's our idea of a chuckle
thanks!
Here's to peak experiences!
We were all new and young once (unless we grew up in the "lap of luxury" - which I didn't). And I think that a property that purports to be a "luxury property" should be just that - for every guest.
Unfortunately - I have found that some properties don't act this way - especially when it comes to younger/inexperienced guests. For example - I recall arriving at the George V (under prior management) when I was in my early 30's. And the hotel said - we thought you were coming tomorrow - and don't have a room for you. But we have booked a room for you at our sister hotel (out at the airport). Now I was half-asleep - but didn't buy that for one minute
. Walked out of the hotel - and stayed at the Prince de Galles (next door). Of course - it's harder to do that in the middle of nowhere in Montana
.
OTOH - I once had a reservation at a "renovated room" at the Lodge at Vail - specified on my hotel confirmation. And - when we arrived - we were told. Good news - we can "upgrade" you to a larger place (unrenovated for 20+ years). We had paid 100% in advance - demanded a total cash refund - got it - and walked. Wound up somewhere in Breckenridge (pretty nice place) - Vail sold out.
I don't know if stuff like this still happens these days. But I do think that a luxury hotel should provide an excellent seamless experience except when it can't due to situations beyond its control. Without requiring a client to act as a lawyer in his/her own behalf - or to have a travel agent do that stuff for them. I often arrive in places many time zones away from home when my travel agent is sound asleep. Wouldn't think of calling him/her up at 3 am local time (when you get phone calls then - it's usually because someone has died).
With regard to your remark about seasonal help - I will add inexperienced/non-professional. I think it's pretty much that way in many (perhaps not all) properties in the mountain states - luxury or not. Just like every server in New York used to be a wannabe actor/actress - most service people I've encountered in that part of the world just aspired to be hot skiers.
As for the Winvian - probably the same issues with seasonal help. And - being from Florida - and having been to some of those "cutesy country" places in the NE US in the past - well those guys don't know how to do A/C right (assuming it's even possible to do A/C right in some old place that's leaking whatever somewhat cold air they can crank into a place faster than it comes in). It's honestly pretty hard to "cool off" in the summer - unless I go far away (last summer was Stockholm) - or am in a southern part of the US where we're great at A/C ^.
You take care. Have a great trip. Make sure the places you stay treat you well (without your asking them to). And report back. Robyn