Best "Wow" Moments?
Jul 15, 2016, 12:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
Best "Wow" Moments?
What are some of the best wow moments you have ever had?
For me the hand written welcome letter always gets me. It is such a simple thing but something I always appreciate.
For me the hand written welcome letter always gets me. It is such a simple thing but something I always appreciate.
Jul 15, 2016, 12:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
I thought being upgraded from a basic room to Ed Tuttle's villa at Amanpuri was pretty special. They said, sorry, you only booked yesterday and we don't have anywhere else to put you. That's OK, we said, we understand.
Amanpuri, Thailand by UltraPanavision, on Flickr
Amanpuri, Thailand by UltraPanavision, on Flickr
Jul 15, 2016, 12:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Interesting thread... So many that I can recall in my past 10 years of staying at luxury hotels. Upgrades are nice, and I can be impressed with a very beautiful physical product but I usually love outstanding service where staff takes the initiative to go beyond the call of duty.
Off hand that I can recall a few
1) Was corresponding by back and forth email over some matters with the Dolder Grand Zurich concierge that wasn't very clear. Concierge then offered to call me long distance to speak to me and clarify over the phone for 15 mins. That was before Skype calls were common. ^
2) At the Peninsula Tokyo, I asked the power socket in the room to be re-positioned to fit my then bulky Macbook power supply and the in-house electrician managed to do just that. What's more impressive was that when I checked in to the hotel again 3 days later in a different room, this was already done automatically.
3) First time visiting London and staying at the Four Seasons Park Lane. Was asking for directions to some places. After explaining on the map and perhaps sensing that I'm not good with directions, the Concierge walked me 3 blocks away to my destination.
4) The Butlers at the Savoy London during my first stay 2 years ago, they took care of everything and made my stay fantastic, including even small details like my preference for the duvet to be tucked out during turndown, and my favourite amenities. Sadly, latter stays while still good wasn't that fantastic anymore.
5) Family outing at the Amanjiwo, by far the most outstanding service I had ever encountered. The outings, the trips, the food, everything is Wow.
These kind of cases appear to be getting lesser nowadays and hotels have high staff turnover and sometimes cost cutting and corporatisation means following procedures and lesser service.
Off hand that I can recall a few
1) Was corresponding by back and forth email over some matters with the Dolder Grand Zurich concierge that wasn't very clear. Concierge then offered to call me long distance to speak to me and clarify over the phone for 15 mins. That was before Skype calls were common. ^
2) At the Peninsula Tokyo, I asked the power socket in the room to be re-positioned to fit my then bulky Macbook power supply and the in-house electrician managed to do just that. What's more impressive was that when I checked in to the hotel again 3 days later in a different room, this was already done automatically.
3) First time visiting London and staying at the Four Seasons Park Lane. Was asking for directions to some places. After explaining on the map and perhaps sensing that I'm not good with directions, the Concierge walked me 3 blocks away to my destination.
4) The Butlers at the Savoy London during my first stay 2 years ago, they took care of everything and made my stay fantastic, including even small details like my preference for the duvet to be tucked out during turndown, and my favourite amenities. Sadly, latter stays while still good wasn't that fantastic anymore.
5) Family outing at the Amanjiwo, by far the most outstanding service I had ever encountered. The outings, the trips, the food, everything is Wow.
These kind of cases appear to be getting lesser nowadays and hotels have high staff turnover and sometimes cost cutting and corporatisation means following procedures and lesser service.
Jul 15, 2016, 1:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
Difficult to identify only a few.
Sometimes the public areas are spectacular, like Aman Canal Grande (climbing the stairs and arriving to the ballroom...
).
Discovering a beautiful suite can also produce a wow moment, I think about the Presidential suite at the Conventino in FS Florence (it was a fantastic upgrade from a junior suite for my birthday), or the Dalem Jiwo suite in Amanjiwo.
Sometimes it's service, like being offered a ride in a RR from FS Park Lane to the restaurant we had booked because of the rain. One of our first luxury stay was at the Oriental Bangkok, we had so much fun checking each time we were coming back to the room whether the ice bucket was full or not. We tried to catch them but they were always so quick
Sometimes the public areas are spectacular, like Aman Canal Grande (climbing the stairs and arriving to the ballroom...
).Discovering a beautiful suite can also produce a wow moment, I think about the Presidential suite at the Conventino in FS Florence (it was a fantastic upgrade from a junior suite for my birthday), or the Dalem Jiwo suite in Amanjiwo.
Sometimes it's service, like being offered a ride in a RR from FS Park Lane to the restaurant we had booked because of the rain. One of our first luxury stay was at the Oriental Bangkok, we had so much fun checking each time we were coming back to the room whether the ice bucket was full or not. We tried to catch them but they were always so quick
Jul 15, 2016, 1:42 pm
#5
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
A big WOW:
Being moved to the ocean front villa at St Regis Punta Mita with its own pool and jacuzzi. Stunning.
A little WOW:
Staying at the Hyatt Merida, Mexico, my husband asked for a DVD player. The hotel didn't have one. We came back later to find a staff member had been sent out to buy one and it had been installed in our suite.
Being moved to the ocean front villa at St Regis Punta Mita with its own pool and jacuzzi. Stunning.
A little WOW:
Staying at the Hyatt Merida, Mexico, my husband asked for a DVD player. The hotel didn't have one. We came back later to find a staff member had been sent out to buy one and it had been installed in our suite.
Jul 15, 2016, 2:56 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
- The dramatic views at the Post Ranch Inn.
- My (and my SOs) initials embroidered into the pillow cases at Pen LA.
- Feeding the toothy Pike from the pier at the now defunct Hotel Bora Bora.
- My (and my SOs) initials embroidered into the pillow cases at Pen LA.
- Feeding the toothy Pike from the pier at the now defunct Hotel Bora Bora.
Jul 15, 2016, 3:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: QF CL
Posts: 689
Three from Laucala for me:
- arrival in the villa, looking out across the private gardens to our private beach. Wow.
- "room service" for my children that first evening - served by two waiters in the garden dining area. The table was beautifully set as if it were on the elegant terrace of a restaurant; the staff seamlessly served and cleared each course of the meal from a hidden service area (the meal itself having been prepared off-menu to suit my sons' rather picky tastes at the time)
- my first bath in the massive stone outdoor tub (one of four baths - two indoors and two outdoors, in our villa). I'm not really a bath person. This one changed my perspective.
Pen LA - the embroidered pillowcases are a lovely touch
Carlyle - the balloons brought by a smiling maitre d'hotel for my sons as we ate in The Gallery
Saffire - the compelling sense of place you get as you contemplate the vista
Palazzo Sasso (as it then was) - after a difficult, delayed journey and midnight arrival at the hotel, throwing open the shutters of our room the next morning for my first breathtaking view of the sea
- arrival in the villa, looking out across the private gardens to our private beach. Wow.
- "room service" for my children that first evening - served by two waiters in the garden dining area. The table was beautifully set as if it were on the elegant terrace of a restaurant; the staff seamlessly served and cleared each course of the meal from a hidden service area (the meal itself having been prepared off-menu to suit my sons' rather picky tastes at the time)
- my first bath in the massive stone outdoor tub (one of four baths - two indoors and two outdoors, in our villa). I'm not really a bath person. This one changed my perspective.
Pen LA - the embroidered pillowcases are a lovely touch
Carlyle - the balloons brought by a smiling maitre d'hotel for my sons as we ate in The Gallery
Saffire - the compelling sense of place you get as you contemplate the vista
Palazzo Sasso (as it then was) - after a difficult, delayed journey and midnight arrival at the hotel, throwing open the shutters of our room the next morning for my first breathtaking view of the sea
Jul 16, 2016, 2:44 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,522
Originally Posted by Pierre&Cédric\
Sometimes it's service, like being offered a ride in a RR from FS Park Lane to the restaurant we had booked because of the rain.p
Jul 16, 2016, 9:08 am
#9
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Another WOW.
We were at the Hilton Odawara on a milestone birthday for my husband. There was a knock on our door. Room service pushed in a cart with a cake. There were 4 staff members who came with it and serenaded him. A man had a pitch pipe to set the tone. The four then sang a couple songs a cappella to him.
We were at the Hilton Odawara on a milestone birthday for my husband. There was a knock on our door. Room service pushed in a cart with a cake. There were 4 staff members who came with it and serenaded him. A man had a pitch pipe to set the tone. The four then sang a couple songs a cappella to him.
Jul 16, 2016, 12:43 pm
#11
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
On the occasion of our 20th wedding anniversary we decided to fly around the world. We flew AF Concorde and wrote to the Ritz Paris that it was our 20th anniversary and requested a King double room and a reservation in their restaurant. Our WOW moment came when we discovered that we were in the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Suite overlooking the Place Vendome . Every day another treat would arrive. One day it was a chocolate shoe filled with chocolates. Another day it was fine champagne. Of course, flowers were quite magnificent. We brought wine from home, it was a 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The sommelier was so happy for us and so delighted to decant this fine wine that he did not even charge corkage. Said it was a privilege to serve us.
That was our first stop. A tough act to follow but the rest of the trip was also wonderful.
That was our first stop. A tough act to follow but the rest of the trip was also wonderful.
Jul 17, 2016, 5:08 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CGK
Programs: FlyingBlue | Krisflyer | SPG | HHonors
Posts: 1,563
Some memorable WOW moments:
PH Seoul: Asked for directions to a Korean BBQ place while it was snowing and cold outside. Concierge on the ground floor actually escorted me through the side alley to the restaurant (about a 2 minute walk).
Andaz Wall Street: Received a package from the hotel after I asked about the usual check-out amenity that they used to have (but was discontinued). Its always the thought that counts not the gifts.
W Paris: Upgraded to a nice suite without asking. Decor was certainly impressive though not sure if I would like to stay in the suite again because of its quirky bed.
PH Seoul: Asked for directions to a Korean BBQ place while it was snowing and cold outside. Concierge on the ground floor actually escorted me through the side alley to the restaurant (about a 2 minute walk).
Andaz Wall Street: Received a package from the hotel after I asked about the usual check-out amenity that they used to have (but was discontinued). Its always the thought that counts not the gifts.
W Paris: Upgraded to a nice suite without asking. Decor was certainly impressive though not sure if I would like to stay in the suite again because of its quirky bed.
Jul 17, 2016, 8:05 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
On the occasion of our 20th wedding anniversary we decided to fly around the world. We flew AF Concorde and wrote to the Ritz Paris that it was our 20th anniversary and requested a King double room and a reservation in their restaurant. Our WOW moment came when we discovered that we were in the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Suite overlooking the Place Vendome . Every day another treat would arrive. One day it was a chocolate shoe filled with chocolates. Another day it was fine champagne. Of course, flowers were quite magnificent. We brought wine from home, it was a 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The sommelier was so happy for us and so delighted to decant this fine wine that he did not even charge corkage. Said it was a privilege to serve us.
That was our first stop. A tough act to follow but the rest of the trip was also wonderful.
That was our first stop. A tough act to follow but the rest of the trip was also wonderful.
Jul 17, 2016, 9:35 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
I have had some unexpected, unsolicited upgrades that the front desk did not tell me about, letting me be surprised (most memorably at the original St. Regis).
However, two service "wows" stand out, both involving opera tickets. In Bologna, I communicated with the concierge about tickets for a specific date. He responded that the chances were very small, but that he would try. When I arrived at the hotel, the tickets were waiting for me. I found out later that the performance was the opening night of the season, an "impossible" ticket, and that the concierge had obtained the tickets from the mother of one of the singers!
Second was in Copenhagen, when another performance (a premier) was long sold out. The concierge at the D'Angelterre got me in by sending a bellman to wait in a line on the day when the few cancelled pre-ordered tickets were re-sold by the box office.
However, two service "wows" stand out, both involving opera tickets. In Bologna, I communicated with the concierge about tickets for a specific date. He responded that the chances were very small, but that he would try. When I arrived at the hotel, the tickets were waiting for me. I found out later that the performance was the opening night of the season, an "impossible" ticket, and that the concierge had obtained the tickets from the mother of one of the singers!
Second was in Copenhagen, when another performance (a premier) was long sold out. The concierge at the D'Angelterre got me in by sending a bellman to wait in a line on the day when the few cancelled pre-ordered tickets were re-sold by the box office.
Jul 17, 2016, 10:30 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
So Many!
First time ( 1999) walking into beautiful suite at Singita Boulders overlooking the river with elephants on the other side after a fairly "rough" but wonderful trip in Botswana! The suite was gorgeous and on top of that had 24x7 power including a hair dryer! And a fabulous leopard sighting on our first drive! That was pretty wow at the time and I must say I still love the place today. So much so we are at the end of another trip to Southern Africa where we did our fifth stay at Singita Boulders among many others just now.
Secondly as I am sitting on the deck of our lovely room at the Ellerman House, watching a gorgeous winter sunset. First time here in 1999 was also a "wow" - same room, same gorgeous weather and sunsets despite being winter.
Amanjiwa put on a private " show" with a band of 30 dancers and magicians with a private dinner in the Presidential suite. It was a magical night also about 15 years ago. One of my greatest memories.
During business function being upgraded to the Presidential apartment in the Waldorf Astoria towers with pieces of furniture that had been donated from many major US president, full dining room, large living room, 2 bedrooms, and lots of little rooms along the hall for secret security! Definitely not needed for me! And at another business meeting having the Royal suite at the Palace Hotel in Madrid with full dining room, library, etc. there were these little balconies every so often where you could walk out and wave to the passing crowds - again not for me but I could imagine!
We are all so fortunate to have these great opportunities and experiences. Just a few memories! I'll write up reviews from our current trip in Africa when I get home next week. Zarafa, Chiefs, tswalu, Singita boulders, Ellerman House, Saxon.
First time ( 1999) walking into beautiful suite at Singita Boulders overlooking the river with elephants on the other side after a fairly "rough" but wonderful trip in Botswana! The suite was gorgeous and on top of that had 24x7 power including a hair dryer! And a fabulous leopard sighting on our first drive! That was pretty wow at the time and I must say I still love the place today. So much so we are at the end of another trip to Southern Africa where we did our fifth stay at Singita Boulders among many others just now.
Secondly as I am sitting on the deck of our lovely room at the Ellerman House, watching a gorgeous winter sunset. First time here in 1999 was also a "wow" - same room, same gorgeous weather and sunsets despite being winter.
Amanjiwa put on a private " show" with a band of 30 dancers and magicians with a private dinner in the Presidential suite. It was a magical night also about 15 years ago. One of my greatest memories.
During business function being upgraded to the Presidential apartment in the Waldorf Astoria towers with pieces of furniture that had been donated from many major US president, full dining room, large living room, 2 bedrooms, and lots of little rooms along the hall for secret security! Definitely not needed for me! And at another business meeting having the Royal suite at the Palace Hotel in Madrid with full dining room, library, etc. there were these little balconies every so often where you could walk out and wave to the passing crowds - again not for me but I could imagine!
We are all so fortunate to have these great opportunities and experiences. Just a few memories! I'll write up reviews from our current trip in Africa when I get home next week. Zarafa, Chiefs, tswalu, Singita boulders, Ellerman House, Saxon.