How do you decide which luxury hotels to go to?
Mar 29, 2019, 12:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
How do you decide which luxury hotels to go to?
Hi Everyone,
I’m new to the forum here (although I’ve been reading threads for about a year) and decided I should take the leap to start posting, as we are looking to plan some bigger trips in the coming years. We are more focused on luxury travel now than we have been in the past, and I was hoping to get a sense of how other people plan their travel in this category and avoid making mistakes.
How do you guys decide where you are going next? Do you pick the destination first (ex. Paris) and then find the best luxury hotel option that suits your needs? Or is the hotel property the actual destination you want to go to (I can see this being true for Aman properties)? Either way, what resources do you recommend for finding and also vetting luxury hotels? Maybe the Flyertalk Hotel Reviews? If we are going to increase our average nightly cost on hotels, I want to make sure we are getting the best value.
I really appreciate your feedback!
I’m new to the forum here (although I’ve been reading threads for about a year) and decided I should take the leap to start posting, as we are looking to plan some bigger trips in the coming years. We are more focused on luxury travel now than we have been in the past, and I was hoping to get a sense of how other people plan their travel in this category and avoid making mistakes.
How do you guys decide where you are going next? Do you pick the destination first (ex. Paris) and then find the best luxury hotel option that suits your needs? Or is the hotel property the actual destination you want to go to (I can see this being true for Aman properties)? Either way, what resources do you recommend for finding and also vetting luxury hotels? Maybe the Flyertalk Hotel Reviews? If we are going to increase our average nightly cost on hotels, I want to make sure we are getting the best value.
I really appreciate your feedback!
Mar 29, 2019, 1:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 226
I do a combination of identifying where I want to go and then research places to stay, or I find places from magazines, twitter, newspapers, blogs and message boards. On organized trips curated by a travel agent, I choose among the choices given. I look at the websites, and try to find reviews.
Mar 29, 2019, 1:09 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
Hi Everyone,
I’m new to the forum here (although I’ve been reading threads for about a year) and decided I should take the leap to start posting, as we are looking to plan some bigger trips in the coming years. We are more focused on luxury travel now than we have been in the past, and I was hoping to get a sense of how other people plan their travel in this category and avoid making mistakes.
How do you guys decide where you are going next? Do you pick the destination first (ex. Paris) and then find the best luxury hotel option that suits your needs? Or is the hotel property the actual destination you want to go to (I can see this being true for Aman properties)? Either way, what resources do you recommend for finding and also vetting luxury hotels? Maybe the Flyertalk Hotel Reviews? If we are going to increase our average nightly cost on hotels, I want to make sure we are getting the best value.
I really appreciate your feedback!
I’m new to the forum here (although I’ve been reading threads for about a year) and decided I should take the leap to start posting, as we are looking to plan some bigger trips in the coming years. We are more focused on luxury travel now than we have been in the past, and I was hoping to get a sense of how other people plan their travel in this category and avoid making mistakes.
How do you guys decide where you are going next? Do you pick the destination first (ex. Paris) and then find the best luxury hotel option that suits your needs? Or is the hotel property the actual destination you want to go to (I can see this being true for Aman properties)? Either way, what resources do you recommend for finding and also vetting luxury hotels? Maybe the Flyertalk Hotel Reviews? If we are going to increase our average nightly cost on hotels, I want to make sure we are getting the best value.
I really appreciate your feedback!
Mar 29, 2019, 1:41 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Historically, choices have been guided by both locale and property. But there have been some trips specifically motivated by the property; Twin Farms in Vermont, Manoir Hovey, Eastern Townships, Quebec, Laucala in Fiji. It is rare we stay in a non-luxury establishment but it happens (e.g., Edinburgh).
Of late, however, a third criterion has been added: ease of travel. Typically this means non-stop flights of no more than five hours or so. We often repair to Cabo not because we love it (we don't) but because it is a warm beach locale graced with Las Ventanas AND only 2.5 hours from SFO.
There are a number of ostensibly luxe wilderness lodges in B.C. as well as Montana/Wyoming we would love to experience but, alas, we are past our sell-by date.
Of late, however, a third criterion has been added: ease of travel. Typically this means non-stop flights of no more than five hours or so. We often repair to Cabo not because we love it (we don't) but because it is a warm beach locale graced with Las Ventanas AND only 2.5 hours from SFO.
There are a number of ostensibly luxe wilderness lodges in B.C. as well as Montana/Wyoming we would love to experience but, alas, we are past our sell-by date.
Mar 29, 2019, 1:55 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Thank you! We've seen the photos of Laucala all over Instagram and it's definitely on our list of places to visit. I've just passively come across "destination" properties on Instagram and that's worked for me so far. Do you have a specific website or something that you go to in order to 'discover' new hotels that are trip-worthy in and of themselves? Maybe magazines like Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler have a round up or list of great hotels, but it's been awhile since I've read a magazine...
Mar 29, 2019, 7:00 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
Thank you! We've seen the photos of Laucala all over Instagram and it's definitely on our list of places to visit. I've just passively come across "destination" properties on Instagram and that's worked for me so far. Do you have a specific website or something that you go to in order to 'discover' new hotels that are trip-worthy in and of themselves? Maybe magazines like Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler have a round up or list of great hotels, but it's been awhile since I've read a magazine...
I'm down to choosing the places I have not been to, then deciding whether the luxury hotels offer enough compelling reason to visit. Rwanda was such a place we visited last year, which I waited until a luxury lodge opened. Sometimes the ease of going somewhere will mean we just end up doing it, even if we've been many times before, e.g. Paris is just a 2 hour train ride away. The weather is a big consideration, as I do not want to travel long distances to be somewhere during off-peak season (providing off-peak means bad weather, as opposed to what some properties declare it to mean simply outside school holidays), so that further limits choices down and then it's a case of trying to plan for the priority destinations and work out where they can fit in. I do also change my travel plans more than my underwear, so nothing is ever concrete until that non-refundable deposit is taken. Even then it's 50/50.
Having been all around the world at a huge number of luxury properties, it's getting harder to find somewhere worth venturing long distances for. I feel at times we're scraping the barrel and tend to stick to where we've already been.
Mar 29, 2019, 7:07 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Asheville, NC
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club, Dorchester Diamond Club, Travel Leaders
Posts: 1,854
To the other considerations I would add ... compare locations. If per the OP’s example of Paris, why are you going? If first time sightseeing, I’d opt for a hotel central to the museums and other attractions you’ll be visiting (perhaps Le Meurice). If shopping, then a hotel close to boutiques (Le Bristol) or the major designers (George V or Plaza Athenée). Want to be on the Left Bank? Perhaps Lutetia.
There are are so many great hotels in Paris - so make location one of your criteria.
There are are so many great hotels in Paris - so make location one of your criteria.
Last edited by DavidO; Mar 29, 2019 at 10:10 pm
Mar 30, 2019, 12:50 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
For me it's always the destination and/or the country. I've been to more than 120 sovereign states and many more overseas territories which aren't proper countries, such as French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Turks & Caicos etc. There has always been a significant reason to visit these places and having a luxury hotel isn't necessarily a priority with me, though it's nice if such properties exist. Twenty-odd years ago I did make a specific trip to the Philippines just to stay at Amanpulo but I also went to Siem Reap/Angkor in 1992 before any luxury hotels were available.
By the way, aspatz, if you do make it to Laucala, don't forget it's in Fiji which is well worth seeing. Ditto the Marriott North Island which is in the Seychelles where it's worth staying on Mahe and driving around for a few days.
If you only visit luxury hotels you won't see much of the world. Perhaps you don't want to . . . and that's OK with me.
By the way, aspatz, if you do make it to Laucala, don't forget it's in Fiji which is well worth seeing. Ditto the Marriott North Island which is in the Seychelles where it's worth staying on Mahe and driving around for a few days.
If you only visit luxury hotels you won't see much of the world. Perhaps you don't want to . . . and that's OK with me.
Last edited by Pausanias; Mar 30, 2019 at 4:54 am
Mar 30, 2019, 3:35 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
I choose the location first, and then check on FlyerTalk which hotel shall be preferred.
Speaking about Aman it happened that I chose the hotel experience before the country / place to visit (Amanbagh, Amanjiwo, Aman Sveti Stefan, etc.)
And last, in some cities, there are no brainers for me => Bangkok means MO, LA means Hotel Bel Air, London means Bvlgari
I am still struggling for selecting a nice place in some cities where there is no obvious choice (Singapore for example) so I tend to try 4-star hotels. I know it won’t be great but at least I am not disappointed as my expectations are low.
Speaking about Aman it happened that I chose the hotel experience before the country / place to visit (Amanbagh, Amanjiwo, Aman Sveti Stefan, etc.)
And last, in some cities, there are no brainers for me => Bangkok means MO, LA means Hotel Bel Air, London means Bvlgari
I am still struggling for selecting a nice place in some cities where there is no obvious choice (Singapore for example) so I tend to try 4-star hotels. I know it won’t be great but at least I am not disappointed as my expectations are low.
Mar 30, 2019, 2:27 pm
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
The way one travels and preferences for destination, mode of conveyance, purpose, accommdations, affordability change over time, and not only once but many times. Horizons both lengthen and shorten. There was a time when we traveled as Pausarias recommends and those sojourns were revelatory. Funding then was limited and so were our destinations in the States, Western Canada, Panama, Mexico, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, and the U.K.
With increased means we opted for new destinations AND luxury venues in the States, Norway, Iceland, Fiji, France, Quebec, with return visits to Mexico, Hawaii, and the U.K. These locales may be insufficiently exotic or authentic for some but, nevermind, we enjoyed the hell out of them.
However it is one chooses to travel is nothing to be ashamed of. In any choice, the selections necessarily entail turning away from worthy destinations and venues. It's useful to garner here suggestions, opinions recommendations, caveats and more. But I regret it when posters here are chided, however gently, for their choices and aspirations.
With increased means we opted for new destinations AND luxury venues in the States, Norway, Iceland, Fiji, France, Quebec, with return visits to Mexico, Hawaii, and the U.K. These locales may be insufficiently exotic or authentic for some but, nevermind, we enjoyed the hell out of them.
However it is one chooses to travel is nothing to be ashamed of. In any choice, the selections necessarily entail turning away from worthy destinations and venues. It's useful to garner here suggestions, opinions recommendations, caveats and more. But I regret it when posters here are chided, however gently, for their choices and aspirations.
Mar 30, 2019, 2:32 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
Mar 31, 2019, 10:57 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
Increasingly I look for luxury hotels that participate in chains with which I have top tier status. I also enjoy returning to old favorites, sometimes to check out renovations.