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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 1:54 pm
  #31  
paul2
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Originally Posted by Ericka
As long as this thread has been bumped, I'd like to point out how trip advisor really helped me in the last few weeks.

Take a look at this hotel called Zeavola on Phi Phi. Gorgeous!
http://www.zeavola.com/

Now check out trip advisor. Even though most of the reviews are 5*, I was able to pick up on the following.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...i_Phi_Don.html
- All manner of motorized and foot traffic on the beach
- Rats. Rat droppings! In the rooms. On the dining tables.
- Clouds of mosquitos that accost you in the open-air bathrooms
- Inconsistent service
- Generator noise from neighboring hotel
- Ability to see from one room into another
Ericka you should also check out the Thailand forum on FT when researching for trips. I wouldnt discuss Zeavola in much detail on the Lux forum but I would on the Thailand forum. There are lots of 'beautiful' resorts in Thailand but service and maintenance are nearly always a problem.
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 9:46 pm
  #32  
Non-NonRev
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Originally Posted by BENLEE
I almost never trust travel magazines reviews. They are usually just "advertorial" and never point out things that are actually disatisfactory about the hotel. Most of the writers of these articles don't even actually stayed at the hotel and some hotels, esp the chains are regulars advertisers in these magazines, I doubt they can maintain impartiality.
Sadly, this is the case with too many "puff piece" articles in the travel press. Some writers do include a disclaimer noting that the property paid for their accommodations, etc, but most do not.

I'm an occasional reader of the Personal Journal section of the Wall Street Journal, and the hotel stay reports I have read in the past have always included the shortcomings along with the plaudits.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 6:58 am
  #33  
vuittonsofstyle
 
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Originally Posted by paul2
Interesting Kage . Its quite an organisation and not quite the philanthropist as outlined by FT member AHarper a couple of years ago:
(I have just pasted in the relevant parts)

"Originally Posted by AHarper
Hello,

I am Andrew Harper, the Editor-in-Chief of Hideaway Report.

Andrew Harper's real name is not Richard Atkinson. I should know!
.....For the record, Andrew Harper does travel incognito and always pays his own way, to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars a year in travel expenses. We do, however, have a consistent problem with people trying to pass themselves off as Andrew Harper and hoping to obtain free accommodation or preferential treatment as a result.
Regards,
Andrew Harper"
Fascinating stuff about Harper, Kage. So the real Harper - Richard Atkinson - retired 6 years ago! Conglomerates rule, it seems.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 3:46 pm
  #34  
Kagehitokiri
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any german speakers familiar with http://www.travellersworld.de/ ?
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 10:32 am
  #35  
mike_la_jolla
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Identity of AH ...
Originally Posted by vuittonsofstyle
Fascinating stuff about Harper, Kage. So the real Harper - Richard Atkinson - retired 6 years ago! Conglomerates rule, it seems.
AH is not a single person. It is a group of little old British ladies and a paid writer. This is well known among GM's for the higher end resorts. If you want special treatment at a place that AH might be investigating, dress in drag (if you are a guy) and fake an accent.

Added note: I find AH closer to my tastes than anything else, although I sometimes think he (they) just wander through some of the hotels to scopeem out without actually checking in. I have found TripAdvisor to be spotty. Some hotels, the Rival in Stockholm comes to mind, clearly game the ratings and reviews. This is a different discussion, but several TripAdvisor reviews of the Pen HK and Hotel Bel Air are diatribes about the quality of the afternoon tea service from individuals not staying at the hotel. I dont find that terribly useful. Travel Mags are the worst and not to be trusted.
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 11:02 am
  #36  
Kagehitokiri
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Originally Posted by mike_la_jolla
AH is not a single person. It is a group of little old British ladies and a paid writer. This is well known among GM's for the higher end resorts. If you want special treatment at a place that AH might be investigating, dress in drag (if you are a guy) and fake an accent.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13616824-post26.html
the original Andrew Harper retired six years ago and was replaced by his handpicked successors. Today, two contributing editors, both of whom remain anonymous—one based in New York, the other in Paris—carry on the role under the same pseudonym.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 7:53 am
  #37  
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I have to admit to paying special attention to everything vuittonsofstyle posts - among many other very valuable contributors on FT.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 8:01 am
  #38  
TRAVELSIG
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Originally Posted by vuittonsofstyle
Fascinating stuff about Harper, Kage. So the real Harper - Richard Atkinson - retired 6 years ago! Conglomerates rule, it seems.
Agreed- interestingly enough, although I didn't know that Mr. Atkinson had retired, Harper Review became decidedly more uninteresting to me in the past few years [don't subscribe anymore].
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 9:20 am
  #39  
Kagehitokiri
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i think the article i linked says it all. they dont interface with customers, they interface with advisors/assistants/secretaries/handlers. who here lets other people handle their travel? no one.

theyre more concerned with doing travel bookings, and earning commissions and fees (sure, concierge abilities might be worth it) than providing information directly to subscribers/members.

it reminds me of two destination clubs that talk about their members having an average net worth of $10MM > $15MM, and yet they are nowhere near as well traveled as people here. not global, average destinations, seem to care more about name of FS than service, etc.

i guess it just goes to show how different flyertalkers and the lux hotels regulars are from "average" people.

***

Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 9, 2010 at 11:21 am
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 9:35 am
  #40  
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"In addition to what has already been mentioned, I often refer to the annual CN Traveler Gold List featured in the magazine's January issue as a good jumping off point. It's not overly informative, but the list is well edited and a great place to begin your research..."

I'd have to agree the Gold List is a place to start. I have found in the past they tend to be fair.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 10:49 am
  #41  
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Apart from this Forum, which gives exceptional advice, I talk to as many people as I can in hotels and often find out about new places this way. This is especially true when staying in an Amanresort, although these days Aman GMs are being quite guarded about letting out information as Aman do love their secrets. Having said that, I was just told that The Aman at Porto Heli has begun construction and the test room will be ready this summer, soooo....

Another good source is owners. If you ever meet one, ask them about their new plans and you will be sure to learn some fascinating secrets.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 10:42 am
  #43  
RichardInSF
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Originally Posted by ydougher
"In addition to what has already been mentioned, I often refer to the annual CN Traveler Gold List featured in the magazine's January issue as a good jumping off point. It's not overly informative, but the list is well edited and a great place to begin your research..."

I'd have to agree the Gold List is a place to start. I have found in the past they tend to be fair.
My experience is the opposite, I am not happy with any of Conde Nast's lists. In the Gold List, they seem way too swayed by hotel PR.

More generally, I just re-subscribed to Conde Nast Traveler after a few year gap and I find the magazine a lot more vacuous than it used to be. The current issue seems to be all about travel fashion, whatever that is. I know they also publish Vogue, but....
Last edited by RichardInSF; Aug 29, 2014 at 10:46 pm
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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 3:52 pm
  #44  
Kagehitokiri
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http://www.room77.com/
not sure about accuracy, and not many luxury hotels, but certainly interesting
edit - this used to have hotel plans for floors (incl RC CP for example) but turned into booking site

***

european organization hotel star criteria (not stringent enough)
http://www.hotelstars.eu/userfiles/f..._2010-2014.pdf

***

AAA 2013 + forbes 2013 >

forbes 5 star hotel, 5 star restaurant
AAA 5 diamond hotel, 5 diamond restaurant
- broadmoor (forbes 5 star spa)
- grand del mar (forbes 5 star spa)
- inn at little washington
- trump NY (michelin 3 star restaurant)
- umstead

(+5) forbes 5 star hotel, 5 star restaurant
- cloister (forbes 5 star spa)
- MO las vegas (forbes 5 star spa) (AAA 5 diamond hotel)
- MO miami (forbes 5 star spa) (AAA 5 diamond hotel)
- montage laguna beach (forbes 5 star spa) (AAA 5 diamond hotel)
- trump chicago (AAA 5 diamond hotel) (michelin 1 star restaurant)

(+11) AAA 5 diamond hotel, 5 diamond restaurant
- MO boston (forbes 5 star hotel, forbes 5 star spa)
- pen beverly hills (forbes 5 star hotel)
- fearrington house inn (forbes 5 star hotel)
- FS palm beach (forbes 5 star hotel)
- FS philadelphia (forbes 5 star restaurant)
- bellagio
- RC amelia island
- RC cancun
- RC grand cayman
- st regis punta mita
- winvian

too many 5 star >
France (not many "Palace" though)
Qualmark (NZ) (only 10 "Exclusive" though)
European Hotelstars Union
AA (UK) (at least on its way if not there already)
AAA (US - diamond not star)
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jan 22, 2014 at 1:12 pm
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 3:56 am
  #45  
TRAVELSIG
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Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
http://www.room77.com/

not sure about accuracy, and not many luxury hotels, but certainly interesting
Thanks Kage- super interesting website- shame that a lot of the hotels are nothing special.
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