What extra expenses do you think are completely worth it and really elevate the travel experience?
In my case: Getting a room a on water. Going to sleep with the surf crashing outside is very nice. Also, splurging on 1 really nice meal on the trip.
What about you?
I was using the Amazon ICICI one till now. But wondering if there is something better out there.
Which is your top pick?
We are planning an anniversary trip.
Previously, Six Senses Fort Barwara has been exceptional for us - it was pure magic and the experience was so breathtaking.
Would love to hear which was the most romantic one you’ve experienced and why?
Infinia’s Brand Voucher rewards are now capped at 3,000 reward points per calendar month.
Same story for:
• Diners Black Metal/ BizBlack – 3,000
• Diners Black – 3,000
• Regalia Gold – 3,000
This is a massive devaluation for gift cards from HDFC.
Do you think this will be reverted? What’s the best option for vouchers now?
For us it was Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como - it was pure magic and the views were so breathtaking and comforting.
Would love to hear which was the most romantic one you’ve experienced and why?
After doing more “faraway island” trips the last couple of years, we were looking for easy, nonstop locations given pregnancy.
And WOW - how are entry level rooms with NO lake view on all decent 5-star Lake Como hotels $2,500 per night?? Why are people paying for this lol. You can go to the Maldives or Greek islands and get a whole villa with pool for that. Am I going crazy?
How are people affording to pay such absurd rates.
Something so far and beyond your expectations that you were left taken aback and speechless.
We stayed at a villa in Oberoi Amarvilas as our first luxury trip and it was an absolutely incredible experience and has unfortunately ruined other hotels for me 😀
Where did you stay that caused your perception of luxury, service, and quality to be forever altered?
Source: Directly from HDFC’s website
Missed those days when Infinia / DCB was handed like candy by HDFC!
Something so far and beyond your expectations that you were left taken aback and speechless.
We stayed at a bungalow at Four Seasons Astir Palace as our first luxury trip and it was an absolutely incredible experience and has unfortunately ruined other hotels for me 😀
Where did you stay that caused your perception of luxury, service, and quality to be forever altered?
My favorite part of traveling is when you see or do something so amazing you’re left speechless!
For me, my top experience has been scuba-diving in Bali.
I want more of that feeling, much more than fancy hotels!
What are some of your suggestions of experiences that made you feel awe?
Use London as an example. Conrad St. James is like $600 a night. New York Edition is a similar deal. You can definitely find tons of 5 star properties in London for $500-700 USD.
But then you see another level of price range like Brown's Hotel and Ritz London and Raffles. They are all far upwards of $1000 or even $1500 per night.
My question, as someone who has been in a LOT of 5 stay hotels that were more in that $400-800 bracket, what am I getting for literally DOUBLE my money? I assume people here would know.
I find it annoying that hotels and resorts charge you exorbitant amount for laundry, especially when you’re already paying such high nightly charges.
Not asking for free laundry, but some hotels charge 500 for each piece of undergarment, 800 for a pair of socks, 1000 for a T-shirts, etc.
Why do they do that besides they can? It’s not that I cannot afford to pay for laundry, but it’s crazy!
Are there any chains that consistently include laundry service in their nightly rates?
Are there people here who prefer Airbnb?
I’ll go first - I got 2 Delhi - New York Business class tickets by redeeming my MB points via air India. Revenue was 2.5L per ticket.
What is yours and how?
I find it annoying that hotels and resorts nickel and dime you over laundry cost, especially when you’re already paying >$1000/night.
Not asking for free laundry like some Aman’s properties, but some hotels charge $10 for each piece of undergarment, $16 for a pair of socks, $20 for a T-shirts, etc.
Why do they do that besides they can? It’s not that I cannot afford to pay for laundry, but it’s mental!
Are there luxury brands that consistently include laundry service in their nightly rates?
Are there people here who prefer Airbnb?
Luxury might not always be about fancy lobbies or infinity pools, sometimes it’s the little things that leave the biggest impression.
Maybe it’s:
* The feel of high-thread-count sheets
* A perfectly curated minibar
* Personal touches like fresh flowers or a handwritten note
For those of you who’ve stayed in memorable places, what’s that one detail that made you feel like you were in the lap of luxury?
For us it is the check-in experience, if that is busy then its a real downer.
This might sound elitist, but when I pay excessive amounts for hotel stays, I would hope to be surrounded by people who have at least minimum etiquette and behavior.
Sadly, more and more, I come across people where you really wonder how they can afford staying at those places because their attitudes don’t correlate with someone who is a successful professional or was raised right.
What do I mean: excessively loud talking in public, using the sauna without showering and in gym clothes while scrolling on a phone, bringing speakers to the gym, playing loud music on the terrace and restaurants etc.
I do think hotels should play a more active role in enforcing appropriate behavior without the need of other guests complaining first.
Rant over.
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For me, it was Xi'an, China (the photo). I knew almost nothing about it before visiting and ended up going on a completely spontaneous trip. I never expected it to be so beautiful, and at least for me, it was a place I had barely heard anyone talk about before.
What card do you use for insurance spends or does the Amazon pay route work best for you?
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My pick is Cobh, County Cork, Ireland (the pic)