r/LuxuryTravel

Seriously.....

What sorts of things have you had butlers do for you in a hotel or on a ship? Most recently, our butler on Celebrity (in a Retreat suite) didn't do much proactively. Anticipating needs to me is part of what defines luxury. Can you share some wonderful or disappointing butler stories?

Dear FatTravellers,

It's time to book my summer trip (August) with my wife, and I would like to ask two broad questions.

I am an industrial based in Southern Europe, and I live an extremely stressful life.

Last year, I had probably the most relaxing holiday of my life. Although brief, it was the first time I fully disconnected, and I've been dreaming about it since then.

I stayed 4 days at the Four Seasons Tamarindo in Mexico, and I still dream about it daily. What I loved about it can basically be summarised as: amazing property, a strong connection to nature, incredible service, a very weak cellphone signal (none outside the wifi areas), and, above all, the time difference of GMT -7.

I will briefly explain this: since I get hundreds of emails per day (if you know the industrial setting, everyday things are collapsing). I have been to Asia many times, and I cannot disconnect, because later in the day, operations are starting in Western Europe, and my afternoons, nights and sleep are fucked up. But what I understood about GMT -7 was that, regardless of how bad things might be going, at noon everyone goes home (because it's 7 pm in London) and I have a full day to relax.

Moreover, on Fridays, you wake up, the day is gone in Europe, and you relax until Monday. Therefore, I found that I can only disconnect in the far West, unfortunately, because I love Asia.

Having said this, I started looking for similar properties in those meridians. The only things that come up are Mexico (I consider repeating the Tamarindo), One and Only Mandarina (might be the same), Four Seasons Papagaio in Costa Rica, the Caribbean is difficult because of Hurricane Season, some stuff in California (but it seems not the right time), and Claude suddenly suggested to me Hawaii.

I am based in Europe, and Hawaii always seemed super far away, but suddenly I started thinking: what could be better than GMT -11? I am a huge fan of Four Seasons, and there are 5 of them there. Moreover, I will be in Chicago for work in August, and I would already be halfway there (am I thinking correctly?)

None looked as luxurious as the Tamarindo one, but since four of the hotels are owned by Michael Dell and Larry Ellison, they can't be bad, either, am I right?

Nevertheless, they seem too big and too American (sorry, American folks!). I checked the list of the 50 best hotels in the World, and Hawaii isn't included.

Now, after this long introduction, I would like to ask two broad questions:

1- Any suggestion for something incredible on -6 GMT minimum in Central, North America, Pacific. preferably secluded, relaxing, without much connectivity, and with a huge sea and nature connection

2- If I decide to go to Hawaii, is there any place that is actually incredible and relaxing, and that is worth the huge travel there? I am a big fan of Seasons, so I am biased towards their hotels.

Thank you so much!

We’re going to be in St. Tropez this June and were wondering if anyone has recommendations for nice hotels that won’t completely break the bank — ideally somewhere near the beach.

In the past we stayed at Hotel de Paris and Cheval Blanc and absolutely loved it, but this trip we’d like to try something a little different.

We’re open to:

• boutique hotels
• beach hotels
• quieter spots nearby
• stylish but not ultra-over-the-top expensive l
• anything with a great atmosphere/location

Would love any recommendations from people who know the area well. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I am thinking to plan a trip to the Arctic with hopes of sighting polar bears and arctic foxes during the trip.

My limitation here however is that I can only travel in late August to mid September and realised that majority of the cruise lines (e.g Quark Expedition) departing from Svalbard do not sail after July although online sources indicated that period is still a good time to spot the bears.

Would like to seek advice from all on:

1. Is it still advisable to go to for a polar bear sighting expedition during this period, or do most cruises stop operation because it is a lull?
2. Does anyone have personal recommendations of expedition tours or cruise lines for wildlife sighting (including the bears) in late aug to sep? I am open to non-cruise lines, like walking tours or sailing trips

departing from anywhere so long as it’s wildlife (with a chance of polar bears) focused.

1. Would love to hear your experiences.

Thank you!

Very disappointing! Especially at this price point! I wonder who their target customer is 🤔

We did the classic Mykonos-Santorini-Paros route by ferry last year and the islands were honestly magical, but the crowds and tight schedules killed any real relaxation.

Been thinking about an 8-day crewed charter soon in the Cyclades with family. Has anyone found a trustworthy broker that actually vets the yachts and crews?

Did you know that that Tauck offers Gorilla trekking?? Anybody out there do one of these?

The Mountain Gorilla Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda itinerary is 16 days ;Mountain Gorilla Safari: Tanzania, Zanzibar & Rwanda is 13 days. Both are small groups with up to 24 guests. Game drives in 6 passenger open top vehicles with window seats for everyone,

Here are some of the inclusions for the 16 day option:

A rigorous, challenging private Gorilla Trek in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park to interact with endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat more than 7,000 ft. (2,130 m.) above sea level;

Multiple-night stays in the legendary Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara game reserve, and Amboseli National Park, with daily game drives

Hot air balloon ride at dawn over the Masai Mara game reserve, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush

Private lecture by an elephant researcher in Amboseli National Park

Visits to Ol Pejeta Conservancy; the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Animal Orphanage; the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Museum; Kigali's Genocide Memorial Museum

Overnight in a lodge built into the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, called Africa's "Garden of Eden," for its great views of the wildlife-rich wilderness and one of the oldest sites of habitation by our human predecessors

Private barbecue dinner under the stars at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club  

Weaving demonstration in a Kenyan village

A two-night stay at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club within view of Mount Kenya

Wow...

https://preview.redd.it/akq4l3352s1h1.png?width=2880&format=png&auto=webp&s=c10bd47d716c3e88c1a8367f00553bc75233727b

Hello. I’m looking to book a suite at a nice hotel. It’s hard to choose when they all have great reviews, and equally provide impeccable service, ammenities and comfort. I’m curious as to how everyone here chooses which hotel they want to stay when they’re all at the top of your list — past the reviews because they all have great reviews.
For example do you look into social media? Word of mouth? Etc

Comparing The Ritz Bali, the St Regis Bali, or the Laguna, which would you recommend staying at for my honeymoon? Any ideas for adventures and activities for my husband and I to do?

Hey everyone,
I’m currently researching unique offbeat locations in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for hosting premium wellness/corporate retreats.
Looking for places that have:
Luxury 5-star villas/resorts/boutique properties
Beautiful mountain views + peaceful vibe
Less crowded / hidden gem destinations
Good accessibility from Delhi/Chandigarh/Dehradun
Ideal for yoga, wellness, founders’ retreats, team offsites, digital detox, etc.
Would love recommendations for:
Specific locations/villages
Luxury properties or villa chains
Boutique resorts
Hidden valleys/lakeside/forest stays
Any underrated areas before they become mainstream
Currently exploring areas like:
Jibhi / Sainj Valley
Palampur
Mukteshwar
Kasar Devi
Narendra Nagar
Kasauli
But would love more suggestions from people who’ve actually stayed in amazing properties.
Bonus if the property has:
Private lawns/decks
Bonfire areas
Meditation/yoga spaces
Riverside or forest setting
10–30 guest capacity
Thanks in advance 🙌