In This Issue:
 
DG Amazing Experiences ;
Vol. 2, No. 2
 

Secret Perks At Luxury Hotels Can Save Thousands;
A New Helipad in the British Virgin Islands;
Visit Our Special Reports Library 



February 2016, Volume 2, Issue 2


Some Thoughts On Hotel Pricing and Smart Ways To Get The Same For Less...

It has been over two decades since hotels started to adopt the same pricing models airlines use, which may be advantageous for shareholders, but are generally baffling to most consumers.

On the hotel side, it's not unusual if you look at your bill to see that the room you stayed in for a period of a week was charged at two or three different nightly rates during your stay.

By the same token, in the travel industry there are quite a few savings to be had with little effort, booking the exact hotel and room or suite you originally intended.  You just need to know how to access them!

From time to time in these newsletters I will take a look at different, easy ways you can save money.  One of the easiest is to get a full free-breakfast for two. At five-star hotels and resorts you can easily spend $100 on some bread, cheese, fruit and coffee.  When I recently looked at the room service menu at a top hotel in Cannes they wanted $25 for a bowl of berries. 

American Express offers Platinum and Centurion cardholders perks at select hotels when you book through their travel service. So do other travel agency groups such as Virtuoso, Travel Leaders, Signature, Ensemble and The Affluent Traveler (more on these in future issues).  However, there is another side of specials that is not widely known.

Various hotel groups such as Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula offer loyalty programs for travel agencies that produce a lot of business.  Part of these programs are perks agents can pass on to their customers.  Between upgrades, late check-out, meal and spa credits, free transfers, breakfasts and the like, it's possible to amass over $500 in freebies in a two-night stay. You'll find my report on the various programs, and how to find which agents offer them below.

I hope a ll your trips are amazing experiences!

 
Editor-in-Chief
DG Amazing Experiences

Please Note - DG Amazing Experiences is not commercially affiliated with any of the resorts we profile or travel advisors we reference.



HotelsJan161. A New Helipad For The British Virgin Islands


At the end of March, Oil Nut Bay will open its own helipad, saving as much as two hours reaching the resort.

A collection of luxury villas set in a resort community on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda located on 300 acres, guests of the 1 to 6-bedroom homes can choose from beachfront villas to estates set on the hilltops. The community features dining, a Beach Club, water sports, a learn-through-play kids' club, and access to the YCCS Marina.  Rates range from $795 to $8,750 per night.

For Oil Nut Bay contact Villa Rental Director Emily Oakes at  [email protected]  or via phone at office +1 284 393 1011 or mobile +1 284 346 0011.




Crystal2.  Secret Perks At Luxury Hotels 


 
Did you get a $100 spa credit on your last stay at a Mandarin Oriental?  What about a 50-minute free beauty treatment on your last stay at a Peninsula?  Last time you were at a Four Seasons, did they comp your breakfasts everyday, be it in the restaurant or room service?

While none of those three hotel groups have consumer loyalty programs, they each have programs to reward travel agencies that produce large amounts of business for them.  In addition to giving agents discounted stays, the programs give them perks to pass along to their customers.



In addition to things like free breakfasts and upgrades, a number of the brands also have "advocates" on property designed to provide quick resolutions for problems, and they provide these top agencies with direct contacts for their general managers, the people who at any hotel generally have the power to wave a wand and make it happen.

How do you find these agencies?

You can thank Google, Yahoo or your search engine of choice. Groups don't typically list member agencies, but you can do some easy web searches. 



Google "Mandarin Oriental Fan Club Travel Agency" and about a dozen different agencies come up on the first several pages, promoting their membership. Try the same with Belmond Bellini Club, and again you can find a number of agencies promoting membership. Agencies often promote their preferred status. If you already use a travel agent, check their last email to you. When I received an email from Jack Ezon, CEO of New York-based  Ovation Vacations, it listed a dozen affiliations ranging from five-star groups to a program from Disney.

To give you an overview of consumer benefits, we put together the following list of what you can expect from a number of the various luxury brands when you book with an agency participating in its program.

Belmond Bellini Club:
 
-        Priority waitlist clearance and upgrades
-        VIP welcome amenity
-        $200 resort credit
 
Dorchester Diamond Program:
 
-        Guaranteed one category upgrade at time of booking
-        Credit of 100 units of local currency once per stay (applied to final bill)
-        Daily full breakfast (breakfast menu only), available in any outlet including in-room dining, for up to two people per bedroom
-        Daily unlimited internet access for unlimited number of devices
-        No-walk policy

Four Seasons Preferred Partner:
 
-        Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
-        Extra value-added amenity, such as: Spa credit of USD 100 once during stay (not applicable to products); golf credit of USD 100 once during stay (not applicable to pro shop purchases); or lunch for two once during stay (up to USD 85, excluding gratuity and alcohol). Varies by hotel.
-        Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas).
-        Welcome note at check-in - acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities being extended.
-        Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings.
 
Jumeirah Passport to Luxury:
 
-        Breakfast for two daily
-        Upgrade on availability
-        $100 USD F&B or Spa credit
-        Early check-in based on availability
-        4 pm late check -out based on availability

Langham Hotel Couture:
 
-        Confirmed one-category upgrade at time of booking
-        Six complimentary hours per stay, allowing customized arrival and departure times
-        VIP Status Including personalized welcome note from GM/MD
-        Honoring of guest preference and indulgent welcome amenity
-        Multiple program benefits enables guests to receive the benefits from the following programs where applicable: American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, Virtuoso or Signature
 
Mandarin Oriental Fan Club:
 
-        Full Breakfast
-        VIP treatment
-        One category upgrade confirmed upon booking
-        Complimentary  access
-        Complimentary 4 pm late check-out upon availability
-        $100 Spa credit (valid once per stay - not applicable on Spa products) or Food & Beverage credit
-        Complimentary one-way transfer with meet and greet at the gate of the plane (valid for suites booking only)
 
Peninsula PenClub Guest Benefits:
 
-        Full daily set breakfast for up to two persons
-        Priority Room upgrade to the next category upon arrival
-        "Peninsula Time" - Flexible check-in and check-out times in all hotels
-        Upgraded welcome in-room amenities and a "with compliments" note from the agency
-        Complimentary 30-minute extension on any 50-minute body or face treatment (excluding manicure and/or pedicure)
-        Unlimited in-room wireless Internet access
 
Ritz-Carlton Stars:
 
-        Complimentary, customized amenity, activity or service
-        Pre-registration and express check-in
-        Clear space in sold out situations
-        First priority for requested room category, bed type, rollaway and connecting rooms
-        Late check-out
-        Complimentary 4 pm departure upon request at time of booking
 
Relais & Chateaux Preferred Partner Program (select properties):
 
-        Personalized welcome amenity
-        Breakfast Daily
 
Rocco Forte Knights:
 
-        Space Available Upgrades
-        No Walk Policy
-        Priority Waitlist Clearance
-        Personalized Welcome Note
-        Welcome note from the General Manager acknowledging that the booking was made by your agent
-        Space Available Early Check-in/Late Check-out
-        Ability to combine with Virtuoso benefits at qualifying rates
-        Advance notice of special offers/packages before launching to general public

Rosewood Elite:
 
-        Priority Waitlist
-        Pre-registration of clients
-        Special welcome amenity and note
-        Priority upgrade on arrival
-        Full breakfast daily
-        Amenity/credit which differs by property
-        Designated Elite Hero at each property
 
Sofitel STEP (Sofitel Travel Experience Program):
 
-        Guaranteed Upgrade between Classic, Superior and Luxury room types
-        Upgrade from Luxury to Suite upon arrival, based on availability
-        Personal greeting by management upon arrival
-        Personalized welcome amenity and note signed by the GM or Sofitel HERO on behalf of the travel counselor and the travel agency
-        Automatic placement at top of waitlists
-        Dedicated Sofitel Program Director in each hotel: "Sofitel HERO"
-        No walk policy for guaranteed bookings
-        Complimentary High Speed Internet Access on all rates and room types
-        Exclusive pre-sales on seasonal offers
 
Starwood Luxury Privileges:
 
-        Not available with tour operator bookings
-        Upgrade on arrival if available
-        Early check-in if available
-        Daily breakfast for two
-        Complimentary WiFi
-        Late check-out if available
-        Value-added amenity specific to hotel ($100 value)

      
PastIssue3.  Check Out Our Special Reports and More:

Which suites and villas are most secluded for that romantic getaway?  Which ones are close to the facilities and are best for families? How's the nightlife? Is it possible to get a luxury experience on a 4,000 passenger cruise ship? Find out about the next hot luxury hotels that are about to open. Get first hand contacts with award-winning travel advisors who know the general manager or CEO on a first-name basis and can get things done for you.  It's the level of detail we think you want and hopefully makes us a regular read.

Check out some of our most popular reports below:



Special Report:  The Brando - How an 18th century boardroom battle created a new luxury resort in French Polynesia.


Special Report:  Mukul Beach Golf & Spa - A new playground for adventure travel, sport fishing, golf and a unique spa on Nicaragua's Pacific Coast.



Special Report:  The Haven aboard the Norwegian Breakaway - Is it possible to have a luxury experience on one of the world's largest cruise ships?


First Look:  The first report from Crystal Cruise's new 62-person yacht Crystal Esprit, including its two-man submarine.


For back issues, you can find everything at DG Amazing Experiences.



DG Amazing Experiences 
is by luxury expert Doug Gollan

My name is Doug Gollan. I am a strong advocate of the private aviation industry.  You can read my frequent coverage of private jets and luxury travel at  Forbes.com.
 
I've chosen you to receive  DG Amazing Experiences  because I believe you share my passion for both business aviation and the best travel and luxury experiences in the world.
 
If my name is familiar, in 2001, I started a magazine called
Elite Traveler that was distributed worldwide aboard private jets.  In the nearly 14 years I served as Editor-in-Chief, we showcased the most luxurious suites and the best resorts, hotels, villas and private islands in the world specifically for private jet travelers like you.
 
DG Amazing Experiences  is your e-newsletter guide to the best places and experiences for private jet travelers like yourself.  Each recommendation is personally selected by me with the help of some of the smartest and best travel advisors in the world.  

My goal is to give you a look ahead at what's new, what's hot, and the best of the best. To make it easy for you, the stories are short, but detailed, and I provide plentiful links to additional, relevant information.

You will know links because they are  underlined in red. Where relevant, I provide  email contacts of top travel professionals who will personally answer any questions you might have. Key contact email addresses are  u nderlined in blue.

For back issues visit DG Amazing Experiences

Share your feedback to me at  [email protected]