There may be a definition for luxury in the dictionary, but there is no real definition for luxury travel. At least not from how I see it and how you may see it.
lux·u·ry /ˈləkSH(ə)rē/ noun
the state of great comfort and extravagant living.
Do you see what I’m getting at? What DOES that mean? Your comforts and my comforts are in fact completely different and our expectation of our stay at a hotel will also be very different. So what do you expect from your stay at a hotel and the inclusions that come with where you lay your head at night? Something beyond the necessities, what could they be?
Luxury. It’s actually a word that I’ve grown tired of, just like the word “boutique” or “authentic” and even “foodie!” They now feel overused and underwhelming. Luxury, isn’t a description that I can work with when people are trying to describe their ideal holiday. Or as I hear pretty often “we don’t need something really luxurious.” Yes, even my millionaire clients say this to me. It’s my job to break down what they mean by that. Luxury can also be assumed to feel stuffy, super high end, white glove kind of service. When in fact there is also something out there in the world called barefoot luxury, which makes me giggle, but I can understand it, since I’ve experienced it at several properties.
Do me a favor and google "Luxury hotels in Rome”. You will be surprised by what pops up. Hint: not all hotels are luxury! Every hotel wants to market their property to the best that they can, so in their description on their website, they may state that you will have a luxurious stay at their property in one of their luxury rooms. You’re already feeling relaxed or intrigued, am I right? When in fact they are a hotel in a sad area of town and they haven’t updated their linens in over 25 years. That’s not screaming luxury to me, but how would you know those details without working with an advisor that knows their properties that they work with? Words mean nothing, that just happens to be a good marketing scheme, using words that draw people in!
When I break it down with clients, I can hear from each traveler what they have in mind for their own type of luxury. A lot of couples aren’t on the same page about this, but someone will usually take the lead and the other will agree with their spouse for the sake of their comfort. Some people even say, I’d love to have breakfast included in our stay or the option to have in room dining. Others say- I’d love to have a Sea View Room. The travel partner may disagree and say, “the room isn’t as important to me, as to what I’m doing while in the destination.” Real luxury for some, is a special experience, such as a private guide or private cooking class.
In the time that I started writing this post and I’ve stopped to check my inbox, I have two new emails. One from a hotel and one is a tour company and in the subject line, low and behold there is our infamous word “luxury.”
As an example, I’d like to share what I have come to find as a luxury when traveling. True luxury is the service that I receive when staying somewhere. I like to be greeted, acknowledged, asked how my stay is, if the staff can assist with anything, if I need directions in the city while I’m visiting. I want to know that whoever is running the show, is taking care of each guest. I don’t want to feel like just another person checking into their hotel. From the moment I arrive, my first impression with the staff is what I’m going to get excited about. They will be setting the tone for my stay. If I’m arriving in a hot destination, a cold towel to wipe my hands with and then a refreshing welcome drink to sip on during my check in. Someone has already grabbed my checked luggage from the back of the taxi or transfer and they are already arranging for my luggage to be delivered to my room for me. You guys, that is my luxury.
Then something else that I’m a sucker for, is turn down service. It’s the silliest of things, but after a long day of being out and about, when I open the door to my room and I catch a glimpse of a soft glow from my bedside lamp…that is so appealing. I step further into the room and see the blinds have been pulled down, my pillows set up differently, the corner of the blankets on the bed are pulled back slightly, slippers next to the bedside and a fresh bottle of water with a glass are on my nightstand. The extra mile is when there is a note, addressed to me, with the weather or the schedule for the next day.
This isn’t how I always travel and I don’t expect that at every hotel, but this level of service is my luxury!
Think about your luxury; your expectations while traveling. A detail that is significant enough to be memorable for you and this particular trip. These are fine points that I like to discuss with clients.
Travel with a purpose and I’ll select your hotels, your tours and your guides with careful consideration.