Previously, I touched on the benefits of working with a Virtuoso® Travel Advisor like myself. Today I’m going to talk about some of the other perks you’ll receive because of the special relationships my host agency, Montecito Village Travel, has with all of the top hotel brands. We are part of several exclusive programs such as the Belmond Bellini Club, Four Seasons Preferred Partners, Marriott Stars Luminous, Hyatt Privé, Intercontinental Luxury & Lifestyle Program, Waldorf Astoria & Conrad Impresario, Peninsula Pen Club, Sofitel Step, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, Rosewood Elite, Preferred Hotels & Resorts Platinum, Langham Couture, Design Hotels Collective, Dorchester Diamond Club, Jumeirah Passport, Shangri-La Circle, and many more. We give you access to the world’s best resorts at the best value possible. If you’re like me, you probably didn’t even know that these programs existed!
Below are summaries of what you’ll receive through these various hotel programs by working with a travel advisor like me. Why would you book direct or with an online booking site when I can get you the same hotel room (or a possible free upgrade) but with so many added bonuses? In many cases the perks are combinable so it may be possible to get Virtuoso® benefits as well, if the property is a member of both programs.
Marriott STARS and LUMINOUS
Marriott International actually has two separate programs, depending on which hotel chain in their vast portfolio you are staying at. Participating hotels from their most luxurious brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Bvlgari, Edition and The Luxury Collection are part of the STARS Program.
When booking with me you’ll receive the following benefits:
• Complimentary breakfast daily for up to two people per room
• Complimentary basic wi-fi daily
• Hotel credit valued at 100USD
• Personalized welcome amenity and note
Marriott’s mid-range and upper-mid-range properties, such as JW Marriott, Le Meridien, The Autograph Collection, W Hotels, Westin, Renaissance, and Tribute Portfolio are part of their new LUMINOUS Program.
At participating properties you’ll receive the following benefits:
• Complimentary daily breakfast for two people per room
• Complimentary basic wi-fi daily
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
• Local welcome amenity and note
• Hotel credit valued at 100USD (only at select hotels)
The Four Seasons Preferred Partner Program
As a client of StruxTravel, you are privy to the exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner program. Every Four Seasons Resort or Hotel around the world will extend added-value amenities and VIP status to you, including the following:
• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant.
• Extra value-added amenity, such as: Spa credit of USD100 once during stay; golf credit of USD100 once during stay; or food and beverage credit of USD100.
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas).
• Complimentary basic Internet (up to 2 devices) in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet (up to 4 devices) in all suites.
• Enhanced, VIP recognition and personal welcome from on-property management
• Priority wait-list clearance (when a property is sold out, you’ll have preference on the wait-list)
Hyatt Privé
Hyatt Privé offers special benefits, at no additional cost, for hotel stays at all of their Park Hyatt and Andaz hotels, as well as at many of their Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt properties, and at some of the hotels in their Unbound Collection.
At Park Hyatt hotels:
• $100USD property credit per room per stay
• One category room upgrade confirmed within 24 hours of booking
• Daily full breakfast for two
• Early check-in (from 9am) and late check-out (to 4pm) subject to availability
• Welcome gift and letter
At Andaz and participating Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, and The Unbound Collection hotels, you’ll receive:
• A $50 or $100 property credit per room per stay
• One category room upgrade confirmed within 24 hours of booking
• Daily full breakfast for two
• Early check-in (from 9am) and late check-out (to 4pm) subject to availability
• Welcome gift and letter
Intercontinental Hotel Group Luxury & Lifestyle Program
Upon every two-night minimum stay, IHG® Luxury & Lifestyle guests will receive special, exclusive amenities as follows. Hotels in this program include Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels, and Hotel Indigo. Below is a list of the benefits:
• Guaranteed late check-out (until 4PM)
• Breakfast for two, daily at hotel restaurant
• Value-added amenity, specific to hotel ($100 value per stay)
• Upgrade to next room category (subject to availability on arrival)
• Free Wi-Fi (unlimited devices)
• Turn down service as appropriate by brand
• Handwritten, personalized welcome card
• Bottled water, fresh fruit, and snacks in room upon arrival
• No walk policy
• Priority wait list
Waldorf Astoria & Conrad Impresario
At the two most luxurious names under the Hilton umbrella, The Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, guests will receive the following:
• Best Available Rates
• Complimentary Breakfast for 2 people
• $100 USD hotel credit per stay, or local currency equivalent
• Next category upgrade, subject to availability
• Double HHonors points for the client
Rosewood Elite
Rosewood operates 28 luxury hotels and resorts in 16 countries. Below are the added bonuses you’ll receive via their Rosewood Elite program, by booking with an advisor like me.
• Daily breakfast for two during the stay in any properties
• Free upgrade upon arrival based on availability
• Personalized welcoming upon arrival
• Guests will receive note and amenity from the property
• Pre-registration prior to arrival
• No relocation policy for Elite clients
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Platinum
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 750 independent hotels, resorts, residences, and hotel groups across 85 countries. Here are the benefits you’ll receive through their Platinum Program, at participating properties:
• Daily breakfast for two for duration of the stay (full or continental)
• $75 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel Credit to be used during stay (not combinable with other offers, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• The delivery of a personalized welcome note and amenity
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Room Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Priority Check in and Check out, subject to availability
Langham Couture
The Langham Hotels and Resorts is founded on 150 years of history, dating back from 1865 when The Langham, London opened as one of Europe’s first “Grand Hotels”. The Langham continues to flourish today, with the delivery of excellence in service and products in key cities of the world. Below are the perks that are included in their Couture program:
• Daily Breakfast for two
• Food and Beverage or Spa credit per stay – tiered by booking nights in local currency varies by property
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Upgrade (one-category or preferred room) at time of check-in, based on availability
• Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability
• Welcome note from Managing Director/ General Manager of the hotel
• Couture welcome amenity
There are several programs that I didn’t go into in depth here, but feel free to ask me for more details! I will automatically check all of my resources to get you the best value possible, as terms and conditions are subject to change. As you can see, why would you book direct or with an online booking site when I can get you the same thing but with all of these added bonuses?
Finally, here is a link to the page on my blog that gives a bit more information about all of the perks & benefits of working with me: Exclusive Perks.
