Virtuoso Travel Week by the numbers

After a week of meetings, training opportunities, cocktail receptions and lunches/dinners with suppliers, Virtuoso #TravelWeek is concluding tonight with a closing Gala Dinner at which "Best of the Best" awards will be awarded to travel advisors in a number of categories. Brownell's own Martha Gaughan has been nominated for Most Admired Advisor, and we're all pulling for her.

I left after today's final appointment as I can get back home in California before the Gala and the after-party are done! I'm writing this from the American Express Centurion Lounge at the Las Vegas airport. The above screen flashed (and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus played) at the conclusion of the final appointment at 4:25 p.m. this afternoon. These numbers give a sense of the reach and power of our network:

5,693 total attendees including travel advisors and providers
288,004 four-minute meetings
28,368 ten-minute matched appointments
22,281 room total nights booked at Bellagio, Vdara, and Aria
275,611 square feet of meeting space occupied

Travel Week is exhausting! It's also an immensely valuable opportunity for travel advisors to meet with the hotel reps and tour companies who can create WOW experiences for our clients. For instance, I was able to score a confirmed upgrade for one client at the Four Seasons George V in Paris ... and shop for a one-week stay in a villa with private plunge pool for another. I came back with lots of news, so be watching for my Top Ten List for Travel Week 2017.

This was my twelfth Travel Week, and the chance to re-connect with colleagues and providers is so worthwhile.

copyright  (c)  2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

car-free first Sundays on the Champs Elysées

Imagine a rainy April afternoon on the Champs Elysées, umbrella-toting pedestrians walking down the sidewalks, looking into the shop windows, gazing up the incline to the Arc du Triomphe. What would this scene look like with the streets free of automobile traffic, with the entire wide avenue open to shoppers and tourists.

You won't need to imagine much longer. Coming soon are car-free "first Sundays" on the Champs Elysées. The avenue will be transformed into the most glorious pedestrian mall in the world. Free of the noise and exhaust of cars, visitors to Paris will be able to stroll freely down the entire length of the street, from the Arc de Triomphe in the west to the Place de la Concorde in the east.

It all begins April 3, 2016 and every first Sunday thereafter. Here's hoping the experiment works!


Where should you stay if you want to walk the Champs Elysées? The three closest Virtuoso hotels are Fouquet's Barriere, the Lancaster, and La Reserve (designated by the three red dots from left to right on the map below).

There are many more great hotel choices within a few blocks of the Champs Elysées — Four Seasons George V, Prince de Galles, Plaza Athenée, and Le Royal Monceau. But don't book your Paris hotel online; check out the great Virtuoso amenities you can get from a Virtuoso travel consultant — typically for the same price you're seeing online. Free breakfasts, hotel credits, room upgrades (some guaranteed at booking), etc. The perks differ by property, but check them all out at Virtuoso.com.

P.S. — We get even better-than-Virtuoso perks at Four Seasons George V, Le Meurice, Plaza Athenee, Peninsula Paris, and Mandarin Oriental Paris.

copyright (c) 2016 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

private air tour of Europe

If you've got $69,900 to spend on the most amazing European trip (price is per person - $7,750 single supplement), I've got the perfect two week vacation for you, a luxury tour by private jet. Dates are August 30 - September 13, 2015. Just 14 fortunate travelers will get to experience this itinerary.

30AUG-3NT — BERLIN

You'll stay at the Adlon Kempinski, right next to the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin. You'll enjoy a city tour of Berlin on Monday and a day trip to Potsdam on Tuesday.

2SEP-2NT — DRESDEN and SALZBURG

Your private jet will fly to Dresden for a morning walking tour. After lunch, you'll fly on to Salzburg, Austria and the Goldener Hirsch, right in the heart of the Old City. On Thursday, tour Schloss Mirabell, see Mozart's birthplace, and other sites.

4SEP-3NT — DUBROVNIK and SICILY

Stopping off in Dubrovnik for a morning tour, your private jet will continue to Taormina Sicily where you'll spend three nights at the Belmond Grand Timeo. You'll have two full days to tour Sicily, including a 2nd century Greek Theater and Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna.

7SEP-3NT — AZORE ISLANDS

Stopping in San Miguel for a sight-seeing expedition, your plane will continue to Terceira with two days to explore this Azore Island. You'll stay at Pousada Angra do Herosimo de Sao Sebastiao.

10SEP-3NT — PARIS

Nonstop from the Azores to Paris, you'll enjoy your final three nights at the Four Seasons George V, proclaimed by many as the best hotel in the world. Your tour includes an escorted transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Though expensive, the flexibility afforded by a private jet allows this kind of flexible itinerary. Any question, please give me a call, and I'll get the answers!

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

100 EUR lunch credit | Four Seasons George V

Here's 100 EUR toward lunch at Le Cinq, the two-Michelin starred restaurant at the Four Seasons George V, the iconic hotel of Paris. Eligible for new Four Seasons Preferred Partner bookings for travel from November 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014, my clients will receive a 100 EUR food credit to be used towards lunch.

My clients also receive... 

• Daily full American breakfast for two (including room service)
• 100 EUR spa credit once during stay
• complimentary internet
• room upgrade if available

... while paying the same price you'll find online on fourseasons.com.

Read some of these reviews of Le Cinq, and you might just want to take advantage of this deal! Just email me for the details.

Four Seasons George V (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Le Royal Monceau | Saturday Royal Brunch

Probably the most exquisite brunch I've never had, Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris offers a Saturday Royal Brunch most every weekend of the year. Set in the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant "La Cuisine," the brunch lasts from 12:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The price 74€ per person.

Here is what one Trip Advisor reviewer had to say about the experience:

The food was diversified (salads, delicatessen, oysters, shrimps, sushis, beef, veal, vegetables, fish, pasta to the order..., large choice of cheese and desserts) and of a high quality standard (pastries and viennoiseries are supplied by Pierre Hermé). Everyone at our table was happy and enjoyed the food.

Want to enjoy the brunch for free? I won a certificate for two (2) Saturday Royal Brunches at Travel Week in Las Vegas. Yes, it was a game of chance - I got lucky with the dice! I have the option of enjoying the brunch myself or gifting it to a client.

So here's the deal. Book a three-night minimum stay through me, inclusive of the Saturday lunch hour, at any of the four palace hotels of Paris listed below. Whoever makes the largest qualifying booking (in terms of total value of the stay) will win the Royal Brunch for two. In the interest of fairness, as they offered the prize, I'll give a 50% bonus to the total value of a booking at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris. The contest booking period ends at 3 p.m. PDT on Friday, September 20.

Eligible palace hotels for this contest:

Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris

Four Seasons George V

Le Meurice

Le Bristol

Everyone wins when you book through a Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, or Dorchester Diamond Club agency. For the same price you can find online, you get complimentary value-added perks that you can't find online including:

• free breakfast for two every day of your stay
• upgrades if available (guaranteed in some cases)
• spa; food and beverage; or hotel credits

P.S. — There are fifteen Virtuoso hotels in Paris, and while I didn't list them all for this contest, I'd be happy to create a contest around a special perk any of them would like to offer!

Le Royal Monceau (click here to search on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

top ten list from Virtuoso Travel Week

Here, in no apparent order, is my top ten list of things heard last Wednesday and Thursday at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Details are a bit sketchy (they're based on my scribbled, almost-legible notes, so I'll have to call in some cases for full details). Please email me, or contact your own Virtuoso travel consultant, if you want the full information on these travel opportunities.

1. Four Seasons George V is providing guests the opportunity to take complimentary cooking classes and also flower workshops. You can also sign up for guided early morning runs through the streets of Paris.

2. Peninsula New York is offering a guaranteed Virtuoso upgrade at booking and a complimentary three hour Mini Cooper tour of New York (as per James Baker, Senior Travel Industry Sales Manager).

3. Need a day room at DFW? Consider Four Seasons Dallas which is offering a day room rate - and enjoy their great spa while you're there. Beats the Admirals Club (unless you really enjoy all-you-can-eat pretzels and cookies).

4. Park Hyatt Washington, DC has a Family Plan — get a second room for just $125.

5. If you book Mandarin Oriental Bangkok as a FAN Club booking (instead of a Virtuoso booking), you'll receive a $100 hotel credit (in lieu of the Virtuoso Thai Buffet lunch for two).

6. The Peninsula Shanghai has a fabulous new Virtuoso exclusive amenity. A smart phone provided guests is pre-programmed with emergency numbers, a button to contact the concierge, and maps and guides of Shanghai attractions.

7. Want to rent a Balinese villa, complete with chef? Virtuoso provider Asia World Indonesia has a variety of rental villas all over the island at price points to satisfy all budgets. 

8. Snowdance Resort is a small ski destination with rustic cabins, great food, Virtuoso amenities ... and free skiing and snowboarding.

9. Is there a Lamborghini or Bentley in your future? Maybe not in your driveway, but you can drive like a billionaire for a week or weekend through Virtuoso provider Hertz.

10. Some amazing deals at Amangiri and Amangani this winter with minimum night stays. All-inclusive meals at Amangiri, and/or your choice of all-inclusive meals or free skiing at Amangani.

Virtuoso travel consultant (search here on Google)

copyright  (c)  2013 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

$700 business class round-trip to Paris?

Is it possible to pay as little as $700 for a round-trip business class ticket from Washington Dulles to Paris Orly? Including taxes and fees? According to Joe Brancatelli, the answer is "yes," for a very short-term deal. Check out this deal from OpenSkies. The fare requires a Saturday night stay and is good only for travel in October.

And after you've grabbed your bargain airfare to Paris, contact me to book your Virtuoso hotel in Paris. My three favorite Paris hotels are:

Four Seasons George V (for the absolute best of the best)

Le Meurice (a great five star in the perfect location, with very reasonable rates for a luxury hotel)

InterContinental Paris Le Grand (if money is tight, the Grand is a great value)

At any of these Virtuoso hotels, you'll receive exclusive amenities including complimentary daily breakfast - and a discounted room rate at Le Meurice or Le Grand.


Virtuoso hotel in Paris (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.

luxury hotels in Paris | my recommendations

He was planning a five-day visit to Paris in November and sent me a very brief email: any hotel recommendations? I usually recommend one of three luxury hotels in Paris.

In the 300€ range — InterContinental Paris Le Grand. The hotel is very well located, right next to the Paris Opera House, steps from the main store of the Galleries Lafayette, and right over a Metro station. It's one of the largest hotels in Paris. Napoleon wanted his capital to have a Grand Hotel, just like the other great European cities, and this hotel was built to fulfill that ambition. Lead-in rooms are a bit on the small side, but if you're looking for a good value on the Right Bank, Le Grand is a good choice. Virtuoso guests receive discounted rates, an automatic upgrade from the lead-in Classic Room to a Superior, and free access to the hotel's private Club Lounge where you can have a daily breakfast buffet for up to three guests and enjoy full "grazing rights" during the day - snacks, hors d'oeuvres, and cocktails in the evening (access normally costs 120€ daily).

In the 500€ range — Le Meurice. This is my personal favorite hotel in Paris. It has the perfect location right on the Jardin des Tuileries. You can walk straight across the park to the Musée d'Orsay, turn right and get to the Place de la Concorde, or turn left for a short walk to the Louvre and Notre Dame. One of the "palace hotels" of the city, Le Meurice has a very Parisian feel. Virtuoso guests enjoy discounted rates, a Full American breakfast daily (by room service, if you wish), and are upgraded if available.

In the 800€ range — Four Seasons George V. The George V is one of the great hotels of the world, totally renovated by Four Seasons and imbued with the warm service for which Four Seasons hotels are so well known. Possibly the most luxurious and elegant hotel in the city, everyone who enjoys luxury hotels should have the opportunity to experience Le George. Because I am with a Four Seasons Preferred Partner agency, my clients receive a full American breakfast daily (served through in-room dining, if you wish), a $100 spa credit, and will be upgraded if available upon check-in.

To get a quote for specific dates, as well as full list of amenities, just drop me an email.


luxury hotels in Paris (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.

summer trip to Europe

Despite the eruptions of the Eyjafjallajokull Vocano, this is an ideal time to consider a trip to Europe. The dollar has not been this strong in a long time (1 EUR = $1.22), and fears of a flight-cancelling volcanic eruption have caused many travelers to look elsewhere this summer - meaning less crowds and luxury hotel bargains - which is exactly why Europe can be an especially good value right now.

Just protect yourself with an inexpensive travel insurance policy from Travelex. Their policies cover cancellations and trip interruptions due to eruptions of the volcano in Iceland; see the Travelex website for their full terms and conditions.

Europe is full of picturesque towns and villages (such as St. Emilion in the Bordeaux wine region, pictured above). Explore European culture and history, enjoy gourmet food and wine, visit some of the world's greatest museums, and spend the evening in exquisite luxury hotels such as Le Meurice or the Four Seasons George V in Paris. For the best values (including complimentary daily breakfasts and other perks), simply book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.

trip to Europe (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.

my big advantage over FHR

American Express has just announced the ability to make Platinum Card FHR reservations online. While this is certainly a significant convenience factor if you simply must make that reservation at 3 a.m., this new "feature" actually means even less client service for FHR clients. At least that's my quite biased opinion!

Want advice about your hotel choices? It helps to have a conversation with a travel consultant who has actually been there — and who can consult with colleagues who have traveled all over the globe. A picture on a website can be highly misleading, and booking engines aren't much use if you want advice.

Have any special requests? Want a view of the Eiffel Tower from a suite at the Four Seasons George V? Can't get the concierge to respond to your emails? Really hoping for an upgrade? Celebrating a special anniversary or have other unique requests you'd like to be taken care of? It's not what you know — it's who you know — and I make personal contact every time I make a hotel booking.

Want to save $450? American Express advertises "$450 in complimentary benefits with every stay" (based on double occupancy and depending on length of stay). Interesting ... as this is also the annual fee for an American Express Platinum Card. My clients receive comparable benefits - and don't have to pay $450 annually for a Platinum Card.

Want better amenities? While FHR offers a complimentary continental breakfast for two daily at its member properties, I can often do even better for you. For instance, stay at any Four Seasons hotel or resort in the world at a Preferred Partner rate (including Third Night Free rates, etc). As my Four Seasons client, you will receive a Full American Breakfast for two daily (by room service if you wish), including any breakfast buffet options (the buffet at the Four Seasons Florence is pictured above).

50% more choices. FHR has over 600 participating properties. I have relationships with nearly 900 luxury hotels and resorts around the world, with complimentary daily breakfasts, room upgrades if available upon check-in (and sometimes at time of booking), and extra perks at each one.

No online booking engine can possibly provide the service of a luxury travel consultant.


luxury travel consultant (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.

how to get better hotel service | one easy tip

The most frequently asked question from Sales Managers of luxury hotels is simply this: do you know what time your client will arrive?

Look at it from the hotel's point-of-view. They want to provide you with great service. When you check in at the front desk, they want to be able to tell you that your room is ready. However, guests check in and check out at all hours of the day. Upon check-out, a room has to be cleaned and made ready for the next guest. Because there are a finite number of rooms in each category, blocking guests into rooms is really like assembling a complex jigsaw puzzle. It makes the hotel's job much easier if they know when to expect you.

So when your travel consultant asks you if you know your ETA at a hotel, please provide that information! It's not a casual question. We all want great service; that's why we stay at luxury hotels. Providing this one little bit of information can really help a great hotel provide you with five star service from the moment you enter the front doors.


P.S. The front desk pictured above is in the lobby of the Four Seasons George V in Paris, a hotel that really gets service right!


luxury hotels (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.

how to save money at luxury hotels

Have you ever noticed how expensive it is to eat breakfast at a luxury hotel? While it's possible for guests at the Four Seasons George V (pictured above) to walk half a kilometer to McDonalds on the Champs-Elysées, why would you? Part of the experience of staying in a five star hotel is the opportunity to sit in a beautiful dining room (or enjoy the luxury of room service), savor the ambiance, and enjoy an elegant and leisurely breakfast.

Did you know you can get that breakfast for free? All you need to do is make your reservation through a Virtuoso travel consultant. You will typically receive a complimentary daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade upon check-in if one is available, and an "extra amenity" contracted specifically with each one of over 780 luxury hotels and resorts around the world affiliated with Virtuoso. Your room rate will usually be the lowest published rate — and sometimes even less.

Everyone is trying to save money in this economy. Are you comparing online rates at luxury hotels for your next business or vacation destination? A Virtuoso travel consultant can stretch your travel dollar, pound, or euro. Do your research, come up with your best internet deal, and email me the details. If I can offer you a better value, I'll let you know!

Virtuoso travel consultant (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.