clients choice awards — top five

Hualalai beach tree at sunset (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Travel magazines such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure post annual Readers Choice rankings of the best hotels in the world. I don't know the magazines' methodology, but their results are sometimes laughable ... such as the time a "nice enough" luxury hotel just off Times Square won the designation of Best Hotel in the World.

I'll be totally transparent about my methodology. Though I'm semi-retired, I do continue to work with a select group of Ourisman Travel clients. These are their top five choices ranked in order of the volume of sales to these hotels and resorts.

#1 — Four Seasons Hualalai. My personal favorite resort in Hawaii, Hualalai is the top resort in the world of all Ourisman Travel clients. Hualalai is the antithesis of the "big concrete box by the beach" that so many beach resorts tend to be. Luxurious and newly renovated guest rooms are located in detached two-story buildings arrayed along four beachfront crescents and around the green of the 18th hole of the golf course. I love Hualalai for its casual luxury. Guests enjoy great food while dining right by the beach where flip-flops are perfectly fine for that "sand between your toes" experience even at dinner. Click here for my slide show explaining the crescents of Hualalai.

#2 — Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve. My personal favorite resort in the Caribbean, I actually vacationed here as a teenager back in the 1960's when Dorado Beach was a part of Rockresorts. Like Hualalai, Dorado Beach is not a "big concrete box by the beach." Guest rooms are found in detached two story buildings, each with a direct ocean view and some with private plunge pools. West Beach rooms step out right onto the beach while East Beach rooms feature the sound of the waves crashing up against the beach rocks... what a restful sound when going to sleep. The beach is great ... soft, white sand and swimmable ocean water.

#3 — Four Seasons Maui. If you catch the trend, beach resorts are tops on our list ... and Hawaii is our clients' favorite destination. Maui was Four Seasons' first resort — set on a wide, sandy, swimmable beach with snorkeling — and it continues to be a popular draw attracting a trendy, cosmopolitan set of guests. High end shopping is available nearby at The Shops at Wailea. The biggest difference: while guests dine by the beach at Hualalai wearing flip-flops, many guests at Maui arrive for dinner with the ladies fashionably dressed and sporting high heels.

#4 — Le Meurice, Paris. The trend continues — I sell what I love — and Le Meurice is my favorite hotel in my favorite city in world. Paris has the world's greatest collection of "over-the-top" luxury hotels, but Le Meurice is not about being "over the top." The smallest palace hotel in Paris, Le Meurice exudes a warm, personable, and comfortable luxury while offering the best possible location in Paris, especially for first-time visitors. Step out the front door, cross rue de Rivoli, and you're in the Jardin des Tuilleries, the beautiful formal gardens in the very heart of Paris. Walk across the gardens, and you'll be at the Musée d'Orsay in 10 minutes. Or turn to the left, and you're just 10 minutes from the Louvre. Le Meurice, ideal for first-time visitors, its guests keep coming back, y compris moi.

#5 — Peninsula Tokyo. Japan has become the hot travel destination for 2019 and 2020. The 2020 Olympic Games have shined the world's focus on Japan, and I recommend booking a customized land tour or a cruise that circumnavigates this island nation. You'll want to begin or end your trip in Tokyo, and of all the great luxury hotels in Tokyo, my clients have most often booked The Peninsula. Why? Perhaps it's due to the hotel's location next to the Imperial Gardens, or because of its thoughtfully designed guest rooms (with such features as nail polish dryers in the bathroom), or even because my PEN Club clients benefit from totally flexible check-in and check-out times.

I can offer the following amenities at all of the above hotels through Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, STARS, Diamond Club, and PEN Club. While the details differ slightly by property, you'll receive at least the following at each of these top five hotels:

• daily breakfast for two
• $100 hotel credit towards incidental expenses
• room upgrade if available
• early check-in and late check-out if available
• complimentary internet

In some cases, the credit is more, the room upgrade is confirmed at booking, and the early check-in is guaranteed. Get in touch for the full details!

My next column will take a look at #6-#10 on my list.

copyright (c) 2019 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.

Thursday's postcard from Four Seasons Hawaii

complimentary suntan lotion at FS Lanai (c) 2018 by David Ourisman

Four Seasons Hawaii resorts are quite guest friendly. Unlike some resorts that charge resort fees, you'll never feel nickeled-and-dimed to death at Four Seasons. I've posted this picture of a small but significant amenity at every Four Seasons in Hawaii — complimentary organic sunscreen!

Anyone who's traveled to the tropics and forgotten to pack sunscreen has learned about island price gouging. Because you can't pack enough sunscreen in your hand luggage due to TSA regulations on transporting liquids, this perk is quite valuable ... and just the beginning of the great values you can expect at the Four Seasons in Maui, Hualalai, Lanai, and Oahu (and many other destinations worldwide): complimentary sunscreen, complimentary Kids for All Seasons, and Preferred Partner amenities that offer hundreds of dollars of additional value throughout your stay.

copyright  (c)  2018 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 our website.

Sunday's postcard from Maui

beach tree on Maui (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

There is a path along the beach in the Wailea area of Maui. It begins at the Fairmont Kea Lani at its most southern point, passes the Four Seasons Maui and Grand Wailea, and ends at the Andaz Maui at its northernmost point. Walking this path is a great thing to do in the early morning while it's relatively cool — either before or after breakfast.

There are so many excellent places to eat and drink (we had dinner last night at Duo at the Four Seasons), so this is a good way to get some needed exercise and burn off those calories. Lots of couples were jogging the trail ... good for them! The trail is about 2 miles in length.

copyright  (c)  2018 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 our website.

reservations for a sunrise | Haleakala Crater

Haleakalā Crater - Credit: NPS Photo

You have to get up really early to catch this view from atop Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui. In my experience, the most dramatic moments of a sunrise occur well before the crack of dawn. The gradual lightening of the eastern skies is an inspiring experience, one I've enjoyed many times. As it will take more than 90 minutes to drive to the National Park from Wailea, and more than 2 hours from the Napili area of Maui, this will give you an idea of when to set your alarm.

But you'll have to make reservations for the sunrise starting February 1, 2017. To quote from the National Park Service website:

Planning to see sunrise at Haleakala National Park?

Reserve before you go! 

Starting on February 1, 2017, sunrise viewing reservations are required and are only available at www.recreation.gov. The cost is $1.50 per car. You can make reservations up to 60 days before your sunrise visit. 

To enter the Summit District between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., the reservation holder must be present and show both the one-day sunrise reservation receipt and a photo ID. The park entrance fee is separate and payable by credit card on the day of your visit. The entrance fee is good for three days — please keep your receipt.

Our favorite resorts in the Wailea area of Maui are the Four Seasons, Andaz Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Hotel Wailea. Email for complete information about the Preferred Partner and Virtuoso amenities we can provide, including free breakfasts and hotel credits.

Oh, and be sure to bring warm clothes! Haleakala Crater is 10,000 feet above sea level, and it's cold up there ... even in Hawaii.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel 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.

last minute luxury Christmas vacation

picture yourself here (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Have you waited too long to book a luxury Christmas vacation at the beach? Possibly not! All of the following hotels show current availability for a 7 night stay, Dec. 25 - Jan. 1. If you can find the air, the rooms are currently available in my system for each of the following, and as an added value-added bonus, we can provide Virtuoso or Preferred Partner amenities that include free daily breakfasts, hotel credits, and more.

Four Seasons Palm Beach (Florida)
Eau Palm Beach (Florida)
Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton (Puerto Rico)
Ritz Carlton San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (San Juan)
Fairmont Kea Lani (Maui)
Banyan Tree Mayakoba (Mexico
Grand Velas Riviera Maya (Mexico)
Capella Ixtapa (Mexico)

Be aware that you'll be within the cancel deadline. While our typical Festive booking fee is $350, if you book one of these nine hotels for these dates by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, we will discount that fee to $150. The value of your free daily breakfast for two is worth far more than the fee, and the additional resort credit will add even more to your savings. Just complete our Travel Request Form to get things started!

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel 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.

the ultimate $25,000 romantic Valentine's fling

Looking to wow that someone special? This package is the sure way to win their heart — or take care of things if you need to apologize in a BIG way... Here's what's included

Six nights at Hotel Wailea, a Relais & Chateaux hotel in the Wailea area of the island of Maui. You'll enjoy expansive views of the Pacific Ocean from your Luxury 1BR Ocean View Suite, including a daily $25 per person breakfast credit and preferred VIP seating at Capische?

A love that soars. You'll arrive on February 12, have February 13th at leisure, and on Valentine's Day, enjoy an unforgettable experience — a one hour private helicopter tour of Hana and Haleakala. Enjoy a private picnic for two at Ulupalakua Ranch (where your helicopter will land), with a chilled bottle of Dom Pérignon awaits your arrival.

Hook it and cook it. On February 15, you'll be fishing alongside Chef Brian Etheridge of Capische? on a six hour fishing charter with all transfers and lunch included. Your dinner that evening will feature today's fresh catch, straight from your boat.

Sensual Expressions. After a day of leisure on February 17, luxuriate in a spa day with a hand-picked menu of two special treatments. Start off with a 90 minute Couples' Outdoor Massage with Aromatherapy Oils. Following a gourmet lunch, finish the experience with a Lava & Sea Salt Exfoliation with infused black sea salt and healing Hawaiian essential oils.

Back to the airport on February 18th, your private SUV will provide your return airport transfer (round trip transfers are included in the price). And the price? $24,450 which includes all taxes and fees. Contact me for complete information. As a full, non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, travel insurance is strongly encouraged.

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.

Luxe Travel Hawaii, 808.589.5508

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua | $1000 credits, 5th night free

This email blast I received says it all:

• $500 Air Credit
• $500 resort credit
• 5th night free
• 1 BR Residential Garden View Suite
• 5 nights from $1229 per person

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, located at the northwest tip of the island of Maui, offers a LOT of space to stretch out. Built on 55 acres of lushly landscaped and bordering a secluded beach, Ritz Carlton Kapalua offers golf, tennis, and an award winning kids program, Ambassadors of the Environment. The 1BR Residential Garden Suite offers a lot of space to stretch out, with your own kitchen so that you can fix some inexpensive lunches and dinners for the kids, if you prefer.

Available when you book a well-equipped one or two-bedroom Residential Suite, this package offers $1,000 in credits. You don't have to book with the package to receive the air credit, although you certainly can, and you will need to purchase an inexpensive Change and Cancel Waiver to qualify for the $500 air credit. While Virtuoso and STARS amenities do not apply to Ritz-Carlton promotional rates, you will be VIP'ed. I send a Hawaiian Bento Box as a welcome amenity to all of my Ritz-Carlton Kapalua guests.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua (search here on Google)

Fine print: Book by 12/13 for 5+ night stays through 12/18, 2013. Blackout dates may apply.

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.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua | complimentary Mai Tai's

enjoy a complimentary Mai Tai...

Ritz Carlton Kapalua, one of the five-star Virtuoso resorts on the island of Maui, has announced a Swing into Spring promotion which will run from March 16th to June 16th. When booking the Golf in Paradise or Island Paradise packages, you'll get the following complimentary extras:

• local fruit plate and bottled water on arrival
• a complimentary Mai Tai made right at your poolside chaise lounge
• a gift Papaya Pineapple Lotion when you visit the spa
• create your own Organic Hawaiian Bath Salt keepsake every Wednesday at the spa
• and more... 

Complimentary daily buffet breakfast for two guests is included in both packages, and if you've ever enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, you'll know you're in for a treat. The Golf package includes two free rounds of Golf, and the Island Paradise package includes fifth night free in a Deluxe or Deluxe Ocean View room. And you'll receive even more when booking through a Ritz Carlton STARS travel consultant.

... while relaxing by the pool

Ritz Carlton Kapalua (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.

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival

I was invited by the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua to participate in the 30th Annual 2011 Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, held annually at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui. This is a very popular event for lovers of fine wine and seafood, and we spoke with visitors from all over Hawaii as well as the mainland U.S. An entire weekend of events is offered, but these were the highlights for me:

Friday evening's “Grand Tasting” took place on June 10th, and the picture shows just a fraction of the A-List wines from around the world available for tasting. In addition to wine tasting, a variety of canapes were provided by a half dozen different Maui restaurants — as well as a tempting dessert table. No one left the Great Tasting hungry or without having sampled some premium wines. (I'm no wine expert, but I did see Far Niente wines represented at the festival, one of Napa Valley’s most exclusive labels).

Sunday evening featured the Maui Seafood Festival. Held on the lawn of the Beach House restaurant, nine different Maui restaurants offered some of their best seafood recipes, and wines and other beverages were again offered as well as a scrumptious dessert table.

The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival is an extremely popular event which sells out every year. Hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the resort was fully booked over the weekend. Want to enjoy the event in 2012? Contact your travel consultant now. Festival packages may be available including accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.


Kapalua Wine & Food Festival (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.
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Maui | beach vacation paradise

I'm just back from a 5-day trip to Maui during which we visited three different resorts and explored some of the beaches and snorkeling opportunities on Maui. Some quick impressions about Maui.

1. Maui is a beautiful island which is easy to get around. The one main road along the coast of West Maui is smooth and attractive (and it's been widened to four lanes around Ka'anapali area which helps the traffic flow).

2. Maui is all about great beaches. If you want to sit by the pool or beach, body surf in the waves, and go snorkeling, Maui is a beach vacation paradise. Want to go further afield? Visit the Haleakala Crater, the world's largest dormant volcano. More than 10,000 feet above sea level, you should bring warm clothing and, for a special thrill, bike ride down the mountain. Many visitors enjoy driving the winding road to Hana (with 600 curves and 54 bridges) through the scenic rainforests along the eastern shores of Maui.

3. Maui has two of the world's best luxury resorts, the Four Seasons Wailea and the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. Tip: by booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner and Virtuoso agency, you'll get free daily breakfasts, room upgrades if available, and other additional perks.

4. Maui has some very large beachside resorts, but if you prefer an intimate and very nice resort right on a great beach in a protected cove, you'll enjoy the four-star Napili Kai Beach Resort (pictured above). I saw a newly refurbished Ocean Front Suite, which sleeps a family of 4 comfortably, has 2 full baths, and a full kitchen - a good value at $590 and highly recommended for a Maui beach vacation.


Maui beach vacation (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.
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kids eat free at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Hawaii is a great summer vacation spot, especially popular with West Coast residents who enjoy easy flights to the Hawaiian Islands. Combine that fact with this kids eat free offer from the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, and you have the makings of a really good value at one of the best luxury beach resorts on Maui. Here's the scoop: children twelve (12) and under eat free from the children's menu at The Terrace Restaurant for dinner. There's one complimentary child per full-paying adult.

“Kids eat free” is combinable with the Virtuoso amenities (or with any other promotional package). Just book your vacation through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant and you will receive:

• an upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  
• Daily Full Breakfast for two in-room guests
  
• $100 Food & Beverage or Spa credit
  
• 4 p.m. late check-out

Come to Maui this summer and enjoy the luxury of Ritz-Carlton Kapalua's beautiful renovated rooms, white sand beach, and award-winning Ambassadors of the Environment kids program.


The Kids Eat Free program is effective through December 22, 2011.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua (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.

two couples save 25% in Hawaii

When two couples vacation together, it's possible to enjoy significant savings while experiencing the ultimate in luxury. Each of the Four Seasons resorts in Hawaii is currently offering a program that includes 50% off the second room. You can luxuriate at the best resorts in Hawaii ... and this promotion will stretch your dollars.

And to make the deal even better, you'll receive the following complimentary amenities for each room — even the half-price room! — by making your booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner:

• Daily full American breakfast for two through in-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
  
• Lunch for two once during stay (up to $85, excluding gratuity and alcohol)
  
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
  
• Complimentary high-speed internet for all suite bookings

Which Hawaiian island beckons you? On the Big Island, you'll witness an other-worldly lava rock landscape on your way to the idyllic beach resort at Four Seasons Hualalai and perhaps visit Hawaii's only active volcano with a lava flow into the sea. Maui offers beautiful beaches and great shopping, while laid-back Lana'i (an island without a single traffic light) offers visitors a taste of Hawaii before it was discovered by the developers.

Four Seasons Preferred Partner (search here on Google)

multi-island Hawaii trip

the beach at Manele Bay, Lana'i

While west coast residents have the luxury of traveling frequently to Hawaii and experiencing a different island each time, the rest of North America doesn't have that luxury. That's one reason to consider a multi-island Hawaii trip.

the Hawaiian Islands

Oahu is the most populated Hawaiian island. While many people enjoy Waikiki Beach for its buzz (lots of bars, restaurants, and nightlife - and an ABC Store on every corner), I recommend getting away to a more secluded tropical setting, the Kahala Resort, which I've enjoyed both times I've stayed there. Oahu is also the home of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Maui is blessed with great beaches and offers beach vacations at every price point, from affordable condos to luxurious five star resorts such as the Four Seasons Maui. There's plenty to do. Many vacationers enjoy a bike ride down Haleakala Volcano at sunrise ... or a submarine tour from Lahaina.

Kauai is an active vacationer's dream, with widely varied landscapes on a small island easily explored in a week. Don't miss the Napili Coast, but wear shoes you won't mind throwing away after your unforgettable hike along a sometimes muddy trail. Stay at the St. Regis Princeville in the summer months and at the Grand Hyatt Kauai in the winter months.

The Big Island (Hawaii) offers an incredible diversity of scenery: fields of hardened lava flows north of Kona (resembling a lunar landscape), verdant rain forests on the Hilo side of the island, black sand beaches, and even an active volcano. Four Seasons Hualalai is my idea of what every tropical resort should be - low rise, two-story buildings spread out over a spacious resort.

Lana'i is what Hawaii used to be before the developers discovered this tropical paradise — not a single traffic light on the island. There are just two resorts: one by the sea (Four Seasons Manele Bay) with its beautiful, secluded beach — and one 1,500 feet above sea level in a setting that resembles a traditional Hawaiian pineapple plantation (Four Seasons Lodge at Koele). Still relatively undiscovered, Lana'i offers the best luxury values in Hawaii.

my favorite two-island itinerary

Maui and Lana'i are just a 45-minute ferry ride apart, and it's easy to combine a stay on these two islands. Begin your vacation in Maui, easily reached with non-stop flights from the west coast as well as Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, and Chicago — and many Canadian cities. Kick back your feet and enjoy a casual beach vacation. Rent from Hertz at the Maui airport (OGG), and plan to drop off your car at the West Maui Hertz office for a small drop-off fee. Hertz will drive you to Lahaina Harbor where you can catch the Ferry to Lana'i. Finish your vacation in the lap of Four Seasons luxury, either at Manele Bay or the Lodge at Koele. Fly home through Honolulu with easy connections everywhere.


multi-island Hawaii trip (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.
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Christmas vacation | don't wait!

It happens every year. Every December I get calls from families wanting to plan their Christmas vacation. There are four consequences when waiting until the very last minute to make your reservations:

1. Space is very hard to get. You may have to settle for a less desirable resort.
   
2. Room options are quite limited.
   
3. Flights are more expensive, as you'll be paying full fare.
   
4. There's a lot of stress doing everything in a rush.

Even now, it's is pretty late if you want to go to the very best resorts over Christmas. The Four Seasons resorts on the Big Island and on Maui are fully booked — both have waiting lists — but good options do exist in tropical destinations (Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico) and ski resorts. Please be aware that minimum stay requirements often apply during Festive Season.

So now's the time to plan your Christmas vacation. Don't wait!


Christmas vacation (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.
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more online hotel booking pitfalls

I am frequently contacted with questions about "online deals" for luxury hotels and resorts. Today's email brought the following enquiry:

I see a rate of $599 per night for a Deluxe Ocean View [at Fairmont Kea Lani Maui] for our dates [Jan. 7-15, 2011] on hotelclub.com. Can you please see if you can get this rate with Virtuoso amenities? Please let me know ASAP as I think it's a pretty good rate and don't want it to go away.

Is this a good deal? I had my doubts, so I phoned the Sales Manager in Maui and also did a mock booking on the wholesaler's website. Here's what I learned.

(1) The rate quoted was the Suite Ocean Aloha 25% Discount promotion. The sales manager informed me that this package expires Dec. 17, 2009. Checking Fairmont's website, I found that this was absolutely the case. The quoted rate is not available for the requested dates next January.

So what happens when you book an invalid rate on a third-party website? Here's the fine print in HotelClub's terms and conditions:

"HotelClub cannot and will not guarantee our website from inaccuracies caused by error or fault. HotelClub will not accept liability for any errors or omissions contained on the HotelClub website..."

The booking probably won't go through - leaving you with the hassle of finding out if your card was charged and, if necessary, getting your money back.

But that's nothing compared to the next two unpleasant surprises...

(2) This rate is 100% prepaid at time of booking. No hint of this whatsoever until you click through to make a booking. I always advise my clients to avoid prepaid rates. Why should your money be in the hands of a wholesaler or hotel for nine months? What happens if the wholesaler goes bankrupt? [Answer: you have to file a claim with your credit card company and trust that you have enough documentation - and filed your claim within the legal deadline - to get your money back.]

(3) This rate is non-cancellable, non-refundable, and non-changeable. Ouch! Again, this information needs to be provided upfront, not at the very end of a multi-page booking process.

There are genuine bargains to be found online if you're an educated consumer, but there are also innumerable pitfalls that can trap the unsuspecting into a "deal" that turns out to be a nightmare. Sometimes it pays to call a neighborhood travel consultant, or email a web-based travel consultant; our job is to get you the best value possible.


Virtuoso amenities (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.
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Ritz-Carlton Kapalua | Wine & Food Festival

What a great value! The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Maui is offering an incredible deal for the four-day Kapalua Wine and Food Festival being hosted at the resort. The special package begins at $750 per night for a Deluxe Ocean View room (minimum stay of three nights) and includes a two-day Pass for two guests valued at $540. This gets you into:

The Grand Tasting, June 25, 6-9 p.m.

The Kapalua Seafood Festival, June 27th, 6-9 p.m.

The current rate for Deluxe Ocean View rooms is $745; just $5 more gets you into two lavish wine and food buffets — in other words, both of you will enjoy two abundant gourmet dinners. While breakfast is not included at this rate, clients of STARS agents will receive an upgrade if available, customized welcome amenity, and late 4 p.m. check-out.

Contact your luxury travel consultant to book this package.


Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Maui (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.
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Hawaii | which island to visit?

A common question from first time travelers to Hawaii — which island to visit? Each is actually quite unique and offers a different vacation experience. Here's a brief rundown on your five island choices.

Oahu is the most populous island in the chain. Many travelers fly into Honolulu because of the wide choice of non-stop flights from many international and U.S. cities (including the major east coast hubs of Newark and Atlanta). Many visitors make a point to visit Pearl Harbor, and Waikiki Beach is a world-famous beach. Waikiki doesn't really appeal to me, but if you love the bustle and excitement of crowds, lots of shopping, an ABC store on every corner, and some very inexpensive hotel rooms, Honolulu could be a good choice. If Oahu is in your plans, my recommendation is the Kahala Resort, about 15 minutes from Waikiki with a beautiful, secluded beach (and a good spot for celebrity watching).

Maui is the other major tourist destination in Hawaii. It has become so popular, unfortunately, that its single two-lane road is often crowded and slow. Maui has great beaches and great golf, but I fear that it's a victim of its own popularity: lots of condos and strip malls have been built over the years. Maui is the home to the original Four Seasons Resort, the FS Maui at Wailea, and there is a large and beautiful Ritz-Carlton in the Napili area of Maui.

Kauai is a great spot for active adventurers. Small enough to get anyplace in a few hours, you can fully explore Kauai in a one-week visit. Pictured here is Waimea Canyon, the so-called "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Located in the warm and dry southwest corner of Kauai, this is a spectacular area for hiking. You will also enjoy hiking the Napili Coast (wear shoes you won't mind walking through the mud in ... as this island is a veritable rainforest). You can also see the spectacular scenery from a helicopter or dinner cruise. The newly remodeled St. Regis Princeville Resort on the north coast is a beautiful and luxurious property - a good spot for summer visitors. In the winter, stay on Poipu Beach for the better weather (where the Grand Hyatt is a good choice).

You might guess that the Big Island (Hawaii) is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain. With a still-active volcano creating a lava stream that flows to the sea, the Big Island offers the greatest variety of natural wonders. The first time I flew into Kona and drove north towards my hotel, I was struck by the lunar landscape left behind by the lava flows that formed the island. Not to worry, all of the resorts are very green and lush with beautiful beaches and championship golf courses. While the Kona side of the island is the most dependable for warm, dry weather, the Hilo side of the island is a veritable rain forest - very beautiful in its own way. Four Seasons Hualalai, a short drive from Kona, is perhaps the most idyllic resort in Hawaii.

Lanai is the smallest and quietest of the five major tourist islands, and it provides a sense of what Hawaii used to be before it was developed for tourism. With no large cities and not a single traffic light, this is a place to go and relax. Four Seasons Manele Bay sits beside one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever walked on, and there's good snorkeling right off shore. Four Seasons Lodge at Koele is 1500 feet above sea level and offers the atmosphere of a Hawaiian pineapple plantation. Both are really beautiful properties and among the best luxury resort values anywhere in the world.

I can provide exclusive amenities at all of the resorts mentioned in this article, including complimentary daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available at check-in, and extra value-added amenities. These are available just by booking through a Virtuoso and Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant.


Hawaii which island to visit (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.
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luxury tropical resorts

Winter is upon us with a vengeance, and parts of the country are already enduring frigid temperatures and driving snowstorms. Even here in Berkeley, California where I live, this week has seen unseasonably cold temperatures with a slight accumulation of snow on Monday and temperatures in the 30's. It's enough to make a winter-weary traveler start thinking about warm-weather getaways to luxury tropical resorts in Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

I am most familiar with Hawaii, being based on the west coast. Non-stops are available from SFO and LAX, as well as many secondary airports, to the major Hawaiian islands. Step on the plane at 8 a.m., and by 11 a.m. you'll find yourself in the warm, sunny tropics.

Where to stay in Hawaii? There are lodging options to match most budgets, but these are my choices for the best of the best.

Big Island — Four Seasons Hualalai. Land in Kona, drive a few minutes through the lava fields that remind one of a lunar landscape, and you will find yourself in this lush tropical resort that is the epitome of what a luxury vacation should be. No high-rise towers here — just two story buildings around four crescents, each with its own lawn and pool. Rooms are large and comfortable. Choose a second floor room for the best ocean views or, as many guests prefer, a ground floor room with its own outdoor lava shower.

Families will appreciate the complimentary kids program, and adults will enjoy the challenging 18-hole championship golf course as well as Hualalai's renowned spa (with both indoor and outdoor options for relaxing massages).

Oahu — The Kahala Resort. I love this hotel. There's a warm, relaxing, and comfortable feeling to this resort. 15 minutes away from the hectic, crowded madness of Waikiki Beach, I much prefer walking down the nearly empty beach in Kahala. If you're an early riser, you'll enjoy the beautiful sunrise (which is pictured at the very top of this blog as well as on my website).

Kauai — St. Regis Princeville Resort. Recently renovated and now under the management of St. Regis, one of my clients who just stayed at Princeville reports that the property is stunning and has a great general manager. Once this newly re-opened and re-branded hotel gets its service organized, this will be the luxury choice on Kauai. My favorite part of Hawaii - and a great destination for active travelers - Kauai is small enough to explore the entire island ... and varied enough to maintain your interest. Hike the Waimea Canyon (the "Grand Canyon" of Hawaii) or the beautiful Napili coast (wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy). Visit colorful botanical gardens or gaze at Kawaikini, the highest point on Kauai at 5,243 feet and the wettest spot on earth.

Maui — Four Seasons Maui or Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. These properties will appeal to different families. The Ritz-Carlton, in the Napili area of Maui, is a large resort set on an immense property. If you want lots of space, acres of green lawns, a beautiful beach, an award-wining children's environmental education program, and a challenging golf course, consider the Ritz-Carlton. Or, for a more compact setting with a complimentary kids program, you can't go wrong with the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea.

Enjoy value added amenities at any of these properties simply by booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner or Virtuoso luxury travel consultant. You will receive complimentary daily breakfasts, room upgrades if available, and other amenities that can include free lunches or spa credits.



luxury tropical resorts (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.
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booking expedia? read the fine print

This happens more often than any travel consultant wants to think about. A couple contacted me, wanting to plan their honeymoon on Maui. I gave them quotes on several resorts they were interested in and, as they were looking for a great value, recommended another property, the Napili Kai Beach Resort (pictured above). This is a very nice, low-rise group of condos on a great beach. The resort has swimming pools, putting green, beautiful grounds, and a nice restaurant.

I quoted them a complete package including round-trip air on the flights they wanted, five nights in the room category they preferred, and a rental car for the entire period of their stay on Maui. I included in the quote a very reasonably priced travel insurance policy that would allow them to change or cancel their reservations for any reason at any time, very important since the Napili Kai has a rather significant cancellation deadline.

They emailed me a few hours later, having priced out the same package on expedia for a slightly lower price. They asked a reasonable question: why did my package price out higher? So I did my research ... doing a mock booking for the same package on expedia. The result of my research? Expedia's price did NOT include taxes and surcharges on the rental car; mine did. When booking with expedia, it's always important to read the fine print about taxes and fees. You usually need to click through to another page to get to that information — and why is that, I wonder?

Consider the benefits of using a luxury travel consultant. I am, of course, biased in expressing this opinion, but hear my argument. While you may save a (very) few dollars by booking on some website, there are distinct advantages of working with a trusted travel advisor.

• A no-walk guarantee. My supplier, Classic Vacations, has a no-walk provision in their contract with every property they represent. You will not get to the resort and find that the hotel sold your room to someone else.
  
• An emphasis on service. Classic is not a mass marketer selling hundreds of thousands of vacations directly to consumers on the internet. While expedia does have an 800 number, I've read countless accounts of customers unable to get through in a timely way to get their problems resolved. My clients have a toll-free number to call 24/7 if they need help.
  
• Working with a human being. When you use a travel consultant, you're not reduced to clicking buttons on a webpage. You have an experienced travel professional working for you. You can ask questions and get advice. I have traveled the world, very likely have visited the places you're thinking of traveling to, and have a network of contacts who can smooth the way for you.
  
• Special requests. Would someone at expedia call the sales manager at Napili Kai, let them know a honeymoon couple is coming, and ask that they be VIP'ed for their stay? I don't think so ... but this the kind of service I provide every day for my clients.
  
• Small touches like having all the paperwork for your rental car pre-filled. There is a special Classic counter for my clients at the Hertz office in Maui; they won't have to wait in line for their rental car.

How did the story turn out? My clients ended up booking through me. It doesn't always happen, but my job is to give my clients the best advice, service, and value I possibly can. travel consultant (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. .

Fairmont Kea Lani | Maui

An all-suite resort, the Fairmont Kea Lani offers incredible value for your dollar in a luxurious setting. Suites provide a spacious 840 square feet of living space with a separate bedroom and living room, huge bathroom, and your own private lanai. For families wanting even more space, consider a two- or three-bedroom oceanfront villa with a full kitchen and your own private plunge pool.

Kids will love the beach, not to mention the new 140-foot waterslide connecting two of the resort's swimming pools. Parents will appreciate washers and dryers available for guests on a complimentary basis. Kea Lani offers a children's program, and kids aged 5 & under can eat free off the Children's Menu when dining with an adult.

For the best possible value, book through your Virtuoso travel consultant to receive the most competitive pricing along with complimentary daily buffet breakfasts for two guests per room and an upgrade on arrival subject to availability. Also be sure to ask about special promotions that include free nights with your multi-night stay at the Kea Lani.


Fairmont Kea Lani (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.
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