hotel amenity programs | a primer

I took this picture, featured on the Virtuoso website, in Java, Indonesia

Have you been searching the web, looking for the very best value for a stay in a luxury hotel? You may very likely have run across references to Virtuoso, FHR, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Ritz Carlton STARS, and other jargon. If you find it confusing, then Google has led you to the right place!

More value for you is the common denominator of all of these hotel amenity programs. You generally pay the same "best available flexible rate" that you find on hotel website, but you get value-added extras for no additional cost. These include:

• free daily breakfast for two guests
• a room upgrade upon availability at check-in
• an extra amenity that varies by hotel (such as a $100 food and beverage credit)

It's a no-brainer! There is no downside when using these programs. You do not have to prepay (unless it's a resort that would take a deposit anyway), and you benefit from the same exact cancellation policy that you'd get by booking online. Here's a primer for the various hotel amenity programs out there.

Virtuoso is a luxury travel consortium that has negotiated contracts with nearly one thousand luxury hotels and resorts around the world. To get the Virtuoso amenities, all you need do is make your booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant such as Ourisman Travel (an affiliate of Brownell).

Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) is similar to Virtuoso, but with less hotels under contract. The one advantage that FHR carries is a guaranteed 4 p.m. late check-out (but often I can negotiate the same consideration). To be eligible to use FHR, you must be an American Express Platinum Cardmember (which carries a $450 annual membership fee) and pay for your stay with an American Express card. Ourisman Travel can make FHR bookings for U.S.-based cardmembers, saving you the bother of dealing with Amex's 800 number or their [very slow] website.

Four Seasons Preferred Partner (FSPP) is an amenity program for every Four Seasons hotel and resort in the world. Preferred Partner guests receive a full American breakfast daily (including buffets and room service), priority upgrade status, and either a $100 food and beverage credit or a $100 spa credit (depending upon the property). You even get the amenities when booking Experience More promotions such as Third Night Free and Hotel Credit rates.

Ritz Carlton STARS amenities apply to every Ritz Carlton hotel and resort in the world. You get breakfast for two daily (when booking the best available flexible rate) and also receive a customized welcome amenity and late 4 p.m. check-out. These are in addition to Virtuoso amenities for those Ritz Carlton properties that are also members of Virtuoso. 

Mandarin Oriental FAN Club and Park Hyatt Prive are programs similar to the STARS program described above. You will receive complimentary daily breakfast for two and other amenities at any Mandarin Oriental or Park Hyatt in the world. This is useful for those properties that are not members of Virtuoso.

Ourisman Travel is one of a very select group of travel consultants who can take advantage of each of these programs through our affiliation with Brownell. Please email or phone us if you have any questions.

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.

Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch | ski out ski in

Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch - ski out/ski in resort

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch emailed this YouTube video of the great skiing at Beaver Creek (the less crowded side of Vail mountain). With ski out/ski in access to 1,800 acres of diverse terrain, there's plenty to attract enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders. Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch offers a Ski Concierge service that will ensure your ultimate winter escape.

Book through your Virtuoso and Ritz Carlton STARS travel consultant to receive added-value amenities to get the very best value and make the most of your vacation.

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
• 4 p.m. late check-out, subject to availability
• customized welcome amenity

Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch (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.

Florida beach vacation

sand dunes at Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

I'm headed to Amelia Island on Thursday for a Florida beach vacation. First stop, a three day weekend event at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island. The weekend will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Ritz-Carlton STARS program, an exclusive preferred partner program for Ritz-Carlton's biggest producers. STARS clients receive exclusive amenities at every Ritz-Carlton in the world, added perks that make the resort an even better value. I'll get my first chance to experience the resort, its restaurants, and its many activities. I've signed up for a "Death by Chocolate Workshop" on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.

Then on to Palm Beach for two more evenings in the slightly warmer climate of south Florida. I'll be spending two evenings at the Four Seasons Palm Beach and will do a site inspection of the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach as well. I've previously stayed at the third Virtuoso resort in Palm Beach, The Breakers.

Be watching for my site inspections here and on FlyerTalk.

Florida beach vacation (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.

guaranteed upgrade for Thanksgiving

Still thinking about Thanksgiving vacation? Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale is easy to get to, just minutes from the airport, and perched in-between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. A pedestrian bridge from the pool area leads guests over the road to the sand and surf. My clients have raved about the beauty of the hotel's accommodations as well as its service. This would be a great family getaway for Thanksgiving weekend.

To make a great holiday stay even better, Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale has just posted a guaranteed upgrade offer for Thanksgiving vacation bookings. This offer is exclusive to bookings made by a Ritz-Carlton STARS agent.

Intracoastal View King — upgrades to Partial Ocean View King
Partial Ocean View King  — upgrades to Ocean Front King
Partial Ocean View Double — upgrades to Ocean Front Double

This offer is valid for travel from November 21 through November 25, and reservations must be confirmed by September 30 at the BAR rate. When booked through a STARS and Virtuoso travel consultant, you will also receive the Virtuoso amenities:

• Daily Continental Breakfast for up to two in room guests in Via Luna 
• $100 Spa Credit, per room, once per stay (valid on spa services only, non-transferable)
• Early check-in/late check-out based on availability

Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 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 Dorado Beach | coming this December

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is aiming for a December 1, 2012 opening for the newly revitalized Dorado Beach Resort on the north shore of Puerto Rico. I have fond memories of the old Dorado Beach Hotel, as my dad took us there for two Christmas vacations back in the 1960's. (I'm dating myself). I remember the nice beach, the wonderfully warm sea water, comfortable and attractive guest rooms, and all the activities (dances on the beach, organized children's program, even one particularly lucky Bingo night at which my brothers and cousins seemed to have all the luck, winning several games).

But my most unique memory of Dorado Beach? Meeting Vice President-elect Hubert Humphrey face-to-face. This must have been after the 1964 elections but before the date of the inauguration in 1965. What a different world we lived in back then. A teenage boy could walk right up to the Vice-President elect and have a conversation, and nobody thought anything of it!

Originally a RockResort, this was a great vacation spot with 4 championship golf courses and an extensive tennis program as well. Ritz-Carlton has built a new and up-to-date resort right on the foundations of the original hotel. Every guest room is oceanfront! Dorado Beach is not yet taking reservations, but if you're looking for Festive Season accommodations for next winter, Dorado Beach is a place to consider.

As a Ritz-Carlton STARS agency, our guests will receive complimentary daily breakfasts and other exclusive amenities.


Dorado Beach (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 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 Orlando | a magical offer

Orlando is home of the Magic Kingdom, and Ritz-Carlton Orlando has just announced a truly magical Family Fun Package with $100 Resort Credit. You receive the $100 credit just by booking through a Ritz-Carlton STARS agent. Here's what you get:

• Overnight accommodations in connecting rooms.
  
• Confirmed upgrade to Lake View rooms at time of booking.
  
• Kids (up to age 12) dine free with every adult entrée purchased.
  
• Choice of Ritz Kids day for two children (ages 5-12) OR breakfast buffet for two adults and two children.
  
• Photo album and disposable camera.
  
• Ice cream passport for up to two children up to age 12.
  
• Guaranteed 2 p.m. late check-out.
  
• Transportation to Sea World, Aquatica, Universal, and Wet 'n Wild.
  
• Additional $100 resort credit for STARS guests.

The package is available through December 31, 2011. Contact a Ritz-Carlton STARS agent for full details and to make your booking.

Ritz-Carlton STARS (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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Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong | world's tallest hotel

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong has the distinction of being the highest hotel in the world! Occupying the 102nd - 118th floors of the International Commerce Centre, this hotel features commanding views over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour. With 312 guests rooms - each offering a spectacular city or harbour view - the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong is a hotel to experience while visiting Hong Kong.

As a Ritz-Carlton STARS travel consultant, I can offer you complimentary amenities at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong or any Ritz-Carlton hotel or resort in the world - including daily continental breakfast for two at the unrestricted best available rate, upgrade if available, customized welcome amenity, and a late 4 p.m. check-out.

Ritz Carlton Hong Kong (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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Ritz-Carlton STARS

Ritz-Carlton STARS has always been a "semi-secret" program, but now that the official veil of secrecy has now been lifted (including a new "for publication" logo), I'm free to tell the world about Ritz Carlton STARS.*

Sometimes the lowest price is not the best deal, and the STARS amenities make Ritz-Carlton a compelling value when considering your luxury hotel options anywhere in the world. Ritz-Carlton can be a better value than the competing Hilton, Hyatt, or Sheraton down the street.

What do you get?

Complimentary continental breakfast for two daily. This is a big deal, as breakfast can easily cost $30 per person at many luxury hotels. Your breakfast will be "on the house" on bookings made at the published rate - even weekend rates. (Free breakfasts are not available on negotiated corporate rates or promotional rates).

But the benefits only begin with breakfast. You can also get the following —

• Pre-registration and express check-in, upon request at time of booking.
  
• Late check out — a complimentary 4 p.m. departure upon request at time of booking, based on preferred availability.
  
• Clear space — every attempt will be made to clear space in sold-out situations.
  
• No walk policy — in sold-out situations a STARS client will never be "walked."
  
• First priority for requested room category, bed type, and connecting rooms.
  
• Complimentary, customized amenity, activity, or service. Whether you have a preferred welcome amenity, or just a very special request, that special courtesy can be extended to you.

These are very real benefits, and I've had clients benefit from each of them.


*Brownell Travel is one of 50 Ritz-Carlton STARS agencies, and as an independent affiliate of Brownell, any booking that I make for you entitles you to the STARS amenities at any Ritz-Carlton in the world.

Ritz Carlton STARS (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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