remembering the ladies and gentlemen...

doormen at The Goring (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

So much has changed since last I wrote you a little more than two weeks ago about travel in the age of the coronavirus.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which closed at 27,090 on March 4th, is currently at 20,212, down over 25%.
• Countries around the world are closing their borders to tourists. Americans can't travel to Europe. Europeans can't travel to the U.S. The Governor of Hawaii asked visitors to stay away. The US-Canada border is closed.
• The list of hotel closures is growing daily. Even the iconic George V in Paris has closed its doors through May 4th.
• Cruise lines are shutting down operations, and two clients are currently stuck on a Seabourn Cruise off the coast of South America waiting for an evacuation plane to fly them home to the US.
• The entire State of California has been ordered to shelter in place.

The world has changed profoundly over the past two weeks. My original assessment was clearly overly optimistic. We are all disappointed at long-anticipated trips we've had to cancel. I had intended to travel to Hawaii this Sunday and to Amsterdam next month, but when the Conservatorium in Amsterdam emailed to inform me the hotel was closing and my reservation was canceled, that pretty much settled matters. I'm "sheltering in place" in California, and that seems like the wisest thing for me to do.

But my deepest concern is not my own disappointment. It is for the many people in the travel industry who truly are hurting right now. We love the experience of staying at luxury hotels. Our stays are made so comfortable by doormen who greet us and offer to carry our bags, front desk agents who show us to our rooms, concierges who make restaurant reservations and arrange transportation, housekeeping staff who clean our rooms daily, and restaurant staff who serve our breakfasts and keep our coffee cups full. So many of these people are out of work for the time being, missing out on paychecks and gratuities. And hoteliers themselves are facing massive financial pressures.

So let us be mindful of those ladies and gentlemen who make our hotel stays so special. When we travel again — and we will — let us regard them with new eyes, with true appreciation for the service they provide us. They are gracious hosts. Let us be grateful guests.

copyright (c) 2020 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.

dreaming of warm, sunny weather?

sunbathing on Mallorca (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

It's that time of the year again. Days are growing shorter. The sun is low in the sky. And it's COLD, currently 35º in New York, 29º in Chicago, and 26º in Minneapolis. I'm very much looking forward to my trip next week to Fort Lauderdale, Florida — where it's 81º right now — to visit my sister over Christmas!

If you're anything like me, COLD weather makes you long for warm, sunny places like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. While it's late in the game to make plans for the week between Christmas and New Years ... limited space is available. Contact Team@OurismanTravel.com, and we'll work with our tropical specialists to find someplace warm and wonderful for you and your loved ones.

the pool at FS Punta Mita (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Let's start thinking about January, February, and March! The best time to make those plans is now. You'll have the best selection of rooms, suites, and villas at the best luxury resorts ... and prices will only go up from here as rooms sell out. Pro tip: book through a Virtuoso travel advisor. Sure, you can find availability on the internet, but for the same price, your Virtuoso travel advisor can get you complimentary daily breakfasts for two, a $100 resort credit, and hopefully an upgrade to a room with an even better view of the ocean.

Or try out the Virtuoso booking tool for beach vacation with exclusive amenities in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico.

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.

the difference between 5* and 4*

lobby of the Grand Hyatt Washington (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

I'm in Washington, DC for a family wedding, and we're spending two nights at the Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC. Why the Grand Hyatt? Two reasons ... it's literally across the street from the reception venue, and transportation is being provided from the hotel to the church where the wedding is being held.

As you may be aware, my business is focused on five star, luxury hotels. This stay gives me an opportunity to explain the differences between five- and four-star hotels. Here are some thoughts:

(1) A great value, I booked the Hyatt Privé rate for myself. For the nightly rate of $189, I am also receiving daily breakfast for two and a $100 hotel credit (which entirely paid for last night's dinner in the hotel's restaurant, Cure Bar & Bistro).

(2) The hotel is much larger than the typical luxury hotel, 897 rooms and suites. Guests enter the stunning 12-story lobby seen above. By way of comparison, the Park Hyatt Washington (Grand Hyatt's boutique luxury sister) has just 220 rooms and the Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern.

(3) We were upgraded to a Guest Room on the 12th floor with Grand Club privileges. Our room is an efficiently organized 351 sq ft with an attractive contemporary design and, most important, a comfortable bed. The workspace is intelligently designed with easily accessible power plugs and ports, and the internet is free and fast enough to do serious work. The bathroom was small with a single vanity and shower-in-the-tub.

(4) What about the Grand Club? I'm writing this blog from the Club at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Other Club guests are coming in to enjoy the breakfast

buffet which includes hot items such as scrambled eggs and quiches and a cold buffet spread including the fixings for lox and bagels, and an espresso machine. The selection thoughtfully includes such items as gluten-free muffins. While not pretending to offer the ambiance of a Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, Grand Club provides a pleasant place to gather with a residential feeling. There is a presentation of snacks mid-day, hors d'ouevres and cocktails at the dinner hour, and a presentation of desserts after dinner.

(5) Who should choose the Grand Hyatt? Grand Hyatt is an obvious choice for business travelers or families with a budget of $200-$250 per night. Extremely well located for tourists, the hotel is just half a mile from the National Mall and the White House ... and atop Metro Center, the hub of Washington's metro system and the intersection of four subway lines. You can get quickly from the Grand Hyatt to most any place in the city

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.

wild bush luxury in northern Australia

sunset silhouette at Bamurru Plains (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Bamurru Plains is a safari camp in the far north of Australia, east of Darwin. Separated from the ocean by 100 square miles of flood plains, airboat excursions to view wildlife are the most popular activity. Because our visit came at the end of the dry season, we did not have the chance to enjoy this particular activity as the floodplains were dry — but we did take advantage of sunrise and sunset excursions by 4x4 and boat. The best times to visit are May through August.

Birdwatching was the passion of an English couple we met at Bamurru Plains. Equipped with extremely long telephoto lenses, they were rewarded with photographic opportunities of a vast variety of local birds. It was fun hearing them excitedly calling out the names of birds they spotted and checking that species off their list. Wallabies hopped all around our camp, and we saw crocodiles in abundance when going for a nature cruise down the Mary River.

Our cabin was plain but comfortable. Screened walls brought in the sights and sounds of the surroundings. No need for alarm clocks, as the birds will reliably wake you at dawn. The camp is completely off the grid, electricity being provided by generators and hot water from the solar collector on your roof (keep your showers short!). Being off the grid, your stay at Bamurru Plains will be a vacation from emails, phone calls, and news. Food was good, with guests dining "family style" around a long table.

   

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.

Minaret Station | remote luxury

cabin at Minaret Station (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

There are different kinds of luxury.  One type of luxury is about exquisite hotel rooms with the most comfortable mattresses and linens; gorgeous drapes and furnishings; bathrooms with marble counters, deep soaking tubs, and pulsating rainshowers; and panoramic views of alpine mountains or uninterrupted coastlines.

Another vision of luxury eschews being up-to-date in order to offer its guests a full immersion in the history and culture of the place to which they've traveled.

mountain stream (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

And then there's Minaret Station — I've shown the wooden cabin where I spent one quite glorious day. This is the luxury of living in perfect comfort in a totally remote location entirely off the grid. A simple but comfortable cabin. Plain wooden floors. Spacious bedroom with views onto this mountain valley. A deck whose hot tub shared the same views. A living room with sofabed (if you bring your kids). A bathroom without a square inch of marble ... but dual vanities, a shower with plenty of hot water, and the best water pressure we experienced anywhere in New Zealand. Did I say we were off the grid? The resort generates its own hydroelectric power from a waterfall just behind where I was standing. Oh, and the food was wonderful!

I absolutely loved my much too-short one day at Minaret Station. Very remote, it's just a 45 minute helicopter ride from Queenstown, and getting there is half the fun. If you're an avid travel photographer, put this resort on your bucket list. Arriving at Minaret Station is like landing in a photographic paradise. See more photos in my two previous blog articles here and here.

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.

postcard from Minaret Station

waterfall at Minaret Station (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

I took a short hike this morning before breakfast through the mountain valley in which Minaret Station is found. With just four cabins set in the midst of 60,000 acres, Minaret Station is both the largest and the smallest Virtuoso resort in the world. It is utter luxury to live in total comfort, enjoying meals, in the midst of such raw and natural beauty. So remote, we helicoptered in yesterday ... but so close, it's just 20 minutes from Queenstown.

Never knew about Minaret Station, but it's now on my radar as the best adventure travel resort in New Zealand ... and one of the most spectacular settings in the world. Thank you, Minaret Station, Southern World, Tourism New Zealand, and Virtuoso for making this visit possible.

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.

Regent Seven Seas | $200 to experience the best

itinerary of Regent Seven Seas "Stockholm to Copenhagen" cruise

Regent Seven Seas Cruises — a truly all-inclusive luxury cruise line. Luxury means larger cabins, each with an ocean view; superb meals; and attentive service. All-inclusive means no nasty surprises when you settle your bill at check-out. Your cruise fare on Regent always includes:

• free pre-paid gratuities
• free unlimited shore excursions
• free air
• free unlimited beverages
• free 24-hour room service
• no charge for specialty restaurants

You'll of course need pay for spa treatments and gifts purchased onboard, but we've even got that covered with a special new Virtuoso promotion — $100 per person onboard credit for any new 2018 sailing booked through Virtuoso in the month of August. This is in addition to any exclusive Virtuoso Voyager experiences you'll also receive. Treat yourself ... on us!

It's what you pay at check-out, not the advertised fare, that really matters. That Premium cruise line  you're considering may seem like a bargain, but by the time you're billed for everything from bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, and shore excursions to the required gratuities, you'll have spent just as much as if you booked a true luxury cruise — and not enjoyed the full luxury experience.

Go for the best. Sometimes luxury is also the best value! Drop us a note... 

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 my website.

why to book the larger room

Deluxe Suite on the Sanctuary Ananda

Our journey has taken us to Bagan where we were met upon arrival by an A&K rep who assisted with our transfer to the Sanctuary Ananda, the riverboat that would be home for the next three days in Myanmar. We were escorted to our Deluxe Suite on the Mandalay deck and started settling in. During the course of unpacking, I discovered a sheet offering upsell possibilities. For $500 all-in, we had the option of an upgraded Luxury Suite.

We asked to ask to see the larger suite. The difference between Deluxe (291 sq ft) and Luxury (334 sq ft) is just 43 square feet. To luxury hotel aficionados, space onboard ships will always seem cramped. The Deluxe "suite" (291 sq ft) had enough room for a bed and a small desk; no place to sit or hang out. The Luxury "suite" (334 sq ft) had an additional 43 square feet of living space. That may not seem like much, but it would mean a world of difference inside our cabin.

• The larger suite had a sitting area with a sofa and easy chair.
• Two luggage racks were provided in the room.
• The closet area was more accessible and much more usable.
• The balcony was 50% larger with a lounge chair.

In the world of hotels, 334 square feet constitutes a very small "superior room." Onboard a river cruise ship, a cabin that makes efficient use of this space can be quite comfortable.

We upsold and are delighted we did! Lesson to be gleaned: when you book a cruise, it's well worth the additional cost to secure the largest cabin within your budget. Your cabin becomes personal space, not just a place to sleep.

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 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.

#VirtuosoWeek top ten | how to see the Taj Mahal

This is the fourth of my "top ten list" from Virtuoso Week. Oberoi Amarvilas is the best luxury hotel in Agra; nothing else even comes close. Here are four reasons to stay at Amarvilas when you journey to India to see the Taj Mahal.

1. The resort's golf buggies whisk you from the door of the hotel right to the entrance of the Taj Mahal (and not just to the barricade 100 meters away).

2. You can purchase your Taj Mahal tickets right from Oberoi's concierge — saving you the ordeal of standing in a long and crowded queue. No other hotel in Agra provides this service.

3. Direct views of the Taj Mahal delight guests from every room and suite in the hotel.

4. Receive exclusive amenities for your stay when booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant. A room upgrade if available on checkin, complimentary full breakfast for two daily, a one-time complimentary lunch for two, and early check-in, late check-out subject to availability... these are the valuable perks our clients enjoy.

copyright (c) 2015 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.

a journey across Asia | Hong Kong and Thailand

Phulay Bay | a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

This trip looks absolutely incredible. Crazy expensive, but incredible! A customized luxury travel package that includes:

2 nights at the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong in the Ritz-Carlton Suite. This is the highest hotel in the world, and the suite offers a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour and the skyline of Hong Kong.

round-trip private jet from Hong Kong to Phulay Bay, near Krabi, Thailand

2 nights at Phulay Bay in the Royal Andaman Sea Villa

3 nights on a private yacht sailing through the Similan Islands (one of the best spots in the world to snorkel, dive, and swim). Your meals onboard will be prepared by two-star Michelin chef Pino Lavarro.

Call me if you're interested. This is the most astonishing luxury travel package I've seen in a long time!


copyright (c) 2013 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.

Four Seasons New York | Third Night Free

Four Seasons New York has announced a third night free promotion during the summer months, available from June 14 - September 9, although certain dates may become blacked out as occupancy rises. Summer is a lighter season for business travel to New York, so this promotion is aimed at the luxury leisure traveler - although business travelers can take advantage as well!

Coming to New York this summer? This is a rare value at the Four Seasons New York, one of the Big Apple's premier luxury hotels. Best of all, this free night offer is combinable with the Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities when booked through your FSPP travel consultant:

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• Spa credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to products)
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
• Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings

Four Seasons New York (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. .

The Venice Experiment

The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad is the story of a really adventurous guy (Barry Frangipane) and the very interesting account of how he met his wife and subsequently decided to drop everything and move to Venice for a year. "Trial and error" is probably a very good way of describing their experience, but sometimes this is how we best learn. Barry and Debbie made their share of mistakes, but they came to know Venice in a way that few Americans will ever experience.

There is life in the neighborhoods, literally just around the corner from the crowded streets where tourists are milling about. The Venice Experiment offers a hint of what's there, waiting to be discovered. Worth the price of the book is a very short list of useful addresses (just nine entries). It includes Barry's favorite Gelateria in Venice, along with several pastry shops and trattorias and a recommended bar and cafe. A short list is exactly what you need for your few days in Venice, the net result of a full year's worth of trials and errors.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Barry on the phone - he's one of the most outgoing and enthusiastic people I've ever met. I was especially interested in Barry and Debbie's fledgling new enterprise, Savory Adventures, offering luxury culinary and touring experiences in Italy — not only Venice but in Piedmont and on the Amalfi Coast. Debbie is a CIA-trained chef (and you'll read about her culinary adventures in their tiny kitchen). Couldn't resist including this YouTube video of her outrageous Tiramisu French Toast recipe.




The Venice Experiment (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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travel to Egypt | consider 2011

Photo courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

Copyright © Steve Filipiak 2007

As the world knows, Egypt experienced a peaceful revolution in which an authoritarian government gave way to a new democratic process. However, February's uprising has impacted tourism in Egypt, many travelers canceling trips already planned. The drop in tourism persists, despite the return to normalcy and the reopening of important sites such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. By traveling to Egypt, our dollars will strengthen the economy, help employment, and ultimately help this nascent democracy to succeed.

This could be the ideal time to travel to Egypt. Do you prefer to avoid crowds? Are you looking for value and luxury? Then 2011 is a great year to travel to Egypt. Immerse yourself in history by day and relax in luxury by night in Egypt's world class hotels (two Four Seasons in Cairo and their resort at Sharm El Sheikh) ... and even enjoy a Nile cruise.

Egypt Unveiled is an 11 day escorted trip hosted by the luxury travel experts at Abercrombie & Kent with space on departures throughout 2011 — or contact your luxury travel consultant to plan a completely customized vacation to Egypt.


travel to Egypt (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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use a travel agent or "wing it"?

A recent question on the Europe Forum on fodors.com was written by a traveler going to Italy for the first time. Her question: should I use a travel agent or "wing it" on my own? ... What are the pros and cons?

Virtually every response offered the advice to plan the trip herself. In fact, Fodors exists as a resource for do-it-yourself trip planners and it serves as an excellent source of information. For a lot of travelers, researching and planning an itinerary can be an incredibly enjoyable experience, but this is not the answer for everyone. Here's the answer I posted (slightly edited):


No one has addressed the other side of the question... It can be invaluable to work with a travel consultant with expertise on Italy, to have an experienced professional ask about the kind of experience you'd like to have, clarify the kind of accommodations you like (and dislike), and brainstorm the attractions you'd like to visit. Working with a travel consultant will save you many hours of research - as well as the hassle of communicating with multiple hotels. You'll get a well-planned itinerary that makes sense for you and that works, given the timing and constraints of your trip. You can also arrange some unique experiences not available to the general public.

A good travel advisor will charge you a trip planning fee — perhaps $150 for a one-week trip or $300 for a two-week trip — to compensate for the significant amount of time this professional will spend working on your trip. A planning fee paid to the right travel advisor will be the best investment you may make. In return, you will receive an attractive, well-designed, totally customized itinerary with all the essential details of your trip documented.

While you can certainly book your own hotels, a travel consultant can book the same hotels, and you won't pay a penny more. The travel agent will be commissioned by the hotel (not paid by you), and you will be free of looking after all the details yourself. And, in the case of many luxury hotels that are members of Virtuoso, a Virtuoso travel advisor will provide you with complimentary amenities such as free breakfasts, upgrades, and even lunches or dinners. You get the benefit of the buying power of the world's largest luxury network.


The bias on Fodors is to "do it yourself," and that's fine. My point is a simple one: the right travel consultant can save you time and money and add so much to your trip to Italy. There are some real Italy experts out there who are worth their weight in gold. One recommendation? Ellen Craig, my friend and colleague with Brownell Travel.


Virtuoso travel advisor (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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Portugal and Spain | an October trip

I have never been to Spain or Portugal, and I am very much looking forward to my upcoming trip this October. An official francophile, I've been countless times to France, even to the Basque region in the southwest of the country, just a skip over the Pyrenees to Spain, but this is my chance to visit the Iberian Peninsula.

I'll be posting trip reports, complete with photographs, on Travel Horizons, so if you haven't subscribed, just click here for an RSS feed or click here to be notified by email when a new posting has been made. I'll keep you posted on my discoveries in Portugal and Spain.

I used a Virtuoso on-site in Spain, Valesa Cultural Services, to put together my trip. If you've never experienced the pleasure of a completely planned trip, you're missing one of the true pleasures of life. It is sheer luxury to just relax and enjoy your vacation - knowing that local experts will take care of all the details. Small example: when you're catching a flight the next morning, your guide will simply tell you what time you'll be picked up in the lobby of the hotel; you don't need to figure it out for yourself... It's a small thing, but it's just a taste of the difference an on-site can make.


Portugal and Spain (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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Park Hyatt Shanghai | highest hotel in the world

Located high atop the Shanghai World Financial Center (the building with the opening at the top, pictured above), the Park Hyatt Shanghai is the highest hotel in the world. With just 174 guestrooms, the Park Hyatt is a boutique hotel that prides itself on the highly personalized service it offers through its team of personal butlers and chefs. Rooms are large (starting at 592 square feet) and offer spectacular views of the Huangpu River.

Luxury can be highly affordable. Pay the best available flexible rate and receive, in addition, these valuable amenities at no extra cost:

• Upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary full breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests
• One 600 CNY (approx. $85) F&B credit per room per stay

How to get these added value perks? Just make your booking through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for the best luxury values at over 800 five star hotels and resorts around the world. Click here for more information.


Park Hyatt Shanghai (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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Ritz-Carlton Kapalua | luxury in Maui

The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua reopened this year after a $180 million dollar renovation. 463 remodeled spacious guest rooms feature hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, and sumptuous Ritz-Carlton beds.

The list of attractions and activities is almost endless: a beautiful beach, tri-level swimming pool, 17,500 square foot spa, 24-hour fitness center, two 18-hole championship golf courses, a golf academy, even zip lines. An award-winning children's program, Ambassadors of the Environment, fosters environmental respect among children — and also teens and adults.

We had a great lunch at the Beach House Restaurant. Nestled by the beach, we sat in the shade of palm trees and thoroughly enjoyed this idyllic setting. The food was exceptional and the view was stunning. With multiple fine dining options, and a Club Lounge with five daily food presentations, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua offers great possibilities for your family's next Hawaiian vacation. For the best in luxury values, book through a Virtuoso travel consultant for a complimentary daily breakfast buffet for two, upgrade upon availability, and more!


Ritz Carlton Kapalua (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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Meadowood | Napa Valley luxury

Settled on a private estate just outside of St. Helena, California, Meadowood Napa Valley offers a casual yet elegant setting for the perfect romantic getaway. With 85 cottages, each suite offers a living room and separate bedroom. Nestled on a beautiful hillside of live oak trees, come to Meadowood just to relax in the beautiful northern California weather, or indulge yourself in active pleasures such as hiking, tennis, golf, or croquet.

After dark, enjoy the incredible cuisine of Chef Christopher Kostow of The Restaurant at Meadowood. I recently enjoyed a five course tasting meal at Meadowood, each course being paired with a selected wine: an amuse bouche of Cold Smoked Toro, Chilled Carrot Soup, Monkfish Roasted in Vadouvan (pictured), Slow Cooked Beef Tenderloin (that literally melted in the mouth), and a Valrohna Chocolate dessert.

When you venture beyond the resort, the famous vineyards of Napa Valley are located just minutes from Meadowood. Enjoy biking or driving through the scenic countryside and exploring the shops of St. Helena. If fine wine is your passion, a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant can design a customized wine tour for you, even getting you into vineyards not normally open to the public.

For the best values in luxury travel, book Meadowood through your Virtuoso travel consultant. In addition to specially discounted rates, Virtuoso guests enjoy an upgrade when available upon arrival, daily full Breakfast for two, a bottle of Napa Valley cabernet, and a full Lunch for two once during your stay.


Meadowood Napa Valley (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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Park Hyatt Chicago | guaranteed room upgrade

Are you traveling to Chicago? What would you say if I could offer you:

• a room in one of Chicago's top luxury hotels
  
• 15% off the best available rate?
  
• a complimentary full breakfast for two every day
  
• a complimentary afternoon tea or cocktail in the lounge
  
• a guaranteed room upgrade at the time of booking

These amenities are available at the Park Hyatt Chicago exclusively through any Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (but the guaranteed upgrade is only available for a short while, for stays through August 31, 2008). So if your summer travels are taking you to the Windy City, take advantage of the guaranteed room upgrade which is subject to availability at the time of booking.

Park Hyatt Chicago (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2007 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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