Month: February 2022

Yes, the title may seem a bit bold since I book travel for a living, but I have a strong case and I know you’re not getting the best deal when you book direct.

Read on to learn why . . . .

XOOM Tours Travel Perks and Programs

It’s so much fun having clients travel all over the world enjoying incredible and unforgettable experiences tailored to their specific interests that they didn’t even know were possible. And there’s nothing better than when I surprise them with travel perks like a complimentary room upgrade upon arrival, early check-in or late check-out, complimentary daily breakfast, complimentary WIFI, spa or food and beverage credits, or exclusive travel experiences with VIP access. These are a few amenities that are not available when booking direct.

That is why all your hotel bookings should be through XOOM Tours, whether it’s a small domestic weekend trip, five nights in Mexico, or a bucket list tour through Europe, Asia or beyond. I can offer you wonderful free upgrades, additional amenities, VIP gifts, and more at most luxury hotels around the world.

        Sofitel Munich Bayerpost                InterContinental Bora Bora Resort

Velaa Private Island, Noonu Atoll, Maldives

Membership has its Privileges!

Our host agency, Gifted Travel Network (GTN), as a Virtuoso member enables us to offer additional Virtuoso exclusive amenities with 1,800+ of the world’s best hotels, cruise lines and tour operators. And over the past 18 months, GTN has added several preferred partner hotel programs available only by invitation to top performing travel agencies. Even if you are at the highest level in a hotel’s respective loyalty program, we offer you even more value during your stay and for the same pricing. You will continue to earn your loyalty points, and you’ll have us available to service your needs. Now that’s a true WIN-WIN.

Let’s look at the highlights of these exclusive programs.

Aman-i-Khas, Sawai Madhopur, India

If WOW is what you’re looking for, XOOM Tours will make it EXTRAORDINARY!

Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua (Maui, Hawaii)

Marriott Stars and Luminous Programs

Marriott has 30 brands worldwide and XOOM Tours is a member of their exclusive Stars (luxury+ hotels) and Luminous (premium hotels) programs.

Stars includes: BVLGARI, EDITION, Luxury Collection properties, Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis.

Book any of these properties through us at the regular rate you’d pay direct and receive:

• Complimentary full or continental breakfast daily for up to two people per room
• Personalized welcome amenity and note
• Hotel credit valued at $100 once per stay
• Complimentary basic Wi-Fi daily
• In-person welcome
• Your full allocation of Bonvoy points
• Complimentary room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in

Luminous includes: Autograph Collection, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott, Renaissance, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels and Westin (many hotels in these various portfolios qualify)

Book these properties through us at the regular rate you’d pay direct and receive:

• Complimentary basic Wi-Fi daily
• Early check-in & late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
• Local welcome amenity and note
• Hotel credit valued at $100 once per stay (at select hotels)
• Your full allocation of Bonvoy points

Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo

Hyatt Privé Program

Hyatt Privé is an exclusive program with elite perks and amenities, again only available through a Hyatt Privé invited travel advisor such as XOOM Tours. There are currently over 200 properties globally that are part of the program, including all Park Hyatt, Andaz, and Miraval properties, as well as select Alila, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Regency, JdV by Hyatt, Thompson, and The Unbound Collection properties.

Here are the exclusive benefits for booking at the regular rate you’d pay direct:

• Daily breakfast for 2 in the hotel’s restaurant (not the club lounge)
• A one-category upgrade (room-to-room or suite-to-suite) confirmed within 24 hours of booking, based on availability at the time of booking
• A $50 to $100 property credit per room per stay (hotel dependent)
• Early check-in (as early as 9 a.m.), subject to availability
• A welcome gift and note
• Full allocation of your World of Hyatt loyalty points

 

Four Seasons Preferred Partner Program

Four Seasons doesn’t have a traditional loyalty program. Ultimately, the brand’s selling point is the Four Seasons experience, which is clearly enough as they have droves of travelers preferring to stay at their properties. However, as we are now recognized as a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, it’s possible to enjoy elite benefits on Four Seasons stays. If you have ever stayed at a Four Seasons then you know the value of these perks is quite significant. While the benefits may vary slightly by property, most are consistent.

• Daily full breakfast for 2 people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
• Hotel or resort credit of $100 to $200 per stay (guest rooms receive $100 while suites, specialty suites, and private retreats receive $200)
• Upgrade of one category (based on availability at ime of check-in)
• Complimentary standard Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and premium Wi-Fi in all suites

Accor Step Program

Very few people are aware of the program, but once you see the luxury hotel brands under the Accor umbrella, you’ll be impressed. As a member of Accor’s preferred partner program, STEP (Special Travel Experience Program), XOOM Tours clients can access exclusive amenities and benefits in more than 170 hotels worldwide including brands like Fairmont, Banyan Tree, Raffles, MGallery, Pullman, SO/, Movenpick, Rixos, SLS, Swissotel, 21C Museum and Sofitel.

Exclusive benefits for booking at the regular rate you’d pay direct:

• Daily complimentary breakfast for two
• Credit to be spent during stay ($50 or $100 depending on hotel)
• Early check-in and late check-out, if available
• Upgrade at time of booking or check-in, if available
• A VIP welcome (greeting & amenity)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire

Belmond Bellini Club Program

Belmond joined LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton in April 2019, reinforcing their place among the international leaders in luxury. As a XOOM Tours client, you’ll be eligible to receive unique value-added benefits and VIP status as part of your stay at Belmond Hotels & Resorts around the globe.

Benefits include:

• Room upgrade (priority for room upgrades at check-in)
• Daily complimentary breakfast for 2 guests per day
• Property Credit (varies by property, up to $200)
• VIP Recognition by property management and staff
• Special In-Room Welcome Amenity
• Free Wifi
• A $500 gift voucher when you spend $5,000+, applicable towards a future Belmond experience of $2,500+
• Priority for early check-in and late check-out (if available)
• Priority for connecting rooms (if available)

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, Aswan, Egypt

Virtuoso Program

Virtuoso includes…intimate retreats, sustainable safari camps, gorgeous beach resorts … and so much more. There’s a world of dream stays to discover within Virtuoso’s curated collection of more than 1,400 hotels, resorts, lodges, villas, camps, and private islands. The properties in this portfolio have some overlap with the programs above and when the property is available in both programs, we have the luxury to make the decision as to which benefits work best for you.

Again as reviewed above, the key is that you are better off booking any Virtuoso property through XOOM Tours rather than booking direct with the hotel. Pricing will be in line with direct, but you will receive the following additional benefits with some variation depending on the property:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
• Up to $100 Resort or Spa Credit per booking
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Many hotels also offer an on-site exclusive experience e.g. Pisco Sour mixology class.

Vidago Palace, Vidago, Portugal

Capella Ubud, Bali

As your Travel Advisor, I make sure you don’t miss out on extraordinary experiences that you may not be aware of or cannot get on your own, as they are only available through our exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.

I’ll use inside information to arrange behind the scene tours, secure access into exclusive events, have your tours and excursions scheduled at the best times, provide upgrades and amenities when available and more.

My goal is that you return from your vacation saying, “WOW! That was an amazing experience!”

If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!

If you’ve been following me, you know I’ve been traveling to many places over the past year researching destinations for my clients. A couple of months ago I went to Bermuda for a week and had a fantastic time exploring…. from breathtaking views, shipwrecks, underwater caves, a variety of coral and marine life, abundant water activities, pink sandy beaches, and historic UNESCO sites…it’s a must visit destination!

It is clear why Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted Bermuda “Best Island in the Caribbean/Atlantic” 18 times since 1994. And Outside magazine recently named Bermuda “Best Island“ out of 30 top destinations for outdoor adventure. Intrigued?

Here are my insider insights, including when to go, what to do and where to stay.

A SMALL ISLAND PACKING A BIG PUNCH!

The attraction to Bermuda is obvious. Don’t be fooled by its small size; this 21-square-mile Atlantic Island is full of UNESCO historical sites ambience, reef-fringed clear blue waters, pink-sand beaches, and an array of adventurous activities, such as golfing, aquatic shipwreck scuba diving, cliff jumping, whale watching, deep-sea fishing, and cycling.

On land you’ll find an eclectic island culture with unique architecture in vibrant neighborhoods, brightly colored shorts and delicious fish chowder. It’s a destination known for its cuisine and bright preppy clothing….Bermuda shorts, of course! And no visit would be complete without trying “The Rum Swizzle“ and the “Dark ‘n Stormy“ which are their national drinks.

WHY BERMUDA

• Pristine landscape
• Friendly locals
• Rich in Culture Heritage and History.
• Thanks to its unique blend of Caribbean, British, and African American roots, Bermuda offers a world of experiences to all who visit.
• Easy to get around the island
• Easy to get there. Less than 90 minutes from New York and less than a two-hour direct flight from most East coast cities.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the sand is made from tiny invertebrates that live on the coral reefs along Bermuda’s coastline and that’s why it’s pink?

BEST TIME TO GO!

Anytime is a great time to visit Bermuda, but one of the best times is in March, April or May, when the temperatures become nice for beach bathing (maybe not warm enough for swimming), the island is not crowded, and the hotel prices aren’t as high as they are in Bermuda’s peak season from end of May through October.

March is great for whale watching. The annual humpback whale migration brings nearly 10,000 humpback whales to Bermuda’s waters. You can usually see the whales breaching just offshore from the beach, but you can also take a boat trip to witness these mammoth creatures up close. Just be prepared to get wet if you do. 😎

April brings Easter festivities. The island buzzes with hot cross buns and pastel-colored piles of tissue paper lining the storefronts. One fun tradition would be to join the locals and make a colorful kite to fly on Good Friday.

As the weather continues to get warmer, May ushers in the beginning of the summer high season. Outdoor activities abound and Hamilton’s Harbor Nights kick off, with stalls and live entertainment every Wednesday evening on Front Street. May 24th is Bermuda Day, which is the official start of summer for the locals.

IT’S THE PEOPLE THAT YOU MEET…

It’s amazing how the people you met can really shape your experience when in destination. Larry Rogers, our private guide and driver, was that special person in Bermuda. He was born and raised there and it didn’t take long to notice that he is proud of his country and everything about it. Larry not only helped us see, hear and taste the island like an insider, he also became a friend along the way.

When he arrived to pick us up each day, he greeted us with a big smile saying, “Good Morning, Angels!” He was so happy to be with us. He brought special treats (the best carrot cake, peanut brittle and cinnamon buns I have ever tasted) that were made by his wife, Kathi, and his daughter, Katiah.

The best part was that Larry enjoyed sharing about the culture, history, cuisine, favorite beach spots and fun facts about Bermuda. Larry is one of a kind and certainly showed us the true hospitality of the Bermudian people. You can clearly see that he is proud to be Bermudian and loved sharing it with us.

TOP THINGS TO DO

There are so many fun things to do on this picture perfect island. Here are a few I know you’ll love!

Pink Sand Beaches – Horseshoe Bay Beach is the most photographed (and famous) beach in Bermuda, one of the top 10 beaches in the world. No one can resist the blush pink sand and the clear blue waters or the numerous activities and cave exploring there is to enjoy!

Horseshoe is a great spot for a romantic stroll along the sand. And if you’re in town during Easter you have to make a special trip to Horseshoe to see the beautiful handmade Bermudian kites flying high on Good Friday.

The historic Town of St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage site, joined the elite group of recognized world treasures that includes the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China and the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Steeped in history, the Town of St. George is the oldest continuously inhabited town of English origin in the New World. The fortifications first constructed in 1612, includes a near complete collection of British fortifications and artillery.

The Crystal and Fantasy Caves of Bermuda are an otherworldly network of caves and subterranean lakes, first discovered in 1907 by two you Bermudian boys. What they discovered is one of Bermuda’s true hidden treasures – a cavernous, watery world, complete with centuries-old stalactites and stalagmites, with a 55-foot-deep crystal-clear lake illuminated by spotlights so you can see straight-down to the bottom.

Feel the City of Hamilton’s urban energy and international vibe with a walk down Front Street. You’ll love walking along this waterfront promenade with colorful, colonial buildings on the north side of the street and the sparkling harbor on the south. While exploring, stop into a boutique to shop, sit down for lunch at one of the many restaurants or just people-watch as the locals head to and from work. When the sun sets, this area becomes a hot spot for nightlife and entertainment.

The Royal Naval Dockyard is the most visited site in Bermuda and a fun place to explore the island’s rich maritime history. It is also home to the National Museum of Bermuda providing a fascinating journey through Bermuda’s history, from shipwrecks and whaling to the first flying boats. 

For a panoramic view of the island, visit Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse – the tallest cast-iron lighthouse ever built. It was built in 1844 to warn sailors of the treacherous coral reefs extending as far as 16 miles offshore. Today it is still an operating lighthouse but for those able to walk up the 185 steps, it provides some of the best vistas in Bermuda. You can read plaques about the lighthouse’s history on the way up and down.

Walk, hike, or bike the Bermuda Railway Trail National Park, an 18-mile historic path that stretches from one end of Bermuda to the other. Originally a railroad that transported Bermudians around the island, the route today serves as a hiking and biking path where travelers and locals alike take in panoramic ocean views, uncover secluded beaches, traverse old bridges, and explore the lush terrain. The trail is made up of nine sections, and there are access points sprinkled throughout.

WHERE TO STAY

There are many places to choose from in Bermuda, including a few all-inclusive resorts. Below I am only highlighting 3 as I stayed in one, visited the others and they are all part of Virtuoso of which I’m a member and therefore can offer you exclusive amenities including:

• Preferred rates and availability
• Room upgrades (if available)
• Breakfast daily for two
• Dining, resort, or hotel credits
• Early check-in and late checkout (if available)
• Exclusive amenities and experiences

Rosewood Bermuda

This is the hotel I stayed in during my visit and I can tell you it’s spectacular. Recently renovated, this is the centerpiece of Tucker’s Point Club, Bermuda’s premier resort, golf club, and residential community. Gracing 240 beautiful coastal acres on the island, the award-winning tropical hideaway neighbors the estates of Tucker’s Town and offers breathtaking vistas of the ocean and sound. With 88 rooms and suites, you’ll feel a part of the elite club, with access to private pink-sand beaches, as well as the island’s finest amenities. You can golf, sail the ocean blue, dive to shipwrecks, play a friendly game of tennis, or “spa” to your heart’s delight.

How about the sunset that I captured from my balcony! SO BEAUTIFUL!

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, A Fairmont Hotel

Hamilton Princess, fondly known as the “Pink Palace,” has been transformed into a modern, urban resort. Updated features include an exclusive private beach club; three brand-new restaurants, including celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s signature venue, Marcus’ Bermuda; reimagined rooms, suites, and public spaces; and an extensive marina that accommodates any size of boat or yacht – all located within walking distance of downtown Hamilton. New as of 2016 is Exhale, the mind-body spa and fitness facility; fabulous retail space; and updated Gold Rooms and lounge.

The St. Regis Bermuda Resort

The resort features 120 elegant guestrooms, including 21 suites and ultra-luxury residential suites located at The Residences at The St. Regis Bermuda. Each accommodation features a private balcony and is designed to immediately draw the eye to expansive ocean views, reflecting the palette, movement, and life of the ocean. Ideal when traveling with the family or larger groups, guests staying in the residential suites will indulge in the perfect blend of residences comfort along with the services and amenities of a luxury resort.