✅ Why You Shouldn’t Book Luxury Hotels Direct 🏨

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
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Canada

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!

Lisa

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Hi I'm Lisa, founder of XOOM Tours

And I believe, whole-heartedly, that YOU deserve a travel journey that wows you every step of the way. I’m here to design just that, just for you.

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