Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What I am Thankful For...Travel-Related, Of Course


With it being Thanksgiving week, it seems appropriate to list a few things I am thankful for as a frequent traveler. So here goes:

I am thankful for hotels like Four Seasons Maui (pictured)for never ever disappointing my clients. Everytime I book a client here, I get a thank you email telling me how incredible everything was. This hotel simply does everything right and thus, makes me look good in the process.

I am thankful to whoever invented in-flight WiFi. You guys at GoGo Inflight rock. The daytime cross-country flights I used to dread are now uber-productive thanks to you.

I am thankful for luxury properties like Peninsula Hotels, Luxe Sunset Boulevard, Gansevoort Hotels, Marquis Los Cabos, Canyon Ranch and The Greenwich that don't charge me extra to use the in-room WiFi. Charging for this remains my biggest luxury hotel pet peeve.

I am thankful to our NY-based partners at SmartFlyer and for our membership in the Virtuoso network which enables us to pass along incredible perks & special privileges to all of our clients worldwide.

I am thankful to all of the hotel General Managers I've met around the world over the years who consider my clients VIPs & treat them like old friends the minute they step in their door.

I am thankful to Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood Hotels & Orient Express for their Preferred Partners, Stars, Elite & Bellini Club programs. As a member of each, our clients enjoy ultra-VIP status when staying at any of their properties.

I am thankful to Mark Zuckerberg, @Ev & @Biz for inventing the Social Media networks that have changed how we do business. Both Facebook & Twitter are responsible for reconnecting me with so many old friends & connecting me to new friends & new clients all over the world.

I am thankful to the (handful of) airline gate agents who understand that there's nothing wrong with being nice to travelers. After all, these are the people who buy the tickets that keep the airlines in business and the reason they have a job.

I am of course, thankful to all of our amazing clients around the world who trust us with their all of their business & vacation travel plans

Lastly, I am thankful for my good health. Without this, I'd never be able to travel all over the world and share my experiences with all of our clients and with all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow travelers worldwide! I look forward to helping you plan amazing trips in the days ahead. For more information, email me at elitetravelgal@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @elitetravelgal. I'd also be thankful if you'd like us on Facebook
at www.Facebook.com/elitetravelinternational where we post lots of insider tips and luxury hotel deals.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Loving Los Cabos...Part One

Everytime I fly down to Los Cabos--which isn't often enough given it's only a two-hour flight from Los Angeles--I quickly remember why I love this Mexican destination. The people are unbelievably friendly, the hotels are first class, the food is delicious and the sea-meets-mountain setting is simply stunning.

Accommodation options in Los Cabos run the gamut from small luxurious boutique hotels to larger full-service beachfront resorts, private villas and over-the-top residences (more on this later this week!). The newest addition to my list of favorite luxury hotels is Marquis Los Cabos, a 237-suite property steps from the Pacific Ocean. I especially love the 28 private casitas and the five Marquis suites, each with a private pool, patio or sundeck, spacious kitchen/dining area, huge baths with jacuzzi tub, intricate stone floors, handcrafted woodwork, original Mexican artwork and private butlers. There's no such thing as a "standard room" here; rather, rooms in the main building are laid out like junior suites, and each features terraces, ocean views and pull-out sofas (perfect for families).

Dining options include the oceanview Vista Ballenas and Canto Del Mar, a beautiful intimate restaurant serving Chef Thierry Dufour's six-course tasting menu that changes every three days. Al fresco dining by the three outoor infinity pools is of course, also an option. A holistic Spa Marquis, outdoor yoga classes, unique Mayan therapies, a spacious fully-equipped gym and complimentary WiFi are other things I am loving about Marquis Los Cabos.

Limited availability still exists for Christmas; it's an ideal spot for families, couples and groups of friends seeking a warm-weather holiday vacation option! Note: no minimum stay requirement is in place which we think is a very smart move by General Manager Ella Messerli.

For more details or to inquire about time-sensitive promotions special rates and exclusive perks, contact us via email at elitetravelgal@gmail.com.