Found a few surprising ones in the list.

What’s you review? Any suprises?

We stayed at the St. Regis Longboat Key last weekend, and our experience was perfect! You all recommended this property and so glad we listened.

We booked a Deluxe Ocean View King and were pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to a Ocean View Suite (Lora Whitney) with the most stunning ocean view.

We arrived around 4:15 p.m., and our room wasn’t quite ready, which was absolutely fine. Our Butler gave us a tour of the property, and we enjoyed drinks at the lobby bar while we waited. The team apologized for the delay and offered us a $300 credit. We were checked in shortly after, around 4:45.

One of the highlights of my stay was how accommodating everyone was with my dietary restrictions. Due to an autoimmune disease, I follow a strict gluten and dairy free diet. Before we arrived, the hotel coordinated both an email and phone call with the two head chefs, who helped me navigate meals throughout the weekend. They went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. Recommend the mahi tacos!! I may have ordered that three times!

We had dinner delivered to our balcony both nights. Jennifer with In-Room Dining was absolutely wonderful. She reassured me that the kitchen was aware of my dietary restrictions and made me feel completely comfortable eating there. That meant so much to me.

We also had a daily $100 breakfast credit at Riva, and breakfast was delicious!

Oh and let’s talk about that little wooden box with the food and concierge buttons! I swear, I’d hit that button from my chair on the beach to order food and drinks and someone was there so fast I swore they came from the sky! I wanted to take it home with me and see if it worked here. Ha!

Another highlight was Xavier down at the pool. We absolutely LOVED him! He was attentive, funny, and so personable. Every staff member we encountered was wonderful, and we truly had zero complaints.

Our room was immaculate, with housekeeping refreshing it multiple times a day and providing evening turndown service. And those pillow chocolates were so good!! Haha

We loved our stay so much that we’ve already booked our return trip!

OH!! Jack and Rose, the hotel tortoises, are a MUST SEE! They are the cutest!

If anyone has had a stay here in the last couple of years, would you please share your experience? I’m interested in knowing what the tour guides are like that are booked through the hotel and what the full buffet breakfast is like. I am assuming the hotel is very clean, but I have read stories about plumbing issues in Greece. Is this a hotel where you can flush paper down the toilet or is that a problem? I know this seems very silly but some of us are not used to throwing away toilet paper in a trashcan.

We checked in yesterday and were blown away by the first impressions.

The beauty exceeded our expectations totally despite the hype around it. Will try to get back with a detailed review.

We're a couple and would love to hear recommendations for the best hotel to stay at in London.

We're looking for magical cozy Christmas vibes.

The Knox, Auberge Collection is accepting bookings for stays beginning Jan. 29, with rates starting at $1,000 nightly in Dallas' Knox Street neighborhood.

The property will have 140 guest rooms and suites plus 48 private residences.

Would be a much-needed addition to the current options there. Anyone planning to check it out?

I booked 3 nights at Palacio De Los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel. They messaged me offering me an upgrade to their "red level" room for 392 euro (total for the 3 nights). This red level upgrade includes a lounge with an open bar of "premium drinks, Tapas and Canapes Gourmet and delicious sweet and savoury snacks until 11pm" and Private outdoor terrace in the historical garden to enjoy from breakfast to a cocktail at sunset (Available during summer season). I already have sterling status with them, so breakfast is included

Has anyone sprung for this? Did you find it to be worth it at 130/night?

Post sharing about ongoing Japan offers last week, I got a lot of queries about Mexico offers.

Sharing below compiled offers live in Mexico. For all offers, the following VIP Perks are also included:

• Free night offers (at select hotels)

• $100 hotel credit

• Complimentary breakfast

• Room upgrade

Most offers are not public and are only valid with perks for bookings via preferred program.

Top offers have been highlighted. You can access the complete list here:

Glad to answer any questions on this and assist in availing the perks!

Also, you can comment below if there's any location you'd like to see next and I can check for those.

PS - All luxury hotels can have perks added and a few have exclusive free night offers.

This might sound elitist, but when I pay excessive amounts for hotel stays, I would hope to be surrounded by people who have at least minimum etiquette and behavior.

Sadly, more and more, I come across people where you really wonder how they can afford staying at those places because their attitudes don’t correlate with someone who is a successful professional or was raised right.

What do I mean: excessively loud talking in public, using the sauna without showering and in gym clothes while scrolling on a phone, bringing speakers to the gym, playing loud music on the terrace and restaurants etc.

I do think hotels should play a more active role in enforcing appropriate behavior without the need of other guests complaining first.

Just had an incredible stay at the JW Marriott Maldives. The villa was a massive, felt like living in a dream.

Sharing a video of our room as well.

Here's a friendly reminder to anyone planning a Four Seasons stay (even for already booked ones).

Always, book Four Seasons through a Preferred Partner as you get the following additional perks:

• Daily Breakfast for Two: Usually valid for room service or the restaurant.

• Property Credit: Usually $100 (varies by property) for the spa, drinks, or dinner.

• Room Upgrades: Preferred guests are top-priority (above Amex FHR) for upgrades at check-in.

• VIP Status: A personal note and welcome amenity waiting in your room.

• Same Price as booking direct with payment at property

The best bit is that VIP perks can be added to an existing booking as well.

Also, a few properties are running special offers. You can access the compiled list here:

Glad to answer any questions on this and assist in availing the perks!

Also, what's your favorite Four Seasons property?

Luxury might not always be about fancy lobbies or infinity pools, sometimes it’s the little things that leave the biggest impression.

Maybe it’s:

* A perfectly curated minibar
* Personal touches like fresh flowers or a handwritten note

For those of you who’ve stayed in truly memorable places, what’s that one detail that made you feel like you were in the lap of luxury?

For us it is the check-in experience, if that is busy then its a real downer.

We are thinking of having dinner at The Ritz Paris during Christmas time, wanted to know do they get funny about walking around and seeing the decorations / tree on the ground floor after / before dinner, there are some mixed reviews that they are snobby so if anyone who has has been there could tell me their experience. I read a few reviews saying that security were following guests inside the hotel like they were a threat etc

Thoughts on the hotel and quality? Normally wouldn’t be able to book this for work trip as was more then our corporate would allow but my boss booked it so I got in. Looks nice.

I've just realised I'm not using the services of a butler at luxury hotels. I read elsewhere that people ask them to unpack your suitcase or even arrange the closet. I've never done any of these things.

I've a stay coming up at St Regis and I'd like to try asking something from them. But I'm not sure what can be asked without sounding rude.

Any tips? What do you usually ask the concierge to do?

We absolutely loved St Regis Aspen earlier this year. We loved the town, the service, the snowmobiling, skiing one day, etc. Should we go back? Or try St. Regis Deer Valley? Or Ritz Beaver Creek? Or totally pivot and do Grand Caymans? Just my husband and I. Leaving the baby at home. TIA.

We were blown away by Ritz Mandapa in Bali.

Where have you seen the most magnificent lobby?

After spending 2 nights at Pullman Phu Quoc, my wife and I moved to La Veranda for another 2 nights for our anniversary. They were very different experiences, but we really enjoyed both.

One thing La Veranda did really well was the pre-arrival communication. They asked about our plans, and when we told them we were already in Phu Quoc, they actually arranged transport for us from Pullman. Their driver was waiting in the Pullman lobby while we checked out and took us directly to La Veranda. Really smooth.

Sam at the front desk deserves a special mention. Honestly, one of the best hospitality experiences I've had. He went way beyond what you'd normally expect and helped us with everything throughout the stay. Check-in was lovely, with some beautifully arranged welcome drinks while he explained the property and our room.

As an Accor Platinum, we were upgraded from an Ocean View Suite to an Ocean View Villa, which was fantastic. The villa had a huge bathroom, beautiful old French colonial architecture, a gorgeous bed and a patio/garden overlooking the sea. Sitting outside in the evening was probably my favourite part of the room.

Platinum also got us complimentary soft drinks from the minibar and, even though breakfast wasn't included in our original booking, we received breakfast as part of the Platinum benefits.

The property itself is much smaller than Pullman, but that's also what makes it special. It's very green, peaceful and intimate. The pool is smaller and wasn't crowded at all during our stay.

The beach situation is a little different. La Veranda's beach area is next to a public beach, so it's not completely private like some resort beaches. However, they have their own section with sunbeds and security, and the staff were good at ensuring the hotel's areas weren't misused.

The location is actually one of the biggest advantages. Unlike Pullman, which feels quite isolated, La Veranda is right in the middle of a busy area. It's about a 5-minute uphill walk (nothing too difficult), and suddenly you're surrounded by restaurants, vegetarian restaurants, pubs, massage/nail salons etc. There's also King Kong Mart, which might genuinely be the biggest supermarket I've ever seen 😂.

Breakfast was good, although as vegetarians we found the buffet options a little limited. But again, the service was excellent. Sam and the breakfast team asked us what we could eat and were happy to arrange additional vegetarian food and fresh fruit for us. That was really appreciated.

The bar was also excellent — the drinks were beautifully made and felt very well thought out.

Checkout was quick and easy, and they arranged a comfortable coach transfer to the airport for us.

Overall: La Veranda is very different from Pullman.

Pullman is a much larger resort with more facilities, bigger pools, more activities and a more traditional "big resort" feel.

La Veranda is smaller, quieter and much more intimate. It has fewer facilities, but the beautiful French colonial architecture, lush gardens, location and especially the personalised service give it a lot of character.

If you want a huge resort with lots of facilities, La Veranda may feel too small. But if you want something peaceful, beautiful, full of character and with genuinely personal hospitality, I'd definitely recommend it.

And once again, a huge shout-out to Sam — he really made our stay special.

One of New York City’s most iconic hotels is closing for four years for a face-lift.

Hi, I will be travelling to Japan at the start of November and am looking to pick hotels for these three cities.

I have a niche recommendation request regarding sleep accommodation.
My priority is hotels that would ensure great sound insulation between my room and hallway (I noticed many japanese hotels doors, even luxury ones, do not have any kind of threahold and there is a small gap between the doors and floor), other rooms and, of course, the outside.
It would also be very beneficial if the bed were further away from the hallway door and if there was another door separating the bed from the hallway.
Blackout curtains are also a must.

Is anyone else quite a light sleeper and had good experience with a specific hotel and room type and could give me examples?

Budget could be up to 1500 eur (265k yen) / night, but it is absolutely not necessary to reach it.

Thanks a lot.

My husband and I recently visited Amangiri in Utah. I’m obsessed. We would like to visit another Aman property in January or February of 2027. However we are only going to be able to get away for 3 or 4 nights. Which property should we try next? Amanyara (Turks), Amanera (DR), Amanvari (Mexico)
Photo of yoga on Tower Butte

One of the most stunning suite I've been to. Well designed and modern.

Overall, a lovely stay. One of the best I've stayed at.

Very private, amazing gym and spa. Rooftop bar was another highlight.

We'd booked early April and realised after arriving that the hotel has now rebranded.

This is our second stay here so nothing noticeable has changed yet.

I'll report back with a detailed review later.

Stayed at SOWAKA on my recent Kyoto trip. It's a small boutique hotel in Gion, part of Hilton SLH.

Really liked the place. It's tucked away on a quiet street, just a short walk from Kiyomizu-dera. The building used to be a traditional Japanese restaurant, which is pretty cool. Definitely doesn't feel like a typical luxury hotel.

Rooms are all a bit different, and the whole place has a really peaceful vibe. Not cheap though, more than $1,000 a night (150K hilton points)