Luxury Escapes

[Renato1]

Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread. I was about to post the same thread here last week, when I instead thought to search for Luxury Escapes here - and found this thread which answered my question.

When something looks just too good to be true, one needs some confidence that it is in fact legit. And other people's positive experiences provide a good degree of confidence.
Regards,
Renato

 

[AnnaB]

I have been looking at a new deal, The Grand Hyatt in New York.... found a few good deals for when we are going, but as usual, I am having a hard time making my mind up

https://luxuryescapes.com/grand-hyatt-new-york

Anyone been to The Grand Hyatt? Is it a good deal or just a way to sell rooms early?

 

[coolkid101]

i was just looking at the same thing! fits in with our dates next July but the Tripadvisor reviews certainly aren't flattering. at least for the dates we are looking at in July the savings aren't massive - substantial, but not enough for me to lock it in 9 months in advance. care to share some of these other good deals you might have found? i think in all likelihood i'll end up using a series of citi 3+1 bookings and redemption nights

I have been looking at a new deal, The Grand Hyatt in New York.... found a few good deals for when we are going, but as usual, I am having a hard time making my mind up

https://luxuryescapes.com/grand-hyatt-new-york

Anyone been to The Grand Hyatt? Is it a good deal or just a way to sell rooms early?

 

[get me outta here]

Just a general comment that NYC can be a bit cheaper in general in the height of summer.

i was just looking at the same thing! fits in with our dates next July but the Tripadvisor reviews certainly aren't flattering. at least for the dates we are looking at in July the savings aren't massive - substantial, but not enough for me to lock it in 9 months in advance. care to share some of these other good deals you might have found? i think in all likelihood i'll end up using a series of citi 3+1 bookings and redemption nights

 

[AnnaB]

I just came back from another Luxury Escape n Bali and I was not too impressed to be honest. The advertised inclusions all of a sudden changed when we got there and some had stipulations on them (ie. I could not chose, I had to have certain things). Also, the standard of the hotel was not too great. Their level of housekeeping, cleaning and restaurant hygiene and service was not up to scratch.
We had brown spots and filth all around the toilet and on the toilet door, the toilet door had fallen down and could not be closed so we had to get service in to get it fixed, housekeeping came regarding the cleaning and they could not see the spots or what was the problem. In the end we pointed to where he should clean and he did, but if he cant see that I dont know how the rest of the cleaning is.
Restaurant staff dropped cutlery and napkins on the floor and put them back on the table (several times and even after this was raised with management). To top it off, breakfast was awful. Now... who cant cook an egg? Seven days later and we still could not get an egg fried properly. I was also a bit worried as the yogurt was kept on ice and was way too warm to be safe, same with hot foot, it was barely luke warm. In the end I stuck to bread and marmalade.

I did try to contact Luxury Escapes through the chat before going as the hotel emailed me about the inclusions but after being disconnected all the time during 4 hours I gave up and emailed instead. I am still to receive an answer to this email.

The bar staff and pool was excellent though, same with front reception staff and room service was lightning fast. Ordered 2 coffees and it was delivered in 7 minutes!
In the end this was not really such a great deal, or not a deal at all. The daily rate of the room plus inclusions would actually be about $50 less or equal. I guess we all find some fantastic deals and then some that are not so great In the end it was a nice time away

 

[Renato1]

I just came back from another Luxury Escape n Bali and I was not too impressed to be honest. The advertised inclusions all of a sudden changed when we got there and some had stipulations on them (ie. I could not chose, I had to have certain things). Also, the standard of the hotel was not too great. Their level of housekeeping, cleaning and restaurant hygiene and service was not up to scratch.
We had brown spots and filth all around the toilet and on the toilet door, the toilet door had fallen down and could not be closed so we had to get service in to get it fixed, housekeeping came regarding the cleaning and they could not see the spots or what was the problem. In the end we pointed to where he should clean and he did, but if he cant see that I dont know how the rest of the cleaning is.
Restaurant staff dropped cutlery and napkins on the floor and put them back on the table (several times and even after this was raised with management). To top it off, breakfast was awful. Now... who cant cook an egg? Seven days later and we still could not get an egg fried properly. I was also a bit worried as the yogurt was kept on ice and was way too warm to be safe, same with hot foot, it was barely luke warm. In the end I stuck to bread and marmalade.

I did try to contact Luxury Escapes through the chat before going as the hotel emailed me about the inclusions but after being disconnected all the time during 4 hours I gave up and emailed instead. I am still to receive an answer to this email.

The bar staff and pool was excellent though, same with front reception staff and room service was lightning fast. Ordered 2 coffees and it was delivered in 7 minutes!
In the end this was not really such a great deal, or not a deal at all. The daily rate of the room plus inclusions would actually be about $50 less or equal. I guess we all find some fantastic deals and then some that are not so great In the end it was a nice time away

Very interesting thanks.
Which was the hotel please?
It would be interesting to read say the Booking.com reviews and compare with yours. I sometimes wonder if hotels give better service or accomodation to people who can write up their experience at the booking site. I strongly suspect that last year the Radisson Blu in Budapest wouldn't have dared try the stunt they did with us had we booked their room through Booking.com instead of through Helloworld (though they still got a very negative review from me at Trip Advisor).
Regards,
Renato

 

[AnnaB]

Very interesting thanks.
Which was the hotel please?
It would be interesting to read say the Booking.com reviews and compare with yours. I sometimes wonder if hotels give better service or accomodation to people who can write up their experience at the booking site. I strongly suspect that last year the Radisson Blu in Budapest wouldn't have dared try the stunt they did with us had we booked their room through Booking.com instead of through Helloworld (though they still got a very negative review from me at Trip Advisor).
Regards,
Renato

This was at The Magani in Legian, a well written up hotel, great reviews everywhere and several awards... I do suspect that they might have taken great staff out to run their new all-luxury hotel further down the road and this one suffers greatly.

I would not go back to their restaurant (The Mozzarella at The Magani) either as compared to The Mozzarella in Padma St or in Seminyak. The two later ones are quite good, but the one at the hotel lacks greatly in service. You can get a table, but then to get someone to take your order, that is a different question. We also ordered drinks, first one was fine, second one was awful but the same drink. Turned out that the server decided to give it a go himself

Never mind, I guess sometimes you win and other times you dont But yes, TripAdvisor is looking good at the moment.

 

[Renato1]

This was at The Magani in Legian, a well written up hotel, great reviews everywhere and several awards... I do suspect that they might have taken great staff out to run their new all-luxury hotel further down the road and this one suffers greatly.

I would not go back to their restaurant (The Mozzarella at The Magani) either as compared to The Mozzarella in Padma St or in Seminyak. The two later ones are quite good, but the one at the hotel lacks greatly in service. You can get a table, but then to get someone to take your order, that is a different question. We also ordered drinks, first one was fine, second one was awful but the same drink. Turned out that the server decided to give it a go himself

Never mind, I guess sometimes you win and other times you dont But yes, TripAdvisor is looking good at the moment.

Thanks, I just checked the Booking.com reviews at
The Magani Hotel & Spa, Legian, Indonesia - Booking.com
and one wouldn't think there is anything wrong with the place. I just told my wife about eating utensils being dropped then being picked up and given to customers, and she nearly gagged.

I'm having my own little drama with a Luxury Escape booking at the moment, though it isn't their fault.
On Monday, the lady at Luxury Escapes booked a Luxury Escape to Cannes at the JW Marriot on her computer, and took my credit card details, the money was paid, and I got a confirmation email with check-in information. Then two and a half days later, in the early hours of this morning, I got an email from Marriot saying
"We thank you for your interest in the hotel JW Cannes.

Unfortunately we do not have any room for the requested period.
Would you have any other dates I could check the availability for you ?"

The thought "shifty" comes to mind - how does a firm booking become merely my interest in the hotel?
Why does Marriot come direct to me instead of to Luxury Escapes?
I'd be really cheesed off now if I had booked a plane trip on the basis of what I thought was a firm booking. Anyhow, I've passed all this back to Luxury Escapes and await their response.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Pushka]

Thanks, I just checked the Booking.com reviews at
The Magani Hotel & Spa, Legian, Indonesia - Booking.com
and one wouldn't think there is anything wrong with the place. I just told my wife about eating utensils being dropped then being picked up and given to customers, and she nearly gagged.

I'm having my own little drama with a Luxury Escape booking at the moment, though it isn't their fault.
On Monday, the lady at Luxury Escapes booked a Luxury Escape to Cannes at the JW Marriot on her computer, and took my credit card details, the money was paid, and I got a confirmation email with check-in information. Then two and a half days later, in the early hours of this morning, I got an email from Marriot saying
"We thank you for your interest in the hotel JW Cannes.

Unfortunately we do not have any room for the requested period.
Would you have any other dates I could check the availability for you ?"

The thought "shifty" comes to mind - how does a firm booking become merely my interest in the hotel?
Why does Marriot come direct to me instead of to Luxury Escapes?
I'd be really cheesed off now if I had booked a plane trip on the basis of what I thought was a firm booking. Anyhow, I've passed all this back to Luxury Escapes and await their response.
Regards,
Renato

Isnt the deal you pay Luxury Escapes first, as a Voucher, and then you have to submit your dates. You cant submit dates before payment is taken. If your dates aren't available then you get a refund.

 

[Renato1]

Isnt the deal you pay Luxury Escapes first, as a Voucher, and then you have to submit your dates. You cant submit dates before payment is taken. If your dates aren't available then you get a refund.

That was the old deal.
According to the lady I rang there, they had recently changed to also doing some direct bookings, and I proceeded on that basis.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And now there is a TV Show.

 

[AnnaB]

And now there is a TV Show.

Bet they dont get the same room or treatment with a tv crew in the background as everyone else gets

I have no doubt that there are some awesome deals out there, I have had several other ones that have been great, but the latest one was a big disappointment.

 

[Renato1]

And now there is a TV Show.

Thanks for reminding me. I've just series-linked it on my Foxtel IQ box.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Pushka]

Love_the_life and I booked for Dubai in April in the Conrad. It sounds fabulous and great location.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Love_the_life and I booked for Dubai in April in the Conrad. It sounds fabulous and great location.

Conrad Dubai was nice. Bit of an odd lounge which was OK but not exceptional, but if you get a suite, it makes for a very enjoyable stay!

 

[Renato1]

The thing about these Luxury Escapes is that one has to evaluate the deals on offer, and see just how much of a saving is available.

In my case, I was looking at the 10 night Fairmont Sanur deal in Bali, and I checked the prices for the dates I wanted to go there (outside the wet season), both at Hotels.com (or was it hotelclub?) and the resort's own website. In both cases, for the same room and option we took, the price was twice what was on offer at Luxury Escapes, and only included breakfast, whereas the Luxury Escapes offer included breakfast, and also brunch, afternoon tea and dinner. That seemed like a darn good deal to me.

The Cannes offer I bought, which the hotel is trying to welch out of, was $799 for three nights, whereas the best I could make out by Booking.com was that the room price for that season was 499 Euros a night.

For retirees such as my wife and I, who are flexible in avoiding peak season, school holidays and wet seasons, Luxury Escapes can offer outstanding value.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Pushka]

Of course you need to evaluate each offer and check an independent source such as booking.com and trip advisor for reviews.

 

[Pushka]

Platinum Heritage on the show this arvo. This is the tour we did.

 

[Renato1]

Update:
After directly booking the Cannes Luxury Escape (no voucher) and two days later getting an email from Marriott saying that the room was unavailable and did I want to pick another time,
and after I told Luxury Escapes about it, and their telling me to leave it with them,
I just got an email from Marriott confirming my booking for the original dates.

How about that?
Cannes and Monaco - here we come (next year, that is).
Regards,
Renato

 

[get me outta here]

Good offer on LE just now for AUH. If I were to return for another little visit I'd certainly go to The Louvre, and the beautiful
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
"Buildings don’t get much more extravagant than the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The crown jewel of Abu Dhabi, this architectural triumph is the largest mosque in the UAE and is currently ranked #2 in TripAdvisor’s list of the Top 10 Landmarks in the World."

AND, coordinate it all for when you can get a booking to visit the Falcon Hospital, which is much more than a hospital. The falcons are worth millions and have thier own passports. I know some people dislike the ME for various reasons, but I really enjoyed my visit for 3 days.

Experience Jumeirah Style at Abu Dhabi’s #1 Hotel