Luxury Escapes

[zig]

But also check how much it is booking direct with the hotel.For that Hilton offer in Tokyo the actual savings aren't great.In fact for the Executive floor offer it is marginally cheaper for me to book directly on a senior rate as the breakfast offer is taken care of with lounge access.

I have only seriously considered a few LE deals, and have always found that the direct pricing is closely aligned to what LE is offering, so I haven't booked anything with them as yet.

 

[Pushka]

A work colleague just got back from a ‘luxury’ escape in Indo.

Said it was absolutely rammed with ‘bogan’ Aussies and screaming kids. Hotel was fine, but people were not.

I’ve heard this feedback a few times now!

That can happen regardless of the booking method.

But also check how much it is booking direct with the hotel.For that Hilton offer in Tokyo the actual savings aren't great.In fact for the Executive floor offer it is marginally cheaper for me to book directly on a senior rate as the breakfast offer is taken care of with lounge access.

Usually LE offer additional items though like chauffeur, meals, massages etc as a package.

 

[drron]

But my pricing was even after adjusting for the extra items such as the 10000 yen on that Hilton offer.If I was still diamond with Hilton and could get lounge access neither option would have been dearer booking direct.
Now I have a LE booking in Bangkok in 2 months time and it is cheaper than i could book as a Marriott Plat.So you just need to check.

 

[jsoprano]

On LE vs direct booking, when I booked the St Regis Langkawi through LE a few months ago (not this last offer but the one before), I checked the pricing with the hotel direct and they had exactly the same deal on offer with same inclusions (breakfast, drinks, airport transfer, one dinner, massages) for the same price (in MYR of course, so +/- some $).

But I went with LE because the direct deal was instant confirmation and non-refundable, while LE has the 7-day cooling off period, plus ability to buy the deal and lock in the travel dates later, and also you can change the travel dates once for free, after locking in the dates. Because I still had to sort out flights (both QFF and SQ awards) and other travel arrangements around our stay in Langkawi (we're going to Penang beforehand now, and then KL after), I valued the flexibility more than the Marriott points (over the meagre QFF points on the LE purchase). And I don't have status with Marriott/SPG anymore, anyway. So for me LE was the better equation, but others may evaluate differently.

 

[rechoboam]

It’s been fine but depends entirely on the property and you need to be careful not to get so attracted by the price that you go somewhere less than great. Lotte Arai was not great (Tripadvisor’s 1-3 star reviews explain why) and they are readvertising it now. Did the Tokyo Hilton which is also being advertised again - which was great but I had fifteen drink vouchers left over - and the rooms were not positioned so well but perfectly acceptable. Just did Outrigger Beachcomber in Honolulu at an amazing price.

 

[juddles]

G'day all, have only just seen this thread. "Luxury" and "travel" are two words that have almost never come together in my life But am heading off soon for a few days to Brisbane on one of their deals - and looking forward to it. They appear, from this thread, to be a decent service. May eventually broaden my horizons on the overseas offers.

 

[juddles]

My God, Gee Whiz, and all the other exclamations!

Last week I did a local LE thing - it was their special to visit the Sirromet vineyard thing in Mt Cotton, Brisbane. Essentially it was a two night escape. And it was one of the best value/best experiences I have ever had.

For $499 you got a package for two to stay 2 nights at their "glamping" cabins at Mt Cotton. This included: accomodation, breakfast at the cafe each morning, welcome bottle of wine, free game of "Supa Golf", $100 credit at any of their onsite restaurants, and premium wine tasting/tour.

Let me start in the same order: the accomodation was in what can be described as glamping, but in reality was a modern and new cabin - it had a soft shell cover but with hard-built bathroom/kitchen at the rear. Comfy bed and aircon/heating. Very nicely decorated, everything worked perfectly. And the cabins are set out well on the site to give privacy and enjoyment. Kangaroos and peace and tranquility just a stone-throw from inner Brisbane. Breakfast was at the onsite cafe - this is open to the public and it was not one of those budget buffet things - the young lady welcomed us as stayers and you get to choose from their standard menu - an extremely good brekky - that others pay about $40 a head plus for. The "welcome bottle" of wine was one of their top shelf items, their "LM assemblage" which is a Cab Sav, Petit Verdot, Merlot blend. RRP at the cellar door about $130. Very good. They also gave us a couple of small bottles of their bubbly. The Supa Golf is like normal golf but for beginners. My wife and I enjoyed tremendously this experience in beautiful settings. We ate dinner one of the nights at their Restaurant Lurleen's - this gobbled up the $100 credit plus an extra $30 as we had some wine. It was very good. Cannot fault the cuisine. The wine tour/tasting was perhaps very lucky for us. WE had our own guide (the very lovely Maggie) and she gave us an extremely competent and warm tour. Learnt so much about the whole enterprise. This ended with a wine tasting, where she lovingly guided us through many of their products. We did 9 premium wines in all. $45 per head at book value, and I think it was worth so much more.

From the moment we arrived we were treated extremely well. On checkin the lady highlighted that we were guests via LE. She made this into a very positive thing. All instructions and info given in a lovely, warm, way. Every single staff member we engaged with, from checkin through to room cleaning through to cafes, etc were extremely positive experiences.

I have stayed places far more exotic, far more costly, but I simply cannot fault a single moment of our three days there. Best single experience in my life for value/money/enjoyment. I am gushing because this is so rare an experience. Usually someone / something stuffs it up. Clearly Mr Morris and all that run this place have managed to engender a culture of good vibes, good staff. I really salute them.

 

[zig]

I'm interested in hearing if anyone has had difficulty locking in their preferred dates for their LE packages? This has been one of my concerns, that is, that after buying the package it won't be available when I want to use it, that their are too many 'blackout' periods.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm interested in hearing if anyone has had difficulty locking in their preferred dates for their LE packages? This has been one of my concerns, that is, that after buying the package it won't be available when I want to use it, that their are too many 'blackout' periods.

Can you not get a refund if you can’t get your preferred dates? I seem to recall that being an option.

 

[Pushka]

I'm interested in hearing if anyone has had difficulty locking in their preferred dates for their LE packages? This has been one of my concerns, that is, that after buying the package it won't be available when I want to use it, that their are too many 'blackout' periods.

Can you not get a refund if you can’t get your preferred dates? I seem to recall that being an option.

Agree re the concerns. I usually check my likely dates before buying the package and if able, I book with those dates before paying.

I think the refund guarantee is where the booking is attempted within just a few days?

 

[get me outta here]

The dates available and the price is clearly shown before you pay, that is the first thing to do before getting interested in a deal. If necessary, an agent will come on line to assist or phone you.

Some types of tours do not have a 7 days change of mind.

 

[zig]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Obviously I need to read the site t&c - was being lazy and asking here instead.

 

[tgh]

Sirromet is just "ten minutes by tractor" from chateau tgh and we know it well.
Both our boys worked t at Sirromet part time during their uni years , and we have spent many many $$'s at Lurleens….
To balance juddles gushing endorsement :
Lurleens has made some major menu changes since the departure of Andre Mirosch , some good and some not so
Staff have been indifferent lately and a poor waiter can spoil an otherwise pleasant meal.
The operation is certainly well oiled and arguably too well patronised…
Lunch last Saturday in the outdoor area was the usual zoo, park in the bush because there is nowhere else, one person must arrive early for a table.
The menu items are , in our experience , uncommonly good for a high volume kitchen.
On balance the whole operation is extremely well run for such a large and busy venue... ( All ImnsHO…. )

 

[juddles]

tgh, very good balance you have added - we were probably so lucky because we went mid-week. I can imagine it would be a very different thing when it is busy. For example, we had the entire supa-golf course to ourself, in perfect weather in the late arvo. Spectacular, but clearly perhaps not the usual experience

 

[Pushka]

Just booked Luxury Escapes for Grand Mirage Nusa Dua next March. All inclusive of all meals, alcohol and drinks during day and premium alcohol during evening, free room service and daily mini bar and ocean view room with airport transfers for $2700.

 

[Pushka]

Now if only the damn Qantas website would allow me to make the flight booking - get to the payment page (tried on Ipad three times and now PC) I could finish the deal.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Just booked Luxury Escapes for Grand Mirage Nusa Dua next March. All inclusive of all meals, alcohol and drinks during day and premium alcohol during evening, free room service and daily mini bar and ocean view room with airport transfers for $2700.

Have stayed there on each of our three DPS trips. It’s a little dated, but very enjoyable.

Good choice.

 

[Franky]

We stayed in a great hotel in NY earlier thins year called the Wagner and it was right on Battery Point where the ferries depart for Liberty and Ellis IslandS. It wasn’t cheap, around $300pn, but was a great Hotel in a prime spot. On arrival, we were upgraded to a room with views of the Statue of Liberty, had a free drink each night, and free lounge access each night which basically gave us our evening meal and drinks for a two hour period. Do you diligence to see what the hotel offers with a direct booking. We were happy enough to make two more bookings next year in Porto and Rome.

 

[ellen10]

We have our first LE stay this month. I must admit I have been a bit wary in the past, but I will look closer at their deals.

 

[Pushka]

Have stayed there on each of our three DPS trips. It’s a little dated, but very enjoyable.

Good choice.

That seems to correlate with TA reviews. We just want a few days away with beach and pool so should do the trick.