Nomads, backpackers, flash packers, DINKs, family travelers, GLBT travel, solo travel, multigenerational travel, agritravel, ecotravel, sustainable travel, voluntourism – these are just some of the many different phrases we use to describe a rich variety of different travel styles. One of the oldest terms is also perhaps one of the least understood, luxury travel.
What is luxury travel?
Like most things in life luxury travel is open to a certain level of subjectivity, but to twist a quote from the great US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, I know it when I see it. I used to think that it was just a certain level of grandeur; one thinks of massive hotel lobbies and rooms designed with a flair of style and elegance. But as I get older and frankly experience more luxury travel, I’ve come to realize that it in fact is much more than just the aesthetics.
That’s not to say they aren’t important, of course they are. One might even say luxury hotel aesthetics are critical. But they are also easy. If one has the right idea, right amount of money and right location, a gorgeous hotel can be created. But what really sets the luxury hotel apart from the rest is the service and attention to detail.
I put the question of what defines a luxury travel experience to my Facebook fans and my favorite definition came from Christina who’s also the owner of My View from the Middle Seat. In her words luxury travel is, “having your needs taken care of before you even know they’re there. Having experiences that go above and beyond what you would be able to do on your own.”
I think that this is the perfect way to describe the unique combination of luxury facilities with unparalleled customer service. The two must coexist in order to create the true luxury travel experience, as best seen in my trip to the Four Seasons Lanai.
Four Seasons Lanai
Lanai is the smallest of the visited Hawaiian islands, located a short ferry ride from Maui and within sight of nearby Molokai. There are three hotels on this enchanting island, two of which are Four Seasons properties: Four Seasons Lodge at Koele and Four Seasons Manele Bay. Both are completely different in their style and offerings, but share the same attention to detail and service that make all Four Seasons properties true luxury offerings.
I could go on about how beautiful the properties are, how the staff was always smiling and helpful – heck, I even loved the L’Occitane bath products. But an episode that transpired the first night of our trip to the Four Seasons Manele Bay highlights what I mean when I say that luxury travel depends on going above and beyond.
It was late by the time we landed on the puddle jumper from Honolulu to Lanai City. Puddle jumper is putting it nicely actually, it was more like a minivan with wings; the pilot got in and out through his own driver’s door. The resort shuttle van met us at what must be one of the smallest airports in the world, and we made the short drive to Manele Bay.
Like many visitors to Lanai, we had decided to split our time between the two Four Seasons properties. It’s a great way to experience the two very different sides of the island. Desperately in need of a tropical paradise though, Manele Bay was first.
We arrived at the lush and grandly designed lobby of the Four Seasons Manele, welcomed with a kukui bead necklace and escorted to the front desk. We went thorough the normal pleasantries, inwardly dreaming of a shower and dinner. But there was a problem. They didn’t have us arriving that evening. We were supposed to arrive the next evening. A mistake had been made somewhere, most likely my fault, and there we were in one of the best hotels in the world without a room when they were fully booked.
There was some confusion, calls were made, staff came over, it was like performing a delicate surgery on the computer, coaxing it to do the right thing. Finally, a question was asked, a nod given and we were met with a round of matching smiles and bright, white teeth.
“We have a room for you Mr. Long, it’s a suite though, I hope that’s ok?”
Yes, yes that was ok. I felt like I had won the travel lottery. Not only was I in what can very accurately be described as paradise, but I had just been given a suite at a five-star hotel.
We retreated to our room, yearning for both a comfy bed and a hot shower after more than 13 hours of traveling. After refreshing, we sat on the balcony with its amazing views of the ocean and listened to the waves crash and the sounds of a uke player wafting gently from the hotel lounge.
Just as we were about to order room service, the phone rang – it was the front desk. “Mr. Long, we’d like to apologize for the issue at check-in and would love to offer you dinner from room service.”
I couldn’t believe it, I was in pure shock. I made a mistake and the hotel had made up for it with a better room and a nice dinner. At that moment, they had completely won me over. Was it a big lift for them? No, not really, but it created a customer for life.
That’s the real difference between luxury and non-luxury travel. Yes, you need all the trimmings, but if all you have is a nice marble lobby with poor staff, then you really don’t have anything at all. Luxury travel moves beyond the tangible, into the great ether of service and pride and that is why it’s such a remarkable experience.
What do you think makes for a great luxury travel experience?
