Intelligence

News And Deals For The Global Traveler

Learning from the Locals

As new luxury hotels open by the dozens each month only to face a worldwide decrease in occupancy, it’s not surprising that they seek ever-cleverer ways to entice travelers through their doors. Deep discounts are one way to get a traveler’s attention, but packages offer hotels another benefit. A well-designed package not only offers savings, it calls attention to what’s special about a property, such as its golf course, chef, spa or location. Value-added inclusions of greens fees, sessions with a golf pro, candle-lit dinners or spa treatments are so common that savvy travelers look for the perks before booking.

Unique location and local culture are important in packaging hotels and activities, with offers ranging from tango lessons at the Hilton Buenos Aires to wine courses at the International Wine Academy of Rome offered by the adjacent Hotel Hassler. Guests at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok can choose from a menu of daily courses in the subtleties of Thai cooking. As hotels get more creative in capitalizing on local expertise, Orient-Express Hotels pushes the Quirky Classes for Travelers envelope even further at the Hotel Caruso in Ravello, Italy. Their latest package features Dolce Vita Seduction classes with Dr. Michele Fiorentino and Serenading lessons with Piero Flauto, both considered local masters in the art of romance.

Sidestepping Baggage Fees

At least two airlines are offering a way to avoid recently imposed checked-baggage charges, offering one free bag check per passenger if any member of the party holds the airline’s credit card. Continental was the first, offering this to holders of Continental OnePass World MasterCard or Presidential Plus MasterCard. Delta Air Lines joined them on June 1, waiving fees on the first bag to American Express Gold, Platinum or Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Card members. To be eligible, all members of the party must be traveling on the same reservation, but the tickets do not need to be billed to the airline credit card. Visit www.continental.com or www.delta.com.

A Warm Welcome

Poking a little good-natured fun at the announcements that airlines will charge for blankets, the historic La Villa Mauresque, between the fashionable French Riviera towns of Cannes and St. Tropez, will ship a luxurious cashmere blanket direct to guests’ homes in the United States before they depart. “No one should put up with stingy extra fees for skimpy airline blankets and guests should always be swaddled in warmth and comfort — even before they arrive,” the hotel advises prospective guests. Book a three-night or longer stay, prepaying for one night, for arrival before Oct. 31. Booking must be made at least three weeks in advance to allow time for delivery. Visit www.villa-mauresque.com.

 

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