Today: Machu Picchu travel guide – everything you need to know! 

Embedded within a dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin, the historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is among the greatest artistic, architectural and land use achievements anywhere and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization. Recognized for outstanding cultural and natural values, the UNESCO World Heritage property covers 32,592 hectares of mountain slopes, peaks and valleys surrounding its heart, the spectacular archaeological monument of “La Ciudadela” (the Citadel) at more than 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level. Built in the fifteenth century Machu Picchu was abandoned when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. It was not until 1911 that the archaeological complex was made known to the outside world. No matter how many times you have seen a photograph of the iconic Inca ruins, nothing prepares you for sense of awe that this magical place elicits in its Andes mountain setting, clinging as it does to rock and jungle.

Machu Picchu features in my top 10 list of the most fabulous archaeological sites in the world.

Have you ever visited Machu Picchu? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube clip & slideshow):

• Machu Picchu history
• How to get to Machu Picchu: train + bus
• How to get to Machu Picchu: hike (Inca Trail)
• Best time of the year to visit Machu Picchu (season)
• Best time of the day to visit Machu Picchu: morning or afternoon?
• Buying Machu Picchu entrance tickets
• How much time to spend in Machu Picchu?
• What temples to visit in Machu Picchu?
• What hotel to stay at?
• Photos

MACHU PICCHU: HISTORY

Machu Picchu was built during the height of the Inca Empire in the 15th century. The exact purpose of the citadel is still debated among historians and archaeologists, but most believe that Machu Picchu was used as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacutec, most likely after a successful military campaign. During its use as a royal retreat, it is estimated that about 750 people lived there, who served various functions, including agricultural work, construction, religious activities, and supporting the needs of the ruling elite. Historical research published in 2022 claims that the site was probably called Huayna Picchu by the Inca people themselves

Machu Picchu was only used for 80 years before being abandoned, probably because of the Spanish conquests in other parts of the Inca Empire. It is also possible that most of its inhabitants died from smallpox introduced by travelers before the Spanish conquistadors even arrived in the area.  Over the following centuries, the surrounding jungle overgrew the citadel, and few outside the immediate area knew of its existence.

Agustín Lizárraga, a Peruvian citizen from Cusco, is widely recognized as the official discoverer of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. He is known to have found the remains of the site in 1902, but was unable to reveal them due to lack of backing from the Provisional Government. Nine years later, on July 24th, 1911, Hiram Bingham, an American history professor, arrived at Machu Picchu in search of the lost Inca city of Vilcabamba. Bingham was accompanied by landowner Melchor Arteaga and Sergeant Carrasco of the Peruvian National Guard. Following his expedition, Bingham publicized the existence of the Inca citadel which brought Machu Picchu to international attention.

MACHU PICCHU: GETTING THERE BY TRAIN + BUS

The easiest way to get to Machu Picchu is to take the train from either Cusco (three and a half hours one way) or Ollantaytambo (90 minutes one way) to the village of Aguas Calientes, at the bottom of the Machu Picchu mountain. The train ride is a scenic journey along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley with dramatic mountain views on either side. However, note that the so-called Cusco train station is actually in the nearby village of Poroy. It’s a cheap taxi ride to get from Cusco to Poroy, but allow yourself at least an hour to get from the city center of Cusco to Poroy as traffic and road work may cause unexpected delays.

There are three train companies to choose from: Inca Rail, Peru Rail, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham train. The Hiram Bingham service (managed by Belmond but also operated by Peru Rail) is one of the world’s grandest and most luxurious train journeys, with Pullman-style carriages fitted with antiques, fine dining and onboard entertainment from Peruvian musician. The Hiram Bingham train ride is much more expensive than Inca Rail or Peru Rail, both of which offer comfortable passage on different types of trains – including ones designed with panoramic windows for an additional fee. It is recommended to book train tickets as far in advance as possible as tickets sell out weeks ahead in some months.

From Aguas Calientes to the entrance to Machu Picchu it’s either a 40-minute bus ride up a winding road carved into the mountainsides, or an hour-long hike. Unless you’re feeling extremely fit, it’s best to take the bus, which can be prebooked online here.

MACHU PICCHU: GETTING THERE BY HIKE (INCA TRAIL)

The more adventurous (and epic) way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to walk as part of an organized multiday Machu Picchu trek along the iconic Inca Trail, a section of one of the hundreds of Incan roads built as the empire expanded. The Inca Trail is one the bucket list of many travelers, not only for the sense of achievement but also because it immerses you in stunning Andean landscapes from cloud forest to rainforest and passes a handful of other Inca ruins. The 43 km (27 mi) hike begins in Chillca, just west of Ollantaytambo, and takes three to four days, camping every night. A maximum of 500 permits are issued for the Inca Trail each day, over half of which are taken up by guides, and the porters who lug baggage, as well as tents, food and even tables and benches, up some incredibly steep paths. Dozens of tour operators offer Inca Trail hikes to Machu Picchu (I highly recommend Evolutions Trek Peru), with varying durations and levels of comfort, including luxury camping trips. Note that the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu is closed for the entire month of February every year for maintenance and that the 500 daily permits can sell out months in advance, especially for the peak months of July and August.

MACHU PICCHU: BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT (SEASON)

 The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from May to mid-October. During this time, the weather is sunny and dry, and you can enjoy clear skies, warm weather and beautiful views of the citadel and the surrounding Andes Mountains. The rainy season runs from mid-October to April. While the rain can make the landscape lush, green, and beautiful, it can also make hiking and exploring more difficult (with often obscured views at Machu Picchu). Landslides, disrupted train schedules, flight delays and road closures can also occur during rainy spells, which can disrupt your travel plans.

MACHU PICCHU: BEST TIME OF THE DAY TO VISIT

You can visit Machu Picchu between its opening time at 6 am and its closing time at 5:30 pm daily. For the best experience, try and visit either first thing in the morning or after 3 pm. By arriving right at 6 am, you’ll be able to watch Machu Picchu’s iconic sunrise (but keep in mind that the sun only rises above the mountains around 7 am) and beat the mid-morning and afternoon crowds. If you prefer more of a sleep in, after 3 pm is another great time: the majority of the crowds have already left, and depending on the time of year, you’ll get to watch the very much underrated sunset.

If you have time though, it’s worth visiting Machu Picchu both in the early morning and the late afternoon because of the different light conditions. IMHO, the conditions in the afternoon are better for capturing  great photos, with softer and better lighting of the surrounding peaks.

MACHU PICCHU: BUYING TICKETS

Visitors need to book their Machu Picchu entry tickets online. The online sale of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu is done through the Peruvian State Platform for the Management of Visits to Cultural Centers developed by the Ministry of Culture and the Secretariat of Government and Digital Transformation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru. You can access the website here and it is recommended to booking your tickets to Machu Picchu several months in advance since only 5,600 visitors per day are allowed access in high season.

Currently, the Machu Picchu entry ticket costs 152.00 soles ($42 USD) for adults and 70 soles ($20 USD) for children under 18 years of age.

Importantly, there are several types of tickets for Machu Picchu, and each one gives access to a speficic circuit. In 2021, in an effort to control overtourism, 5 circuits were established in order to visit the Machu Picchu. However, in June 2024, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has modified these circuits and 3 new circuits (grouping 10 routes) have come into effect. Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) allows you to tour the upper part of Machu Picchu and get the classic photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House. Circuit 2 (Classic Circuit) also allows you to get the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the upper parts as well as access to the citadel itself  with famous Inca sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Sacred Rock and more. Circuit 3 (Royalty Circuit) allows you to tour the nuclear area in the lower part of Machu Picchu, which includes Inca constructions such as the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Sun, the building of the Three Gates, the Temple of the Condor. Each circuits is further divided into different sub-routes:

• Circuit 1 (Panoramic Circuit), Machu Picchu Mountain Route: this circuit also offers the opportunity to take the classic postcard photo from the viewpoint of the Guardian’s House, with panoramic views of the main Inca structures. In addition to this tour, it allows access to the Machu Picchu mountain, located at 3,082 m (10,111 ft) above sea level. This circuit is restricted to visitors over 18 years old and the maximum duration of the tour in Machu Picchu is 1 hour.
• Circuit 1 (Panoramic Circuit), Upper Terrace Route: this basic ticket allows you to get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu from the viewpoint of the Guardian’s House. It offers an excellent view of the archaeological complex, including the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana and more, although it does not allow you to tour these constructions.
• Circuit 1 (Panoramic Circuit), Inti Punku Route: similar to the previous ones, this circuit allows you to capture the classic photo from the viewpoint of the House of the Guardian, accessible after a 15 to 30 minute walk up stone steps. It also allows access to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the original entrance to Machu Picchu during the Inca period, located at 2,745 m (9,005 ft) above sea level. The complete tour to Inti Punku is open to visitors of all ages. This circuit is closed in low season.
• Circuit 1 (Panoramic Circuit), Inca Bridge Route: This circuit is similar to the upper terrace route but also allows you access to the fascinating Inca Bridge, an ancient engineering marvel perched on a steep cliffside, as well as to lesser-known parts of the site. Reaching the Inca Bridge involves a scenic 30-minute walk from a control booth inside Machu Picchu, close o the Guardian House sector (follow the signs). Visitors must register at the booth before embarking on the walk.
• Circuit 2 (Classic Circuit), Designed Classic Route: This route also allows you to get the iconic photo of Machu Picchu, but from a platform below the Guardian’s House, known as ‘Circuit 2’. After capturing the best photos, the route continues through the urban and religious sector of Machu Picchu, offering the opportunity to explore places such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor (or the Water Mirrors), the Water Fountains and the agricultural sector. This circuit is considered the most complete and recommended inside Machu Picchu.
• Circuit 2 (Classic Circuit), Lower Terrace Route: This sub-circuit offers a slightly shorter route but also allows you to get the classic photo of Machu Picchu from a lower terrace. After taking the best photos, the tour continues through the urban and religious sector, where visitors can explore the main Inca temples and enclosures, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor (or the Water Mirrors), the Water Fountains and the agricultural sector.
• Circuit 3 (Royal Circuit), Waynapicchu Mountain Route: This circuit allows you to visit the buildings of the Inca royalty in the lower part of Machu Picchu, with a view from the agricultural sector similar to the classic postcard view of the Guardian’s House sector. In addition, visitors can tour the religious sector of Machu Picchu and explore temples such as the Temple of the Sun and the House of the Inca. Additionally, visitors can hike to the top of Waynapicchu mountain (this option is only available for people over 18 years old).
• Circuit 3 (Royal Circuit), Designed Route: This tour focuses on the royal buildings located in the lower part of the Inca city. It starts with a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from the agricultural sector. After taking the best photos, the tour continues to the religious sector, where visitors can explore important Inca temples and enclosures such as the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Sacred Rock and the Temple of the Condor. This route does not include additional treks into the mountains of Machu Picchu.
• Circuit 3 (Royal Circuit), Great Cavern Route: this route includes a visit to the Inca constructions in the lower part of Machu Picchu, with views from the agricultural sector. It also allows you to explore the Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon, located in the Huayna Picchu mountain. The hike to the Great Cavern is only available for people over 18 years old and is only offered in high season.
• Circuit 3 (Royal Circuit), Huchuy Picchu Route: this circuit includes a visit to the constructions in the lower part of Machu Picchu and offers a view from the agricultural sector. It also allows a hike to the top of Huchuy Picchu mountain, which takes about 1 hour. The summit of Huchuy Picchu is at 2,497 m (8,192 ft) and the hike is only allowed for people over 18 years old. The route is only open in high season.

If you are visiting Machu Picchu for the first time, the best option is definitely to buy the Circuit 2, Designed Classic Route. This tour is considered the most complete because it includes a visit to the main temples and allows you to get the classic photo spot. If you have already visited Machu Picchu before, you can purchase a ticket with optional routes to Intipunku, the Inca Bridge, Huchuy Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, or the Great Cavern.

HOW MUCH TIME TO SPEND AT MACHU PICCHU?

According to the circuit and route you choose, the time of visit in Machu Picchu will vary, here are some approximate time of visit and the maximum time of stay mentioned by the Ministry of Culture of Peru per circuit, these are referential and may vary.

• Circuit 1 or Panoramic:
  • Route 1-A: Machupicchu Mountain Route. Its visit usually takes 5 hours and its maximum time of permanence is 7 hours.
  • Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route. Its visit usually takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and its maximum time of permanence is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Route 1-C: Route Inti Punku or Sun Gate (High season). Its visit usually takes 3 hours and 30 minutes and its maximum time of permanence is 4 hours.
  • Route 1-D: Inka Bridge Route (High season). Its visit usually takes 2 hours and its maximum time of permanence is 3 hours.
• Circuit 2 or Classic Circuit:
  • Route 2-A: Designed route. Its visit usually takes 2 hours and its maximum time of permanence is 3 hours.
  • Route 2-B: Lower terrace route. Its visit usually takes 2 hours and its maximum time of permanence is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Circuit 3 or Royalty Circuit:
  • Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Mountain Route. Its visit usually takes 3 hours and 30 minutes and its maximum time of permanence is 6 hours.
  • Route 3-B: Designed route. Its visit usually takes 2 hours and its maximum time of permanence is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Route 3-C: Great Cavern Route (High season). Its visit usually takes 3 hours and 30 minutes and its maximum time of permanence is 7 hours.
  • Route 3-D: Huchuypicchu Route (High season). Its visit usually takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and its maximum time of permanence is 3 hours

WHAT TEMPLES TO VISIT?

The approximately 200 structures making up this outstanding religious, ceremonial, astronomical and agricultural centre are set on a steep ridge, crisscrossed by stone terraces. Following a rigorous plan the city is divided into a lower and upper part, separating the farming from residential areas, with a large square between the two. The circuit and route you choose will determine which temples you can visit in Machui Picchu. For example, circuit 2 includes the Inca sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Sacred Rock and more, while Circuit 3 includes the Inca constructions such as the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Sun, the building of the Three Gates, and the Temple of the Condor. Note that Circuit 1 does not include a visit inside the citadel itself.

Machu Pichu’s three primary structures are the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana Stone.

• The Temple of the Sun in Machu Picchu served as a ceremonial and astronomical observatory for the Inca civilization. Its primary function was likely religious, as it was dedicated to the Inca sun god, Inti. Only priests and other high ranking Incas were likely only permitted access into the Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred temples in all of Machu Picchu. Adapted to the natural environment, the unique semi-circular construction of the temple is built over an enormous granite rock and there’s a tower with a trapezoidal window.
• Located west of the main square, the Temple of the Three Windows is known for its huge walls and three trapezoidal-shaped windows through which the sun’s rays would pass illuminating the “Sacred Plaza” beyond.
• The Intihuatana Stone is located at the top of a natural pyramidal summit, whose slopes have been converted into terraces or andenes. The monolithic structure – carved out of the gray granite stone of the mountain top – is formed into an upright stone column whose four sides indicate the four cardinal points: North, South, East, and West. In addition, it features a granite block resembling a bench or altar, where the priest would likely have performed some type of ritual.

WHAT HOTEL TO STAY AT?

The closest hotel to Machu Picchu is Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, which is located right next to the site. Its location means that it’s convenient to visit Machu Picchu either at sunrise of late afternoon (the best times for a visit). However, the hotel is rather overpriced and is far away from the dining and shopping of Aguas Calientes — either a strenuous 90-minute climb down the mountain or a 30-minute bus ride.

Aguya calientes, the village closest to Machu Picchu, features two luxury hotels: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, located near the train station, and design-forward Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, a boutique property near the foot of Machu Picchu Mountain. But there are dozens of mid-range options, too, plus super-affordable hostels for backpackers like Nativus Hostel, which also has private rooms.

Most hotels in Peru’s Sacred Valley also offer day trips to Machu Picchu. However, keep in mind that a day trip to Machu Picchu from a Sacred Valley Hotel takes a lot of  travel time. Between the car ride from the hotel to Ollantaytambo train station, the train ride to Aguas Calientes and the bus ride to the legendary citadel at the end, it’s at least 4 hours each way (and that excludes waiting lines for the busses). If you instead stay in Agua Calientes (or if you really want to splurge, at the Belmond property at the entrance to Machu Picchu), you could visit Machu Picchu early morning (before all the crowds arrive by train) or late afternoon, and break up the travel.

PHOTOS

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Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, series, or news.

Today: Book exclusive offers at Aman’s ultra-luxe hotels in Japan and Italy

It is no secret that I am a devoted ‘Amanjunkie’ (in addition to being a ‘Soneva addict’). The century old word “aman” means “peace, security, safety, shelter, protection” in the Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, Ge’ez, Amharic, Urdu and Persian languages. But today, Aman is better known as the world’s most exclusive hotel brand, operating 34 uberluxurious resorts and hotels in 21 destinations, ranging from the desert sands of Marrakech and the snowy peaks of Wyoming to the jungle-clad ruins of Siem Reap and the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. You can find an overview of all the Aman Hotels here.

Although I rarely list hotel promotions on my blog, Aman is currently offering a valuable package for its three Japan properties (Aman Tokyo, Aman Kyoto and Amanenu) as well as an exclusive offer for its Venice property (Aman Venice), so now might be a good time to lock in a stay here. There is more information below the photo.

Aman Venice – Exclusive offer

Aman Venice – the best luxury hotel in the Italian city of Venice – currently has an exclusive offer for a 2 night stay including entrance tickets for the iconic museum of Scuola Grande San Rocco, daily breakfast, spa treatments and more. The two-night stay includes:

• Entrance tickets to Scuola Grande di San Rocco
• Two 30-minute spa treatments per stay
• Upgrade to next room category based on availability upon arrival
• Daily breakfast
• Complimentary minibar (including alcoholic beverages)
• Historical tour of the Palazzo

Terms and conditions of the offer:

• The offer is non-refundable and for new bookings only, subject to availability and not combinable with any other offer unless specified. Extra person charges at EUR250 + VAT per person per night. For children under 12 sharing a room with their parents there is no charge, over 12 is charged at EUR250 + 10% VAT. Minimum length of stay is 2 nights.
• The offer is valid from 20 October – 23 December 2024, and from 1-7 January, 7 February – 16 March and 26 October – 23 December 2025

About Aman Venice

Aman Venice’s home on the Grand Canal is the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, one of the city’s most significant buildings. The great painter Tiepolo once lived here, and his frescoes adorn the walls of many of the rooms. In the 19th century, the presiding Papadopoli family turned adjoining buildings into two gardens that, today, are among the city’s rarest private green spaces. When Aman Venice opened in 2014, its sensitive incorporation of contemporary comforts won the palazzo a heritage award for Italy’s best restoration. More home than hotel, Aman Venice offers the rare privilege of space in Venice. High ceilings and spacious light-filled salons are joined by two mature outdoor private gardens and a small rooftop rarely seen in the city. With views to the hotel’s private garden or the Grand Canal, many of the 24 rooms and suites feature protected frescos and reliefs.

• Hotel website: Aman Venice
• Accolades: Aman Venice features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Italy and the best luxury hotels in Venice.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of Aman Venice here.

Aman Japan – Exclusive offer

Experience the culture, cuisine, and natural beauty of Japan’s three Aman destinations in one journey. Discover the multifaceted beauty of Japan from the lofty urban sanctuary that is Aman Tokyo and the nature-ensconced, cultural havens of Amanemu and Aman Kyoto. This multi-destination journey takes full advantage of the unique settings, insider knowledge and on-hand wellness and cultural experts of Aman’s three Japanese retreats.

Aman Japan currently has an exclusive offer: stay in all three of Aman’s Japanese properties and enjoy complimentary breakfast, guaranteed room upgrades, a 10% saving on all dining and spa experiences, and more.

The three-property stay includes:

• Daily breakfast at the restaurant with a choice of American or Japanese breakfast set.
• Guaranteed room upgrade upon making reservations.
• 10% discount on food and beverages
• 10% discount on spa treatments and services
• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
• Upon departure, our staff will assist you to the nearest station to
  help you reach your next destination
• Amanemu:
  • Daily American or Japanese full breakfast served at the restaurant
  • Access to wellness facilities including onsen-style bathing facilities, steam rooms, outdoor swimming pool, yoga studio and fitness centre
• Aman Kyoto:
  • Daily breakfast at The Living Pavilion by Aman
  • Access to hot-spring onsen bathing facilities fed by mineral-rich waters
  • Guided tour of Aman Kyoto’s secret garden
  • Daily Japanese style afternoon tea ”Kanmi” with Japanese tea selection including Matcha green tea
  • Evening aperitif with complimentary beer, wine, champagne, and more, accompanied by small snacks
  • Complimentary soft drink selection available at The Living Pavilion by Aman throughout the day
• Aman Tokyo:
  • Access to wellness facilities including Japanese-style bathing facilities, steam rooms, 30-metre indoor swimming pool and fitness centre

Terms and conditions:

• Offer available until 31 December 2025
• This offer applies to stays at 3 consecutive properties, each with a minimum stay of 2 nights.
• Some room types are not eligible for upgrades. Please contact us for more information.
• This offer is available up to 14 days prior to arrival.
• Cancel 14 days prior to arrival by 15:00 hotel local time to avoid forfeiture of full stay amount plus tax.
• Peak season (21 December 2024 – 04 January 2025 ;15 March – 20 April 2025 and 20 – 31 December 2025) – full payment is required 14 days prior to arrival.
• This offer applies only to new bookings and may not be available depending on availability and may not be combined with other offers unless otherwise stated.
• The 10% discount on F&B and SPA is available for all restaurants, in-room dining, or spa treatments. Minibars and retail products are not eligible for discounts.
• Payment should be made locally at each resort. If you would like to pay in advance, please inquire at the time of booking.

About Aman Tokyo

Occupying the top six floors of the recently-built Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo is a luxury hotel and urban sanctuary high above the atmospheric whirl of tradition and modernity that epitomizes Japan’s capital city Tokyo. The hotel draws its design inspiration from traditional Japanese residential structures, with classic Japanese materials such as timber, Washi paper and stone blended to great effect with modern technology and luxurious fabrics. The property features 84 rooms and suites, all with unique layouts, magnificent city views and every contemporary convenience. Each room has a large furo, a deep soaking tub intrinsic to the Japanese ritual of bathing. There is also a continuous reference to nature, from the hotel’s inner garden in the phenomenal lobby, to the fabrics and art incorporated into the design.

• Hotel website: Aman Tokyo
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of Aman Tokyo here.

About Aman Kyoto

Surrounded by ancient woodlands that once offered refuge to a revered artist community, Aman Tokyo pays homage to the traditional ryokan, albeit in strikingly modern style. The interiors are spacious and light-filled – ingeniously crafted to foster peace, relaxation and contemplation at every turn. Moss-covered stone pathways wind between latticed pavilions that house 26 minimalistic rooms with healing onsen baths that source their waters from nearby mineral springs. The Living Pavilion serves home-cooked Kyoto obanzai style cuisine throughout the day, while the signature restaurant Taka-an is a culinary homage to Honami Koetsu, who helped shape the culture and creative life of the Takagamine district of Kyoto, and from there, Japan as a whole. Guests here practice yoga, take a mindfulness hike, or explore Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Hotel website: Aman Kyoto
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

About Amanemu

Celebrating Japan’s ancient onsen (mineral hot spring) tradition in scenic Ise Shima National Park, Amanemu is the country’s best luxury hotel. The resort is perched on the verdant rolling shores of Ago Bay, known as the Bay of Pearls, on the west coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island. Each of its 24 suites and four villas have a private onsen, along with walls that open to tranquil Ago Bay or the surrounding forest. The design throughout embraces a classical Japanese aesthetic, using natural materials and soothing hues while framing the natural surroundings. Amanemu’s spa comes with two large onsen bathing pavilions, a watsu pool, four treatment suites, a gym and a yoga studio. Guests can witness a prayer ceremony at the Ise Grand Shrine, or go fishing with a local angler and have the chef prepare fresh sashimi from your catch. The UNESCO-designated Kumano Kodo trails are worth the day trip.

• Hotel website: Amanemu
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of Amanemu here.

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Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: Soneva introduces the Maldives’ ultimate large villa luxury concept

Soneva, my favorite hotel brand, has announced an elevated large villa luxury concept, called “The Residences”. Starting next months, guests reserving a Residence at Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani in the Maldives will enjoy an array of complimentary experiences while a dedicated service team designs a truly unforgettable stay.

Surrounded by lush jungle gardens or perched over the Indian Ocean, the three to nine-bedroom Residences at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani stand out as the epitome of luxury living. Tailored for the most discerning travelers, they offer a home away from home, with swimming pools and sprawling sun decks, spacious living areas, private gym and spa facilities, wine cellars and fully equipped kitchens or pantries. The Residences are designed to exist in perfect harmony with the Maldives’ stunning natural landscape, creating an elegant, luxurious aesthetic that treads lightly on the planet. All Soneva’s villas and their interiors are crafted from sustainable, ethically sourced materials.

From October 15 2024, the three to nine-bedroom Residences at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani will present enhanced services and exclusive experiences. This will include the following features:

• A dedicated Villa Manager (private butler) and Villa Attendant offering 24/7 service as standard,
• Private chefs on call for personalized culinary experiences within the comfort and privacy of the villa and its gardens
• A dedicated buggy (one per villa) for convenient transport across the island
• A range of in-villa experiences like signature spa treatments
• Daily complimentary in-villa movement session
• One complimentary tennis session with a resident coach
• Access to Soneva Stars program with visiting Michelin-starred chefs, sports icons, wellness experts and more

Contact me for the best rates at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani and get complimentary VIP perks. You can read my review of Soneva Fushi here and my review of Soneva Jani here.

“With the introduction of these enhanced services, the Residences are setting a new standard in luxury hospitality,” said Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Co-Founder of Soneva. “We are thrilled to offer an even more exclusive and personalised experience to our guests travelling with extended family, friends or in groups of all sizes, making their stay truly memorable and inspiring a lifetime of rare experiences.”

The Residences include select three- to nine-bedroom villas. Click here to view applicable villas at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. The list includes some of the world’s largest resort villas, including Villa 11 at Soneva Fushi (9 bedroom Reserve) and the 4 Bedroom Water Reserve at Soneva Jani.

Soneva Fushi’s vision of a playful deserted-island mansion comes to full fruition on an oceanic scale in Villa 11, the largest and most impressive beach villa in the Maldives: the nine bedroom Private Reserve, located on the island’s southeastern tip, offering direct access to a private stretch of white sand beach and turquoise lagoon. The enormous villa represents the epitome of a jungle fantasy, featuring palmfrond roofs, woven ropes and tree branch banisters. There are nine bedrooms, each one coming with its own bathroom, all centered around an open air living room with kitchen and a massive, lagoon-like swimming pool with sunken dining area and waterslide. The villa feels like a resort within a resort as it offers everything, from a children’s room and TV lounge, to its own spa area, sauna, and gym as well as a master bedroom with private pool.

The 4 Bedroom Water Reserve at Soneva Jani is the largest overwater villa in the Maldives, located on the resort’s south jetty. The Water Reserve features a wide outdoor deck with large pool, waterslide, sofas and catamaran nets perfect for lounging, sunbathing, dining or just taking in the sunset. The master bedroom is on the lower floor with an adjoining children’s sleeping area, master bathroom, dressing room, steam and shower, outdoor shower with a sunken bathtub and a sauna room. On the same floor is the dining area and open kitchen, living room with seating area, and a a second bedroom which has its own bathroom. The remaining two bedrooms with bathrooms and dressing rooms are on the upper floor, along with the TV lounge, and gym. Guests staying in the Water Reserve can indulge with unlimited dining and drinks, experiences, spa treatments, a personal Barefoot Butler and more under Soneva Unlimited.

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Today: A travel guide to Botswana

My travel blog features a section that comprises a selection of destination & travel guides. You can find these travel guides under ‘destinations‘ in the blog’s header menu (indicated by the blue arrow in the screenshot below).

I hope these online travel guides – based on my own travel experiences – may help you to get the most out of your (luxury) trips. So far, I have published travel guides on the following destinations:

• Antarctica
• Australia
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Costa Rica
• French Polynesia
• Greece
• Hawaii
• Indonesia
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• Maldives
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Oman
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Switzerland
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Vietnam
• West Canada & Rockies
• Zambia

Today, I am publishing a travel guide on my blog about Botswana.

Botswana truly offers some of the most varied and distinct safaris in Africa, with an enormous congregation of wildlife across hypnotic landscapes. Deserts, wetlands, savannahs, the world’s largest in-land delta and wildlife-rich game reserves create one of the most beautiful regions on the continent. The majority of the country’s land surface is dominated by the Kalahari Desert, an endless expanse of land that occupies the center of Botswana where the San people live. However, Botswana is perhaps even more renowned for the spectacular Okavango Delta (the largest inland delta on Earth), the Moremi Game Reserve (known for its predators and big five game viewing) and Chobe National Park (where the highest concentration of elephants in Africa roam freely). With an incredibly strong commitment to conservation, Botswana is also home to some of the most luxurious safari lodges in Africa, attracting discerning travelers from all over the world.

Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Botswana with my travel guide. Find out more about:

• Best time to visit
• Travel requirements
• How to get there
• Getting around
• Recommended tour operators
• Inspiration, highlights, & travel tips
• Suggested itineraries
• Recommended luxury hotels (+ reviews)

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: BEST TIME TO VISIT

Botswana offers year-round safari activities, with each season bringing a unique appeal. The country has hot, wet summers from October to April while winters from May to September are often dry and cool with chilly mornings and evenings. The rainy season is from late December to late February, sometimes continuing into March, with rain generally falling in the form of afternoon thundershowers.

• The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry season from June to September, when wildlife in Botswana’s main game reserves – the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park – is abundantly present. Although called the ‘dry season’, the water levels of the Okavango Delta are at their highest point in these months as the flood waters are arriving from Angola, with animals flocking to the waters from the dry hinterland. This is also when many camps can offer water activities (e.g. boat rides, mokoro tours). Going by the rule of thumb, water in the Delta starts to flow in June (when it arrives from the Angolan Highlands), while by the end of August, most of the water has passed through the Delta and water levels start to drop again.
• In the summer months (December to March), the temperatures in Botswana are soaring and thundershowers are frequent. During this time of the year, some areas in the Okavango Delta become waterlogged, making road travel challenging and airstrips trickier to traverse. That said, excellent game viewing can be enjoyed in the summer months too, in the right areas with good resident game and permanent water channels. Also, if you are a birder, the best time to visit the Okavango Delta is generally during the summer months when the Okavango is bursting with resident and migratory birds.
• The shoulder months (October-November and April-May) are also good months to visit Botswana and its game reserves. However keep in mind that occasional rain showers may occur during these months; vegetation is quite dense in April right after the rainy season (which makes it more difficult to spot wildlife); and the Okavango Delta will probably not be flooded during this time of the year (with lower concentrations of wildlife and no water activities).

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for entry into Botswana differ from country to country, and are subject to change. Prior to departure, always check with your government and your nearest Botswana embassy or consulate what documents you need for travel to Botswana. 

• You need a valid passport. The passport must be valid for six months after entry into the country. Two blank passport pages are required when traveling to Southern Africa. Check the number of days given on arrival at the immigration desk as there are steep fines for overstaying the number of days given.
• For most passports, a visa is required. Visas are to be obtained in advance and cannot be issued at port of entry. Please check with local authorities for details. Please visit www.botswanaembassy.org for a full list of nationalities requiring visas for entry into Botswana.
• It is advisable for visitors who intend traveling to Botswana’s neighbouring countries and back to apply for multiple entry visas.
• Foreigners from most Commonwealth and European Union countries, as well as the United States, are not required to obtain visas for entering Botswana, except in cases where the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs has directed otherwise.

Please note this information serves as a guide only. Travelers should check for visa requirements pertaining to their citizenship, as entry requirements can vary.

Make sure you read my 10 tips to plan a worry-free trip.

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: HOW TO GET THERE

Most travelers arrive in Botswana via one of its international airports:

• Most tourist arrive in Botswana via Maun Airport, which serves as the main gateway to the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve.
• Kasane International Airport is another airport often used by tourists to enter Botswana since he airport is close to Chobe National Park.
• Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is the main international airport of the capital city of Botswana. The airport is named after Sir Seretse Khama, the first president of Botswana The airport has the largest passenger movement in the country, but is less convenient for tourists since it’s a bit further away from  Botswana’s premier wildlife areas.

There are relatively few international flights directly into Botswana and it is often easier to fly into Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa and catch a connecting flight from there to Maun (or Kasane). Airlink and Ethiopian Airlines are currently your best options to get to Maun.

It’s also possible to arrive in Botswana overland as part of a multi-country itinerary. Botswana is bordered by Namibia to the west and north, Zimbabwe to the east, and South Africa to the south. Many travelers combine Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe in one single holiday (often starting at Cape Town in South Africa and ending at the Victoria Falls in Zambia or vice versa).

Before you buy a plane ticket, consider reading my tips & tricks for buying the cheapest plane ticket.

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: HOW TO GET AROUND

To reach most of Botswana’s National Parks, reserves and places of interest, you will need to rent a 4WD vehicle or charter a plane.

• Air travel: shuttle and/or charter flights are the only way of reaching the majority of camps in the Chobe, Moremi, Central Kalahari and the Okavango Delta. Scheduled light aircraft flights depart from Maun and Kasane and handle all inter-camp transfers in this area. In most cases, the lodge where you’ll stay will take care of arranging and booking the transfers (most flights are only confirmed 24 hours in advance).
• Self-Drive: Although Gaborone, Maun and Francistown are accessible by 2-wheel drive cars, travel into Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari can only be undertaken by 4-wheel drive. Self-drive travelers have access to most of the Moremi, Savute and Chobe lodges, but lodges in the Okavango Delta itself are only accessible by light aircraft. However, keep in mind that Botswana is not a recommended self-drive destination unless you are prepared for serious 4×4 driving and check weather conditions carefully, as these impact on the road conditions.

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: RECOMMENDED TOUR OPERATORS

Most travelers will book their trip in Botswana through a safari company. The latter will take care of all the transfers, whether it be by light aircraft, a (guided) vehicle, or a combination of both. I highly recommend booking via Wilderness or &Beyond if you are considering a luxury trip to Botswana.

• Wilderness is the largest luxury operator in Botswana, managing more than 20 camps and operating its own airline (Wilderness Air). Wilderness was founded in 1983 in Botswana by two young guides, who wanted to ensure both conservation of wildlife areas and that the financial benefits of their safaris flow to Botswana and its people. Today, Wilderness Safaris is widely acclaimed as the continent’s foremost ecotourism operator, dedicated to conserving and restoring Africa’s wilderness and wildlife. They do this by creating life-changing journeys in some of the most remote and pristine areas in Africa, hereby helping to conserve Africa’s spectacular biodiversity and share ecotourism’s benefits with the local communities. Wilderness’ top lodges in Botswana are Jao, Vumbura Plains, Mombo and DumaTau.
• &Beyond, one of world’s most exclusive travel companies, was established in 1991, and combines conservation efforts with sustainable tourism. The company has established an intimate relationship with some of the world’s last remaining unspoiled natural places and the communities that surround them. In combination with highly-skilled guides and rangers, this allows &Beyond to deliver extraordinary guest experiences that feel profoundly meaningful. As of today, &Beyond owns and operates 30 extraordinary lodges and camps in iconic safari, scenic and island destinations in Africa, Asia and South America, enabling the company to positively impact more than 9 million acres of wildlife land and 2000 km (1200 mi) of coastline. This includes several top lodges in Botswana (four &Beyond lodges as well as dozens of partner lodges).

Two other top luxury safari companies to consider are Belmond and Sanctuary Retreats, although their network of lodges is not as extensive as compared to Wilderness and &Beyond: Belmond operates two lodges in Botswana and Sanctuary Lodge four lodges.

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: INSPIRATION, HIGHLIGHTS & TRAVEL TIPS

There are many reasons why Botswana should be on your bucket list:

• A strong commitment to conservation that supports a vast array of endangered species including African wild dogs
• Home to the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world
• Chobe National Park is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa
• A diversity of landscapes, from savannah and desert, to salt pan, wetland and flood plain
• Mokoro excursions, a unique adventure trip along the waterways of the Okavango Delta

Botswana’s two main areas of interest for tourists are the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park:

• The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world, and instead of flowing into the sea, the annual flood of fresh water flows inland, spreading over 15,000km of the Kalahari sand in a maze of lagoons and channels. The delta forms part of the Kalahari Basin, situated at the southern periphery of the Great Rift Valley and covers an area of 22,000 square kilometres. This is home to an estimated 9,000 species of flora and fauna – as such the delta is widely regarded as one of the premium destinations for game viewing. Although the periphery is semi-arid, the delta itself is a patchwork of cool clear streams, lagoons, floodplains and forested islands. In the dry winter season vast numbers of wildlife flock to where the floodwaters infiltrate the delta – providing one of the natural world’s most spectacular sights.
• In Botswana’s northwest, immense teak forests grow where, within Chobe National Park, the largest population of elephants (estimated at 100,000) in the world live a secure, protected existence. Lions, leopards and rare wild dogs roam the broad plains that shrink and grow with the change of the seasons as the rivers and streams flood. The lush Chobe riverfront is noted for the large concentrations of mega fauna (elephant and buffalo) that gather on its banks in the dry season. During the dry season the Chobe is the only major source of water north of the Okavango, hence the number of game attracted from great distances. Like the Okavango, the river originates in the highlands of Angola and flows into the mighty Zambezi. The Chobe boasts Bushbuck and Puku antelope, as well as a variety of birds, in addition to elephant and buffalo.

The following,detailed articles may also inspire you and help you plan your holiday to Botswana:

• Top 10 best things to see & do in Botswana
• Top 10 best luxury hotels & lodges in Botswana
• Tips & tricks for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel
• Tips & tricks for buying the cheapest plane ticket

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: SUGGESTED ITINERARIES 

It’s impossible to suggest one itinerary for Botswana in this travel guide, but I hereby share with you a schedule based on my own holiday in Botswana. Because of the amount of effort involved in getting to Botswana and the number of destinations worth visiting, it is recommended that travelers set aside ten days to two weeks for their Botswana safari.

• 6 nights in the Okavango Delta, which can be divided between two to three lodges. Make sure to choose at least one lodge with great water activities and one lodge in the Moremi Game reserve for spotting big game and predator action. A good combination of lodges would be:
  • Wilderness Jao Camp: 3 nights
  • Wilderness Mombo Camp: 3 nights
• 3 nights in the Linyanti private concession near Chobe National Park, where you can spot the highest concentration of elephants on earth
  • Suggested camp: Wilderness DumaTau (3 nights)

For your information, the exact itinerary of my own holiday in Botswana with Wilderness can be found here (this site also allows you to book the same trip).

If you have more time, you may consider combining Botswana with Namibia, South Africa, and/or Zimbabwe in one single holiday (starting your journey in Cape Town in South Africa and ending at the Victoria Falls in Zambia or vice versa).

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BOTSWANA: RECOMMENDED HOTELS (+ REVIEWS)

I recommend to visit my top 10 list of the most fabulous hotels in Botswana if you are eager to know how I rank Botswana’s top hotels, based my own experience.

Below, you find my detailed reviews of lodges in Botswana (with pros, cons, and tips to save money per hotel).

• Review: Wilderness DumaTau Camp (Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana)
• Review: Wilderness Vumbura Plains (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
• Review: Wilderness Jao Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post A travel guide to Botswana appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: AMAN New York – Grand Slam Men’s Final Experience

In this newsletter, I want to share with you amazing and extremely exclusive offer that AMAN New York is currently hosting.

On the city’s pulse in Manhattan’s iconic Crown Building, AMAN New York – the most exclusive hotel in New York – is just a stone’s throw from Central Park. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the ultra-luxe hotel serves as an urban sanctuary while providing easy access to all points of interest in the city. A double-height lobby welcomes guests to the 14th floor, where the sounds of midtown Manhattan melt away. Massive marble rain showers, oversized soaking tubs, and enchanting fireplaces mark the urban retreat’s 83 daydream-worthy suites, while signature restaurants Arva and Nama pay homage to Italy’s rustic roots and Japan’s culinary traditions, respectively. The iconic property is also home to a fabulous three-story spa boasting restorative treatments, functional biomarker lab diagnostics, and multidisciplinary wellness programs. Read my detailed review of AMAN New York here.

AMAN junkies and tennis fans will be thrilled to know that AMAN New York has now announced a unique Grand Slam men’s final experience. As the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, the US Open is a great way to experience New York City, while seeing great tennis play.  You can book the offer directly on the AMAN New York website.

Offer details: Witness the highlight of New York’s premier grand slam with courtside box seats for the men’s tennis final on 8 September 2024. Traffic-free transfers to and from the stadium in a 48’ Barton & Gray Mariners Club Daychaser dayboat, with seasonal cocktails and small plates served on board, full-day car service and a two-night stay in a Signature Suite at AMAN New York add to the occasion.

Stay Dates: 6-9 September 2024

Offer includes:

• Two courtside box seats for the US men’s tennis final
• Stay in a Signature Suite at AMAN New York
• Transport to/from the courts in a 48’ Daychaser yacht in partnership with Barton & Gray Mariners Club
• Full-day car service
• Aman Essentials gift
• Tennis-themed amenity and in-suite surprises
• Flexible check-in (upon availability)
• Daily a la carte breakfast
• Daily cultural programming
• Butler service
• Access to three floor wellness facility including indoor pool, fitness centre, sauna and steam room
• Complimentary private bar with espresso set-up
• Complimentary house cars for drop-offs within a 15-block radius

Terms & Conditions: Local taxes apply. Rates are subject to 14.75% city/state tax plus nightly occupancy tax, estimated at $14. Offer is subject to availability, is not applicable for groups and cannot be combined with any other offers. Rates are subject to change and may vary on certain days of the week. One night deposit is due at the time of booking. This package must be booked at least seven days in advance; a two-night minimum stay applies. The price is based on two people.

*** Follow me on Instagram, Youtube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post AMAN New York – Grand Slam Men’s Final Experience appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: Sonevi Fushi or Soneva Jani, which one is best?

One of the leading hotel brands when it comes to sustainable tourism and barefoot luxury is Soneva, the hotel company that manages the two most impressive resorts in the Maldives: Soneva Fushi (located on its own tropical island) and Soneva Jani (located in a huge lagoon with five islands, four of them deserted). Chances are that these fabulous resorts have appeared on your radar (or in your Instagram feed) when you are planning a luxury holiday in the Maldives, since they both epitomize the ultimate Maldivian dream, providing guests with an exceptional one-of-a-kind holiday.

Many travelers who want to stay at Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani often wonder which one is best, and that’s also the single most questioned I am asked about the Soneva Resorts. IMHI, Soneva Fushi offers more of a beach & island experience, with more to do and exceptional dining experiences. Soneva Jani offers more of an overwater experience, with incredible villas featuring slides and retractable roofs, and with a focus on tranquility and holistic wellness. My personal advice would be to stay at both resorts and to combine them in one and the same itinerary (4 to 5 nights in each resort) to experience the best of both worlds. Soneva operates daily transfers between both resorts (private or shared), so it’s very easy to get from Soneva Fushi to Soneva Jani or vice versa (just one hour by boat).

No matter which resort you choose to stay at (Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani or a combination of both), once you’ve stayed at a Soneva resort, that’s it: you’re in love. There’s no turning back. And apparently, I am not the only one who feels so passionate about Soneva: 60% of visitors to Soneva Fushi, the original luxury hotel in the Maldives, are returning guests.

Which one is your favorite: Soneva Jani or Soneva Fushi? Leave a comment.

In this article, I’ll compare the following 15 features between both resorts in detail and declare the winner in each category:

1. Beauty of the island & beaches
2. Beauty of the lagoon
3. Snorkeling, diving & maritime wildlife
4. Villas
5. Instagram X-factor & photography
6. Restaurants
7. Breakfast
8. Vegan dining
9. All-inclusive concept
10. Complimentary chocolate & ice cream
11. Spa & wellness
12. Romance
13. Family friendliness
14. Resort amenities & activities
15. Sustainability

1. ISLAND & BEACHES

Winner: Soneva fushi

Soneva Fushi is a tropical paradise unrivaled in the world. The entire island is covered by a magnificent verdant jungle and completely surrounded by a blinding-white, palm-fringed beach and a ridiculously clear, sparkling turquoise lagoon. From a scenic perspective, this is the most idyllic island that I have ever visited in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, and its fabulous, soft-sand beaches easily rank amongst the best in the world. It’s important to notice though that Soneva Fushi does not have a beach club; instead, all of the jungle villas have direct access to the beach (with a couple of sunbeds placed on the sand in front of each villa).

Soneva Jani’s two overwater jetties are also attached to a tropical island, called Medhufaru. The latter is one of the largest islands in the Maldives, but it offers a different type of beauty: it is not as lush and blanketed with palms as Soneva Fushi, and mangroves are the main ecosystem. Also, the island is not completely encircled by beaches, and ‘only’ two beaches are open to guests, but they do come with a beach club: there is a smaller beach club (with water sports center) on Medhufaru’s northern tip (North Beach; close to the resort’s North Jetty) and a much larger beach club with some restaurants on the island’s southern tip (South Beach; close to the South Jetty).

2. LAGOON

Winner: Soneva Jani

Soneva Jani is located within a 5.6 km (3,5 mi) lagoon of crystal clear waters with uninterrupted 360° views of the Indian Ocean. It’s the largest and most beautiful lagoon of its kind in the Maldives. The lagoon is so huge that more than 7,000 Olympic swimming pools can fit inside it. It’s impossible to find words to describe the intensely mesmerizing blue of the lagoon’s waters. This fifty shades of blue strike the entire Maldivian archipelago and are present in the shallows of every atoll’s islands, but nowhere are they as blue and clear as at Soneva Jani (especially at the Chapter One jetty). In fact, these are the most vibrant shades of blue that I have ever seen in all my years of traveling around the globe. Four of the five islands in the lagoon remain entirely undeveloped, so there is also always somewhere a place to play castaway.

Soneva Fushi is also located in an incredibly stunning lagoon, albeit probably not as visually stunning as the one at Soneva Jani. The lagoon of Soneva Fushi is more typical of what you might find at other islands in the Maldives: clear blue, shallow waters surround the island with a sudden drop off of the lagoon into the oceanic depth a few dozen meters offshore, resulting in an abrupt change in the water color from light blue to dark blue (contrary to Soneva Jani, where light blue is all you see as far as the eye stretches). Also, about 650 m (2100 ft) off the sunset side of Soneva Fushi is the island of Eydhafushi, the capital of the Baa Atoll, which is clearly visible at the horizon (with some concrete building and antennas). This might somewhat dispel the feeling of being a castaway on an island.

3. SNORKELING, DIVING & MARITIME WILDLIFE

Winner: Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi is located in the heart of the Maldives’ remote Baa Atoll. The latter has been declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, because it supports one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. As such, it should come as no surprise that Soneva Fushi is a diver’s dream, offering easy access to the world’s most breathtaking scuba diving sites. The resort has its own PADI-certified dive center, and the professional scuba diving instructors guide excursions to more than 30 sites, such as Hanifaru Bay, home to one of the world’s largest populations of manta rays. If you are not comfortable with or don’t feel like diving, you’ll be happy to know that snorkeling at Soneva Fushi’s house reef is superb. Turtles and dolphins also frequently pass close by the island (especially on the sunset side). The resort’s dive center provides diving masks with optical lenses for those guests wearing glasses.

While incredibly beautiful, the lagoon at Soneva Jani is not teeming with fish, although I noted that there is more wildlife present now than there was during my last visit three years ago (harmless sharks and stingrays daily frequented the waters around the villas). Due to the lack of fish within the lagoon, Soneva Jani offers snorkeling trips by boat to its house reef at the outer edge of the lagoon. Corals of all species are present here, as well as a great deal of fish and huge old coral colonies creating a nice shallow 3D reefscape There are also many dive sites with rich marine life around the resort, sure to tempt all marine enthusiasts. But again, if snorkeling and diving is what you are looking for, you’re better off staying at Soneva Fushi.

4. VILLAS

Winner: Soneva Fushi for beach villas and Soneva Jani for overwater villas

Soneva Jani’s focus is on an overwater experience. Within its massive lagoon are 51 overwater villas and a few beach villas, making Soneva Jani one of the lowest density resorts in the world. The scale of the villas is extraordinary, with both one bedroom villas (catering to couples and families with young children) and multi-bedroom villas (catering to larger travel parties) available. The overwater villas are located along two jetties that are connected to Medhufaru island and curve over the blue water like a snake. At more than 410 square meters (4413 square feet), the one bedroom villas are the largest entry-level villas in the Indian Ocean. Every water villa has a private pool (which is large enough to swim laps) and opens to its own stretch of lagoon, with most villas featuring curved slides going directly from the top deck into the lagoon below. The villas of the North Jetty (labeled as ‘retreats’) and South Jetty (labeled as ‘reserves’) are similar in layout, but the South Jetty reserves are newer, offer more shade during the heat of the day, and they also have more indoor spaces which are airconditioned (e.g. the lounge area in the South Jetty villas is airconditioned while that’s not the case inside the North Jetty villas).

Soneva Fushi’s focus is more on a beach experience. The resort’s 64, thatched-roof, beach villas are scattered along the coastline. While they are hidden among dense jungle vegetation (and hardly visible from the beach), they all overlook the Indian Ocean. The elegant and sophisticated villas are massive in scale and rank among the world’s largest hotel accommodations. They come in several categories, ranging from one-bedroom Crusoe villas to the 9-bedroom private reserve. Each villa aims to provide a sort of Robinson Crusoe experience, as it feels as it’s marooned on its own private island, with its own garden and stretch of white sand beach just steps away. In keeping with the castaway theme, many villas are built to resemble tree houses. In 2021, Soneva Fushi saw the addition of eight massive overwater one- and two bedroom overwater villas, which are similar in layout to the overwater villas at Soneva Jani (albeit featuring a more rustic type of design). These overwater villas are located along a gently curving jetty on the island’s southern tip.

5. INSTAGRAM X-FACTOR & PHOTOGRAPHY

Winner: Soneva Jani

While the beauty of Soneva Fushi’s tropical island and beaches are unmatched and understated, Soneva Jani offers the best photo opportunities, making the resort the holy grail of luxury travel for many Instagram fashionables. Indeed, the sight of Soneva Jani’s two jetties winding over the surreal blue waters and the fabulous architecture of the resort’s overwater villas and structures seem to come straight out of a fairytale and are famous all over world. Soneva Jani looks as though social media was at the forefront of minds of the designers, and images of the resort have been shared millions of times on Instagram. Going down the slides at Soneva Jani will not only evoke your inner child as you slip and slide into the crystal clear Maldives water, but they will also guarantee some stunning photos, inspiring many other travelers.

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6. RESTAURANTS

Winner: Soneva Fushi

Offering the best dining experience in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi features a staggering number of dining venues (nine in total), with over-the-top settings, impeccable service, and divine food. This includes Fresh In The Garden (a dining venue suspended above the jungle canopy) and Out of the Blue (an overwater structure housing five fine dining outlets, including a terrific Teppanyaki table and world-class sushi counter). A stand out among the resort’s fine dining venues is Flying Sauces, which combines world-class gastronomy with the thrill and excitement of ziplining: after being securely strapped into safety harnesses, guests soar along a 200 m (656 ft) zipline route to reach an elevated dining platform, where a gastronomic dinner awaits them. Appealing to the international foodie scene and cementing Soneva Fushi’s reputation as an epicurean destination, the resort also regularly hosts some of the world’s most celebrated and Michelin-starred chefs.

It’s hard to find a resort anywhere in the world that offers better food than Soneva Fushi although its sister resort Soneva Jani comes close, with menus as extravagant as the resort itself. There are also nine dining outlets at Soneva Jani, offering various destinations cuisines, in addition to several private dining experiences. Highlights are the Crab Shack (voted the ‘world’s most romantic restaurant’ on CNN) and Overseas by chef Mathias Dahlgren (serving plant-based and pescatarian dishes). Soneva has also gained a worldwide reputation for its wine collection and sommeliers, and at Soneva Jani, the wine is housed in a glass tower and the list contains around 50% organic and biodynamic wine.

7. BREAKFAST

Winner: Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi offers by far the most lavish breakfast buffet that I have ever encountered in any hotel in the world. It features a dedicated ham and cheese room, with sumptuous homemade cheeses, charcuterie and own-smoked salmon, in addition to an extensive menu with delicious Western and Asian dishes. You can also take your pick of more luscious delicacies straight from the wood-fired rock oven, hot and cold smoke oven and the earthen tandoor. There’s also another cold room offering an incredible variety of salads and vegetables, next to an indoor fruit counter which offers the most amazing range of fresh fruits you’ll ever see at a hotel.

Soneva Jani has two breakfast restaurants. One venue is an indoor restaurant, housed in the The Gathering (the massive overwater structure located on the North Jetty), while the other venue is a beach shack on South Beach, closed to the South Jetty. Both venues offer a lavish and extensive buffet spread complemented by à la carte dishes (albeit not as impressive as the breakfast at Soneva Fushi, but as said, that one is hard to beat).

8. VEGAN DINING

Winner: Tie – Soneva Fushi & Soneva Jani

A focus on organic, plant-based dining is part of our Soneva’s philosophy, which champions holistic wellbeing and a healthier, more sustainable way of living. Red meat has been almost completely removed from all the menus at both Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi, and the use of dairy products and refined sugars and flours has been significantly reduced. Both resorts also feature a sublime vegan dining venue.

Shades of Green at Soneva Fushi is the Maldives’ first vegan restaurant. The evening begins with a tour of the garden, and guests pick, taste and smell the produce and discover hidden amuse bouches. The five menus by Danish chef Carsten Kyster are based on the vibrant colors of freshly picked produce: Purple, Yellow, Orange, Red and Green. They fuse the flavors and fragrant spices of Maldivian and South-east Asian cuisine with Chef Kyster’s Nordic heritage, prepared using traditional techniques such as smoking, salting, fermenting and pickling to let the ingredients shine. Each colorful menu features six courses – Cleansing, Crispy, Raw, Grains, Fire, Sweets – with simple yet innovative dishes that showcase the finest seasonal vegetables, salads, fruit and herbs cultivated at Soneva Fushi.

So Wild by Diana Von Cranach is a fully plant-based restaurant in the midst of Soneva Jani’s organic garden. Diana’s 50 years of experience in plant-focused dining come to life in a menu that draws inspiration from Ayurveda and highlights ingredients grown at the resort. Having forged her own culinary path in Asia, the internationally renowned raw food chef and cookbook author has created a menu that revives historical recipes from around South East Asia and Indonesia. Ingredients are prepared using techniques like steaming, flash-frying, and dehydrating when they aren’t presented raw.

9. ALL INCLUSIVE CONCEPT

Winner: Tie – Soneva Fushi & Soneva Jani

When guests book a stay at Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani, they can upgrade their experience to Soneva Unlimited, an indulgent offering that invites guests to enjoy every facet of the Soneva Resorts to their heart’s desire, all included in the price of the villa. Soneva Unlimited includes: dining at all bars, restaurants and in-villa dining; alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at all bars and restaurants; visiting Michelin-starred chef dinners and experiences; wines from the Soneva Unlimited list; and unlimited spa treatments. Also included under Soneva Unlimited is a dedicated Barefoot Butler, daily laundry service, and daily replenishment of the in-villa minibar. The full Soneva Unlimited menu can be viewed here. 

10. COMPLIMENTARY CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM

Winner: Tie – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani

Soneva Fushi has two chocolate & ice cream parlors, one located near the arrival jetty and one at the overwater structure Out Of the Blue. Open from morning till late night, they both offer complimentary ice cream and chocolates to all guest. You can choose from over sixty constantly changing flavors of homemade ice creams and sorbets at the ice cream room. Inside the adjoining chocolate room, you can indulge in every child’s dream of never-ending chocolate: you can sample cardamom chocolate truffles, passionfruit pralines, and a continually changing profusion of confections.

Soneva Jani also has two ice cream and chocolate rooms, where you can choose from over 50 flavors of ice creams and handmade chocolates (with the cocoa goodness present in blends of up to 95%, be it in the form of mousses, cookies, drinks, bon-bons or truffles). One is located inside The Gathering, the massive overwater structure on the North Jetty, and one is housed in the dining complex on South Beach, close to the South Jetty. Both rooms are open from breakfast till dinner.

11. SPA & WELNESS

Winner: Soneva Jani

Soneva Jani features not one but two wellness centers, and is on its way to become one of the world’s best spa resorts.  The resort’s newest wellness center is called Soneva Soul (opened in 2022). Located on Medhufaru island, not far from Soneva Jani’s picturesque South Beach, Soneva Soul sets a new standard in holistic wellness. The facility has been designed to harmonize with its breath-taking setting and features two indoor therapy rooms and three open-air treatment pavilions with unmatched views of the spectacular natural surrounds. The wellness center includes a dedicated Ayurvedic Clinic as well as an indoor consultation room for visiting specialists. Alongside a cross-functional fitness area, an open-air yoga pavilion includes facilities for aerial yoga. The new complex also features a retail area, featuring sustainable apparel, wellness products and accessories. Soneva Soul complements Soneva Jani’s original overwater spa, which is located within The Gathering. The latter is a small intimate facility, which houses a couple of treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, and sauna & steam rooms.

Soneva Fushi’s recently upgraded and expanded its wellness center – also called Soneva Soul – although it’s not as visually impressive as Soneva Soul at Soneva Jani. Encircled by the island’s lush jungle, the two-story wellness complex is inspired by its tranquil location, inviting guests to rejuvenate, restore and relax. The treatment menu at Soneva Soul unites two apparent opposites: traditional healing therapies and ancient rituals include Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbalism; and innovative treatment methodologies include vitamin therapy and integrative medicine, such as cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ozone therapy. Each treatment, ritual or therapy is based upon outcomes that target your individual needs, from rest, recovery and regeneration to detoxification, movement and health optimization.

12. ROMANCE

Winner: Soneva Jani

The epitome of a romantic holiday destination, romance is what the Maldives is all about and it delivers on every level, especially at Soneva Jani. It’s probably every couples dream to spend their honeymoon here, as Soneva Jani offers the perfect combination of luxury, nature and romance. The property has the most stunning water villas in the world with private pools that looks out onto its own lagoon site and most villas come with water slides from the sun deck down to the lagoon. These over-the-top villas also have a retractable roof allowing couples to enjoy some romance right under the stars.

13. FAMILY FRIENDLINESS

Winner: Tie – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani

Soneva Fushi is an adventure playground for children and teenagers. The island’s natural surrounds provide incredible opportunities for fun, educational and inspirational activities and experiences. Soneva Fushi has an incredible kids’ club, called the Den. Here, children can explore a pirate ship, two swimming pools, a Lego and Duplo room, dress-up and makeup area, cinema, library, learning area, music room filled with instruments, and more. Child caretakers are always on hand to watch over their every move, while parents can enjoy some quiet time. Children can also discover the marine world with Soneva’s Marine Biologist.

Although it might be less appealing to families because of its reputation as a honeymoon destination, Soneva Jani is also a haven for families and home to the Maldives’ largest children’s club. Awakening children’s sense of adventure, two majestic waterfalls cascade into The Den’s large swimming pool. Intrepid adventurers will also enjoy crossing the pool’s waters via a zipline that makes a splash as it traverses through the waterfall. Just beyond the pool lies a pirate ship and skateboard ramp, keeping even the most active of little explorers entertained for hours on end. Venturing inside, a bowling alley, Lego and craft area, dressing-up room, library and cinema provide space for books, films, fantasies and more. The Hangout is a dedicated roof deck for teens featuring an array of attention-grabbing activities, including a music room, telescope deck, pool and foosball tables, pinball machines, table tennis table set above a reflecting pond, as well as a dry slide for speedy escapes.

14. RESORT AMENITIES

Winner: Tie – Soneva Jani & Soneva Fushi

Both resorts offer a wide range of excellent amenities.

Soneva Jani houses several of its amenities inside an overwater building on its North Jetty, which they call The Gathering. This building connects to all of the water villas at Chapter One via a snake-like jetty so guests can get to the building and back with ease. It contains the restaurants, a bar, retail shop, gym, small spa, and conference room. Next to the Gathering is a bookstore, dive center, and an overwater observatory. Aside from these amenities in and around The Gathering, there are also several facilities located on Medhufaru island: a tennis court, organic garden, water sports center on North Beach, jungle gym, a theater called Cinema Paradiso, and the new wellness center, called Soneva Soul.

Soneva Fushi’s lush island is packed with unique facilities for guests to enjoy. This includes an observatory, where you can watch the stars using a high-powered telescope. For diving, there’s the Soleni Dive Center, perfect for exploring over 30 dive sites in the area alongside PADI-licensed instructors. There’s also a huge outdoor theater called Cinema Paradiso on the island’s northern tip. Guests can also make use a revamped spa center, gym, tennis court, and a water sports center that offers paddle boarding, kayaking, and surfing.

15. SUSTAINABILITY

Winner: Tie – Soneva Jani & Soneva Fushi

Both Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi are carbon neutral, with their lagoons and house reefs designated as a protected area. Coral reef nursery program? Their marine biologist runs it. Saving the sea turtles? A team is ready to safeguard hatchlings. Recycling? A sophisticated onsite center recycles a whopping 90 per cent of the resort’s solid waste. There’s even an on-site glass studio at Soneva Fushi, which recycles glass for Soneva’s rooms and restaurants. The villas at Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi are built using sustainable goods (including repurposed insulating materials), natural ventilation keeps things cool, water is heated by solar panels and LED lighting reduces energy consumption and light pollution. An onsite desalination process allows the resorts to be self-sufficient with water usage and the resort gardens flourish with rainwater alone. All of the herbs and leafy vegetables used in the restaurants are grown in the onsite organic vegetable gardens and both resort works closely with local fisherman. Soneva Fushi also developed a sustainable, insecticide-free mosquito management system, which has led to a significant reduction in the local mosquito population. Both resorts have a commitment to hiring locally and have helped three nearby islands to set up sound waste management systems.

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Today: Get complimentary VIP perks at any Soneva Resort

As most of you know, I am a huge fan of luxury hotels (and I assume most of you are as well since you are following my blog). Aman, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood and Four Seasons rank among my favorite hotel brands. But none comes close to my absolute favorite hotel group in the world: Soneva. What I like so much about the Soneva – and how they discriminate themselves from their high-end competitors – is their pursuit for excellence, the unique design of their resorts, their commitment to inspired living, their very smart take on barefoot luxury, their breathtaking ‘remote but accessible’ natural locations, and their creation of authentic experiences (unlike any other). Soneva has five spectacular resorts so far (with more exciting properties planned to open in the near future):

• Soneva Jani, the Maldives’ most famous luxury resort
• Soneva Fushi, the Maldives’ original luxury hideaway
• Soneva Secret, the Maldives’ most exclusive private island resort
• Soneva in Aqua, the Maldives’ first floating villa
• Soneva Kiri, the best luxury resort in Thailand

I am able to offer the readers of my blog complimentary VIP perks at any Soneva resort (for new bookings made before August 2026). These benefits are listed below and come in addition to valuable offers & savings which are found on the official Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, and Soneva Kiri website:

• A resort credit valued at 10% of the net room revenue (when booking a Best Available Rate) or 5% of the total package revenue when booking one of the Soneva special packages. For example, if you book 7 nights at Soneva Kiri at a best available rate of $1500 USD per night, you will get a resort credit of 7 x $150 USD = $910 USD, which you can use on food, spa, and activities.
• Two personalized Soneva experiences per stay (complimentary) from the Soneva experience brochure (excluding Soneva In Aqua). You have the opportunity to select premium activities such as Sonu’s picnic which is approximately $1050 USD per person. For example, when booking a stay at Soneva Jani, these experiences may also include:
  • Private Cinema Paradiso experience with dinner
  • Father & son picnic and mother & daughter spa
  • Private Dinner at the Starlight Table and a session at the observatory
  • Cooking class for children and family
  • Sunrise breakfast
  • Gourmet dining experience which includes chocolate and wine tasting
• The guarantee of the best available rate.
• An additional benefit to be disclosed by the Soneva reservations team.

This is how it works:

• Step 1: contact me by email before confirming a booking (with mention of you preferred travel dates, the number of people in your travel party, and age of kids if any). I will then introduce you per email to my Soneva contact.
• Step 2: after the introduction, Soneva will offer you the best rates or package for your preferred travel dates, and the Soneva ambassador benefits will be added to your reservation upon confirmation of the booking.

Below you find some extra information about the history of Soneva and the details (+ my reviews) of the group’s stunningly beautiful resorts.

SONEVA JANI, MALDIVES 

Located on an uninhabited five-island cluster in the Noonu Atoll, the Maldives’ most exclusive resort is fringed by pristine beaches, blanketed with lush tropical greenery, and surrounded by a 5.6 km (3,4 mi) lagoon of crystal clear waters with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views. Each one of the phenomenal water villas has a private lap pool and opens to its own stretch of lagoon, with some villas featuring slides going directly from the top deck into the lagoon below. The highlight of the villas is the retractable roof in the master bedroom, which slides back at the touch of a button so that guests can lie in bed and stargaze. A few months ago, Soneva Jani added Chapter Two to its portfolio of luxurious water villas, and introduced exciting new dining concepts, an overwater Soneva Wellness Center, and a whole new all-inclusive way to experience the best of the resort with Soneva Unlimited.  

• Hotel website: Soneva Jani
• Top 10 accolades: Soneva Jani features in my top 10 lists of the most insanely beautiful resorts in the Maldives, the most fabulous overwater villas in the Maldives, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, and my favorite hotels in the world.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Soneva Jani via Virtuoso (e.g. villa upgrade, breakfast, early check-in , late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of Soneva Jani here.

SONEVA FUSHI, MALDIVES

Soneva Fushi, the first ‘Robinson Crusoe’ style hideaway in the Maldives, is set on the privately owned tropical island of Kunfunadhoo in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The island – which is 1,400 m (4,600 ft) long and 400 m (1300 ft) wide – ranks among the largest islands in the Maldives. Apart from the crystal clear waters, white beaches and tropical climate, the island’s unusually rich vegetation offers a unique natural experience. Massive, multi-bedroom, fairytale-like luxury villas and private residences are hidden among dense tropical foliage. In keeping with the castaway theme, many are built to resemble tree houses. All open to their own private stretch of sugar white sands, and most boast their own private seawater swimming pools. In summer 2020, Soneva Fushi also unveiled eight fabulous water retreats, which are the largest and most luxurious overwater villas in the world.

• Hotel website: Soneva Fushi
• Top 10 accolades: Soneva Fushi features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury resorts in the Maldives, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, the best family hotels in the world, the world’s most insanely beautiful hotel beaches, and the best resorts in the Maldives for snorkeling.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Soneva Fushi via Virtuoso (e.g. villa upgrade, breakfast, early check-in , late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of Soneva Fushi here.

SONEVA SECRET

The first resort in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Soneva Secret features 14 overwater and island villas, including the Maldives’ only floating villa. Designed to offer the ultimate in Soneva hospitality and exemplary service standards, each villa features a dedicated team of three, which includes a Barefoot Guardian, Barefoot Assistant and dedicated chef, to ensure every stay is wholly personalised. Thirty years in the making, the Soneva Secret resort concept builds upon Soneva’s experience at the forefront of exceptional hospitality, and sets a new, unmatched standard in intuitive, personalized service, exquisite private villas and unspoiled settings, surrounded by nature. In its press release, Soneva calls the new property its “first” Soneva Secret Resort, which goes by the official name Soneva Secret 2024, hinting there might be more to come in the next years.

• Hotel website: Soneva Secret

SONEVA KIRI, THAILAND

Remote yet accessible by a 70 minute flight from Bangkok on the resort’s private plane, Soneva Kiri sits on Thailand’s 4th largest but least populated island, Koh Kood, in the Gulf of Siam. One of the most exclusive beach resorts in the world, Soneva Kiri offers an unrivalled combination of luxury, environmentally friendly design and unforgettable, authentic Thai experiences. The 35 resort villas (including 11 private residences) are amongst the largest in the world. Located on the idyllic beach or sunny slopes in the rainforest, all have stunning infinity pools, impossibly chic furnishings, personal electric buggies, and impeccable service courtesy of private butlers. Highlights include the open air cinema Paradiso, Benz’ mangrove restaurant, the chocolate & ice cream parlour, the children’s den, and the spectacular Treetop dining pod.

• Hotel website: Soneva Kiri
• Top 10 accolades: Soneva Kiri features in my top 10 lists of the most insanely beautiful hotels in Thailand, the world’s most amazing beach resorts, the world’s most outrageous hotel experiences,  the best private plunge pools in the world, the world’s most beautiful hotel beaches, the world’s best luxury hotels, the world’s best family hotels, the world’s most remote hotels, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, and luxury hotels with private airports.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Soneva Jani via Virtuoso (e.g. villa upgrade, breakfast, early check-in , late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of Soneva Kiri here.

SONEVA IN AQUA, MALDIVES

Soneva in Aqua is the first floating villa in the Maldives and every honeymooner’s dream. The pioneering new boat villa concept of the ultra luxe Soneva hotel group combines all the benefits of the group’s iconic resort’s services and amenities with the freedom and exclusivity associated with booking a private boat charter. The two-cabin boat features a spacious main cabin with a glass bottom spa and shower facilities, as well as a second room with a king-sized bed and en-suite facilities. Other features include an external raised sun and dining deck, a lower level bar and dining area plus daybeds, lounge seating and a jacuzzi.

• Hotel website: Soneva in Aqua
• Top 10 accolades: Soneva In Aqua features in my lists of the 40 hottest luxury hotel openings of 2015 and the top 10 best honeymoon resorts in the world.
• Review: read my review of Soneva In Aqua here.

HISTORY OF THE SONEVA HOTEL GROUP

In 1995, Sonu Shivdasani, an Indian-British hotelier, launched the now world-famous Soneva Fushi resort on the deserted Maldivian island of Kunfunadhoo. He also built his house there, together with his wife Eva Malmstrom, a Swedish fashion model, who developed the design and furnishing of the unique resort.

They had no idea that their intensely personal vision of a locally crafted villa and environmentally responsible lifestyle would form the basis of a successful collection of world-class hotels, resorts and spas. But that’s exactly what happened. Soneva Fushi was the first ‘castaway’ resort in the Maldives, pioneering a trend for back-to-nature luxury holidays. And it still tops my list of the top 10 best luxury resorts in the Maldives. In 2009, the Soneva Hotel group built a second, even more spectacular hotel – Soneva Kiri – on the unspoilt Thai island of Koh. Last year, the group launched the first floating villa in the Maldives, SonevaIn Aqua. And this autumn, it opens Soneva Jani, a spectacular resort that will set new standards in this destination that is already known for its world-class hotel standards.

The success of the Soneva brand also paved the way for Sonu and Eva’s other hotel group, the Six Senses Resorts & Spas, across South East Asia and Europe. In 2006, Soneva Fushi made a revenue of approximately US$ 20 million and by 2011, Six Senses was a $150–175 million international luxury spa and resort chain with 26 resorts and 41 spas. Under Eva’s and Sonu’s direction the Six Senses brand gained global fame before being sold in 2012.

Today, Sonu and Eva focus on their Soneva resorts with private residences, as part of the “One Owner, One Operator, One Philosophy, One Brand” strategy. And while the Sonevas may have many imitators, they have no equals. Both Soneva Resorts impress on a wide range of levels. Breathtaking ‘remote but accessible’ natural locations, effortlessly chic accommodation, incredible food, truly memorable activities, an inspiring ethos of sustainability and service that is uncannily intuitive.

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Book Soneva Resorts & get complimentary VIP perks appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: Save money at luxury hotels with Virtuoso

As you can read in my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel, I mainly use two websites for booking my stays at hotels (without breaking my wallet):

• When I stay at a property of one of the big hotel chains, I often make the booking directly on the hotel website to collect points towards a free hotel night in a hotel loyalty program and to take advantage of a best rate guarantee (not only will the hotel match the lower price you find somewhere else, but often throw in an additional 10 to 25% discount on top of that). This is especially the case when I stay at a hotel managed by Marriott or Hyatt, which both have an outstanding hotel loyalty program, but not so much for properties of Hilton and InterContinental, which have far less rewarding and interesting loyalty programs.

• Hotels.com – part of Expedia – is my preferred hotel booking website when staying at a non-chain property, mainly because of its very efficient best rate guarantee program (Hotels.com matches the price you find somewhere else), excellent customer support, and simple but rewarding loyalty program (you get one night free for every 10 nights you book with them). You can read here why I like Hotels.com and how it can save you (lots of) money when booking luxury hotels.

However, besides the two booking methods mentioned above, I often make use of a third booking medium, Virtuoso, which can be extremely rewarding when staying at the world’s best hotels, not so much in terms of saving money on the room rate, but rather in terms of complimentary VIP perks that you will receive at the property itself (e.g. room upgrades, dinner credits, spa treatments, early check-in, late check-out, gifts, etc …). I hereby explain you why I love Virtuoso so much, and why you should consider it as well when booking your next holiday at one of the world’s most exclusive properties:

WHY I LIKE VIRTUOSO SO MUCH

• Virtuoso is not your classic hotel booking engine website. It’s the industry’s leading network of luxury travel advisors, spanning over 26 countries and 9,000 travel advisors. So when you book your holiday with Virtuoso, most of the time, you will be in touch with a Virtuoso travel agent and not make the booking online yourself. There are some Virtuoso travel agencies though that offer an online booking tool, such as Classic Travel, which has an excellent website and which is my overall preferred Virtuoso travel agency.

• These days, the internet makes it very easy to research and book your own travel. So why would one still choose to work with a travel advisor? I agree you don’t have to, especially when you are a seasoned travel. However, IMHO, the Virtuoso travel advisors – who are carefully selected individuals – are the exception: they will help you create unique journeys and explorations in every corner of the globe, and arrange experiences that make a trip truly extraordinary.

• The single best reason to book a stay through a Virtuoso travel agent is that it means value for money as it will get you access to special, complimentary VIP amenities and perks, such as room upgrade, complimentary dinners, spa credits, and/or unique luxury travel experiences. For example, these are the perks you will get at most properties (for free):
  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Room upgrade (when available)
  • Early check-in (when available)
  • Late check-out (when available)
  • A welcome amenity
  • A credit of around $100 USD that can be spent towards dining, wellness, or activities

• Virtuoso networks with the world’s most luxurious hotels & resorts, most of them belonging to the portfolio of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands. This includes some of my favorite hotel brands such as Soneva, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, Six Senses and Banyan Tree to name a few. All hotels were you can enjoy the Virtuoso extra perks are listed on the Virtuoso website.

• The advantage of booking through Virtuoso is particularly evident when staying at an Aman, widely considered to be the world’s top hotel chain. In line with Aman’s hyper-exclusive and ultra-luxurious reputation, you will never find a lower rate than the one published on the official Aman website. But booking through a Virtuoso travel agent rather than on the Aman website itself will get you some complimentary extra perks (easily worth hundreds of dollars). So if you are an Aman junkie, like me, then Virtuoso is the way to go.

• In most cases, the Virtuoso rate is identical to the Best Available Rate (BAR) found on the official hotel website, which is a flexible rate that can be cancelled without penalty. For that reason, you’re leaving money on the table if you book a paid stay at the best available rate (BAR) via the official hotel website and not via Virtuoso.

• In case the luxury hotel is managed by a hotel brand that offers a loyalty program (e.g. St Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Walfdorf Astoria, Park Hyatt, Andaz, InterContinental, etc …), you will earn hotel points and stay credits in that program when you book via Virtuoso. For these hotel brands, it’s almost always a much better deal when booking via Virtuoso as compared to booking the same rate directly on the hotel website.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT VIRTUOSO

• Most of the times, hotel bookings are not made online, but through a Virtuoso travel agent. There are exceptions though, such as the website of Classic Travel which offers an online booking tool.

• Virtuoso does not offer the cheapest room rates in the industry nor does it match a lower price found somewhere else. In most cases, the Virtuoso rate will best the best available (and refundable) room rate that you can also find on the hotel website itself, but it does come with all the extra Virtuoso perks (which means a lot of savings in the end).

• Holders of an American Express premium or Visa Signature credit card can often benefit from similar VIP perks when they make the booking via their credit card travel office and/or pay with their credit card. Contact your local credit card company to find out whether this service is offered.

• Virtuoso does not  have a loyalty program. But as explained above, bookings via Virtuoso will earn hotel points and stay credits within your preferred hotel loyalty program.

REVIEWS OF HOTELS THAT I BOOKED VIA VIRTUOSO

Over the past years, I have booked several hotels via Virtuoso. You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives
• Review: Amangiri, a phenomenal resort (Utah, USA)
• Review: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
• Review: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
• Review: Nayara Tented Camp (Costa Rica)
• Review: Hotel Arts Barcelona, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Spain)
• Review: Abaton Island Resort & Spa (Crete, Greece)
• Review: Villa Dubrovnik (Croatia)
• Review: The Siam, best luxury hotel in Bangkok (Thailand)
• Review: Six Senses Singapore (Duxton & Maxwell properties)
• Review of the Fullerton Bay Hotel (Singapore)
• Review: The Four Seasons Resort Anguilla (Caribbean)
• Review: InterContinental Porto Hotel – Palacio das Cardosas (Portugal)
• Review: Amanbagh (Rajasthan, India)
• Review: Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore National Park (India)
• Review: Soneva Kiri, Thailand’s best luxury resort
• Review: Amanfayun, Hangzhou (China)
• Review: Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing
• Hotel review: The Peninsula Shanghai (China)
• Hotel review: Park Hyatt Sydney (Australia)
• Hotel review: One&Only Reethi Rah (Maldives)
• Hotel review: Mystique, Santorini (Greece)
• Hotel review: COMO Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos)
• Hotel review: Amanyara (Turks & Caicos)

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Book luxury hotels with Virtuoso & get free VIP perks appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: How to book & save money at One&Only Resorts?

One&Only ranks among my favorite hotel brands in the world. One&Only was created in 2002 exclusively for the luxury resort market by Solomon Kerzner – a South African accountant and business magnate – and now features some of the highest-rated resorts in the most idyllic spots in the world, such as the Maldives, Mexico, Montenegro, Rwanda and Cape Town. Each resort in the One&Only collection not only offers a unique design and ambiance which embraces the local surroundings, but also an unparalleled commitment to the finest experience on every possible level. Luxurious accommodation is complemented by impeccable service, exclusive wellness sanctuaries, lively entertainment and a host.

But with the group’s stellar reputation also comes a heavy price tag. Staying at a One&Only Resort often requires deep pockets, with entry room rates well above $1000 USD per night at several properties. Unfortunately, One&Only currently lacks a formalized points loyalty program – probably because their wealthy guests keep returning anyway. One&Only also doesn’t have an invitation-only program, contrary to some of its competitors (for example, Belmond Bellini Club and Four Seasons Preferred Program). However, there are some tips & tricks that can save you money when staying at a One&Only Resort. In this article:

• Book a One&Only Resort via Virtuoso
• Book a One&Only Resort via your credit card company
• Book a One&Only Resort via Hotels.com
• Book a One&Only Resort via the official One&Only website
• My reviews of One&Only Resorts

You can share your own tricks in the comments below.

1. BOOK VIA VIRTUOSO

All One&Only Resorts are members of Virtuoso. Virtuoso is not your classic hotel booking engine website. It’s the industry’s leading, invitation-only network of the world’s best luxury travel advisors, spanning over 26 countries and 9,000 travel advisors. So when you book a Belmond hotel via Virtuoso, most of the time, you will be in touch with a Virtuoso travel agent who will make the booking for you. There are some Virtuoso travel agencies though that offer an online booking tool, such as Classic Travel, which has an excellent website and is my overall preferred Virtuoso travel agency for booking a Belmond (or any other luxury) hotel.

Booking a One&Only Resort via Virtuoso instead of via the official One&Only website has the following benefits:

• The single best reason to book a One&Only Resort through a Virtuoso travel agent is that it means value for money as you’ll get access to complimentary VIP perks, such as room upgrade, flexible check-in and check-out times, daily breakfast and a resort, spa, or food credit (or something else). While the exact perks differ from hotel to hotel, they can easily be worth a few hundred dollars per night.
• In most cases, the Virtuoso rate is identical to the Best Available Rate (BAR) found on the official One&Only website, which is a flexible rate that can be cancelled without penalty. For that reason, you’re leaving money on the table if you book a paid stay at the best available rate (BAR) via the One&Only website and not via Virtuoso.

It’s important to emphasize that early booking discount rates, special promotional packages, corporate rates, group rates, and other discounted rates do not qualify for Virtuoso benefits. Therefore, I always recommend to check the lowest rate on the One&Only website, and then weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to book via Virtuoso (best available rate with free benefits) or not.

2. BOOK VIA YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY

When you own an American Express credit card, you can book almost any One&Only Resort via Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. This will offer you similar benefits as those offered via a Virtuoso travel agent:

• Room upgrade upon arrival when available
• Daily (continental) breakfast for two people
• Guaranteed late 4pm check-out time
• Noon check-in when available
• A spa, food, and/or beverage credit (valued at a minimum of US$ 100 USD)

Holders of a Visa Signature credit card can also benefit from Virtuoso-like extra perks at One&Only Resorts when they make the booking via their credit card travel office and/or pay with their credit card. Contact your local VISA credit card company to find out whether they offer this travel service.

When you own a Citi Prestige Card (USA citizens only) you can make use of the fourth night free benefit: when you book a four night stay at a Belmond property, you get reimbursed the cost of the fourth night, minus any taxes and service fees. The fourth night benefit is calculated based on the average nightly rate of your complete stay. Reservations must be made through Thankyou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge and you must pay for your stay with your Citi Prestige Card, ThankYou points, or a combination of the two.

3. BOOK VIA HOTELS.COM 

Hotels.com – part of Expedia – is one of my favorite hotel booking websites, mainly for three reasons:

• You collect credits towards free hotel nights via Hotels.com’s Rewards program. When you book and stay 10 nights at eligible hotels, you’ll get 1 night free to redeem at another. Hotels.com works out the average value of all the 10 nights you’ve collected and gives it back to you as a free night. All you need to do is make a free Rewards account and login into your account before making any bookings.
• You can often apply 10% discount coupons. Unfortunately, almost all of the world’s major hotel chains are excluded from the list of hotels for which you can use a discount coupon (although I have been able to use discount coupons for booking Belmond properties in the past)
• Hotels.com also has an excellent Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) program: if you find a cheaper price, Hotels.com will match that rate (and refund you the difference) after you submit an online BRG claim. The Hotels.com BRG is available only for exact itinerary matches, including property, room type, and dates of travel (as is the case with all other BRG programs). The BRG also includes an identical cancellation policy (which can make it harder for your BRG claim to be approved).

Those three advantages work very well when booking a stay at a One&Only Resort. As mentioned above, One&Only does not have a loyalty program, so you may as well book the room via Hotels.com instead of the official Belmond website so that you will get some of your money back in the end (by investing it towards free hotel nights).

It’s important to notice that Expedia is currently rolling out a new loyalty program – called One Key – which will replace the Hotels.com Rewards program. One Key launched in July 2023 in the United States, with other countries to follow later in 2024.

4. BOOK VIA THE ONE&ONLY WEBSITE

Except for the Best Available Rates (BAR) – which are always best booked via a Virtuoso travel agent – it makes sense to check the One&Only website for the presence of any offers, packages or special deals. You can check these deals by clicking on the “offer” tab on the top of the home page of each One&Only Resort. Several types of deals are offered:

• Single hotel package deals require a multi-day stay at one property and usually include a discount on the room rate and a few benefits such as airport transfers and complimentary wellness treatments.
• Multi-hotel package deals are offered in destinations where One&Only manages multiple properties in close proximity to one another (e.g. ). The package deals usually offer a discounted stay when you visit multiple hotels during one itinerary in addition to complimentary transfers between the hotels and few other benefits (e.g. spa treatments).

That said, booking directly via the One&Only website is my least preferred method of booking, and here’s why:

• One&Only doesn’t have a revenue based loyalty program, so you cannot earn credits with the company towards free hotel nights. The only way to make your stays at One&Only count for some kind of loyalty scheme is by making the bookings via Hotels.com, where you can invest into a free hotel night for every ten nights booked (which can be spent at other Belmond hotels).
• Most hotel brands offer a best rate guarantee: if you find a lower qualifying rate on the internet, the hotel will match the lower rate, and often throw in an additional discount. Unfortunately, One&Only does not offer a best rate guarantee.
• Never book a flexible ‘best available rate’ on the One&Only website. Once again, as explained above, you’re leaving money on the table if you book a paid stay at a One&Only Resort via the hotel website and not via Virtuoso, because you can’t receive Virtuoso benefits (such as breakfast, free upgrade, and a resort credit) by booking directly with the hotel.

IMHO, it’s utterly weird that One&Only isn’t rewarding loyal consumers who book directly via the company’s official website, but that you can score free stays at One&Only Resorts by booking via Hotels.com or get very nice benefits at One&Only Resorts (as if you would have elite status) by booking through Virtuoso or your credit card company.

5. MY REVIEWS & YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF ONE&ONLY RESORTS

• Review: One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives
• Review: One&Only Cape Town (South Africa)
• Review: One&Only Le Saint Géran Mauritius
• Review: One&Only Portonovi Resort (Montenegro)
• Review of One&Only Nyungwe House (Rwanda) 

*** Follow me on Instagram, Youtube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Tips for booking & saving money at One&Only Resorts appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: How to book & save money at Belmond Hotels?

Belmond ranks among my favorite hotel brands in the world. The company manages an ultraluxe collection of iconic hotels, trains and river cruises in 24 countries, bringing together some of the world’s most sensational journeys and destinations. With Belmond, you can stay in timeless hotels in Venice, Rio and St. Petersburg, embrace the spirit of adventure at Machu Picchu or Angkor Wat, glide along the rails through the Swiss Alps, soar across the Andes, or explore the mystifying rivers of Myanmar. The Belmond story began in 1976, when the company received the keys to the legendary Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice. A year later, they began collecting the carriages for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which launched in 1982 to whisk intrepid travelers to La Serenissima in style. Since then, Belmond has grown to a carefully curated collection of travel adventures, each with a rich story to tell.

But with the group’s stellar reputation also comes a heavy price tag. Staying at a Belmond property often requires deep pockets, with entry room rates well above $1000 USD per night at several properties. Unfortunately, Belmond currently lacks a formalized points loyalty program – probably because their wealthy guests keep returning anyway – although they manage an invitation-only program called “Belmond Bellini Club” which offers exclusive rates and perks to the clients of the world’s top travel agents (more on that below). However, there are some tips & tricks that can save you a few bucks on costs when staying at one of the brand’s properties. I hereby share the best strategies for booking a room (or even suite) at a Belmond Hotel .

In this article:

• Book a Belmond Hotel via Belmond Bellini Club
• Book a Belmond Hotel via Virtuoso
• Book a Belmond Hotel via your credit card company
• Book a Belmond Hotel via Hotels.com
• Book a Belmond Hotel via the official Belmond website
• My reviews of Belmond Hotels & Resorts

You can share your own tricks in the comments below.

1. BOOK VIA BELMOND BELLINI CLUB

Belmond has established an invitation-only program – called Belmond Bellini Club – for top producing travel agents, in order to foster a relationship with these agent and to increase sales. The Bellini Club is named after the famous cocktail from Harry’s Bar at Belmond’s Hotel Cipriani. Belmond Bellini Club offers clients of these travel agents complimentary amenities and VIP status at Belmond hotels, trains and river cruises worldwide. These benefits are a bit similar to the perks offered by Virtuoso, although Belmond Bellini Club covers more properties than those offered by Virtuoso, and for some properties, the Belmond Billini Club perks are more rewarding than the Virtuoso perks.

When you book a Belmond hotel through a travel agent that is member of the exclusive Belmond Bellini Club, you will get the following benefits:

• Complimentary upgrade upon arrival at time of check-in, based on availability
• Buffet or full breakfast for 2, daily
• Fully flexible hotel or resort credit up to $200 USD per stay
• $500 USD gift voucher for future travel when purchasing an experience of $5,000 USD
• VIP Recognition by property management and staff
• Special in-room welcome amenity
• Top-of-the-waitlist priority for high demand properties and experiences
• Complimentary Internet

Travel agents that are members of Belmond Bellini Club enjoy a level of contact and service when working with Belmond that’s not accessible to other agencies or through booking direct. As a Bellini member, these travel agents work with Belmond’s VIP desk for any special requests, concierge services, and waitlist clearance. Additionally, they have access to special promotions and rates not available to the general public. My preferred Belmond Bellini Club travel agency is Classic Travel, which also allows travelers to book the Bellini Club rates online.

2. BOOK VIA VIRTUOSO

Several Belmond properties are members of Virtuoso. Virtuoso is not your classic hotel booking engine website. It’s the industry’s leading, invitation-only network of the world’s best luxury travel advisors, spanning over 26 countries and 9,000 travel advisors. So when you book a Belmond hotel via Virtuoso, most of the time, you will be in touch with a Virtuoso travel agent who will make the booking for you. There are some Virtuoso travel agencies though that offer an online booking tool, such as Classic Travel, which has an excellent website and is my overall preferred Virtuoso travel agency for booking a Belmond (or any other luxury) hotel.

Booking a Belmond hotel via Virtuoso instead of via the Belmond website has the following benefits:

• The single best reason to book a Belmond hotel through a Virtuoso travel agent is that it means value for money as you’ll get access to complimentary VIP perks, such as room upgrade, flexible check-in and check-out times, daily breakfast and a resort, spa, or food credit (or something else). While the exact perks differ from hotel to hotel, they can easily be worth a few hundred dollars per night.
• In most cases, the Virtuoso rate is identical to the Best Available Rate (BAR) found on the official Belmond website, which is a flexible rate that can be cancelled without penalty. For that reason, you’re leaving money on the table if you book a paid stay at the best available rate (BAR) via the Belmond website and not via Virtuoso.

It’s important to emphasize that early booking discount rates, special promotional packages, corporate rates, group rates, and other discounted rates do not qualify for Virtuoso benefits. Therefore, I always recommend to check the lowest rate on the Belmond website, and then weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to book via Virtuoso (best available rate with free benefits) or not.

Also, although Virtuoso and the Belmond Bellini Club program seem to be identical (and are often offered by the same travel agents), they are not:

• Virtuoso rates only apply to a selection of Belmond Hotels, while the Belmond Bellini Club program is applicable at all Belmond properties.
• Virtuoso benefits can only be applied to Virtuoso rates (which is identical to the Best Available Rate, as explained above), while the Belmond Bellini Club program is applicable to all rates found on the Belmond website (including discounted and/or early bird rates).
• The upgrades for rooms booked through the Belmond Bellini Club program are prioritized ahead of upgrades for hotel stays booked via Virtuoso.

3. BOOK VIA YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY

When you own an American Express credit card, you can book almost any Belmond hotel via Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. This will offer you similar benefits as those offered via a Virtuoso travel agent:

• Room upgrade upon arrival when available
• Daily (continental) breakfast for two people
• Guaranteed late 4pm check-out time
• Noon check-in when available
• A spa, food, and/or beverage credit (valued at a minimum of US$ 100 USD)

Holders of a Visa Signature credit card can also benefit from Virtuoso-like extra perks at most Belmond hotels & resorts when they make the booking via their credit card travel office and/or pay with their credit card. Contact your local VISA credit card company to find out whether they offer this travel service.

When you own a Citi Prestige Card (USA citizens only) you can make use of the fourth night free benefit: when you book a four night stay at a Belmond property, you get reimbursed the cost of the fourth night, minus any taxes and service fees. The fourth night benefit is calculated based on the average nightly rate of your complete stay. Reservations must be made through Thankyou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge and you must pay for your stay with your Citi Prestige Card, ThankYou points, or a combination of the two.

4. BOOK VIA HOTELS.COM 

Hotels.com – part of Expedia – is one of my favorite hotel booking websites, mainly for three reasons:

• You collect credits towards free hotel nights via Hotels.com’s Rewards program. When you book and stay 10 nights at eligible hotels, you’ll get 1 night free to redeem at another. Hotels.com works out the average value of all the 10 nights you’ve collected and gives it back to you as a free night. All you need to do is make a free Rewards account and login into your account before making any bookings.
• You can often apply 10% discount coupons. Unfortunately, almost all of the world’s major hotel chains are excluded from the list of hotels for which you can use a discount coupon (although I have been able to use discount coupons for booking Belmond properties in the past)
• Hotels.com also has an excellent Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) program: if you find a cheaper price, Hotels.com will match that rate (and refund you the difference) after you submit an online BRG claim. The Hotels.com BRG is available only for exact itinerary matches, including property, room type, and dates of travel (as is the case with all other BRG programs). The BRG also includes an identical cancellation policy (which can make it harder for your BRG claim to be approved).

Those three advantages work very well when booking a stay at a Belmond hotel. As mentioned above, Belmond does not have a loyalty program, so you may as well book the room via Hotels.com instead of the official Belmond website so that you will get some of your money back in the end (by investing it towards free hotel nights).

It’s important to notice that Expedia is currently rolling out a new loyalty program – called One Key – which will replace the Hotels.com Rewards program. One Key launched in July 2023 in the United States, with other countries to follow later in 2024.

5. BOOK VIA THE BELMOND WEBSITE

Except for the Best Available Rates (BAR) – which are always best booked via a Virtuoso travel agent – it makes sense to check the Belmond website for the presence of any offers, packages or special deals. You can check these deals by clicking on the “offer” tab on the top of the home page of each Belmond hotel. Several types of deals are offered:

• Single hotel package deals require a multi-day stay at one property and usually include a discount on the room rate and a few benefits such as airport transfers and complimentary wellness treatments.
• Multi-hotel package deals are offered in destinations where Belmond manages multiple properties in close proximity to one another (e.g. Italy, Peru). The package deals usually offer a discounted stay when you visit multiple hotels during one itinerary in addition to complimentary transfers between the hotels and few other benefits (e.g. spa treatments).

That said, booking directly via the Belmond website is my least preferred method of booking, and here’s why:

• The Belmond Bellini Club program is applicable to all rates found on the Belmond website (including single and multi hotel package deals).
• Belmond doesn’t have a revenue based loyalty program, so you cannot earn credits with the company towards free hotel nights. The only way to make your stays at Belmond hotels count for some kind of loyalty scheme is by making the bookings via Hotels.com, where you can invest into a free hotel night for every ten nights booked (which can be spent at other Belmond hotels).
• Most hotel brands offer a best rate guarantee: if you find a lower qualifying rate on the internet, the hotel will match the lower rate, and often throw in an additional discount. Unfortunately, Belmond does not offer a best rate guarantee (as they claim that they offer the lowest available rates anyway).
• Never book a flexible ‘best available rate’ on the Belmond website. Once again, as explained above, you’re leaving money on the table if you book a paid stay at a Belmond hotel that is a Virtuoso member via the hotel website and not via Virtuoso, because you can’t receive Virtuoso benefits (such as breakfast, free upgrade, and a resort credit) by booking directly with the hotel.

IMHO, it’s utterly weird that Belmond isn’t rewarding loyal consumers who book directly via the company’s official website, but that you can score free stays at Belmond hotels by booking via Hotels.com or get very nice benefits at Belmond properties (as if you would have elite status) by booking through Belmond Bellini Club, Virtuoso or your credit card company.

6. MY REVIEWS & YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF BELMOND HOTELS

• Review: Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla (Caribbean)
• Review: Belmond La Samanna, St Martin (Caribbean)
• Review: Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, Sicily (Italy)
• Review: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo (Taormina, Sicily)
• Review of Belmond Hotel Splendido, Portofino (Italy)
• Review: Belmond Hotel Caruso (Amalfi Coast, Italy)
• Review: Belmond Hotel Cipriani (Venice, Italy)

*** Follow me on Instagram, Youtube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Tips for booking & saving money at Belmond Hotels appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.