Journal

Mandarin Oriental, Paris is running 15% off flexible rates on rooms and suites, two-night minimum — and it is not in any booking system: 55 GDS rate lines for 20–22 October, none close. Book by 31 October, stay by 31 October, which…

Oaxaca sells out for Day of the Dead. Yucatán keeps its own version — Hanal Pixán, “food of the souls” — quieter, domestic, and easier to reach: Mérida has US nonstops. The 2026 dates, the pib, an honest word about the 90,000-person…

The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok opens 20 December 2026 in the restored 1888 Custom House: 60 rooms, 15 suites, two private piers, a GM and sales team from The Siam, and a T’ang Court outpost. Live January rates: the Virtuoso advisor rate…

An honest introduction from Jay Yan, a Virtuoso advisor ranked in Marriott’s top 1% three years running: what an advisor actually adds, where online travel agencies still win, and a self-service site that shows public and advisor rates side by side.

Capella Bangkok’s Midnight Magic offer: suites and villas booked for four nights over New Year include the NYE Gala Dinner for two — a dinner the hotel prices at THB 33,000 a head. Live rates for December 29 – January 2, why…

The smallest room at Conrad Tokyo is 48 square meters. For November 24–27, the same King City room on the same free-cancellation terms is ¥541,355 booked direct and ¥361,321 through me — ¥180,034 less, about $1,170 — because the hotel’s Virtuoso offer…

The Samling has 12 rooms on 67 private acres, 350 feet above Windermere, and a third consecutive Michelin star. The public rate and the Virtuoso rate are identical to the pound; the difference is the four things the Virtuoso rate includes. No…

Airelles’ two Alpine hotels reopen December 4. Les Airelles Courchevel is the fairy-tale castle; Airelles Val d’Isère is true ski-in, ski-out onto 300 km of pistes. What each offers families, what was still available as of September 1, and how to choose.

Fairmont Kea Lani is Hawaii’s only all-suite and villa beachfront resort. Its 35th-anniversary offer is up to 35% off plus a $350 dining credit — but it must be prepaid in full and cannot be combined with advisor benefits. I pulled live…

The question I am asked most. How it works: your loyalty number is written into the reservation itself. What I see in the system: every Hilton, Hyatt and Accor rate is tagged with its loyalty program. A live example at Conrad Tokyo…

Amangati sails its maiden Mediterranean season in May 2027. Of the four restaurants on board, the fare covers only the all-day restaurant, Alira; whether Akari, Hiori and the Aman Grill cost extra, Aman has not said. The questions to ask before booking,…

One&Only Portonovi sits at the mouth of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor. Rooms, suites and villas are up to 35% off if you book by October 10 for stays through next September; children eat free in the off-season. Why it is my first…