Travel Epiphanies

Report: The Elysian, Chicago

2010-12-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

PrefaceI enjoyed a one night stay at The Elysian on a special Industry rate. I can certainly appreciate that much of the good service I experienced was because I was VIP'd due to the Industry rate. However, I observed the service that was being offered to ALL hotel guests around me and their service was equal if not better than the service I received.

ArrivalI arrived by taxi from the Trump into the Elysian's courtyard entrance which is, when traveling by car, a nice way to arrive at the hotel. Staff immediately removed luggage from the trunk and opened the door warmly welcoming me to the hotel. At this point they did not know who I was. One of the staff asked for my last name which, I presume, was radioed to the other staff as from that point on I was always addressed by name.

I was swiftly escorted to the Reception to check-in which was handled quickly, efficiently, and warmly. My room was not ready yet which was fine as I had a lunch appointment at the Ritz Carlton. The Elysian promised to call me once the room was ready.

As promised, the Elysian called me to let me know the room was ready (while I was touring the new Presidential Suite at the Ritz Carlton).

The RoomI was booked into a Classic Executive Suite and was upgraded into a Deluxe Executive Suite. The hotel has 3 levels for each room type -- Classic, Superior, and Deluxe and all this refers to is where the room is situated in the hotel tower. Classic refers to lower floors, Superior in the middle, and Deluxe on the highest floors.

Here is a link to the room description and floor plan: http://www.elysianhotels.com/accommo...ive-suites.php

One enters the room into an entry foyer with a closet and wet bar to one side and some striking art on the other. This leads into a compact but comfortable sitting area with a coffee table, sofa (which converts into a sofabed), and two arm chairs. A central column separates the bedroom from the living area -- on the living area side is a working gas fireplace with a large HDTV LCD TV above. The bedroom features a king sized bed, two night stands and in the "corridor" between the bedroom and living room by the floor to ceiling window is the work desk. The floor to ceiling window opens up to a miniature Juliet balcomy (it is literally a foot wide). In front of the bed (which would be the back side of the fireplace) is a dresser, another flat screen TV, and the Zeppelin -- an iPod player made by Bowers and Wilkins, a very reputable high end HiFi speaker company. This unit reproduced some of the best sound I have heard from my iPhone.

There is a dressing area and through sliding doors the large bathroom. Dual vanities and deep soaking tub are standard as is a large stall shower and separate and enclosed WC. The mosaic work on the floor of the bathroom is quite impressive and the marble used is the same, apparently, as used on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Toiletries are Asprey and the bed linens are Rivolta.

The Service

The discrepancies in service experienced may be attributed to the fact that I was on an Industry rate. However, I noticed many guests who were getting the same, or better, service throughout my stay which lead me to believe the hotel is actually delivering on it service promises.

I was escorted to my room by a Manager who then showed me the highlights of the suite.

I was greeted by name everytime I walked in to, or out from, the hotel. Even staff members I had not yet met knew me by name which was quite impressive.

My luggage was waiting for me in my room when I arrived back and I love the no-tipping policy.

Dining

I had the opportunity to tour through Ria and Balsan and only was able to eat breakfast at Balsan. This is where the hotel truly failed -- it was like I got off teh elevator into another hotel completely. No one to greet me -- I had to find a staff member hiding in the corner to get seated. Once seated, my tea was brought and my order taken and then the server disappeared. Another server brought out my scrambled eggs but with bacon instead of the sausage as I had ordered. Without apology the server went back to the kitchen and returned with the correct order within a few minutes. Toast followed thereafter. I was fortunate to ask for ketchup at that time as from that point I did not see another staff member at all -- no more hot water, no checking to see how the food was, if it was to my liking, or anything resembling service. I had to hunt down a server to pay for breakfast. The hotel charges a 18% gratuity automatically on all bills in the restaurant and spa -- understandable if the service is up to par but highly irritating with the non-service I experienced.

Ria as a restaurant was an interesting choice for this hotel as the dining room looked a little stuffy and the menu a little fussy and pretentious for Chicago. The space has struggled the past year according to insiders of the restaurant business in Chicago. Balsan, however, seems to be a hit and was packed at dinner time. Ria is closed on Monday's but when I phoned the restaurant a couple occasions there was table availability on Friday and Saturday nights.

Other observations

Why did I stop short of opining that this hotel IS the George V of the USA? I fell short of saying that because of a few other curiosities I noticed.

The bathtub is fantastic in depth and width but with the wide marble ledges, one of average height would need to step into the bath to turn on or off the faucets. The shower is large but the shower experience was a little disappointing -- more shower heads, more pressure for a more invigorating shower, and/or a rain shower.

I was expecting the bed to be Duxiana or Stearns and Foster as the Sealy is just not the same quality.

The fact that there is no real view may also be an issue for some -- I had a view of the Four Sessons, Hancock Tower, Water Tower Place, and then down Rush Street. The off Michigan location can be nice and the House Car does make up for it though it runs only until 8pm which seems a little early to me.

However, I feel the hotel is certainly a top contender to be one of, if not, the top, hotel in North America. In terms of hard product this is the best in Chicago. The service is very very good but perhaps as Groombridge mentioned it may not have the warmth of Four Seasons.

As such, I think this is the best hotel in Chicago overall currently but my "home" in Chicago will remain the Ritz Carlton.

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2010-11-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

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2010-11-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

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Why YOU should book your travel with a Virtuoso Travel Advisor

2010-09-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

With the explosion of the internet booking travel on-line has become an every day part of life. However, is this truly the best way to book travel? For some, it is. For those looking for the best experiences and best VALUES in Luxury Travel, booking through a Virtuoso Travel Advisor is the way to go. Why? Here are 3 key reasons why YOU should book through a Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisor.

1. A Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisor has an extensive array of relationships, not just contacts, but relationships, with the participating hotels, airlines, cruises, tour operators and other service providers. What does this mean for you, the client? In short, a better guest experience where the vendor and the Luxury Travel Advisor work in concert to make the guest feel like a VIP.

2. Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisors have negotiated special benefits for our clients with our Virtuoso network partners, from hotel room upgrades, shipboard credits on cruises, special negotiated airfares, the value added amenities are virtually second to none.

3. Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisors are committed to the highest levels of service to match those of the partners we work with. We work tirelessly to make every travel experience a memorable one from arranging the smallest details of a special weekend hotel stay for an engagement proposal; securing additional amenities at non-Virtuoso hotels; and negotiating a triple upgrade at time of booking at a top city hotel.

Try a Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisor out for yourself!! Contact me at: iany@thetravelnetwork.com TODAY!!

Las Vegas

2009-06-07T01:04:00.000-07:00

There is no better time to go to "Sin City" than now during a down economy. Las Vegas has never been cheaper and more accessible and many of the best hotels in town are offering spectacular rates to entice you, the traveller, to stay with them. Since your dollar will go much farther currently why not stay at one of the fine luxury properties in Las Vegas?

My favourite luxury hotel in Las Vegas is the Four Seasons within the Mandalay Bay complex. It is a separate hotel with a separate port cochere, lobby, restaurants and guest elevators. The best part is Four Seasons guests get full access to the Mandalay Bay resort amenities. The Four Seasons offer grace and intuitive service and very comfortable rooms. The Four Seasons also boast some of the best views of the Las Vegas Strip from the Premier Strip View rooms and suites. For a real splurge, opt for the 180 degree Strip View suite. The Food and Beverage outlets are excellent with Verandah serving internationally influenced cuisine and a Sunday Brunch to die for. Charlie Palmer Steak is the best steakhouse I have been to in Las Vegas. The Spa offers blissfully wonderful treatments and a complimentary Cadillac Escalade is available on first-come-first-served basis to most locations on the Strip for sightseeing and shopping. For the best rates, book through a Virtuoso and/or Four Seasons Preferred Partner Travel Agent for additional benefits such as breakfast and dining or spa credits as well as upgrades (subject to availability).

Bellagio is another luxurious hotel in terms of the standard of accommodation but falls short on service. Our 1 bedroom Penthouse Suite had a spectacular view of the Bellagio Fountains which kept us enchanted for most of the evening. Many dining options abound -- Todd English's Olives was very good but our favourite was Noodles, a casual asian restaurant with cuisine from Southeast and East Asia. The benefit of booking a Bellagio Suite and above is that it includes round trip limo transfers to and from the airport as well as Executive Lounge access which includes private check-in and Concierge Service and all-day beverages and snacks as well as complimentary laptop use within the lounge.

The SkyLofts at MGM Grand sits on the Penthouse level of the massive MGM Grand and features 50 duplex loft suites with a stark modern interior. Each of the bathrooms feature a walk in steam shower, a Kohler InfinitySok jetted tub with chromatherapy (the kind where there are jets on the sides as well as the bottom of the tub and the water overflows the edges to create a soothing cascading water feature), televisions galore and Bulgari White Tea amenities. A highlight is the complimentary round trip transportation to and from the airport in a Maybach limousine (upon availability but we have been lucky to get the Maybach every visit). Entertainment systems are controlled by Crestron portable units and all digital movies, music and radio as well as internet are complimentary. SkyLofts offer great value with tons of complimentary in room coffee, tea and soft drinks as well as 24 hour Concierge and Butler service. The 1 Bedroom Lofts are wonderful but the 2 Bedroom units are simply massive!! SkyLofts guest also get VIP treatment at all MGM Grand Hotel restaurants and nightclubs -- we were treated like royalty at Shibuya and Diego and had access to special seats at KA, the Cirque du Soleil show.

The Wynn Tower Suites are another option with a separate entrance, elevators, and pool. The decor at the Wynn is fantastic and our Salon Suite was about 1800 sq ft of luxury. The Wynn, however, did the least to make us feel like VIPs since there really weren't many perks except for a line pass at the Buffet and the Terrace Point Cafe (your room key, which is also your Casino player's card, is your line pass). The Food and Beverage is, for me, quite average at Wynn with the Country Club and Daniel Boulud's restaurants resounding disappointments. Red 8 is the best option in my opinion but a very expensive one!!

The Signature at MGM Grand is also a nice option to consider as each room is either a Junior Suite or a 1 Bedroom suite (which combine to make their 2 Bedroom suite) which come with a fully stocked kitchenette (in the Jr. Suite) and kitchen in the 1 bedroom suite. Most units come with balconies and units on the higher floors offer stunning views of the Strip. All the amenities of the MGM Grand are a 10 minute covered walkway away.

Other hotels to consider which I have not yet stayed at are the new Trump International Hotel and Towers (which is similar in concept to the Signature), the Encore Tower at Wynn, and for serious highrollers, the Mansion at MGM Grand.

All the hotels I have stayed at come with additional benefits and amenities like breakfast, dining or spa credits, and space available upgrades if booked through a Virtuoso Travel Agent.

The journey towards Luxury Travel

2009-01-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

My parents used to stay in luxury hotels before I was born and had heard stories from them as well as the guests we used to entertain so I grew up knowing that *something* really nice was out there but had no real experience. The first real step towards luxury travel was when on a family trip I got to choose one hotel on a trip to Atlantic Canada. In St. John's, Newfoundland, I had done some research at a travel agency owned by family friends and booked the Radisson. It was by far the nicest hotel I had stayed at and thus started my journey in search of better hotels. I was 10 or 11 at the time.

At 15, I was selected to go to Japan for a 3 week long scholarship from the Japanese Government to meet and interact with other Japanese-speaking foreign nationals. On this trip, I was exposed to International Business class for the very first time on Japan Airlines. There was no turning back after this!! I crossed over to the "Light Side of the Force" during my University years when I started to travel more extensively during my summer breaks and the occasional trip for Conferences. My next encounter was at the then Westin (now Omni) in Montreal where I stayed for a UN Symposium being held in the City and was shocked that they knew my name whenever I phoned downstairs. In retrospect, how naive!! But at the time I was in awe!! New York City was my starting ground whereby I would write to almost every 4 and 5 star hotel and ask for their brochures. I finally settled on the Waldorf Towers as it provided to me the best value for a luxury hotel. To this day, I still make the Waldorf Towers my "home away from home" and was the first luxury hotel experience for me. And there was no turning back.

My sister and I made repeated trips to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC trying various hotels, Hiltons, Luxury Collection by Starwood, Inter-Continental, and Westin but then we discovered the Four Seasons. Our first stay at a Four Seasons Hotel was the Four Seasons Philadelphia and this was a true eye opener -- we were hooked. We then tried the Four Seasons New York.

It was when we went to Europe where our education in luxury hotels took another huge leap. For 5 weeks we toured France with short sojourns to Geneva and Brussels. On this trip we experienced top hotels such as the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva (now a Four Seasons Hotel), the Majestic in Cannes, as well as the Crillon, Le Bristol, and the Four Seasons George V in Paris.

Since then we continue to save up both frequent flyer points as well as cash to have the occasional splurge at a top luxury hotel. Through these travels, a few favourite hotels worldwide have emerged. They are: One Aldwych, London; Four Seasons George V, Paris; and the Waldorf Towers, New York City. I will write more about each property in forthcoming blog entries.

The Luxury Hotel of Paris

2009-01-03T04:53:00.000-08:00

Paris is, undeniably, one of the most romantic and premiere city's in the world and along with it has some of the world's greatest luxury hotels. Hotel Le Bristol, Hotel de Crillon, Le Meurice, Ritz, Plaza Athenée, and the Four Seasons George V are some of the world's finest hotels for their style, sumptuous surroundings, service and that je ne sais quoi and savoir faire of French hospitality.

Here are some of my favourites:

Le Bristol is located in the fashionable Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré close to the French Presidential Palace. Recently re-opened after an expansion into neighbouring buildings, every room and suite is different. Some of the rooms are on the small side but the vast majority are furnished beautifully and all have gorgeous master bathrooms. The Terrace Suites are large gorgeous suites overlooking Paris' largest indoor garden courtyard with a large terrace off the living room while the deluxe guestrooms are very comfortable indeed. The gastronomic restaurant, Le Bristol, is also highly recommended.

Hotel de Crillon is housed in the former residence of the Duke of Crillon and is where Marie-Antoinette took music lessons. Located on the Place de la Concorde this hotel offers sumptuous and newly renovated quarters. The marble bathrooms are gorgeous and the Jr. Suites are very comfortable. The Historic "Boiseries" suites offer original wood panelling and parquet floors while the Bernstein Suite offers penthouse terrace views of the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Towers.

Four Seasons George V is located in the heart of the Golden Triangle on the Avenue George V. For me, this is probably the finest hotel in Paris as it features very large and well appointed rooms and many suites with terraces. The hotel has two Royal Suites, three Presidential Suites and four specialty suites including the Honeymoon Suite with two terraces and direct views onto the Eiffel Tower. The hallmark of "Le George" is service, service, service and while very expensive (as all of the hotels above are) it is worth every centime!!

For those on a smaller budget, Le Grand Hôtel Inter-Continental adjacent to the Opèra Garnier deserves Honourable Mention. It is not in the same calibre of luxury as the hotels above but its price point is far lower as well. The standard rooms are small but well appointed and the Jr. Suites with Opèra view have stunning views on this Parisian landmark. Right over a Metro and RER (Regional Train) stations and within a stone's throw from the Place Vendôme, the Louvre, the Madeleine, and les Grands Magasins on Boulevard Haussman.

What is a luxury hotel??

2008-09-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

For my first entry I thought I would share my thoughts on what I think a luxury hotel is and ought to be. Luxury can be defined according to 3 main criteria -- the physical plant or the quality and thought placed into the design of the room or suite and of the hotel in general; the amenities that are included such as VIP amenities (in-room check-in, in-room amenities such as flowers, champagne, chocolates, airport transfers) etc.; and service. While a true luxury hotel will embody all three of the criteria I have come up with, for me, one of the criteria standout above the rest.

The hallmark for me of a true luxury hotel is intuitive, unobtrusive, and unpretentious service. This is the kind of service which anticipates your needs and pays attention to the smallest of details. The hotel stay is customized to your needs and runs according to your schedule, and not the hotel's. I say this because there are many upscale hotels which offer impressive rooms (brand new and high quality furnishings, large bathrooms with separate stall showers and spa tubs) and amenities (large LCD or Plasma TVs). These hotels do not necessarily offer the best service in mainly due to staffing -- the number of staff per room and the training of the staff. These hotels are in no means bad hotels; in my book these are not luxury hotels, but still very good hotels nevertheless. This is, I believe, the distinction between a 5 star hotel (one with all the cutting edge amenities but may be lacking on service) and a luxury hotel (which may, and increasingly will have, all the amenities but with the foundation based on service).

An example of the kind of service I believe anticipates my needs is the the hotel which offer 1 hour pressing and 4 hour express laundry 24 hours a day for no additional fee over normal laundry costs. Many hotels, even in the luxury level, do not offer this kind of service, especially on weekends. When I check into a hotel Sunday afternoon and I need my suit cleaned or pressed, I am usually out of luck until Monday morning when I need my suit for a meeting, etc. The hotels who offer this service have thought about my convenience -- needing my suit pressed or cleaned in time for Monday morning -- over theirs.

In my travels, Luxury hotels are the ones which tailor the hotel stay to you. The smallest attention to detail -- like being addressed by name in the hallways; the orchid in the bedroom; the room service attendant pouring tea or coffee for you during breakfast; the restaurant server remembering you like Earl Grey tea with lemon; or the hotel knowing you are celebrating an important occasion and do what they can to make it special, are the things one typically remembers most about a stay. That stay became yours and to me that is what luxury is about.

Welcome to my Blog!!

2008-09-01T19:50:00.001-07:00

I have always been curious about my surroundings. As I was fortunate enough to travel from a young age, the more I travelled, the more I needed to see and learn more. Somewhere along that journey, I was introduced to luxury travel.

This blog fuses my passion for travel and writing about it. I hope to add more and more entries from my past, present, and future travels to share with you some of my observations and experiences over the course of the next little while.

Thank you for joining me on my travel epiphanies.