Let me repeat. You should never book a luxury hotel direct. Never. It may seem too simple a task to bring in a professional for just a hotel booking or maybe it doesn’t seem to matter because you are already at the top tier of status. What more can there be, really? The truth is, even if you are at the highest level of a hotel’s loyalty program, because of our unique partnerships with luxury properties around the world, we are able to add even more value during your stay for the same pricing. Yes, these are amenities not offered through their loyalty programs. Why is this? It’s because we are part of the top invite-only luxury hotel programs reserved for top travel advisors. Our affiliation with Virtuoso and as an invite-only member of Marriott STARS/Luminious, Belmond Bellini, Hyatt Privé, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Accor Step, etc, enables us to offer unmatched perks and amenities. Whether you are headed out on a quick weekend trip, spending a week in the Caribbean, or tackling your bucket list tour, all your luxury hotel reservations should be through Opal&Finch. We want you to have a great experience, get some extra perks while earning your loyalty points, with us servicing your needs.

First on our Invite-only list: Marriott STARS and Luminous

Marriott has 30 brands worldwide and Opal&Finch is a member of their exclusive STARS (luxury+ hotels) and Luminous (premium hotels) programs. “Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability” – Every luxury hotel says this but as Marriot explains, “Someone has to be on the top of the list and for us that someone is the client of a Stars & Luminous advisor…there is no higher level.” STARS includes Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, BVLGARI, EDITION, and the Luxury Collection properties. Luminous includes: Autograph Collection, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott, Renaissance, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels, and Westin (many hotels in these various portfolios participate in the Luminous program) Book any of the Marriott STARS properties through us at the regular rate you’d pay direct and receive: -> Complimentary full or continental breakfast daily for up to two people per room -> Personalized welcome amenity and note -> Hotel credit valued at $100 once per stay -> Room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in -> Early check-in & late check-out, if possible -> Complimentary basic Wi-Fi daily -> Your full allocation of Bonvoy points Book any property affiliated with the Marriott Luminous program through us at the regular rate you’d pay direct and receive: -> Hotel credit valued at $100 once per stay (at select hotels) -> Early check-in & late check-out, if possible -> Complimentary room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in -> Local welcome amenity and note -> Complimentary basic Wi-Fi daily -> Your full allocation of Bonvoy points

Second Invite-Only Program: HYATT Privé

Not many people are aware of Hyatt’s exclusive PRIVÉ program. These benefits are only available to clients who book through a Privé invited travel advisor such as Opal&Finch. This program includes all Park Hyatt, Andaz and Miraval properties. Also included are many properties from brands such as Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Regency, the Unbound Collection by Hyatt and Alila, along with some 200 properties around the world that participate in the program. Exclusive benefits for booking at the regular rate you’d pay direct include: -> A one-category room upgrade (room-to-room or suite-to-suite) confirmed within 24 hours of booking, based on availability at the time of booking -> A $50 to $100 property credit per room per stay -> Early check-in (as early as 9 a.m.) subject to availability -> A welcome gift and letter -> Full allocation of your World of Hyatt loyalty points

Third Preferred Partner Program: Four Seasons

Exclusivity of this luxury hotel is of utmost important and in keeping with the brand, because of this I am not allowed to mention the actual monetary value of what this partnership with Four Seasons means for you!  The below is complimentary for Opal&Finch clients if booked through us, and you pay the exact same rate you’d see if you booked online.  -> Daily full breakfast for two per bedroom, served in the hotels dining room or in-room -> Varying hotel and resort credit, based on room category, from $100-400 to use in the spa, on activities, or dining. -> Upgrade of one room category at check-in if available -> Complimentary internet

Program Four in our luxury hotel invite-only: Accor STEP

The luxury hotel brands under the Accor umbrella may surprise you that are in this even more unknown exclusive program that adds substantial value to our clients’ stays. Over 40 countries are represented by luxury properties belonging to Fairmont, Raffles, Orient Express, Banyan Tree, FAENA, Delano, Sofitel, SLS, Rizos, and M Gallery. Exclusive benefits for booking at the regular rate you’d pay direct include: –> Room upgrade (to the next room type category at the time of booking or at check-in) -> Daily complimentary breakfast for 2 guests per day -> $50 or $100 credit to be spent during the stay -> Early check-in & late check-out -> A VIP Welcome

Our FIFTH exclusive invite-only program: Belmond Bellini Club

Belmond and luxury are what I think of when I personally go about luxury travel. The portfolio is filled with 34 stunning properties over 5 continents. Splendido (Portofino), Cap Juluca (Anguilla), and the La Residencia, (Mallorca) are just a few of their jewels. Opal&Finch is very proud to be a member of this incredible invitation-only club which enables us to offer you the following incredible benefits which can’t be matched by booking direct: -> Upgrade at check-in, subject to availability -> Full breakfast for two daily -> A credit of $90 to $200 per room per stay, depending on the property -> Complimentary Wi-FiA -> $500 gift voucher when you spend $5,000+ (applicable towards a future Belmond experience of $2,500) -> VIP recognition by property management and staff -> A welcome amenity

Number 6 on the list is Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel. There are over 1,500 hotels currently in the Virtuoso Preferred portfolio. These are luxury hotels who provide Virtuoso travel advisors extra amenities that add value to our clients trips. Again, no increase in price just an added benefit for you by booking through Opal&Finch. The theme is the same. Pricing will be in line with direct but you will receive the following (with some variation depending on the specific property): -> Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability -> Full breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom -> $100 Resort or Spa Credit per booking -> Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability -> Complimentary Wi-Fi -> Many hotels also offer an on-site specific experience such as olive oil tasting

There is a little bit of overlap with the above 6 programs as many of these luxury hotel properties are also part of Virtuoso. Whenever a property is available through different channels we always make the informed decision as to which benefits work best for our clients.

As a well-connected travel company we really want you to know that you will always be better off booking your luxury hotels and Virtuoso properties through Opal&fFinch rather than going direct to the hotel.

In fact, all of these programs prefer you book directly through me. As partners they can better support my clients when working with an agency they know and trust.

You can’t VIP yourself but Opal&Finch can!

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