Luxury travel

Exceptional service, elegant design and thoughtful amenities in spacious, well-appointed rooms all make hotel stays enjoyable, but what really raises the benchmark is a focus on personalised details. Every hotel guest enjoys feeling pampered, so friendly, professional and discreet staff members who provide a seamless service without being intrusive are worth their weight in gold. Knowledge is power, and the ability to remember your preferences and offer tailored sightseeing or dining recommendations will create special memories for you, even if you’re the most demanding of luxury travellers. Combine both those factors with 24-hour availability of a concierge and room service, and you can look forward to truly luxurious and unforgettable hotel stays.

Personalised service when travelling tailors experiences to meet your preferences and requirements, fostering a sense of exclusivity. With a bespoke itinerary, you can expect private access to cultural landmarks – just imagine visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris without the crowds – and smooth transport facilities so you’re comfortable on your journey. Hotels can improve your stay by offering a dedicated concierge service and pillow menu, stocking your favourite drinks in the mini-bar and giving you access to prestigious private lounges and dining areas, while thoughtful extras like welcome notes also go a long way towards making you feel valued and relaxed.

Luxury travel means personalised service­, cultural immersion and distinctive experiences that can’t be replicated. Custom-made itineraries elevate a travel experience, so if you’re planning a skiing holiday, consider adding an exclusive element like heli-skiing to your schedule. Likewise, hiring a private guide to show you hidden sights – the charming streets of Nový Svět instead of Old Town Square in Prague, perhaps – will create unique and magical memories for you. Fine dining and private downtime in wellness retreats also make luxury travel special; hotels throughout Europe offer award-winning restaurants serving seasonal cuisine as well as personalised treatment programmes in their spas.

You don’t need to rely on 5-star hotels for luxury stays when travelling in Europe. Explore all your accommodation options – look for boutique hotels that provide personalised service, or high-end holiday rentals where you have the additional benefit of total privacy. Take advantage of any hotel loyalty schemes to leverage free nights, room upgrades or free dining, and you can also sometimes snap up money-saving deals by booking your getaway at the last minute. If you’re heading for major tourist destinations like Paris and Rome, you’ll often get much more for your money when you stay in 4-star hotels away from the city centre – but do check for handy public transport facilities before you commit.