#luxtravelchat: Beach Hotels

This week on #luxtravelchat, we were talking about luxury beach hotels:  what's fabulous now and what might be fabulous in the future.  The topic was brought to us by @luxresorts, who have some truly amazing places to visit but more on that later (OK, you can skip to the end for a few photos as long as you promise to come back here right after).  

Close your eyes and think. What was the most fabulous thing a hotel ever did for you?  

This was slightly tamer than I anticipated - all very sensible answers.  I was hoping the word fabulous would bring out some real surprises, but alas, I guess we are all easily pleased. That must mean there's room to shine for a superstar hotel!  

@carmensluxtrvl kicked us off by saying "Hard to pick (1st world problems) but I'd say pickup service from the airport in a luxury car w/ champagne!"  Not bad at all.  @JetsettingBen may have topped that with "Make me a personalised dessert with my name on it!"  What would the dessert be? 

I personally liked my own addition:  "Upgrade to a room with a terrace and its own pool. Thanks @ViceroyAI" Not sure what I did to deserve that, the gods must have been looking on me favourably that day. 

Next up - an opportunity to complain - I mean "deliver some constructive criticism" - with the question:  

Name 3 things you hate that hotels do to you. Don’t be shy.

‏@scrappy325 hit one of my major complaints and more, stating "T​he entire checkout process. Lack plugs to charge devices at the bedside. Insist on seeing passport at checkin."  Dead on.  It's been at least 15 years since mobile phones were commonplace and 5 years since people used multiple devices.  Hotels can't use the excuse that "the room wasn't designed that way".  Update the design.

@mrsoaroundworld made the point that in a luxury beach hotel you expect a little more - including with the turndown service.  "Why turn down the room BEFORE I leave the pool/beach? Pointless".  

I'd like to say this one was common, but I didn't see it that often, so it must just be @siamac:  "All-night bar" that isn't really [all night]..."  

WiFi charges came up A LOT.  I think we all get that.  

What 3 things are must haves at a beach hotel?

Lots of great responses here, such as the basics of "Perfect Sand Clear, Warm Ocean Water Cold Drinks" from @cabeautravel and "Free wi-fi; beach towels; and a welcoming drink" according to @micheleherrmann (there's WiFi raising its head again) to the encouragingly specific "Goslings rum, ginger beer, and ice".  Thanks @CharlesMcCool, we know your poison of choice now.  

Looking ahead to the future now:  

What do you feel luxury hotels should offer but don’t yet?

‏@LuxuryTravelMom kicked us off with "Customized housekeeping schedules would be nice, you set the time and how much you want done".  I wonder if there's an app for that? 

‏@BCpostergirl made some interesting suggestions, including "More water activities, dancing at night, cooking classes, mixology classes."  I couldn't agree more - in fact one of the aims of @Concierge_99 is to bring local people who can offer these services to the travel community!  Problem (almost) solved!  The "local" perspective also came up from @RambleAndVine with "A local's perspective on where to eat and what to see & complimentary mini bar."   I like the way you think.  Check out some of our local flavour guides here and then move onto our local marketplace!  

Finally, there was a suggestion of an "Onsite photographer to capture it all and then send to me after the stay" - a service I discovered was also handily provided by @Flytographer.  Definitely check them out! 

This final question came courtesy of @luxresorts:  which of their luxury hotels would you most like to stay in. The answer:  all of them. 

Thanks to everyone involved in #luxtravelchat! Join in on Thursdays to hear about all things luxury, hear the travel stories and get the inside scoop!  

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