Luxury Escapes

[Kolo]

Has anyone booked a Luxury Escapes package deal (the ones advertised in the Fairfax papers' Traveller)? Are they dependable?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Has anyone booked a Luxury Escapes package deal (the ones advertised in the Fairfax papers' Traveller)? Are they dependable?

No, but I think AMEX has a cash back offer going for them at the moment.

 

[Cossie]

Booked a couple of things for next year, Sofitel in Luang Prabang and Banyan Tree in Bangkok, so I hope they are dependable Others I know have used them without problems.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not personally myself but know a few people who have gotten stunning deals and all have finalised without a hiccup - if you know your properties is big advantage - we paid USD406/nt for 8nts Double 6 in Seminyak Bali last Christmas - friends bought Luxury Escape package off peak for ~USD150/nt.

We would buy without hesitation if timings suited.

 

[Kolo]

No, but I think AMEX has a cash back offer going for them at the moment.

Shame I don't have an amex at the moment!

 

[Pushka]

We purchased our recent Hayman Island stay with LE. No issues at all. Great deal to boot.

 

[AnnaB]

I have booked and stayed through Luxury Escapes a couple of times. Once in Cambodia and once in Thailand. Both were reliable and no real problems. There was a couple of issues but they were with the hotel itself, not with the deal or the booking or its inclusions. Many of those are great deals anyway so if one or two things arent the way I expect it to be its not a big deal.

Just read the fine print. Black out dates, dates for booking, surcharges, inclusions etc. but most important, if you get a refund if your preferred dates arent available (booking guarantee). I have booked before where I have received a refund as they could not book the dates I needed, but without that clause I would have lost my money. So it is really important to make sure you get what you want and when you want.

Also look at the location of the hotels. Sometimes these are on Luxury Escapes, Scoopon or Groupon for a reason. Is it where you want to be or so far out you need a flight to get back to civilisation? Its all about making sure it is what you want before you pay and book.

 

[Cossie]

I have booked and stayed through Luxury Escapes a couple of times. Once in Cambodia and once in Thailand. Both were reliable and no real problems. There was a couple of issues but they were with the hotel itself, not with the deal or the booking or its inclusions. Many of those are great deals anyway so if one or two things arent the way I expect it to be its not a big deal.

Just read the fine print. Black out dates, dates for booking, surcharges, inclusions etc. but most important, if you get a refund if your preferred dates arent available (booking guarantee). I have booked before where I have received a refund as they could not book the dates I needed, but without that clause I would have lost my money. So it is really important to make sure you get what you want and when you want.

Also look at the location of the hotels. Sometimes these are on Luxury Escapes, Scoopon or Groupon for a reason. Is it where you want to be or so far out you need a flight to get back to civilisation? Its all about making sure it is what you want before you pay and book.

Fine print is indeed important! Our booking for Luang Prabang had a surcharge if we booked for Oct to end March (high season), this was from memory about $170 US a night. So things like this can make a good deal a "so so" one.

 

[Pushka]

Agree re checking on the location. We were sorely tempted by a fabulous deal a week ago for Conrad (?) Bali - amazing deal. If we didn't want to enjoy the beach (walks, fishing, BBQ's) then we were going to book. But having stayed at Intercontinental on the other side, we knew we loved beach strolls and the reviews of the Conrad beach were awful as it is next to a seaweed farm.

 

[Haplo]

I only almost booked a LE deal once but then I called the hotel and they offered the same package (and since it was direct it came with elite benefit and points earn). Anyway always call the hotel and ask if they will match the deal, and most of the time they will (unless due to contractual arrangement with LE) as they don't need to pay commission if you book direct.

 

[PLANT]

Mates used 2 LE deals in different places in Bali in last month. One was for 2 people the other for family.
Both thought the places and value was amazing.

 

[Beasley]

We just came back from a Luxury Escape holiday at Peppers Resort, Palm Cove. Everything went smoothly and was a very good deal.

 

[robtemt]

We booked one for Thailand next month, and have read a lot of good reviews, so we hope the trend continues (despite it being wet season when we are there). Wish we had time during the next year to book another one and use the Amex offer.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

+1. Im another fan of Luxury Escapes and have booked two " Escapes" with them so far. Both of these trips made are in fact for Domestic " Escapes" in Victoria and have provided prices at least 2/3 cheaper than booking through a conventional means.

I would agree though as others have already pointed out , that checking the fine print is essential before booking, in particular the surcharges applicable for peak season or weekends is highly recommended as sometimes these surcharges can be quite high.

The regular offers through AMEX also provide great value for Luxury escapes.

Dont forget in your a Gold or Platinum member here on AFF you can obtain a $50 off voucher code, simply by sending a PM to Admin.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I only almost booked a LE deal once but then I called the hotel and they offered the same package (and since it was direct it came with elite benefit and points earn). Anyway always call the hotel and ask if they will match the deal, and most of the time they will (unless due to contractual arrangement with LE) as they don't need to pay commission if you book direct.

Interesting..... Will take note for next time.

would almost certainly offer more flexibility too if booked directly as opposed to booking through a third party.

 

[AnnaB]

I just saw that they have a new deal today with Hyatt Regency in Kuta Kinabalu in Borneo. As a warning, I would not recommend that hotel to anyone. It was was a couple of years ago now, but it was just filthy but even now days it seems to be a bit of a hit and a miss looking at reviews.
Then there is the fact that the "fresh food markets" are on the other side of the road and the pool area basically smells like a garbage dump when the winds comes from the ocean. Opposite the hotel is the harbour (full of garbage in the water), so no beach or swimming.
Could be a good deal though if all you want is a room at a central location.

 

[Isochronous]

Interesting..... Will take note for next time.

would almost certainly offer more flexibility too if booked directly as opposed to booking through a third party.

I tried that but PH Siem Reap wouldn't match.

 

[Cossie]

I just saw that they have a new deal today with Hyatt Regency in Kuta Kinabalu in Borneo. As a warning, I would not recommend that hotel to anyone. It was was a couple of years ago now, but it was just filthy but even now days it seems to be a bit of a hit and a miss looking at reviews.
Then there is the fact that the "fresh food markets" are on the other side of the road and the pool area basically smells like a garbage dump when the winds comes from the ocean. Opposite the hotel is the harbour (full of garbage in the water), so no beach or swimming.
Could be a good deal though if all you want is a room at a central location.

Thanks for the information, I was tempted!

 

[Ric]

I just saw that they have a new deal today with Hyatt Regency in Kuta Kinabalu in Borneo. As a warning, I would not recommend that hotel to anyone. It was was a couple of years ago now, but it was just filthy but even now days it seems to be a bit of a hit and a miss looking at reviews.
Then there is the fact that the "fresh food markets" are on the other side of the road and the pool area basically smells like a garbage dump when the winds comes from the ocean. Opposite the hotel is the harbour (full of garbage in the water), so no beach or swimming.
Could be a good deal though if all you want is a room at a central location.

It is a business hotel at the city centre so, no beach. But a short 10 mins walk over to the "ferry terminal" called Jesselton Point where one can get rides over to the islands in just 10 ~ 15 mins. Plenty of nice beaches for swimming, snorkelling etc.

They have had the lobby, bars dining areas, etc all recently renovated. Would definitely different to 2 years ago.

 

[AnnaB]

Thanks for the information, I was tempted!

That is great to hear, it was in dire need of an update.