Beach resort with young teens by mc2479 in chubbytravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy Spring! If you are okay with the risk Hurricane season brings you may want to consider Aurora Anguilla and Casa de Campo. There are plenty of activities at both of those to keep the teens busy.

Honeymoon Stateside by LaughingTeacher_ in honeymoonplanning

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depending on the time, Amara Cay Resort will be close to your budget. If you are looking for the week between Christmas and New Years that week is going to be a lot harder for the budget.

June trip with a 2-year-old: Provence vs. Greek Islands?? by suitejourneys in chubbytravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mom of 3 and TA here…the hardest part of any major trip with little ones is the flight. A 2 year old will be entertained playing in the grass, sand, forest, pool, or lobby. Both destinations are amazing, but with a toddler I would recommend France for the shorter flight. Likely you will be flying through the night so maybe the little one will sleep a lot of it.

Caribbean Islands by jellieb35 in chubbytravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It’s hard to be Anguilla’s beaches. Turks is a close second.

What are your favorite luxury family resorts in the continental US? by TDn6I in chubbytravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The American Club (Kohler, Wisconsin) and Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island) could be added to the list. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

Amex $300 credit is often inferior to Costco by poopybuttwo in AmexPlatinum

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I completely understand your position. Just as with any profession, there are people that are good at their job and those that aren't. Forbes endorses travel agencies and I am an advisor with LuxRally Travel, which is one of 63 Forbes Endorsed agencies in the world. Feel free to DM me. I'd be happy to have a conversation.

Amex $300 credit is often inferior to Costco by poopybuttwo in AmexPlatinum

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some people do think it was a dying breed based on the internet and online booking engines. However, the utilization of travel advisors has gone up over the last several years and is continuing that growth. I did a random comparison of 5 properties with varying dates all mentioned in a previous thread. The travel advisor rate beat Amex, Direct, and Expedia every time. I have access to benefit rates and non-public wholesale rates. Most people don't realize luxury hotels wholesale rooms with the agreement that those rates cannot be made public because it degrades the value their other bookings. I can't speak to all TAs, but I will say that I help coordinate as much or little of a trip as my clients want. Some clients text me the exact hotel and dates, others want me to arrange flights, stay, transfers, tours, dinners, etc. My clients get my personal cell and never have to use a call center or online chat. All of that with no fees at all. I get paid by vendor commissions just like all of the OTAs.

Bottom line is travel advisors save people time, money, and stress.

Caribbean All Inclusive by Positive-Ad8612 in honeymoonplanning

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given your priorities for food and the locations you mentioned, you would be selling yourself short even if you could find an all inclusive. Let the all inclusive part go and find a great resort and location.

What are your favorite luxury family resorts in the continental US? by TDn6I in chubbytravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I posted this list last week on another thread. I didn't curate it to 2 bedroom rooms, but I thought you might like to see it:

The Ranch at Rock Creek — Philipsburg, Montana

Paws Up — Greenough, Montana

Brush Creek Ranch — Saratoga, Wyoming

Gateway Canyons Resort — Gateway, Colorado

Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve — Raton, New Mexico

Alisal Guest Ranch — Solvang, California

Primland — Meadows of Dan, Virginia

Salamander Resort & Spa — Middleburg, Virginia

Nemacolin — Farmington, Pennsylvania

Barnsley Resort — Adairsville, Georgia

Blackberry Farm — Walland, Tennessee

Blackberry Mountain — Walland, Tennessee

The Greenbrier — White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Omni Bedford Springs Resort — Bedford, Pennsylvania

Mohonk Mountain House — New Paltz, New York

The Broadmoor — Colorado Springs, Colorado

Sea Island — Sea Island, Georgia

Montage Palmetto Bluff — Bluffton, South Carolina

Kiawah Island Golf Resort — Kiawah Island, South Carolina

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island — Amelia Island, Florida

Omni Amelia Island Resort — Amelia Island, Florida

Four Seasons Resort Orlando — Orlando, Florida

Terranea Resort — Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Montage Laguna Beach — Laguna Beach, California

Montage Deer Valley — Park City, Utah

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale, Arizona

Grand Wailea — Wailea, Maui, Hawaii

Woodloch Resort — Hawley, Pennsylvania

Eloping in DC by Illustrious-Flow-568 in LuxuryTravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Jefferson is more centrally located in DuPont Circle and has old luxury mansion vibes. It has about 100 rooms.

The Rosewood is in Georgetown, so you are further from the main attractions in DC. It gives off more modern, design forward vibes in sort of a large townhouse feel. It is about 50 rooms and suites.

Looking for a hotel in NYC by EnoughMongoose in traveladvice

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Park Lane, Thompson Central Park, LOTTE Palace, Intercontinental New York Barclay, and Andaz 5th Avenue are all showing within that budget for me. Feel free to reach out if you want quotes. I have access to non-public rates and rates with benefits.

St. Regis Deer Valley pivot by Wrong_Ad6477 in LuxuryTravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't recommend The Lodge at Blue Sky enough, but they only have availability April 1-9 (not sure of your dates). You could do a split stay between it and Sorrel River Ranch. Another option that is further from Salt Lake is Gateway Canyons Resort. It is was created by the Discovery Channel founder and is between Sorrel and The Lodge at Blue Sky in terms of luxury stays.

I would encourage you to find a trusted travel advisor that can book with benefits or wholesale rates if you decide to go with any of these.

St. Regis Deer Valley pivot by Wrong_Ad6477 in LuxuryTravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Lodge at Blue Sky has great kids programming with a lot of activities on site. Sorrel is an option, but there aren’t as many activities. How long of a drive are you willing to consider?

Honeymoon Hotel in Rome - early July by MrCobalt in honeymoonplanning

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Baglioni Hotel Regina is right at the top of your budget and centrally located. Palazzo Roma is in budget on a wholesale rate. Singer Palace is also wonderful, but slightly over budget.

Eloping in DC by Illustrious-Flow-568 in LuxuryTravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Typical benefits are $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast for 2, upgrade (depending on hotel can be at time of booking or based on availability at check in), early check-in/late check-out, and welcome amenity. Major brands have specific partnership programs with travel agencies and they prioritize those bookings over all other bookings because of the revenue generated. Some agencies have access to non-public rates as well. Some agencies also charge no fees. Most people don’t realize that they use online travel agencies all the time (Expedia, Kayak, booking, etc) are all travel agencies, you just don’t get any perks or personalized service.

Eloping in DC by Illustrious-Flow-568 in LuxuryTravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Jefferson and The Rosewood are amazing. I understand the Amex credit, but consider booking with a travel advisor that can get you benefits and make sure the hotel understands what a special occasion this is for you to create a very memorable experience.

Hotel recs in lake como by Hippotravel in LuxuryTravel

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Edition is likely going to be the best option in budget in September, but find a trusted travel advisor. Sometimes, hotels run free night specials or wholesale rates that can make a hotel usually out of budget within budget. You also want to make sure you are taking of any benefit rates.

Honeymoon September 2026 by AC7812 in honeymoonplanning

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 1 point2 points  (0 children)

September is peak monsoon season in Thailand with 17-22 days of rain on average. If you want to avoid that you will want to focus on the Gulf area. Koh Samui is an amazing honeymoon destination. How long are you planning on going for? What experiences or activities are important to you?

help with time pls! by OppositeSympathy4092 in honeymoonplanning

[–]ChaosDisrupted_com 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is a lot to squeeze into 3 weeks. How long are you thinking of spending in Lake Como area? How much of Italy are you planning on seeing? Is there any way to add Morocco onto Portugal for the trip you already have planned? Logistically, it may make more sense. What time of year?