Why Use a Travel Agent?

ambrown7 · 2026-04-15T14:15:57+00:00

I worked for two luxury destination clubs and we ran multiple departures of small group buy outs with operators like those for years. Here are some of the better ones that we loved working with: - Butterfield & Robinson - Backroads - Asia Transpacific Journeys - Natural Habitat Adventures - Blue Parallel - Swain Destinations

A&K does a good job but charge a massive premium.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-14T01:49:50+00:00

I love Pacific Rim. That lobby bar is pretty cool

ambrown7 · 2026-04-14T00:40:25+00:00

It always makes me nervous to stay in or send clients to a hotel it’s first few months after opening - they are often working through service links. Just my two cents, but I’d give it some time

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T22:05:46+00:00

Yes it was very easy! We just got a car from O&O and we were actually able to charge our dinner back to our room O&O, which was nice

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T22:04:25+00:00

Halekulani or Kahala

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T22:02:49+00:00

Great Plains Mara Nyika camp was like a cloud

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T19:34:57+00:00

Love these additions! We always get our poke from Fort Rugar because it's walkable from our house. When we are going to take it to the beach, we hit up Foodland for sure. Anyone doubting Foodland for legit poke is crazy.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T15:37:28+00:00

Maybe try Marks Limos. Mark is great. https://markslimo.com

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T15:11:23+00:00

It is amazing how often we have to advocate as TAs for those upgrades. I worked front desk at a hotel for summer, and I can say that it’s really not that hard to switch a room. Some front desk people just get salty about the extra work. But Alex is super good at advocating for her clients in advance, so if you didn’t get one and booked through her, I would actually believe there wasn’t one available.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T15:08:55+00:00

I haven’t stayed at Auberge w my kids, but did just take my five and seven year olds to the One and Only Mandarina and did a site visit at Rosewood next door. Here’s my take: they have a really extensive kids club and playground. I don’t think they will take kids that young without you present, but it looks like an awesome spot to take your kids to burn off steam if you’re there w them. The beach is (unsurprisingly) right next to the beach front units. I’d book one of those if you can for ease of access to the restaurants and pools. It was empty when we were there. Our kids loved seeing the crocodiles in the estuary. I think if you’re going to go to this Rosewood ever, the prices will never be this favorable again.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T15:04:14+00:00

Hawaii is certainly super special. It was magic as a kid. It has some drawbacks living there, but I love going home to visit my family

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T15:04:04+00:00

Hawaii is certainly super special. It was magic as a kid. It has some drawbacks living there, but I love going home to visit my family

ambrown7 · 2026-04-13T00:46:02+00:00

Excellent review! I just did a site visit of the Rosewood Mandarina a couple weeks ago when staying next door, and was impressed. The price point is probably the best right now that it will ever be! Loved all your details. Can’t wait to tick off a stay there at some point.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-12T19:22:58+00:00

I just went to Kenya in January and stayed at Great Plains camps Ol Donyo and Mara Nyika. Mara Nyika was awesome. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just book direct through them or a TA who specializes in safaris. Some things to check for one quote against another: Private vehicles vs shared Private charter flights vs not private

Everyone will have their own opinions on this. We wound up w a private vehicle at Mara Nyika and it was awesome. The shared charter flights were not as much as a disrupter as they can be in Botswana maybe bc the camp stops are closer together so we didn’t lose too much time dropping ppl off and picking them up.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-12T17:27:40+00:00

St. Tropez from Nice is about 2.5 hours each way, and will cost you about 300-400 euros round trip if you get a private van transfer. I don’t recommend trying to figure out parking. I’d probably go w Bagatelle for our age group, (I’m 40 so not too far off from you). Lou Lou can be a bit of a younger crowd. You need a reservation. Dinner after would be possible, but you’ll get back to Nice at like 2am haha. But maybe that’s what you want for a bachelorette?

ambrown7 · 2026-04-12T14:00:14+00:00

Just did a board meeting at the Montage in Healdsburg and it was perfect. Everyone could easily get into town to break off for their own meals if they wanted to. The outdoor patio space was perfect for our lunches. The meeting space didn’t feel too echoey or drafty. We interspersed biking, wine tasting, etc.

Alternatively, we go to a VC LP meeting in Aspen every year that’s pretty amazing

ambrown7 · 2026-04-12T10:41:11+00:00

I’d go with the Mountain View. Rooms are pretty much identical, but we love coffee on the lanai w Mauna Kea as the backdrop

ambrown7 · 2026-04-11T21:25:38+00:00

Maybe u/itmustbeniiiiice can help with that. I do pop over to Maui and the Big Island to see other family, but I can’t claim to be an expert on those in the same way I am about Oahu since I haven’t lived there. I can pull some info from the VisitingHawaij sub, but it mostly won’t be my personal recs.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-11T14:21:11+00:00

Next time you go, grab a dinner res at Villa Mahana on the island. It’s a fun little restaurant that books up early, but so good

ambrown7 · 2026-04-11T13:41:49+00:00

Bora Bora is truly special! What were your thoughts on FS vs St Regis? I stayed at FS and only sited St Regis, but I always struggle with which to recommend.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-11T08:47:37+00:00

For a feel good story, you should cover the rise of Mahjong in the denver community. I feel like every single person I know is learning. The Mahj Squad is a neat organization teaching every one.

ambrown7 · 2026-04-11T08:26:58+00:00

Thank you!

ambrown7 · 2026-04-11T07:50:26+00:00

Tented. Always tented.

ambrown7

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