Everything you need to know about hotel site visits

 
 

I recently visited Boston for a weekend work getaway to hold a strategic planning session and conduct site visits at a handful of the city’s amazing luxury properties. Known for its rich history, prestigious universities, and vibrant cultural scene, “Beantown” has an abundance of well-appointed hotels, each with their unique approach to luxury hospitality. Whether you’re in town for business, visiting your kid at one of the universities, or you’re a history buff and are checking out the freedom trail, Boston has plenty of luxury hotel options to meet the needs of you and your travel companions.

What’s a site visit?
It’s basically a luxury travel advisor’s secret weapon that helps us gain knowledge and insights about individual properties so we can make the best recommendations for our clients. Site visits allow us to tour hotels and resorts , usually by invitation or special arrangement with the property to assess:

  • Room categories and configurations

  • Service levels and staff professionalism

  • Dining outlets, spa, and wellness facilities

  • Kids’ amenities and family-friendliness

  • Accessibility and location

  • Overall ambiance and clientele

These visits allow advisors to go beyond social media and websites to personally experience what the property offers.

Why are site visits valuable?

1. Firsthand Insights Lead to Better Recommendations for Clients - An advisor who has walked the grounds and stayed overnight can match clients with the right room types, views, and vibe. It’s the difference between booking blindly vs. booking confidently. The goal is to make sure that the pictures match the property, and that we understand which client may be a good fit for a particular property.

2. Relationship Building with Hotel Team - By connecting with General Managers, sales managers, and the concierge team, advisors can better ensure their clients’ expectations are met during their stay. And for Perspectives Travel’s clients these partners on the ground are the ones responsible for providing the VIP service, room upgrades, and hotel amenities that we offer our clients. So when we book a client at their hotel, these personal relationships we’ve developed really go a long way to elevating their overall experience.

3. Tailored Trip Planning - Site visits allow us to gather useful context, like which villas have the best view, where the quietest pool is located, what the best family accommodation options are, so we can anticipate client needs and advise more effectively.   

During my trip to Boston, I conducted site visits at 5 luxury properties: Four Seasons One Dalton, Four Seasons Boston, the Newberry Hotel, The Langham Boston, and Raffles Boston. Each of these hotels is perfect for someone, but they are also nuanced in their approach to service, aesthetic, and location. Now that I’ve conducted these visits, I’m more equipped to ensure that we find the right property for you! Next up I’m headed to Greece to site properties in Costa Navarino, Paros, and Naxos. Reach out when you’re ready for a luxe hotel stay booked by experts with firsthand experience!

Amina Dearmon