Virtuoso is the leading global network of travel advisors specializing in luxury travel, with over 20,000 advisors worldwide. Virtuoso has forged unique partnerships with over 1,800 of the world's absolute best hotels – from luxury chains like the world-leading Aman and Capella, to some of the world's finest boutique hotels.
Through Virtuoso you'll get access to VIP benefits like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, unique experiences, hotel credits and much more on your next hotel stay. You also get unique access to promotional rates like third/fourth/fifth night free at select hotels that are not otherwise available to the general public.
Lyxresan Travels are proud members of Virtuoso and through the programme we can offer you unique benefits. In this article we'll go through everything you need to know about Virtuoso.
What is Virtuoso and what hotels participate in the programme?
Over 1,800 hotels globally are part of the program – from independent luxury hotels that are true hidden gems you may not recognize by name, to some of the world's absolute best hotel chains like Aman, Capella and Rosewood. The common denominator for all participating hotels is that they have passed Virtuoso's strict quality controls to be part of the program. This means you can always expect a stay of the highest caliber when booking a Virtuoso hotel.
In the selection, we find, among others, the fantastic Aman, considered by many as the world's best hotel chain. By booking through us, you can book at exactly the same price as Aman themselves offer, but with additional complimentary benefits easily worth several hundred dollars.
Criteria for participation in Virtuoso
The goal is for you as a customer to always feel comfortable knowing that all 1,800 hotels participating maintain a very high standard no matter where you want to travel. The minimum requirements to become a Virtuoso hotel include:
- The hotel is five-star or four-star deluxe
- The hotel is located in a popular city or unique geographic location
- The hotel has consistently demonstrated unique levels of service and quality, proving over time its ability to deliver luxury experiences, attention to detail, and expertise in tailoring customer experiences
- The hotel offers breakfast, unique benefits, and discounts to Virtuoso guests
- The hotel has received warm recommendations from Virtuoso luxury travel advisors like us here at Lyxresan Travels
- The hotel meets other strict quality requirements that qualify it as one of the best hotels in its destination
Hotels participate in the program because they want access to luxury travel advisor's clients. The hotels know that customers who turn to a luxury travel advisor typically spend more on their hotel experiences and are therefore considered extra valuable customers. In return, they offer unique benefits and discounts not available to the general public.
The benefits included with a Virtuoso booking
The typical benefits when booking through Virtuoso include:
- Full breakfast for two
- A unique Virtuoso benefit once per stay (usually a $100 credit, but it can also be a complimentary massage/lunch/dinner or an on-site experience)
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
- VIP status during the stay
- Flexible booking with free cancellation until days before check-in
The great thing about Virtuoso is that you don't need to think about hotel status when booking through the programme – as the benefits offered are akin to having top tier status at the hotel you stay at, and you're always guaranteed to have VIP status with the hotels.
A great example of how a hotel offers unique benefits that reflect the hotel's identity is the charming Domaine les Crayères, surrounded by several Champagne houses and boasting only 20 rooms. Here are the benefits offered:
- Full daily breakfast in the hotel's restaurant or via in-room dining
- Upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability
- Complimentary visit and tour of either Champagne House Taittinger or Pommery, including wine tasting
- Complimentary bottle of champagne, once per stay
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Is it more expensive to book through the Virtuoso programme?
Virtuoso's prices usually correspond to the hotel's Best Available Rate, which are the most flexible prices offered by the hotel with the most generous cancellation policy. In practice, this means that the hotel can offer lower prices with a stricter cancellation policy – for example, a non-refundable booking, or prices that offer fewer or no benefits at all.
That being said, it's worth noting that many hotels offer promotional rates through Virtuoso where you have the opportunity for discounts on the nightly rate, such as third, fourth, or fifth night free, in addition to the benefits.
Free Night Offers: Third/fourth/fifth night free
It's often worth booking through the program even when there are no special offers, but the positive thing is that many hotels often offer promotional rates in addition to the benefits. The program offers two types of discounts:
- Percentage discounts – for instance a discount of 20% for a stay exceeding 3 nights
- Free night offers – for instance the third/fourth/fifth night free
For example, one of our absolute favorite hotels in Mexico, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, offers 25% discount for stays longer than four nights, and in addition to this you're of course provided the usual Virtuoso benefits.
Earn points on Virtuoso bookings
As all Virtuoso rates go through the hotel groups' internal systems, you earn points as usual, can earn nights towards the next status level, and you can also use your status benefits and combine them with your Virtuoso benefits.
For example, if you have Hilton Gold status and book a Virtuoso stay at one of the Hilton hotels participating in the program, you will earn points on your stay and be able to use your Hilton Gold benefits just like usual – and in addition, you will also receive Virtuoso benefits.
Summary
Virtuoso is the world's largest collection of specially curated luxury hotels, currently with over 1,800 hotels where you can access VIP benefits such as breakfast, upgrades, hotel credits, and other unique perks. In addition to this, you often gain access to promotional rates and offers that are not available to the general public. The strength of Virtuoso lies in the rigorous quality control that hotels undergo, ensuring that you can always count on a Virtuoso hotel to maintain high standards.