Looking for luxury accommodations for your travel vacation can be a daunting task.  Trying to figure out what the hotel is like and what amenities you will be getting may seem a bit like playing the ponies.  Here are some tips for finding the best deluxe hotels.

Understand the Ratings – While a 5 star rating may sound magnificent, a 5 star hotel may not mean the same thing everywhere you travel.  In Europe, for instance, the hotel rating system may not be what you’re thinking.  Find out who rated the hotel.  Different countries have different groups responsible for the ratings and the differences could surprise you.  In most European countries the rating system is governmental.  This means that the hotels are rated on facilities and services more so than ambiance, charm or other non-tangible criteria.  But most always, the 5 star hotel will cost the most, even if it isn’t the best. 

To get a better feel for the hotel ratings check out travel guidebooks such as Frommers or Michelin.  These books will give better insight to the hotel ratings as well as some subjective information that is useful to the luxury traveler.  If you want only the best amenities make sure you search only for those options.  Beware of hotels that have been left out of travel guides altogether as a sign that something may be amiss.  Remember that resorts often fulfill all the requirements you may have so be sure to check for resorts as well as hotels in the listings for a particular area.

Get A Luxury Travel Agent – If you really want to travel in lavishness make use of a luxury travel agent. They book accommodations every day for the rich and famous and know the ins and outs of each particular hotel.  Before you talk to your travel agent make sure you know what you want from your hotel.  Make a list of the amenities that are “must-haves” along with those that would be nice but not necessary.  This will help the travel agent hook you up with the best choices for your specifications.

Luxury travel agents are plentiful on the Internet.  Use care in choosing one.  Look for companies that have been in business for awhile and that specialize in booking luxury vacations.  Chances are the agent will have some very good choices for you to consider for your particular destination.  Plus, they will do all the booking and other details so that the details are taken care of.  Their choices are very well screened and reviewed often to ensure high quality accommodations.

Check Out The Internet – The first stop for many people when looking for a luxury hotel is the Internet.  You can find plenty of information about hotels and resorts by going to the web site for that hotel.  Be aware, however, that the hotel is putting their best foot forward on their web site.  Don’t use their web page alone as a deciding factor.  You can often find reviews of hotels from other travelers who have stayed there.  It is important to get some unbiased information before booking a room.  Many travelers have arrived to their hotel only to find that the pool is empty, the chef has been replaced and the service is not up to standard. 

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