6 'hacks' to make the most of your luxe hotel stay

Over the years luxury accommodation has become more affordable to the common punter. But for those of us who don’t regularly indulge in an OTT stay, the sophistication and opulence of a five-star property can be pretty intimidating.

So when you do splurge how do you get every precious penny’s worth? Nauman Hasan, from Treasury Brisbane, tells us how to get the best bang for your buck at a luxe hotel. Here are some tips…

Pre-arrival attitude check
First, you need to get the right attitude. If you’re feeling a little nervous before arrival it’s worth remembering the hotel is there to meet your expectations – not the other way around. These hotels are in the business of comfort. Their goal is to make you feel at ease and at home. You’ve bought a luxury experience so you should feel fancy. Shake off any feelings of not belonging and embrace luxe experience!

Put the concierge to use (they love it!)
Next, contact the concierge. Hasan says guests should hit up the concierge before arrival to create a custom itinerary. They won’t do a rigid schedule but they’ll do all the heavy lifting in terms of research based on what you tell them you’re interested in and they’ll shortlist attractions and restaurants at the destination. If you don’t need an itinerary, call ahead and tell them what you’re keen on seeing in the city. They’ll give you feedback on timings, advice as to how to get there, and a ton of valuable local knowledge. For instance, if you love burgers? Have the concierge give you a listicle of the best burger joints in town – saves you the research time and the web data from looking yourself.

If your stay is to celebrate a special occasion the concierge is your wingman to organise flowers or wine for some surprise and delight in your room!

All in the timings
Arrive early and stay late. This is key to maximising the time you get to lounge in your hotel’s lap of luxury. It’s not unusual to ask for early check-ins and late check-outs so don’t be afraid to call ahead and ask, you might get lucky! If you’re not, you can always leave your bags at reception and hit the hotel pool, gym or bar until your room is ready.

Check-in time is the perfect opportunity to ask the staff exactly what facilities are on site. Don’t be shy.

Just ask
Forget your toothpaste, razor or need to sew an emergency button on? Ask and you shall receive. Most of the time hotels have these things available if you request them. It’s just not blatantly advertised. If you’re questioning whether an in-room amenity is free or not, make a quick call to the front desk to find out. Don’t be embarrassed!

In the house
Eliminate travel time by staying on site. If you planned to go for a massage in the city or go out for dinner – do it at the hotel instead. Hotel lobby bars are making a chic comeback and if you’re spending the big bucks to stay at a lush property – trust the bar and spa to be epic. This saves travel time and lets you make the most of your precious holiday time.

Pillow Talk
Our final tip? Get to bed early and sleep in late. You’re on holiday after all. Hasan says hotels put a lot of time and effort into their beds to ensure guests are getting the best night’s sleep. Live it up in the lush linens.

Hasan says when you stay at a luxury hotel you shouldn’t just be satisfied; you should be happy. If you’re not sure about your request, the general rule of thumb is to keep it practical and reasonable!

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