July 2010 Archives

Everyone likes special treatment on their honeymoon. I've put together five strategies for scoring that upgrade.

1) Coach to Business Class or First Class: If you have elite status on an airline, try to use that airline for your honeymoon flights. Wait in a line to personally see an airline agent when you check-in. Mention you'd like to know if there are any upgrades available and that you are on your honeymoon. If they say yes, ask them if they can help you celebrate your marriage in style with a complimentary upgrade. Most importantly, be nice, smile, and look super cute.



2) Upgraded Room: When you first contact the hotel, don't mention it is your honeymoon until after you've received a price quote. Pick the room you are willing to pay for and ask the reservation specialist if there is a complimentary honeymoon room upgrade. Hotels want honeymooners to return and celebrate their anniversaries with them so are usually willing to role out the upgrades if space is available.

3) Room Extras: When you are checking into the hotel, remind the hotel check in staff that you are on your honeymoon. This almost guarantees some complimentary chocolate, champagne, possibly a second room upgrade and other goodies delivered to your room.

4) Dining: Always mention you're on your honeymoon to the maître d' at each restaurant and when you book your reservation. The best table in the restaurant will likely be reserved for you and you may receive some chef special treatment or complimentary dessert.

5) Chauffeur Service: Most hotels have a fleet of really nice cars used to transport VIP guests. Inquire at the front desk if this service is included in your stay and if not, could they make an exception since you are on your honeymoon.

Have you tried something that worked? If so, please share your recommendations.

Soon after I posted "Consider a Private Rental on your Honeymoon", I came across the article below on the New York Times Travel section that covers other non-hotel accommodation options in Europe and how to find them. The article mentions the following websites:

AirBnB- Find a place to stay. Rent nightly from real people in 5960 cities in 150 countries.
iStopOver - The source for short term rentals.

Of course this is your honeymoon so you don't want to be staying in an house occupied by the owner. These sites let you customize your search so you only find properties where you'll have the place to yourselves!

Learn more from the New York Times Travel article: Europe without Hotels

We've heard from a lot of couples that have planned their honeymoon to include accommodation at a short term rental in furnished homes or apartments.  If you don't need the hotel amenities, definitely consider this option when planning your honeymoon. Not only does it save you money, but it can also make your honeymoon experience more personal to the city you are visiting.

Recently, a Traveler's Joy couple spent their 3 week May honeymoon at a furnished apartment in Barcelona, Paris, and Vienna. In each city, they couldn't believe how beautiful their apartment was and its fabulous location.  Jill and Trevor also commented that they felt like true locals!

Most important, be sure to use a reputable site and read the reviews before reserving.  Two sites to consider using:

Friendly Rentals "Friendly Rentals was born in 2003 to provide quality accommodation in Barcelona and from the beginning we carefully selected the best Barcelona apartments for our portfolio. We rapidly expanded our holiday apartments from apartments in Barcelona, to Madrid, Valencia, San Sebastian. We now offer vacation apartments in some of the hottest destinations around the world, such as Lisbon and Rome."

RentVillas.com The owner of RentVillas.com comments, "Over twenty years ago, a month in an 18th century Tuscan villa changed my life. I returned home with the conviction that renting a villa was the way to travel in Europe; more than a vacation, it was a complete cultural experience. So in 1984 I founded Rentvillas to share my experience with others. Today, Rentvillas.com is an experience in itself, allowing you to 'know before you go'."

Finally, read the article below from the New York Times Travel section and written by Michelle Higgins, the Practical Traveler columnist. In it she provides a list of questions to ask before finalizing any reservation and other sites to consider using to find that perfect honeymoon accommodation.

Skirting the Pitfalls of Private Rentals

Here's to an amazing honeymoon!