Nonrev Correspondent - Specialty Travel

I'm Spoiled

Ok, yep, I admit that I lean toward brattiness and a major weakness for luxury-on-the-cheap-travel.

My first international trip was to Brazil at the tender age of 19. Been addicted ever since. Went everywhere I could with limited dollars (but not a hostel girl) and have slept in a few airports (don't tell my parents!) I worked to save and travel...
ANyway, I digress, because having grown up rather poor, I found out I like luxury travel!! Villas with private plunge pools, massages, exotic safari digs, champagne, business class seats (if it's coach, I'm staying home!!) and all that I can have included for at least half off prices the general public pays.

Ergo, I haunt my favorite website, luxurylink.com for bargains. Great site for interliners but I am WARNING YOU NOW--do not bid against me (please please please) Occasionally, I contribute to a blog there (yeah, I can get kinda lazy about it!)

So, I hope I can assist with specialty travel, at least in the luxury/spoiled brat categories. We try to do alot of short trips to EU, longer ones to South Africa, Asia, South America.

I accept my responsibilities as NRC, SpecTrav (whatever that means?!) and can't wait to get more people in here with good travel ideas to help me!!

That was a long time ago. Did you hear this tune at the airport???

YouTube - Jump into the Fire

M767 I got a question that I think is right down your alley. I need a hotel (luxury resort) recommendation in Hawaii - Big Island or Maui. I'm thinking great service, massages and a great beach .
This place has to be good, I need the compete "get me out of the doghouse" package.

Whoa--what did you do?? en la casa de bowwow??? bad dog, no bone!!

take a look at this:
Waianuhea Vacation Packages - Luxury Link

the Hapuna BeachPrince (featured in the nonrev photo thread at a killer price they got on priceline!!) will be offered on vacationist.com

Both sites have intro offers for new members (Ck your AA version of Skymilesshopping.com or search for a discount code for first-time purchasers to get $100 off)

I have a personal aversion to Hawaii since I got "dumped" there by my BF many yrs ago--arghhh--what a favor he did for me, tho, ultimately!! Sorry I can't help much more than that--I'm not that knowledgeable.

ummm--how bad were you??
there is a place in BKK I can recommend!
Also pool villa in Bali ({Puri Wulandari) or Langham Place hotel in Hong Kong that would curl her toes--massages, special dinner, breakfasts, fab suite...SHOPPING!!
HKG is pretty accessible for you, yes??
What about BJX--Leon, Mexico and a romantic little colonial town?

Thank you SOOO much mrs767er! With 2 young kiddos, work, and hubby's low seniority we don't often get schedules that allow us to travel internationally the way I want (luxury on the cheap) and I'm always hardpressed to find anything I trust. We tend to stick with Hawaii (mainly Maui) once a year as well as Disneyworld (my 6 yr old has been 8 times) but I'm about to loose my mind with the repetition. This is my first time on this website, but I've seen your comments ALL OVER! This particular post did it for me - I registered here and am now headed straight to luxurylink to check them out as well. Maybe I'll finally get the vacation I want soon! I love reading your input all over the boards, so keep it up!

snorkelmom--so pleased you found my info helpful
their sister site for family vacays is pretty cool--particularly since your little ones are little and no extra charge.
Boss has teens so they have to have their own room--not for them--FOR US!! so we look at some of the auctions at LL for options for short stays. I'm on the hunt for Mexico for Aug.
Sometimes I can find better deals for a total pkg on these sites than I can on interline ones--and they have some great perks included--taxes typically, as well.
Enjoy and happy travels!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrs767er

Whoa--what did you do??

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All I'll say is, when you're on the inside and there's someone on the outside telling you "you're too close".........believe them.

That's great info, just what I wanted and it seems I've already got competition (and you have a fan)
One last thing, since I'm new at this online bidding, is there a winning strategy you'd like to share? I suppose I should do some research before I do anything.
Why, why why, didn't I listen
http://bestsmileys.com/frustrated/4.gif

Re: LL bidding
Some of these pkgs are rare items, most are frequently repeated. If you have time, I'd watch a few and get the feel. They used to have past results page but properties didn't like that feature (showed price paid) If you go the forum, you'll find a blog/article by ThePiranha about bidding.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE BUYING A LUXURY LINK PACKAGE AN ENJOYABLE ONE - "Swimming with the Fish" - Luxury Link Community
there, I linked it for you!
I've only been a few "wars"and got "sniped" once--I WAS SO MAD. But I got the same pkg the next day NAHNAHNAHNAHNAH at less than the sniper paid...no other bidders
Hope that helps. I usually buy the exotic property pkgs--frequently I'm the only bidder.

An article by ThePiranha with tips on how to avoid a "sniper". Sounds like I'll need S.W.A.T. gear.
*cue the music*

Returning the favor -
A luxury travel blog I like, full of great info.
A Luxury Travel Blog

M767, it even has some suggestions for Thailand. Might be worth a look. A Luxury Travel Blog

Hey mrs767 seems your fav site is down!!! Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel Auctions, Resorts - LuxuryLink.com returning on the "xx" date of november?? Seems a long time to upgrade a site...

I just heard it would be down for 12 hours--new site changes coming! July 18 9am PST
That's a long time for me to be without it...I'm a hopeless LL junkie. I just earned another $250 GC so now I have 4 to spend over the next year+. Too bad I can't combine them! They have a new offer in Laos--lots of other goodies--new Andaman one in Malaysia, too...