What Virtuoso membership means for your travel
Airelles Château de La Messardière, Saint-Tropez
When I mention that I'm a Virtuoso travel advisor, clients often ask what that actually means for them. It's a fair question, because the answer goes far beyond access to a booking platform.
Virtuoso is a network of the world's finest travel advisors and luxury travel providers. It's highly selective — less than 1% of travel agencies worldwide are invited to join. But more than that, it's a community built on relationships, expertise, and a shared commitment to exceptional travel. My membership gives me direct connections to hotel managers, resort directors, and experience curators across the globe — the kind of access that transforms how I work for you.
The difference in how I work.
When I'm designing your trip, I'm not simply searching online or making requests through generic channels. I'm reaching out to people I know personally — I may have had lunch with them or been introduced to them through my trusted agent network. I'm having conversations about what would work best for your specific situation — whether that's the sunrise facing suite you’re looking for, or the guide who specialises in exactly what fascinates you.
This matters because luxury travel isn't really about grand gestures. It's about the small, thoughtful details that show someone has truly understood what you need. It's the hotel knowing you prefer an early breakfast before anyone else is around. It's the restaurant reservation that seemed impossible suddenly becoming available. It's arriving to find something waiting that you mentioned once, in passing, weeks ago.
What this looks like in practice.
Let me give you some tangible examples of how these relationships work in your favour.
When Airelles Venezia opens its doors in Spring 2026, I'll have early access to book your stay at what's set to become one of Venice's most sought-after addresses. Rather than joining a waitlist or hoping availability opens up, my Virtuoso connections mean I'm already in conversation with the team there. And if you've stayed at Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière and loved it, I can ensure that the same level of personalised service follows you to Venice — because these relationships travel with you.
Or perhaps you’re considering a family trip to the Maldives. You might see Soneva's three properties — Fushi, Jani, and Secret — and wonder which suits your family best. Through Virtuoso, I'm not guessing based on website descriptions. I know that Soneva Jani's kids' club is genuinely exceptional: two storeys high with a zipline, waterslide, bowling alley, LEGO room, and skateboard ramp. I know the teens have their own dedicated space with a music room, telescope desk, and cave bar complete with DJ booth and mocktails. This isn't information I'm reading off a brochure — it's the kind of specific, useful detail I can share because I've met and am connected to people who know these properties intimately.
Then there's Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como. When I book you there through Virtuoso, you receive exclusive amenities — room upgrades where possible, daily breakfast for two, a hotel credit that you can use towards spa treatments, dining, or activities, early check-in and late check-out when available, and welcome amenities tailored to the hotel. The property credit alone often covers that massage you'd planned to book anyway, or a bottle of wine with dinner overlooking the lake.
But the real value is in what happens when I mention to the team that you're celebrating an anniversary, or that you'd love a quiet table overlooking the lake for dinner. These aren't requests that get lost in translation. These are conversations between people who trust each other to take care of what matters.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
The power of being known.
There's something powerful about being part of a trusted network. Hotels and resorts want to impress Virtuoso clients because they know we're discerning, that we'll return if the experience is right, and that we share honest feedback. This creates a relationship where everyone is motivated to exceed expectations — not just meet them.
I've seen this play out in countless ways. The chef who comes to your table because the hotel manager mentioned you're celebrating something special. The suite upgrade that happens not because of points or status, but because someone wanted to delight you. The behind-the-scenes tour that wasn't on any itinerary but felt perfectly aligned with your interests.
These moments aren't guaranteed—luxury travel shouldn't feel transactional — but they happen more often when there's a foundation of trust and connection, which is what Virtuoso membership gives me on your behalf.
Why this matters to you.
Ultimately, my Virtuoso membership means you're not navigating luxury travel alone, hoping you've made the right choices. You're working with someone who has spent years building relationships, learning what works, and earning the trust of the people who make exceptional travel possible.
It means when I recommend a hotel or experience, it's not based solely on reviews or reputation, but on genuine knowledge and often personal experience. It means your trip isn't just well-planned — it's connected to a network of people who genuinely care about delivering something memorable.
When a new property like Airelles Venezia is launching and everyone wants to be there, you have someone with early access. When you need to know whether Soneva Jani or Soneva Secret better suits your eight-year-old and your teenager, I can give you the real answer. When you want that perfect table at Grand Hotel Tremezzo during peak season, I know who to ask.
And perhaps most importantly, it means you can travel with confidence, knowing that someone is genuinely looking after your best interests, with the resources and relationships to make your vision a reality.
If you've been wondering whether working with a travel advisor truly makes a difference, this is part of the answer. It's not about someone else booking things you could book yourself. It's about access, relationships, and expertise — the kind that transforms good trips into extraordinary ones, often in ways you didn't even know were possible.
Frequently asked questions about Virtuoso Travel.
Do Virtuoso benefits cost extra?
No. The amenities and upgrades are included when I book qualifying rates at Virtuoso properties. You receive additional value at no extra cost.
Can I book these hotels myself and get the same benefits?
No. Virtuoso benefits are exclusively available when booking through a Virtuoso travel advisor. Direct bookings or third-party sites don't include these amenities.
How many hotels participate in the Virtuoso program?
The network includes over 1,800 preferred hotel and resort partners worldwide, from intimate boutique properties to renowned luxury brands.
Do you only work with clients in London?
While I'm based in London, I design travel experiences for discerning clients throughout the UK and internationally. My Virtuoso membership provides global reach regardless of where you're located.
How does working with a Virtuoso advisor differ from using a luxury travel booking site?
Beyond exclusive amenities, you gain personalised expertise, direct advocacy when issues arise, and access to experiences and rates not available online. It's the difference between a transaction and a trusted relationship.
