TripADVISOR FOR THE RICH? - Luxury Travel intelligence

Trip
Aman Venice - LTI top choice
ADVISOR
FOR
THE RICH?
F
inally, a global digital guide
for the luxury traveller has
landed. LTI (Luxury Travel Intelligence) is long overdue, put
together by a team of highly
experienced travel experts, and gives detailed
insider knowledge on hotels, resorts, restaurants, nightlife and spas around the world. The
Financial Times said: ‘It’s like Tripadvisor, only
written by people who actually know what
they’re talking about’.
Every member has their own personalised
Members Suite, and there are four distinct
sections: Destination Reports (in depth travel
guides), Global Reports (insider news from
38 Totalprestige Magazine
By Totalprestige Magazine
Photos courtesy by LTI
around the world), Dossier (a global city hotlist, with what is currently trending), and
Events – complete with VIP contacts.
Impressively, their Venice Destination Report already includes full reviews of the recently
opened Gritti Palace and Aman Resort (which,
we have been reliably informed, their researchers were among the very first to visit). LTI has
stressed its independence: the company pays its
own way, and reporters are clearly up to the minute on what they deliver.
It’s fair to say that Venice is not essentially
known for its fine dining and service, but LTI
gives an informed insight into its restaurant
options, such as ‘Euro chic’ Lineadombra
PG’s in Venice, an LTI favourite for after dinner drinks
and Sangal, which they say could both hold
their own among the finer establishments in
London or New York. There are also some
worthy luxury nightlife options – they list the
Philippe Starck designed PG’s as the perfect
after dinner cocktail venue (both discreet and
glamorous), complete with ‘good to know’ tips
on getting there.
LTI also notes the arrival of ‘new blood’ in
Venice, which – they point out – is beginning
to rise above the stuffy and pretentious ‘old
guard’ of the city, and change the landscape
for the luxury traveller. It’s observations such
as these that make LTI stand out. They are
rigorously discerning – several big name ven-
ues do not make the cut in the Destination
Reports, though all have been visited and revisited to test for inclusion.
The level of in depth intelligence is exceptional – but there are also quick-fire round
ups of the best options, if you are looking for
ideas. Every hotel in the LTI Destination Reports goes into meticulous detail, from room
type to service to favourite spa treatment – for
example, in their Venice report they direct
members to four specific room numbers at
Palazzina G and recommend two table numbers at Al Covo restaurant – the most romantic options. Their wine list reviews are also
impressive in their detail, individuality and
charm – the review of the list at Il Ridotto
restaurant is an education in itself.
The Global Reports include an Out on its
Own section, which focuses on an all-in-one
destination. They have covered some very interesting and original options, from Francis Ford
Coppola’s restored 19th century villa (Palazzo
Margherita) in Italy, to Ballyfin – one of Ireland’s most magnificent country estates. Their
most recent report features The Blue Train –
South Africa’s iconic five star train that travels
between Pretoria and Cape Town.
When we called upon the LTI researchers
to learn of their up and coming projects, it
is clear that they are a dedicated team – they
Luxury Travel Intelligence delivered
directly to your device.
were either in residence covering a corner of
the globe, or had just returned from a recent
trip. Latest destinations include Berlin (Europe’s hottest current city), St Barts, Cape
Town and Vancouver.
The approach of LTI is no nonsense and
highly informative – and for the time poor,
affluent traveller it is invaluable.
Membership to LTI is by invitation only.
Totalprestige readers are invited to
apply for membership using Invitation
Code TOTALPRESTIGE300
at www.lti-members.com
Totalprestige Magazine 39