the Ask expert
We asked Daniel Luddington, vice president of development at Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), about his favourite hotels and why more of us are choosing to stay at independent properties
I guess the first question is, really, why are people staying at a small luxury hotel in comparison to regular hotels?
THE last decade has also seen a real shift towards guests wanting more emotional connections across all areas of their lives, particularly with their travels, and staying at a smaller luxury hotel definitely gives them that, through a more intimate and intense experience. You can often feel the passion of the hotel’s owners through the ambience, décor and attitude of each hotel. I personally think this is what keeps guests seeking out boutique properties.
What are the criteria for hotels to be classed as luxury with SLH?
OUR criteria are very strict, to maintain the quality standards that SLH is known for. We only take about five per cent of the hundreds of hotel applications we receive each year, and naturally the hotels need to be small and independently owned, but, more importantly, they need to meet a very high level of service delivered with lots of distinct charm. All our hotels are visited and vetted annually against quality criteria of approximately 700 different points. We make it hard to become a member and hard to maintain the status.
What is the best advice for getting an hotel upgrade?
A GOOD hotel always aims to please its guests and will often upgrade them when they are celebrating a special occasion, so let it be known when making your booking. Sometimes you just need to ask, though, and you’ll be surprised at what you can get. At SLH we have a loyalty programme, ‘INVITED’, a great way to get an upgrade, as we offer them to members after a certain number of stays.
You never go on holiday without taking..?
A STOCKPILE of pickled-onion Monster Munch. Crisp variety is rubbish abroad.
What’s your favourite holiday destination and why?
KAYAKING in Malibu, followed by a fish taco and a beer at the Surf Shack. That’s luxury to me!
Is it better to book directly?
BOOKING directly is always good; however, booking through SLH’s ‘INVITED’ programme also provides additional benefits such as complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late check-outs and event invitations and more, so I’d definitely recommend it.