The Virtuoso 2009 Overseas Symposium

Richard Beck, President of ClassicTravel.com and Lance Stamps, the VP of Marketing for ClassicTravel.com are about to embark on a trip to Sydney, Australia for The Virtuoso Overseas Symposium. The Symposium is always held in a luxurious and exotic destination, with past cities including Athens, Cairo, Singapore, Vienna, St. Petersburg and Lake Como. It is limited to 350 participants, including CEOs of the world's best hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines, private yacht companies, tour operators, destination managements companies, and airlines in addition to specialty travel companies. Just as Virtuoso is the only network of its kind, this event is very unique. It is a time for companies to come together and discuss trends and challenges in the travel industry, which is quite relevant now due to the current economic situation.

The three day event is filled with Cocktail Receptions, Dinners and social gatherings where the top luxury suppliers will come together to network and brainstorm ideas for revolutionizing existing business models. ClassicTravel.com is already at the forefront of the industry, being the only Virtuoso agency to have an online booking engine. We hope to share our experiences to help others in the industry, as well as gain new insights to things we can do differently. 

Virginie Gratadoux talks to ClassicTravel.com about 40 million dollar face lift to Hotel President Wilson in Geneva.

Virginie Gratadoux, Executive Assistant to Director of Rooms from Hotel President Wilson came to the office today to visit with Classic Travel's Corporate Agent Charlie Schmitt and CEO Richard Beck.

Ms. Gratadoux discussed with them the hotel's 40 million dollar renovation that will be completed in April of this year. The renovation included adding flat screen televisions, an ipod docking system, wireless high speed internet, and Nespresso coffee machines in each room. They also added some luxurious new body treatments at their spa.

She mentioned that Hotel President Wilson is the only hotel on Lake Geneva to offer suites as well as Prestige rooms with views of both Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. At other hotels on the lake, one must book a suite to get these views. The Prestige Rooms have floor to ceiling windows which provide astounding views of the mountain and lake.

Spice's and Arabesque are the two restaurants at Hotel President Wilson. Spice's provides a wide range of cuisine, combining eastern flavors with traditional continental dishes. The restaurant also features amazing views of Lake Geneva during your dining experience. Arabesque is a renowned Lebanese restaurant where locals and travelers alike come to share a luxurious dining experience.

Book the Hotel President Wilson at ClassicTravel.com and receive extra perks!

Kitt Garrett of Discover New York Speaks to ClassicTravel.com Specialists About The Power of Customized Travel Itineraries

Kitt Garrett, founder and CEO of Discover New York, met with Lance Stamps Director of Marketing and staff at ClassicTravel.com office. Ms. Garrett came by to inform our agents of what is new in NYC! Discover New York is a Destination Management Company that possesses extensive local knowledge, expertise, resources and specializes in the design and delivery of luxury events, activities, private experiences, staffing and transportation.

Ms. Garrett and the group from Discover New York are passionate about travel and entertainment. They know there is no such thing as a "sold out performance;" they know the ins and outs of New York City and have the best connections to theater, stylists, museums (even before they open!), private cooking classes, and backstage passes with cast members to see wigs, costumes, and props and much for!!

Not only is Kitt our Virtuoso partner but also our recommended concierge desk for New York. If you're visiting New York make sure to check out Ms. Garrett's recommendations to restaurants, shows, and monthly events calendar.

If you've already booked the Virtuoso rate through Classic Travel make sure you take your travel experience to the next level to get the most out of your time by contacting Kitt Garrett at Discover New York.

Cocktail Hour With Our Luxury Hotel Partners

ClassicTravel.com has a line up of cocktail receptions to attend during the next few months...

March 24 we are attending Passages of Distinction Roadshow 2009 which will be at the Glass Houses in the Chelsea Arts Towers, and will feature speakers from Alvear Palace, Hotel Sacher Vienna, Dolder Grand Hotel and many more.

Luca Virgilio, the General Manager at the hotel; Sandrine Camia Director of Sales and Marketing; and Ken from Yellin Hotels stopped by the office to tell us about "Arty Spring" at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo on March 25 and to provide us with more information on their new 2009 Suite Lifestyle Program, featuring a butler service in each of its 15 Suites, as well as:

• Accommodation in a One-Bedroom Suite with VIP treatment
• Breakfast Daily
• One 50 minute massage per person
• Car and driver at guests' disposal if staying in the Suite Azur or Carre d'Or
• Guaranteed booking at Joel Robuchon and YOSHI restaurants (except during the Monaco Grand Prix and special events)
• Round trip Nice Airport transfers via private sedan
• Metropole Lifestyle Card with special values in and around Monaco
  

Thursday March 26 we will be heading to meet with Uof Hjertonsson and Mrs. Karin Oldfelt Hjertonsson, the ambassadors of Sweden, at the Consul General of Sweden here in New York. Anna Lena Shahrivar, VP of meetings and special events and a native of Sweden, is excited to see all of her Swedish friends at this event. Anna Lena is also our top producer on SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)!

April brings cocktails, dinner and a presentation to mingle with hoteliers at Sidecar, a special dining room in P.J. Clarke's. Wendy Wegner and Associates are hosting this event for their top New York agencies. We can't wait to share with you about all the new happenings of eight of her hotels including Cap Juluca, Peter Island Resort, and Hotel Guanahani and Spa. We are excited to hear all about Cap Juluca's renovation completion.

ClassicTravel.com is looking forward to these events and will bring you the after-party updates to let everyone know about the new hotels and special rates for our luxury travelers.

Book these fabulous luxury hotels at ClassicTravel.com to receive these special VIP amenities.

Classictravel.com has eliminated the online guesswork by featuring only luxury hotels worldwide. We are a premier Virtuoso luxury travel agency in New York that offers online booking of Virtuoso rates and benefits providing a level of luxury unequaled elsewhere.

Virtuoso has 300 agencies worldwide with ClassicTravel.com offering the only online booking option. Virtuoso provides us with exclusive up-to-the-minute travel deals with unlimited upgrades and features for the luxury traveler.

ClassicTravel.com, located at 275 Madison Avenue New York City, is based on personal relationship with premier hotels around the world in order to provide our clients with the best possible deal.
This blog is intended to inform clients and hoteliers of ClassicTravel.com office updates. We want to share with you new business clients, deals, and general informational updates of the company.