the insider newsletter: april 2024

Happy Monday! Chris and I are both recently back from a long weekend in Scotland, scouting hotels and getting top tips for our clients!

If it feels like our suitcases have already put in a lot of miles in 2024, you are correct! We prioritize our travel during the low season for a few reasons, i.e. there are fewer crowds, we can plan it last minute, rates are better, and most importantly, it means we are traveling when you're not.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend visiting Scotland in April, which I'll explain. As the popular saying goes, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." We experienced a mix of rain, wind, and sunshine, but to me, it's a non-issue when you're dressed for it and when you have a beautiful, cozy Scottish hotel with a roaring fire to return to for the ultimate sense of place! More on our trip in this email.

In this month's newsletter, you'll find:

• An update from my desk - our trip to Scotland
• Insider tips - hotel promotions exclusive to our clients and a hidden gem in the BVI's
• Blog posts that you'll love
• Upcoming client trips - great for inspiration
• Recent client love

an update from abbay's desk

Our Trip to Scotland

The biggest challenge our clients face with planning a trip to Scotland is having enough time to see and do all of the things on their wish lists.

We all know it's the home of golf, but there is so much more whisky, castles, the Isles, and countryside pursuits such as falconry, fishing, shooting, archery, off-roading, and horseback riding to name a few. Alas, this is where we shine - by helping our clients distill information and options into the best trip for them.

Between Glasgow and Edinburgh, we tasted the whisky, we tried the Haggis, and we visited and toured no less than 11 hotel properties.

We learned a lot, but these are our tip-top takeaways.

Availability in Edinburgh

There is still availability for summer, even during the Taylor Swift dates and during the Festival season in August. While rates are higher, there is still space (as of this week) in central Edinburgh.

There is nothing quite like the festival season in Edinburgh. From the bagpipes at the Military Tattoo to the buskers at The Fringe, August is a vibrant time to visit!?

Where to stay in Edinburgh?

We love Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel (pictured above), known for its warm welcomes and its award-winning concierge team. Our clients can even take an entire Georgian townhouse here, with a private entrance and up to 12 bedrooms - perfect for multi-generational trips to Scotland in August and beyond to Thanksgiving.

For an iconic, 5-star experience oozing history and charm, you can't beat a stay The Balmoral , a Rocco Forte hotel. Because of our membership with Sir Rocco's Knights, our clients receive a VIP welcome and recognition, daily breakfast, a $100 food and beverage credit, priority for upgrade based on availability, and priority for early check-in/late check-out based on availability.

Where to stay outside of Edinburgh?

Cromlix , a luxurious country house full of life and energy, blew us away! You might know the owners, Andy Murray (famous British tennis player) and his wife Kim Murray. Andy's family has a long history with the property, and he and Kim bought it in 2013. It recently underwent a 3-month refurbishment responsible for the eye-popping interiors full of bright colors, busy florals, and cheery artwork.

Ideally situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh, it's perfect to include in short or long trips to Scotland. Here you can enjoy:

• Borrowing a pair of Barbour wellies sitting by the door (see photo below) to explore the estate
• Playing tennis & pickleball on their Wimbledon-inspired courts
• Foraging on the estate and Lochen walks
• Touring the kitchen garden
• Flower arranging
• Garden games like croquet, boules, or chess
• House games including billiards and board games

When you book Cromlix with us, we'll make sure you're VIP'ed, and we'll add a complimentary whisky tasting as your welcome amenity!

If Scotland is on your bucket list, we want to hear from you. You can reply to this email or contact us here .

insider tips

Best of the Best Travel Offers for Our Clients

When we come across travel offers at our favorite properties, we want you to know about them! See below.

As a preferred partner of Four Seasons, we always offer exclusive benefits when you book your stay through us. The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora (pictured above), is currently offering the following exclusive promotions right now when booking through us:

• Preferred Partner: guaranteed room upgrade, valid on new reservations for travel from October 22 to December 22, 2024.
• Preferred Partner: pay 3, stay 4, valid from March 11, 2024 to April 30, 2025.

One&Only Mandarina is a unique property set amidst one of the last tropical beachfront rainforests in Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. The chic treehouses with jaw-dropping views are perfect for couples! Better yet, we can combine our Virtuoso amenities with the promotions below:

• Exclusive Partner of the Month Benefits (yes, that's us!) - One category upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability and an additional $200 resort credit per stay, valid for travel dates through December 13, 2024, and must be booked by April 30, 2024.
• Night on us - Book a 3-night stay, and we'll make it 4, or book 5, and we'll make it 7, valid for travel through December 17, 2024.
• Delight in a 5-night Grand Villa stay and get an exclusive $1000 resort credit, valid for travel through December 17, 2024.

For a Greek getaway, we love Katikies Hotels. We're excited to share fantastic promotions for their properties in both Mykonos & Santorini .

• Stay 4, pay 3 - This means a 25% discount and includes a welcome amenity, a couples sunset spa massage, and a room upgrade subject to availability, valid for travel dates through November 18, 2024 and must be booked by April 30th.

A Hidden Gem in the British Virgin Islands

This special island remains the most unspoiled jewel of the BVI's, and perhaps it's because most people don't know about it...

It's Guana Island , and its 850 acres, seven pristine beaches, mountains, gardens, organic orchards, dozens of hiking trails, and even its flock of flamingos are the exclusive domain of a handful of guests during their stay.

Because of our close relationship with the property, they always take great care of our clients.

Who is it for?

• It's perfect for clients who want low-key luxury on a private island and fully inclusive dining and beverages. If you want to truly unplug in a gorgeous, intimate setting, Guana Island is for you.

Who is it not for?

• Clients who want a big bustling resort or to go off-property for dining, going to bars, etc.

What can you do here?

• On Land:?Tennis, volleyball, badminton, croquet, ping-pong and even bocce, lawn bowling, and horseshoes at the beach. Of course, if you want to relax, there are lounges, hammocks, and a private beach bar.
• On the Sea:?A fleet of beach toys like stand-up paddle boards, paddle boats, kayaks, sunfish and Hobie-cat, and snorkeling gear are there for you! More adventures include scuba, water skiing, kite surfing, local and deep-sea fishing, and wakeboarding.
• 12 Miles of Hiking Trails:?Explore the ruins of the sugar plantation, or reach the 806-foot summit of Sugarloaf Mountain for views of the surrounding islands. Or visit Long Man’s Point, descend the stone staircase cut into the cliff, and swim in the pools below.
• Spa:?From the classic manicure or facial to hot stone massage and aromatherapy, the Spa sits just steps from the gentle breeze of White Bay Beach.
• Excursions:?If you want to explore beyond Guana, we can plan a day or half-day boat trip to its sister island, Norman Island (Robert Louis Stevenson’s original Treasure Island) for lunch or any other BVI destination.

If this sounds like you, hit reply and ask us for more information. We can help plan the best way for you to get here or even compare it to other private island options. We love finding the best property for you!

latest travel news

• 5 Reasons Bhutan Needs To Be Your Next Vacation Destination (Forbes)
• The Best Places to Visit in Spain (Vogue)
• This Secret iPhone Feature Will Change the Way You Travel (Inc.)
• London’s most exclusive pub is hidden inside a 900-year-old fortress (CNN)
• Privacy, Please: What's Next for Exclusive Travel (CNT)

blog posts you'll love

10 Reasons to Visit the Azores

Have you heard of the Azores?

This was a new-to-me destination not so long ago, but the more I learned about this hidden gem, the more my curiosity grew!

Click here to keep reading.

Is luxury travel for you?

6 things you didn’t know about luxury travel.

Years ago, luxury travel was synonymous only with 5-star hotels, butlers, and Michelin-starred restaurants.

While there is nothing wrong with those things, ‘luxury travel’ has since evolved...

Click here to keep reading

upcoming client trips

Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the places where our clients (and us) are traveling this month:

• Chris & Abbay's educational trip to Scotland, including stays at Crossbasket Castle , Cromlix , and The Balmoral .
• Couple's sunshine vacation at Kempinski Hotel Cancún , Mexico?.
• Italy trip exploring Montepulciano, Florence, Bologna and Venice .
• Babymoon at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa , Florida Keys .

Like February and March, it has been a busy month for planning. The time to plan for 2024 is now.

Inspired? Want to learn more? Get in touch by sending us a DM!

client love

Star Travel Advisor. "I fully recommend booking your travels through Abbay, as you’re guaranteed to be 101% satisfied with everything when you arrive at the property. Staff will take good care of you, with champagne, upgrades and more.” Mr. C, 2023

Check out our Reviews and Recommendations page to read more about what our clients are saying.

That's all for this month. I hope you've enjoyed it.