the insider newsletter: december 2024
Abbay (King) Lovell
Travel Advisor | Entrepreneur | CPA | Helping professionals and busy families plan seamless travel
Hi! Amid the holiday buzz, Chris has just returned from France and is sharing highlights from his visit to ILTM Cannes, where the future of luxury travel took center stage. He wrapped up his trip in London with a stay at the brand-new Park Hyatt London River Thames, and he’s also giving us the inside scoop on his two-night experience. Then, I’ll guide you through the best times to plan for various types of travel, ensuring you’re ready to kick off your 2025 adventures.
For this month's insider newsletter, you'll find:
an update from chris's desk
Chris was at ILTM Cannes Last Week!
Last week, Chris represented our team at ILTM Cannes, so this month's update his straight from his desk...
I had the pleasure of attending the ILTM in Cannes, France. "ILTM" stands for the "International Luxury Travel Market," a series of trade events where luxury travel providers, e.g. hotels and our in-country travel partners, showcase their latest and greatest products and services to select travel advisors (by invitation-only). This four-day event allowed me to connect with some of the best travel partners and hotels in the industry.
I left a rainy and cloudy England to discover sunshine and clear skies in the beautiful city of Cannes, located on the southern coast of France. I stayed at the newly refurbished Carlton Cannes, a Regent hotel, which was stunning. Situated close to the sea, it offered breathtaking views and a vibrant atmosphere filled with stylishly dressed locals.
Each day, I had 14 scheduled appointments to strengthen relationships with existing partners and explore opportunities with new travel partners and hotels all over the world. Staying at the forefront of industry developments and maintaining these strong partnerships ensures that our clients continue to receive the best possible treatment and experiences.
An exciting takeaway from the event is the upcoming launch of the new Four Seasons Yachts in January 2026. The concept is that it’s not a traditional cruise ship but rather a floating hotel—and it truly lives up to that vision! Featuring 95 meticulously designed, residential-style suites, the yacht is set to redefine luxury at sea. Its winter and spring itineraries will explore the Caribbean, followed by Mediterranean destinations during the summer season each year. We’ll keep you updated as more details become available!
A personal highlight for me was meeting some of the travel partners I've corresponded with via email but had never met in person. These included Sonia from All About St. Barts, Emma from The Tailor, Beatriz from Mr. Travel Portugal, and Stanislas and Céleste from Family Twist, to name a few. Pictures below.
I wrapped up the week with an incredible weekend stay at the newly opened Park Hyatt London River Thames. Stay tuned—more details on this below.
insider tips
Park Hyatt comes to London 🇬🇧
Keep reading to learn more about my weekend stay at the newly opened Park Hyatt London River Thames.
I arrived on a Friday afternoon after my flight back from Cannes. Once I landed at Heathrow Airport, it took about an hour to reach the Park Hyatt by private car. I always enjoy riding through London—it’s a chance to soak in the city’s vibrant life from the comfort of your car.
The hotel
After a warm welcome in the lobby, surrounded by stunning artwork and sculptures, I took the elevator up to the 16th floor to check out my room. The design was modern and sleek, with spectacular views of central London, including the London Eye and the River Thames.
Location, location
The hotel is nestled in the lively Nine Elms district, conveniently close to Vauxhall Station (just 20 minutes to central London) and with an Uber Boat by Thames Clipper stop right outside. Imagine summer days cruising down the River Thames to central London, skipping the traffic while enjoying breathtaking views.
Things to do
One highlight of my stay was visiting Battersea Power Station, a former power station transformed into a vibrant shopping mall. It features an impressive glass-roof lift installed in one of the old chimneys, offering stunning 360-degree views of London from the top!
The food
Food was another standout aspect for me. The cuisine was exceptional and served in beautifully designed spaces. The hotel boasts a specialty Cantonese restaurant, a sophisticated lobby bar, and an incredible wine library and tea lounge—perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
Our connections
Of course, as with most experiences, it was the people who truly made my stay memorable. I had the pleasure of spending several lunches and dinners with Rike, the wonderful General Manager of the hotel. Her dedication to creating unforgettable guest experiences shone through, and her fantastic team at the Park Hyatt London River Thames made every moment special.
When booking through us, expect great additional amenities. Our Hyatt partnership gets you a room upgrade (where available), $100 USD property credit, breakfast for two, and early check-in/late check out (where available).
If you'd like to learn more about the Park Hyatt London River Thames then please get in touch.
👇 The Best Time to Start Planning👇
The trip? Summer/fall in UK and Europe?
Best time to plan? Now
Why? Now is the ideal time to plan your summer getaway to Europe or the UK! Booking early not only secures the best hotels and villas before they fill up but also helps you lock in better prices before they rise. It’s your chance to reserve prime accommodations, gain access to exclusive experiences, and design a perfectly tailored itinerary—all while avoiding last-minute stress!
The trip? Warm destinations for holiday travel
Best time to plan? January / February (approx. 1 year out)
Why? Believe it or not, just after the New Year is the ideal time to start planning your 2025/26 holiday travel in those highly sought-after warm-weather destinations. Picture yourself, next Christmas season, basking in the Caribbean sun, exploring South Africa’s winelands, adventuring through New Zealand, or soaking up the charm of South America.
The trip? Ritz Carlton Yacht Sailings for 2026
Best time to plan? Now
Why? Set sail in 2026 with newly released Northern Europe and Mediterranean voyages! Picture soaring over the Greek Isles by helicopter, gliding through Norway’s stunning fjords, or indulging in exclusive adventures in Croatia, Spain, and beyond. From Sicily’s rich culinary traditions to Lamborghini tours on the French Riviera and iconic golf in Scotland, there are plenty of adventures to choose from. These go quickly, so reserve now to lock in your perfect suite!
The trip? African Safaris
Best time to plan? One year in advance
Why? We recommend planning at least a year in advance to secure the most exclusive and sought-after accommodations, particularly at intimate lodges that book up quickly and especially during peak wildlife viewing seasons. This thoughtful approach ensures we can craft a truly exceptional safari experience and maximize the value of your investment in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The trip? Bike touring in Europe, April to October 2025
Best time to plan? Now
Why? Most tours still have availability, but a few coveted destinations and dates already have limited availability. One of our favorites for 2025 - Spain is having a moment, and is a great place to hop on two wheels. Wine lovers should consider La Rioja a place of pilgrimage to taste Tempranillo and Garnacha where it’s grown. In Catalonia, the Costa Brava is an emerging destination at the intersection of luxury and authenticity. And for the best cycling, nowhere tops the island of Mallorca!
Reply to this email or fill out our intake form to ask us about how we can customize the perfect itinerary for you!
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upcoming client trips
Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the places where our clients are traveling this month:
If you're feeling inspired to think about your own getaway, please get in touch!
client love
That Little Extra. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra, and that’s what makes Abbay and Chris extraordinary - that little extra. Abbay and Chris arranged our last nomadic quest that began with a remarkable Tauck river cruise down the Rhine River to Munich where we indulged in Octoberfest, perhaps a bit too much. But that wasn’t the end of it. From Munich we traveled to St. Moritz, Switzerland where we stayed at the fabulous Grace La Margana St Moritz, a 5* superior boutique hotel in the Swiss Alps, and from there, we continued our journey traveling to Lake Como where we indulged at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a place where history, tradition, and glamour play with a contemporary spirit of independence. We are discriminating, well-traveled adventurers, and we know great when we experience it. And "great" is exactly what Abbay and Chris arranged for us - with the utmost attention to every minute detail - and then some.There can be none better! Bravo to Abbay and Chris! April & Milton, Oct 2024
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!
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1moThis is exactly the kind of update that keeps us plugged in and ready to take action💯.
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1moVery inspiring 🌟
Beautiful Pictures and Informative post!