Well, I finally did it! I have completed my first ever blog, and if I can be honest, this was not easy for me 😊. There is so much I want to share with you about the many exciting trips that I am working on but, before I get ahead of myself, I should begin by telling you more about how we help you with your travel-planning needs in the first place. So, please read on to learn who SJ Travel Designs serves, what we can provide, and how the process works.

Simply put, SJ Travel Designs was created specifically for you

SJ Travel Designs focuses on helping busy women (professionals, stay-at-home moms, etc.) plan travel itineraries that speak to each member in their travel group (we’re talking about more than just family getaways—think girls’ weekends, multi-generational travel, as well as hobby-inspired trips like wine tasting on a European river cruise). Because we all have our own interests, styles, and preferences when it comes to travel, each of us approaches planning differently and faces unique challenges during the process. I find that my clients want one or more of the following to ensure a stress-free and memorable vacation:

Someone to save them time – With incredibly busy lives, they lack the time to research and manage all the details necessary to plan a well-thought-out vacation.
Expert advice – Whether they have no idea where they want to go or just need recommendations on places to stay and things to do, they value input from someone with insider knowledge and connections.
Unique and customized itineraries – They are seeking one-of-a-kind opportunities they cannot find on their own, such as hidden gems to which the general public does not have access. And, they want an itinerary that is designed specifically for them.
Navigation assistance – Whether dealing with the fluid nature of Covid protocols, language barriers in a foreign country, or other hiccups that are bound to occur while traveling, they like to have an informed partner – someone who is looking out for them and can guide them.
Exclusive access to special amenities and VIP treatment – To make the most of their well-deserved break, they want the preferential treatment and added benefits that only come through me and my partnerships.

Essentially, my clients want more than someone to simply “take their order.” They want someone knowledgeable and whom they can trust to build a personalized plan and deliver the best a destination has to offer. They are looking for meaningful experiences—the kind that leave them fulfilled and with memories to last a lifetime.

SJ Travel Designs delivers what you want and need, plus all the fun extras

SJ Travel Designs is equipped to build customized itineraries and meet every client’s needs because we have the necessary resources and connections. We are supported by a host agency, Gifted Travel Network (GTN), which is a member of a global consortium, Virtuoso. With access to Virtuoso’s collection of thoroughly vetted hotels and suppliers, we automatically offer a higher level of amenities to our clients. And, more recently, we have added a handful of highly coveted hotel programs that are only available to top-performing travel agencies. This is a tremendous benefit for those of you who have reached the peak of your favorite hotel’s loyalty program because we can add even more value at the same rates you would book on your own. Plus, you will still earn your points—none of that will change when you use us.

Most importantly, it’s my relationships and trust in these programs that makes the real difference. As a travel consultant, I have the benefit of knowing that my clients will get the VIP treatment and the service they deserve.

I know I’m bombarding you with a lot of information, but please bear with me. Below is some valuable insight about the top programs available to you through SJ Travel Designs.

Virtuoso:

Over 1400 premium and luxury hotels, resorts, tour operators and cruise lines globally. Some of my favorite hotel brands in this portfolio include Montage, Auberge, Salamander, Rosewood, Virgin, and many more. If you enjoy unique experiences with a private or small group guide, A&K and Kensington would be for you. If you love to be on the water, highly reputable small ships and yachts such as American Queen Voyages, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Uniworld Boutique Cruises are great options.

When booking through SJTD, you will automatically receive:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Breakfast for two ($30 per person up to 2 guests per bedroom) daily served at restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Resort/Hotel credit to be used during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

It’s also worth noting that our properties have very flexible cancellation policies at no extra charge.

For those of you who already know where you would like to stay and simply only want access to exclusive amenities I can provide, feel free to access my personal link to Virtuoso by clicking here.

MARRIOTT STARS AND LUMINOUS:

Marriott brands are among the most well-known, and many of my clients already make Marriott hotels their go-to given the great service and loyalty programs. The good news is that my clients receive all of their well-earned perks (including points) when booking with me. They also get additional benefits including prioritization on upgrades and sold-out lists.

Stars Program includes Bvlgari, EDITION, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis. When staying at these properties you will receive:

Daily complimentary breakfast for two per room
Personalized welcome amenity
Hotel credit of $100 per stay to be used for services or restaurant
Priority for complimentary room upgrade (based on availability)
Complimentary Wi-Fi
In-person welcome from hotel management
Your full allocation of Bonvoy Points

Luminous Program includes Autograph Collection, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott, Renaissance, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels, and Westin. (Note that a few properties under these brands may not participate). When booking through SJ Travel Designs you will automatically receive:

Daily complimentary breakfast for two per room
Hotel credit of $100 per stay to be used for services or restaurant
Priority for complimentary room upgrade (based on availability)
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Welcome amenity representing the local area

Bellini Club, Belmond – This is one of my favorite brands (we spent our honeymoon at Ried’s Palace in Maderia). Belmond is a boutique hotel company with a significant presence in Italy, France, Portugal, Asia, and South America, as well as Africa and parts of the Caribbean. Belmond takes a unique approach to creating properties by buying charming historical properties in amazing destinations. They also offer other one-of-a-kind experiences like the French barge pictured above. And you may already know them for their Orient Express trains as well as African safaris.

The good news for you is that SJ Travel Designs is a member of the Bellini Club, an exclusive, invitation-only program that enables us to offer the following benefits that are unavailable when booking directly:

Upgrade on hotel accommodations, subject to availability
Daily complimentary breakfast for two per room
Credit of $90 - $200 per room depending on property
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Welcome amenity and VIP recognition by property management
$500 voucher when spending over $5,000 for your next Belmond experience of $2500 or more

Hyatt Privé – You might not be familiar with Hyatt’s Privé program, which is another private offering. The brands you may know within the Hyatt family of properties are Park Hyatt, Andaz, Thompson and Miraval. However, there are many more. The exclusive benefits to you – and again, with the same booking rate you would find on your own – include:

Room upgrade confirmed with 24 hours of booking, based on availability at time of booking
$50 - $100 credit per room
Welcome amenity
Full allocation of your Hyatt loyalty points

Accor STEP – This less-well-known but high-end program includes brands that I am sure you will find familiar, like SLS, Sofitel, FAENA, and Delano. We became a member of this family of brands at the end of last year and we are excited to be able to provide added value along the lines of what is available among the other programs I mentioned earlier. When booking via SJ Travel Designs, you will automatically have access to the following benefits — all for the same rate you would pay booking directly, including:

Room upgrade at the time of booking or at check-in (based on availability)
Daily complimentary breakfast for two per room
$50 - $100 resort credit to use during your stay
Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability
Welcome amenity

Four Seasons - Last but not least is Four Seasons Preferred Program – another invitation-only program for top luxury travel advisors. This too, was a relatively recent appointment given our top producer category. In addition to being prioritized for VIP status, you will benefit when having us book your stay by gaining the immediate amenities:

Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
Hotel/Resort Credit* (based on room category booked) enriching your clients’ stay with their choice of experience – from spa and dining to recreation:
- Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
- Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
- Private Retreats: USD 200 credit per bedroom per stay
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in**
Welcome note at check-in, acknowledging you, your travel agency and the Preferred Partner benefits

Working with SJ Travel Designs is easy!

We recognize that each client has different needs when it comes to planning a trip, so we offer a tailored pricing structure:

Exclusive Program Booking Only – We recognize that many avid travelers already know where they want to go and stay, and may already receive benefits from their favorite brands. However, there is still a lot to gain by booking through SJ. A $25 per room or cabin fee applies.
Designed Just for You – We’ll dive in deep and become an expert on you and everyone traveling with you to understand all your preferences, determine what options best fit and then execute on all of the planning. The fee starts at $495 and will depend on the scope of the project.
Small ship cruises and luxury all-inclusive properties – due to the structure of these packages, the fee starts at $295 per room or cabin.

How do you get started? It’s simple!

Visit our website at www.sjtraveldesigns.com and complete the inquiry form by clicking “Start Planning”.

Once we receive your notification, we’ll reach out to set up a “Quick Hello” (about 15 minutes) to better understand your needs and explain in more detail how we work. From there, you will received our Fee Agreement and Terms and Conditions to sign and return. Once we receive these items back (including the fee) we next schedule an intake session (45 minutes to an hour), where we ask all the necessary questions to help us build a trip according to your needs and desires. Then SJ takes it away and begins working with our trusted experts and partners to design a meaningful and customized itinerary that incorporates all of the elements captured during our intake session. We will deliver a full itinerary and work with you to tweak the plan until it is perfect.

About 45 days before your departure, we will review the plan again and all of those tasks usually required before departure (think Covid testing, packing, setting up a dog sitter, alerting the post office, etc.). During your trip, we remain at your service to make sure everything goes as planned. Once you return, we will reconnect so we can hear your feedback.

In my next monthly communication, I’ll provide my thoughts and ideas for your future vacations and share what I am seeing in the world of travel. I would also love to hear from you. Please let me know what travel topics and destinations have piqued your interest. Send me an email anytime at hello@sjtraveldesigns.com.

Until next time….

Chris

I Did It! My Inaugural Blog Post