From helicopter transfers and supercars to butler service and ski passes, these are the extraordinary things luxury travellers get for free at hotels around the world.
Staying in the top suites of the world’s best five-star hotels is a luxury in itself, but guests of these illustrious abodes also enjoy freebies few of us would even consider. From inclusive helicopter transfers to butler service and ski passes, the things luxury travellers get for free are seemingly limitless. We’ve scoured the globe to unearth some of the most incredible perks of staying in luxury hotels, from London and Dubai to New York, Singapore and beyond.
17 perks of staying in luxury hotels
- Private chauffeurs
- Private city and airport transfers in luxury vehicles
- Private helicopter transfers
- Access to supercars
- 24-hour butler services
- Dog walking
- Unpacking and packing of luggage
- Ski passes
- Shoe-shining and laundry services
- Private chefs
- Personalised bathrobes
- Private buggy transport
- VIP Immigration services
- Nightly gifts and souvenirs
- Free sport, health and wellness consultations
- Luggage laundering and repairs
- Complimentary dining, drinks and in-room refreshments
The Peninsula Shanghai & London
Boasting views of the Bund and Huangpu River, The Peninsula Shanghai is the brand’s Chinese flagship property and known for its Art Deco elegance and Michelin-rated restaurant. Guests staying in the top suites enjoy a valet box for the pick-up and delivery of polished shoes, complimentary laundry and dry-cleaning services, plus access to two sporty MINI Cooper S Clubman cars with chauffeurs. Replete with a complimentary mini-bar stocked with soft drinks and cookies, the vehicles are available to suite guests for complimentary trips of up to three hours.
Planning to spend a couple of nights at the London outpost? The Peninsula London has a 13-strong fleet of luxury vehicles, including vintage Rolls-Royce limousines, Bentley Bentaygas, BMW i7s and London black taxis, at the disposal of guests in selected suites.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Known for its ultra-luxurious private villas, exceptional dining and pristine overwater and beachfront settings in the South Malé Atoll, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi also offers guests staying in top-range villas return private yacht transfers, a personalised bathrobe for each guest, a dedicated personal concierge and a private buggy for transport across the resort.
The Emory, London
London’s first all-suite hotel in Belgravia provides guests with access to Surrene, a members-only wellness club, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the things luxury travellers get for free here. Guests arriving by private jet are afforded complimentary helicopter transfers from Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Luton and Stansted airfields in Flexjet’s Sikorsky S-76s. Guests can also expect 24-hour access to a guest liaison, unpacking and pressing service on arrival, plus use of The Emory house car.
Bvlgari Resort Bali
Beloved for its fusion of Italian design and Balinese craftsmanship, Bvlgari Resort Bali is a clifftop retreat in Uluwatu with a world-class spa, ocean views and exceptional dining experiences. A stay in the top-tier suites is inclusive of unlimited laundry and pressing services, 24-hour butler service, packing and unpacking of your luggage, return airport transfers and VIP Immigration Services to reduce your time clearing customs. The exclusive Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts fragrance and bath collection in every suite is another of the things luxury travellers get for free.
Claridge’s, London
This historic five-star stay in Mayfair has been hosting royalty and celebrities since 1812. Naturally, those residing in the Penthouse receive 24-hour butler service, return private transfers to any London airport in one of Claridge’s electric and hybrid luxury vehicles, or even a helicopter in some cases. The perks of staying in luxury hotels such as this include a chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle served upon arrival and monogrammed Claridge’s bathrobes, embroidered with your initials. Plus, a daily 60-minute personal trainer session, yoga or Pilates class in your private gym is included.
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is a five-star luxury hotel in Dubai, uniquely connected to the Mall of the Emirates, offering direct access to more than 700 shops and the indoor Ski Dubai. The accommodations include 20 Aspen Chalets that overlook the ski slopes. A stay in the Presidential Suite will grant you access to the Executive Lounge, privet check-in and check-out, plus two tickets to the Snow Park of Ski Dubai and dedicated butler service.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Set within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi is a sustainable, barefoot luxury experience with an open-air cinema, observatory and access to pristine beaches. The Residences at Soneva Fushi are private villas of up to nine bedrooms, perfect for families and groups holidaying together. Those booked in The Residences enjoy the services of a 24-hour villa attendant, an on-call private chef, a private movie theatre, a dedicated villa buggy and one hour of professional tennis coaching.
JW Marriott Essex House, New York
Situated on Central Park South and offering elegant accommodations with park views, the JW Marriott Essex House New York is an Art Deco property dating back to 1931. Here, guests staying in the Central Park Suite Collection can expect complimentary helicopter transfers to and from JFK or Newark airports, thanks to a partnership with Blade.
Raffles Singapore
Spending a night or few in Raffles’ Grand Hotel or Presidential Suites? Then you can expect return limousine airport transfers, daily breakfast for two, and 24-hour butler service. Famed for its colonial charm, legendary service and being the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail, Raffles Singapore also provides suite guests with complimentary fresh fruits, access to digital newspapers on the PressReader app and porterage.
Hotel Café Royal, London
Seamlessly blending historic elements with contemporary style, Hotel Café Royal is a world-class property on Regent Street between the lovely suburbs of Mayfair and Soho. Here, the things luxury travellers get for free are many. Guests booked in a Deluxe Suite or higher receive exclusive privileges, such as 24-hour butler service and a personal chauffeur for five hours per day for the duration of the visit. Unpacking, packing, shoe-shining and garment pressing are complimentary, as is the laundering of luggage. If you have any damaged TUMI luggage, the Café Royal team can have it repaired before your departure. Those occupying Signature Suites can choose to use a supercar, such as a Bentley Continental GT, Porsche 911 Turbo or Aston Martin.
Aman Hotels
The things luxury travellers get for free aren’t always grandiose, though they can be just as meaningful. Whether you’re staying at Amanera in the Dominican Republic, Amangalla in Sri Lanka, Amankila in Bali, or anywhere else, Aman guests receive nightly turndown gifts that represent the destination in which the hotel is located. From coconut-shell butterflies to rattan fans or wooden figurines, each gift is locally made from local materials to create a unique souvenir. Stay at Amangiri in the USA? Enjoy long-distance or local airport transfers in a vehicle from the hotel’s fleet of BMWs and SUVs.
The Lanesborough, London
Boasting a prime location overlooking Hyde Park, The Lanesborough is a quintessentially British hotel with 24-hour personalised butler service in every room and suite. Upon arrival, luggage is unpacked and suitcases stored until departure, when the staff will repack your things for you. Butlers offer daily dog walking services, and those indulging in retail therapy at Harrods or Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge can have their treasures delivered to the hotel.
Read more:
12 fashion designer hotels and suites you need to visit
17 of the most expensive hotels in the world
The world’s 32 most beautiful hotels
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