Make sure your room is celebrity-worthy when booking. Photo courtesy of The Hazelton Hotel.
We might not truly live the life of the famous on a day-to-day basis, but when we travel we definitely like to up the luxury levels. Too bad we don’t exactly have the room on our credit cards to do the full-out treatment that celebrities do while jetting around the globe … but there are a few little things you can always do on your vacations to help make it feel extra special and like you’re basically Oprah (well, maybe not exactly like Oprah, but close). Toronto’s swanky Yorkville The Hazelton Hotel’s general manager Nancy Munzar-Kelly gives us five tips and tricks to take your next trip worthy of the rich and famous.
1. Book Direct
“You wouldn’t expect a Golden Globe winner to book on Trivago, so why should you?” says Munzar-Kelly. “Hotels have dedicated sales people to ensure VIPs get exactly what they ask for when travelling. You can take advantage of this too – call the hotel and let them know what kind of room you’re looking for (balcony, view of city, espresso maker, his and her sinks, etc.) and your budget.” Want to really live the dream? Most celebrities book spacious corner rooms with large balconies, dishes Munzar-Kelly. In the end you will get exactly what you want in your hotel room so it’s worth the extra time and money.
2. Plan Ahead
No more last minute decisions if you want to make sure you’re getting the full all-star treatment. “While you may not have a personal assistant or publicist on the pay roll a la Kim Kardashian, a simple call the front desk before you arrive can get you a list of the city hot spots – restaurants, clubs, shopping, all of the above!” says Munzar-Kelly. “Once you know where you’d like to go, let concierge work their magic.” Ask to get a little bit of star treatment (a special table, a specific bottle of champagne, etc.) arranged so as soon as you arrive you feel like a star.
3. Write a Hospitality Rider
What’s a hospitality rider, you ask? It’s that special request list that you always hear about celebrities having. “Stars always travel with a personal request list sent to the hotel before arrival.” So why not do the same? “Would you like a bottle of champagne chilled and waiting for you with two glasses upon check-in? What about lavender-scented candles surrounding your soaker tub? Do you need transportation to take you to a concert? Send your rider to the hotel prior to check-in and everything you want will be waiting just the way you like it,” explains Munzar-Kelly. Best of all, some requests are free of charge.
4. Take Full Advantage of the Concierge
The concierge is there to assist guests (celebrity or not) with their needs, and can plan every detail with the highest degree of service. They have insider information on the best shows, dining, shopping and more. The concierge services at The Hazelton can even help with errands like pet-walking and grooming, vehicle detailing, floral pickups and dry cleaning.
5. Recharge With the Perfect Pillow
Beauty sleep equals the best selfie opts the next day, and any celebrity knows the importance of looking fresh for a photo. Customize your sleep by requesting a specific type of pillow that will help you get the extra shuteye you need. “Whether you’re looking for Memory Foam, Anti-Snore or Hypoallergenic, a pillow menu is definitely something VIPS and A-listers take full advantage of to get the most revitalizing rest,” explains Munzar-Kelly.
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