15 Exclusive Perks of Staying at a Five-Star Hotel

When it comes to luxury and impeccable service, nothing compares to the experience of staying at a five-star hotel. From the moment you arrive to the time you reluctantly check out, every aspect of your stay is designed to be nothing short of extraordinary. Here are 15 perks that set the five-star hotel experience apart from all others, ensuring your stay is as memorable as it is comfortable.

A Warm Welcome: From the moment you arrive at a five-star hotel, you'll feel the frenzied stress of travel start to fade. As you step onto the property, a friendly porter will greet you warmly and take all of your luggage off of your hands. You'll feel like you're in a spa rather than a hotel lobby as you're escorted in to find a cool spritzer and cold towel waiting for you. You'll be invited to a scenic balcony or plush lounge to unwind the staff efficiently finalizes your room arrangements. These thoughtful touches set the stage for a stay centered around exquisite pampering and complete relaxation.

Guided Tour to Your Room: Forget about being given a room number and being pointed towards an elevator. In a five-star hotel, you'll be given a personalized tour to your room, highlighting the hotel's facilities and services along the way. When you get to your room, they'll walk you in and give you a run-down of the amenities, making sure you have everything you need before leaving you to enjoy your stay.

Everyone Knows Your Name: At a five-star hotel, the staff doesn’t just offer excellent service; they know your name wherever you go, making you feel like royalty. From the moment you introduce yourself to the porter, you'll never be asked again. You'll be greeted formally by name by each member of the hotel staff for the rest of your stay. It feels like a touch of magic as you interact with dozens of staff members who seem to somehow have a collective memory, inquiring about your experience with yesterday's excursion or offering suggestions for tonight's dinner reservation.

Tailored Touches: The staff of a five-star hotel will do more than just know your name. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, you won't have to remind them every time you sit down for a meal. Every member of the staff, from room service to dining areas will be up to speed. Walking in for the breakfast buffet, you'll get a personalized walk through of your allergy-friendly options. Sit down for service, and they'll bring your coffee with two sugars like you had the day before. At a premier hotel, all your special requests are remembered and catered to throughout your stay.

Skip the Lines: The luxury of exclusivity means you’ll never wait in line. Whether it's at the front desk, dining in the restaurant, or seeking assistance from the concierge, you'll receive immediate and personalized attention for anything you need. On the rare occasion that a delay in unavoidable, another staff member will promptly escort you for a courtesy drink or complimentary snack until your request can be fulfilled.

Private Oasis: You won't be waking up early to reserve chairs at the pool when you stay at a five-star hotel. These high-end hotels feature some of the most breathtaking, exclusive pools in the world, and crowds are the antithesis of relaxation. You can rest assured that there will be ample room to enjoy the beauty of the hotel's common areas with plenty of personal space.

Behind the Scenes: Cleanliness is key to maintaining the personalized feel of a high-end experience. Creating an atmosphere that makes every guest feel like the first to ever occupy a space designed for temporary stays is a remarkable achievement. The housekeeping service at five-star hotels is impeccable and efficient, but you'll never see a vacuum cleaner or a cleaning cart. They seem to inexplicably know when you've stepped out, swiftly and discreetly refreshing your room in your absence.

Thoughtful Notes: Besides the immaculate manner that you'll always find when re-entering your room, the only hint that you'll have that housekeeping has been tidying up behind you are the daily, hand-written notes that they'll leave behind in your room. From "It's a pleasure to welcome you" to "We hope you'll stay with us again soon", these personally addressed, hand-written messages will make you feel like you're among friends.

Elegant Turn-Down Service: Each evening, you'll return from dinner to find your room transformed into a serene haven, ready to deliver some of the best sleep you've ever dreamed of. Slippers next to the bed, a cold bottle of water on your night stand, and an artisanal night-time moisturizer are just the start. You'll also find that the curtains have been adjusted, the lights dimmed, and the sheets turned down. This daily schedule of room adjustments will make your evenings just as pleasant as your days in a luxury hotel.

Surprise Delights: Throughout your time at a high-end hotel, you'll receive unexpected gifts — little tokens to enhance your experience and make your stay unforgettable. Welcome champagne, local delicacies, home-made soaps, and more, these spontaneous treats will punctuate your five-star experience and make you feel appreciated and valued.

Celebrated Occasions: If you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary at a five-star hotel, expect them to go above and beyond to ensure your special occasion is their top priority. Gifts to celebrate your big day are just the start, expect the hotel staff to turn your milestone into a multi-day event that you'll feel like you're spending with family.

Superior Freebies: Surprise gifts aren't the only perks of staying in a five-star hotel. You'll also find ample freebies that can also serve as memorable souvenirs. The most elite holiday destinations will offer poolside amenities like sun hats, sunglasses, flip flops, and beach bags. Of course these keepsakes sport hotel branding so that you'll be marketing for your luxury location to everyone you encounter.

In addition to trendy beachwear, you'll find superior toiletries and beauty products. It's a win-win when these hotels feature these premium beauty labels, you get to sample the best cosmetic products and they get the chance to turn you into a raving fan. We were first introduced to the magical Irene Forte Hibiscus Night Cream in Europe's Rocco Forte hotels. Giving it a spin when it was left on our pillow turned into rationing our free supply to make it last for the rest of the trip.

A word of warning here, while freebies abound in these five-star hotels, check twice before you raid the mini-bar. Our experience has been that more often than not, these aren't complimentary.

Advanced In-Room Technology: While many five-star hotels are in premium locations like antique city-centers and historic buildings, the tech in these hotels is anything but old. These places invest in the best of everything, including high-end speaker systems, motion-detecting curtains, and convenient entertainment systems.

Elegant Dining: We couldn't talk about five-star hotels without mentioning that these locations boast some of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the world. Hotels with restaurants featured in a Michelin Guide will proudly display this honor near the entrance. Reservations are often hard to snag at these exclusive spots, but for hotel guests they may pull some strings.

Exceptional Valet Service: Truly five-star service means making every detail count, even up to the very end of your stay. When the valet pulls your car around, expect to find cold bottles of water in the cup holders and cool towels to refresh you on your drive. As you watch them waving goodbye in your rear-view mirror, you'll be left with a memorable impression of the ultimate hotel experience.

Staying at a five-star hotel is about experiencing the pinnacle of hospitality where every detail is meticulously curated to ensure your absolute comfort and satisfaction. It’s not just a place to stay; it’s a gateway to a world of exclusive luxury and unforgettable moments.