Here at The Last Concierge, we have a particular approach to luxury travel that stands apart from what you might read in other magazines.

After all, in our experience, the most memorable, opulent and unique experiences are almost never the obvious, the expensive or the most glittering. Instead, the encounters with the world which stay with us forever tend to be those which feel like a best-kept secret; it’s uncovering that tucked away restaurant beloved by locals, where food is prepared with ancestral love and pride. It’s finding that hotel which goes the extra mile and makes you feel like family. It’s feeling as though you’ve truly scratched beneath the surface of a destination, and you’re already making plans to return before you’ve boarded your flight back home.

That’s what The Last Concierge is all about – we’re your hidden travel companion, the key to the unforgettable and irreplaceable.

Unlocking Unique Experiences, Wherever You May Be

Luxury travel isn’t about spending the most money or heading to locations listed in every guidebook and posted ad nauseum across social media — it’s about knowing how to unlock access, upgrades, and seamless experiences that others never see. The world’s most seasoned luxury travellers don’t rely on luck – they travel like concierges, forever in the know, connected and confident.

Here are 10 insider hacks luxury travellers actually use to elevate every journey — from flights and hotels to experiences money alone can’t buy.

1. Book Through Relationships, Not Just Websites

True luxury travellers rarely book direct or through mass-market platforms. They work through trusted concierges and advisors with supplier relationships. By tapping into these tight circles of trusted experts, you’ll be able to benefit from hidden perks, top recommendations and upgrades usually hidden from the masses.

*Blue skies, blue seas at your fingertips*

Almost every good hotel and travel company has a concierge or the equivalent of one, and all too many people overlook these seasoned professionals when booking their escapes. Simply by reaching out directly to a concierge firm or in-house concierge, you’ll more easily be able to access priority room allocation, complimentary upgrades (yes, they’re a lot more common than you’d think!), perks such as early check-in and late check-out and additional amenities such as spa credits, dining privileges and transfers.

Don’t have access to a concierge? Instead of using booking sites (which charge hotels a hefty commission), contact the hotel directly when making your booking and let them know you chose to book with them directly instead of via a booking site.

Hotels – especially higher-end and boutique hotels jostling for preference in an increasingly noisy marketplace – reward relationships over transactions… And those who don’t ask, don’t get.

2. Always Travel With a Personal Profile

Luxury travellers understand the value of a detailed travel profile – those additional tidbits of information that allow hotels to tailor stays to your precise requirements. Simply by adding requirements to your initial enquiries signals you as a traveller seeking to make the most of a hotel’s offerings, and in my experience, quality hotels are always up for a challenge (within reason, of course).

Concierge travellers maintain a detailed travel profile that includes:

Preferred room location and pillow type
Dietary needs
Celebrations or anniversaries
Past complaints and preferences

This allows hotels and airlines to personalise stays before arrival — often without you asking. Luxury, after all, is all about anticipation.

3. Timing Is Everything (And Yet Most People Get It Wrong)

Concierge insiders know when to book — and when to wait. Simply by being a little more selective with your travel plans and itineraries, you can truly unlock the very best that hotels and travel companies have to offer.

For example, flights often upgrade inventory 48–72 hours before departure, hotels release better rooms mid-week, and shoulder seasons deliver the best value and discretion. During off-peak seasons, you’ll also often find that hotels and resorts have more need to showcase their best offerings – whether that’s discounted or complimentary tasting menus, new spa services, or upgrades to better rooms. The right timing can unlock the same (or greater) luxury for far less.

4. Never Ask for an Upgrade, Ask the Right Questions Instead

Here’s a real insider hack for luxury travel, and it’s one that’s so often misunderstood.

Instead of asking: “Do you have any upgrades?” Savvy travellers say: “Are there any preferred rooms available today?” This subtle shift signals confidence, experience, and expectation — and works far more often.

5. Choose Hotels for Access, Not Just Aesthetics

Nobody loves a beautiful hotel more than we do. However, we all know what they say about choosing books by their cover. Some of my favourite hotel experiences have been in establishments which might not hit all the high notes when it comes to insta-worthy appearances, but which offer incredible levels of service and the chance to really get to the heart of a location.

Instead of focusing on the exterior appearance of a hotel, luxury travellers prioritise:

Strong concierge teams
Well-connected general managers
Properties with local influence and access to cultural highlights

This is how they secure last-minute restaurant reservations, private viewings and sold-out events… because a hotel’s power in a particular location matters more than any marble-clad lobby could offer.

6. Travel Mid-Week for Maximum Privilege

Is there any greater luxury than feeling like you’re getting more for less? Sometimes, that can be achieved simply by shifting your travel plans by a day or two – especially if you’re able to replace a weekend break with a mid-week sojourn.

It’s true – Tuesday to Thursday stays often receive better room upgrades, quieter service and more staff attention. There’s a reason why luxury travellers avoid weekends unless absolutely necessary, and that additional attentiveness can easily transform a stressful escape into a blissful getaway that exceeds all expectations.

7. Let the Concierge Plan — But Set the Vision

A good concierge is a wonderful thing. Informed, flexible and always in the know regarding who to call and contact to organise the best experiences, they’re more often than not the key to transforming travels into something really quite remarkable. However, they’re not mind-readers.

Elite travellers don’t micro-manage. They brief concierges with the essential information, then trust the professionals to fill in the gaps. If you’re using a concierge service, be sure to let them know the mood of the excursion or experience you’re seeking (be it a relaxed escape, an adventurous getaway or a cultural and insightful tour), the non-negotiables you’re not willing to compromise on, and anything that you’re absolutely not interested in pursuing.

These basic pointers have the ability to create truly bespoke experiences instead of generic itineraries.

8. Fly Smart, Not Flashy

I’m a strong believer in the fact that first class isn’t always the best value when it comes to comfort and convenience. Concierge travellers often:

Book business class strategically
Upgrade with miles at the last moment
Choose airlines with superior lounge and ground services

This last point is a key one – you’re often hanging around in airports for longer than you’re in the air (or, at least, in the air while still awake or not distracted by a movie you’d never think to watch while on the ground). A good airport lounge can be worth its weight in gold – take the Gordon Ramsay Plane Food experience at Heathrow Terminal 5 for example; a fabulous way to unwind and excite the senses, and truly get yourself in the mood for a luxurious escape.

9. Celebrate Something — Always

I’ll admit, this is a hack I never fail to miss. Even if it’s something subtle or seemingly leftfield, always let a hotel or concierge know that you’re celebrating something.

Birthdays, anniversaries (or anything you want), winning a new contract, moving house… simply by making this announcement before you arrive, you can massively increase your chances of everything from room enhancements and upgrades, complimentary experiences, and even little notes and surprises upon your arrival to make your stay just that little bit more special.

Hotels love a reason to impress, and it’s a quick and easy hack to really make the most of your experience.

10. Avoid Peak Luxury Destinations at Peak Times

True luxury is privacy. Concierge-minded travellers visit:

The Amalfi Coast in May or October
The Maldives outside school holidays
Paris mid-winter
Alpine resorts early or late season… and the list goes on.

Exclusivity often comes from timing, not price. It’s not hard to find out when peak season occurs in your chosen location, and skilfully avoiding the crowds and maximising the attention and capabilities of a hotel and location can yield incredible results.

Luxury is a Skill That Can be Learned

Anyone can book a five-star hotel. Very few know how to travel like they’ve got their very own private concierge in their pocket, guiding their choices to bring about the most unforgettable results.

The difference? That lies in knowledge, relationships, timing and intention — the very principles that define The Last Concierge’s approach to travel and lifestyle curation.

If you’re ready to travel smarter, quieter, and better — you’re already thinking like a concierge.

Luxury Travel Tips: 10 Concierge Secrets for Better Trips