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I had never experienced butler service before this year, and while it’s something I didn’t need, I absolutely want it again.
Is butler service worth it? Well, if vacations really are about vacating your normal life, I’ve found that there’s no better way to celebrate that notion than to indulge in a level of service you never knew you could afford.
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Surprisingly, it’s easier than you think. Major hotel chains are moving toward all-inclusive — and more exclusive — packages and levels of service that were once available only to the rich and famous. From Marriott to Hyatt to Hilton, the option of a dedicated butler who handles everything from whisking away your breakfast dishes to securing dinner reservations is attainable, but it may be a splurge at the chain’s high-end properties. Take that into account as you decide whether butler service is right for you.
What is butler service?
The true luxury comes from the one-on-one attention you’ll receive, either a text, phone call or email away. Need a pick-me-up midafternoon? Text your butler for a cappuccino. Don’t want to wake at the crack of dawn to secure lounge chairs at the beach? Just let your butler know where you want to sit, and they’ll find your chairs — literally with your name on them — waiting when you’re ready. Need a shirt pressed before dinner? Your butler will ensure a crisp, fresh look. These services and more are part of the butler experience — you choose how much or how little you take advantage of them.
“Our butlers’ biggest strength is providing a true holiday for guests, from greeting them at the dock upon arrival to taking care of their every need,” says Nicolas Meslet, operations manager at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in the British Virgin Islands. “Guests have told us they don’t want to talk to many people to get the job done — they prefer one dedicated person and the private service that comes with a butler.”
Where can you get butler service at the main hotel chains?
Among the Marriott brands with butler service are the St. Regis and The Luxury Collection. Properties in Hyatt’s the Inclusive Collection, such as Secrets Resorts & Spas and Hyatt Zilara have butler service included. At Hilton, butler service can be found at Hilton Playa del Carmen.
