Do I pay more booking through an advisor?
No. We book at the same published rate the hotel offers direct, including BAR, AAA, member rates, or any promotional rate the hotel is running. The commission is paid by the hotel, not by you. The preferred-partner perks sit on top.
Can I use you for one hotel only?
Yes. That is exactly what Palmé Hotel Coordination is for. One stay, two nights or two weeks, booked at the same rate as direct with preferred-partner perks on top. No fee.
What's the difference between Palmé Hotel Coordination and Palmé Trip Editing?
Hotel Coordination is for the stay you've already chosen. We book the hotel for you, at the same rate as booking direct, and add the preferred-partner perks on top. No fee. Trip Editing is for everything else: properties, reservations, transfers, restaurants, guides, activities, sourced first-hand or through trusted contacts in-country. The two can be combined. A client who knows their hotel in Como but wants help with the week around it is a Trip Editing client; a client who wants a specific Peninsula booking is a Hotel Coordination client.
Do you work with clients outside Miami?
Yes. Most of the planning happens by phone, email or video, and Palmé works with clients across the United States and internationally. Being Miami-based is convenient for South Florida clients who want to meet in person, but it is not a requirement.
How far ahead should I book?
For peak dates (major holidays, European summer, ski weeks) and the hardest-to-get rooms, three to six months ahead is ideal. For most trips, four to eight weeks gives us enough runway to secure the right rooms and layer in the perks. Last-minute is often possible, with a trade-off in choice.
Do you charge planning fees?
No planning fees on Hotel Coordination. Trip Editing fees are discussed privately after a scope conversation, so the quote matches the complexity of the trip. We lay out the full scope and all fees during your initial conversation, before any commitment.
How do the hotel upgrades and perks work, and why don't they cost extra?
Palmé Travel sits inside Fora's preferred-partner access and holds Virtuoso membership. That makes us a known booking source at the 16 hotel programs we work with directly: Four Seasons, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, Belmond, Relais & Châteaux, The Peninsula, Dorchester Collection, Rocco Forte, Shangri-La, Leading Hotels, Small Luxury Hotels, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Virtuoso. Hotels pay a standard commission on the booking; the rate you pay is the same rate you'd pay booking direct. These perks come with the relationship, not a surcharge: recognition on arrival, upgrades when they're there to give, daily breakfast, property credit, and early check-in.
How do upgrades work?
Upgrades are at the hotel's discretion and based on availability on the day of arrival. Preferred-partner bookings put you at the front of the line because the request lands with the hotel's VIP team in advance, with context: anniversary, suite preference, a specific room. No one can promise an upgrade. We can promise your request will be seen and considered, which is often the difference between a corner suite and a standard room.
What are Fora and Virtuoso?
Fora is a modern travel-advisor platform. Through Fora, Palmé holds preferred-partner relationships at the 16 hotel programs listed above, which is how the perks come through. Virtuoso is an independent luxury travel network with its own preferred-partner collection. We hold Virtuoso membership through Fora, which gives us access to Virtuoso's hotel programs as well.
Can I keep my hotel points and status?
Yes. Bookings go through the hotel's standard reservation channels, so you earn program points and your elite status (Globalist, Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Honors Diamond and the rest) is recognized exactly as it would be if you booked direct. Our perks sit on top of your program benefits.
How is this different from Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts?
Similar perks on paper. Very different trips in practice. Amex FHR is self-service: you pick the hotel, book through the portal and manage the stay yourself. Working with an advisor means a named booking source placing the request with the hotel's VIP team ahead of your arrival, with context: anniversary, a sea view mattered last time, the corner suite on the fourth floor is quieter. For a one-night layover at a major chain, Amex FHR works. For a multi-night stay, a special occasion, or anything where the room assignment matters, an advisor earns their keep. Read the full comparison in the Journal.
What if rates drop after I book?
If your rate is refundable and the property allows changes, our algorithm watches for price drops after your booking. If one appears, we rebook you at the lower rate. You get the best price. We handle it.
What's your minimum budget?
We don't have one. We work with clients across all trip scales. Whether it's a long weekend in one city or a three-week journey. Our focus is higher-end properties and experiences, but the trip size is up to you.
Do you plan honeymoons, safaris, ski trips, retreats?
Yes. Honeymoons and milestone trips, African and polar expeditions, ski weeks in the Alps and Rockies, wellness and spa retreats, we have designed trips across all of them. Reach out with the vision and we will discuss what is possible.
Can you assist with group and executive retreats?
Yes. We design executive retreats, corporate off-sites, incentive travel, and multi-generational family celebrations. Reach out with your group size and dates and we'll discuss what's possible.
What happens if something goes wrong mid-trip?
You have one contact who already knows your trip. We reach the hotel's GM or on-property contact directly, work the problem, and keep you informed. For anything outside the hotel (flights, transfers, local operators) we coordinate with the right party on your behalf.
What's your cancellation policy?
Each property and operator has its own policy, and we explain all of them before any booking is confirmed. We also recommend travel insurance. Life has many funny ways of happening.