Sometimes it’s little touches like housemade soaps and turndown services that make a hotel stay special. Other times it’s the big things that prove so difficult to forget. One of the trending perks in hospitality that really has us revved up is that properties aren’t just chauffeuring guests around in courtesy cars any longer; more and more places are actually handing over the keys to the Mercedes Benz and BMW, allowing visitors to enjoy their stay well beyond the hotel’s property line. Our editing team kicks the wheels on three of the most exciting programs.
The Bay Area is notorious for its awful traffic. But we bet you can’t name a classier way to inch up US-101 than from behind the wheels of a 2013 Bentley Continental GT. One of the most powerful vehicles in the luxury class — the GT’s 12-cylinder, 567-horsepower engine roars from 0 to 60 in just 4.6 seconds —the Bentley’s brawn is only matched by its beautiful curves and breathtaking craftsmanship. If you get the En Route to Excellence package, you can experience the power for yourself by temporarily getting the keys to a GT, Continental GTC or Mulsanne. But on top of all of that heart-pounding excitement, you also enjoy one night of plush suite accommodations at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, breakfast for two at Vitrine and an official Bentley key chain. And be sure to take advantage of the helpful concierge service during your stay; it’ll be a priceless resource when it comes time to find decongested routes to all of the sites around the city.
There’s a lot to like about Nantucket around this time of year. The weather is generally a still-pleasant 55 degrees. The clam chowder at Brant Point Grill is excellent. And the views of Nantucket Bay are simply spectacular. The only possible thing that could enhance your time in New England is a posh set of wheels to see it all in. With The Wauwinet’s roaring current promotion, anyone who stays at the Four-Star’s largest room, the Coatue Suite, will have access to their own 2014 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle during their visit. The luxury crossover SUV is 300 horses of exquisite engineering, and the 80 miles of beachside in the immediate area are perfect for showing them off. Now, if for some reason you can’t get to The Wauwinet this season, no worries. Similar deals are offered at coastal chic gems The White Elephant and White Elephant Village as well.
You know how the old saying goes: When in Beverly Hills, do as the Beverly Hills residents do. Well, while that may not be exactly how the phrase goes, it’s certainly a trademark that this Five-Star abides by, seeing as how its guests routinely enjoy high-end amenities, top-shelf cuisine at Four-Star Scarpetta and, now, the thrill of punching the pedal to the floor in a vehicle from the hotel’s impressive Mercedes Benz fleet. Take the lightning-quick Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG or the luxury-oozing S-Class sedan, for example. Cruise down Rodeo Drive in one of those head-turning rides and pedestrians might confuse you for a Hollywood powerbroker. No? Well, you’ll at least live like a star, seeing as how all a car enthusiast has to do to get the keys is stay in one of the Montage’s stately guest rooms. Though the cars are loaned out on a first-come, first-serve basis, it sure sounds like a win-win for you and anyone lucky enough to be riding shotgun on your next Beverly Hills vacation.
Image Courtesy Nantucket Island Resorts and The Wauwinet
