Bleary-eyed after an overnight flight to Paris, I stumble off the plane and head toward passport control. Before I can make the jet-lagged wrong turn that feels inevitable, an impeccably dressed man catches my eye. He holds a placard with my name and waves. “I’m with the Ritz,” he says, takes my bag and steers me to the one passport-control lane with no line. “She’s a VIP,” he murmurs to someone as we pass, prompting a man to gawk briefly before, not recognizing me as a celebrity, turning away disappointed. I want to tell him I’m not famous—every guest with a reservation at the Ritz Paris receives this courteous escort—but my guide efficiently gets me through passport control, baggage claim and customs, then places me in a limousine. Traffic slows us down; even the Ritz can’t always erase Paris congestion. Eventually we arrive at Place Vendôme, where the Ritz—an iconic palace hotel, the first in the world to offer electricity and telephones in every room—commands the square.
© VINCENT LEROUX
It’s 8 a.m., and my suite is ready. When I admit surprise—and relief, since rooms rarely await weary arrivals after overnight flights—the front desk manager smiles and says, “At the Ritz, your suite will always be ready, Madame.” It’s true: the Ritz Paris is the only hotel in the city that guarantees your room will be available immediately upon arrival. Waiting staff present a petit déjeuner—warm croissants, fresh-squeezed orange juice and coffee in a silver pot—along with a bottle of Champagne and a bathtub adorned with gilded bird-shaped faucets. My suite overlooks an astonishing private garden; walls are paneled in classic boiserie and enriched with sumptuous fabrics—gaufrage velvet, satin damask, ornate fringe and braided trim—and the hotel’s original gilded switches gleam. The attention to historical detail and luxurious comfort is so complete that for a moment I almost forget we are still in a pandemic. With meticulous service, deep-rooted history and a clear commitment to COVID safety, the Ritz Paris demonstrates that dream travel can resume without sacrificing care.
An obvious trend among post-quarantine travelers is a desire to travel boldly. Those who postponed milestone trips—anniversaries, honeymoons, family reunions or once-in-a-lifetime adventures—are often eager to make up for lost time. “I couldn’t wait to make up for lost time,” says Boulder-based entrepreneur Beryl Stafford, who began booking trips after vaccination. “Every trip should be a bucket-list trip.” The pandemic taught many people that waiting for the perfect moment to travel isn’t always possible; when opportunities arise, they’re taking them.
“Clients want the best, and they’re staying longer. COVID taught us life is too short and too unpredictable to not explore and do it right,” explains Keith Waldon of Departure Lounge, a Virtuoso-affiliated travel agency focused on luxury travel. With sales far above pre-pandemic levels, Waldon sees luxury travel rebounding first. Travelers are returning to cities both domestically and abroad, while demand remains strong for private villas, beach and nature resorts across North and Central America, the Caribbean, much of Europe, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa and the South Pacific.
PHOTO: © INNA FELKER | DREAMSTIME.COM
Dream trips such as African safaris are particularly sought-after. “We are virtually sold out for most of 2022, with large multigenerational families and milestone celebrations—anniversaries, birthdays and honeymoons—making up most of the demand,” says Dennis Pinto of Micato Safaris. PR veteran Laura Davidson notes a general return of optimism in travel: whether it’s a local weekend escape, a visit across the pond to friends in the U.K. or the long-postponed family reunion, people are planning trips for 2022. With sensible precautions—masks, vaccinations and solid cleanliness protocols—the industry is poised for a rebound as travel freedoms re-emerge.
Still, some consumers remain cautious. “After a traumatic, unprecedented pandemic, it’s understandable why many people might hesitate to hop on the next overseas flight,” says Brandon Berkson, whose concierge service helps travelers navigate the irregularities of post-pandemic travel. His team plans itineraries with health and safety protocols in mind, increasing traveler comfort and helping guests confidently return to exploring the world.
Travel habits had already been evolving before COVID, and the pandemic accelerated several shifts. Hilton tracked changing guest preferences and identified clear trends, including a renewed focus on wellness and health. As routines shifted, travelers sought grounding and balance while on the road; gyms and pools became essential amenities, and many guests adapted by using their rooms for in-room workouts when preferred.
PHOTO: © THAMMARAT SUKWAT | DREAMSTIME .COM
Pet travel surged as well: with millions of U.S. households welcoming new pets during the pandemic, search data showed “pet-friendly” filters become among the most-used booking tools. In response, several hotel brands expanded pet-friendly offerings and developed partnerships to better support traveling pet owners. At the same time, work and leisure blended more than ever, giving rise to the “workcation” trend—business needs combined with leisure travel—an arrangement hotels plan to accommodate going forward.
The last two years have been unpredictable, with shifting regulations and evolving public-health concerns. Travelers should continue to research destinations, verify current entry requirements and choose providers that support their needs—whether it’s a hotel that arranges a return COVID test or one that welcomes pets. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to travel again. As Oprah Winfrey put it, “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” Bon voyage!