Regions of Operation: Generalist

Countries of Expertise: Europe, Japan, South Africa

Special Categories: Family Travel, Milestone Celebrations, Over the Top Trips

What type of traveler loves your trips: Our clients span various life stages, but overall we have cultivated a niche that resonates with those who have a discerning eye for design and a high taste level. Our aesthetic sensibility tends to be what attracts clients to us, as we share similar preferences and values. Currently, we are intentional about working with fewer clients on a longer-term basis, enabling us to dedicate more time to each relationship and provide an elevated level of service. Over the past several years, our emphasis has organically shifted towards family travel and multi-generational trips, aligning with our clients’ evolving needs. In the post-pandemic era, as clients increasingly value luxury, access, and exclusivity, the emphasis on service for our ultra-luxe clients has become paramount. As advisors, we understand that the ultimate luxury lies in not having to think about service because every detail has been meticulously handled already. Anticipating clients’ needs has become integral to our approach. Clients also recognize travel as a significant lifestyle investment, akin to decisions in interior design, finance or real estate, and understand the value of engaging an expert to oversee it.

What do you do that competing specialists can’t/won’t: Arbiter stands out in two distinct ways: our aesthetic sensibility, and our relational approach. As self-proclaimed “arbiters of taste” in the travel industry, we take pride in the stunning destinations and accommodations we find and direct our clients to. Drawing from a background in the design world, aesthetics play a pivotal role in our travel planning—we’d rather lose a client than send someone somewhere we don’t feel good about, and prioritize our clients’ experiences over mere bookings. Our goal is to know clients well enough to anticipate their wants and needs. We thoroughly explore clients’ travel history, personal style, culinary preferences, and interests, down to details like allergies and preferred scents. To us, itinerary design is an art form that seamlessly marries these two pillars. Our passion lies in the relentless pursuit of uncovering the finest hotels, restaurants, shops, and cultural events and exhibits around the world. We sift through the noise of Instagram, identifying only the truly worthwhile hotspots. Dining reservations, just one facet of our itinerary design, aren’t sourced from a standard concierge list; they’re pieces of a puzzle we assemble based on various factors— from sunset times to pre-dinner drinks to traffic routes to opening hours to the right mix of fancy and casual – ensuring a perfectly balanced lineup. We integrate our understanding of clients’ preferences with careful vetting, crafting curated experiences that appear effortlessly seamless.

What is one of your all-time favorite experiences you’ve been able to pull off for guests? I’ve had the honor of collaborating with a client who has become a dear friend. Our journey began unknowingly with what was to be her engagement trip to Paris, where her (now) husband proposed on the Pont des Arts — the first stop of their itinerary. I’ll always remember the videos and texts I got from them, it brought me so much joy. That trip obviously quickly changed from being a normal European getaway to a milestone celebration, we swiftly alerted our hotel partners along the way for the remainder of their destinations – arranging framed photos from the engagement day, along with champagne and special treats and notes. A year later I worked with the couple in planning their honeymoon, revisiting many locations from their engagement trip. Throughout, I coordinated more surprise mementos and arrangements, creating a seamless thread of cherished memories. Now, as they eagerly await the arrival of their first child, the nature of their trips may undergo a delightful shift. The evolution of these journeys and the privilege of playing a small role in their love story epitomize the extraordinary nature of the client-advisor relationship—a testament to why I am deeply passionate about this profession.

How do you deal with unforeseen issues on the ground? I have an innate ability to stay calm during stressful situations (or to at least make it seem that I am on the outside!). And because of my amazing network of international partners on the ground, I am able to trust that (almost) everything will work out. Not going into panic mode enables me to approach situations with reason and a level head. After years of learning through experience, I now try to be more proactive than reactive, and get ahead of any issues to find a resolution before the client even knows there was an issue. When that’s not an option, I am a proponent of transparency and accountability. I work to make things right with both clients and suppliers in these situations.