HOW WE WORK
Not sure how this works? You’re not alone.
We get it — booking with a travel advisor can feel murky, especially if you’ve only ever booked directly with the hotel or used big online booking sites (OTAs). Here’s how we work — and why it often gets you a better trip (and a better deal) than booking on your own.
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO
We’re not influencers. We’re not some anonymous booking hotline. We don’t push pre-packaged trips with zero context.
We help you choose the right hotel and book it — with better perks, pricing, and support than the big sites.
Sometimes you pay the hotel directly. Sometimes it’s through a trusted partner. Either way, it’s secure, and you’ll always know exactly what you’re booking.
We don’t just recommend — we book, coordinate, and follow through. Once you approve the plan, we take care of the rest — every last detail.
WHY CLIENTS BOOK THROUGH US
Sometimes the best deal isn’t on the hotel’s site — and that’s why we exist.
We know how to access direct rates, hidden partner perks, and industry-only offers — and match you with the best version of that hotel.
In most cases, you’ll pay the same or less than booking direct — and get extra perks like upgrades, resort credits, and early check-in.
We get paid by the hotel, not by you. No hidden fees. No pressure.
MOST ADVISORS ARE LIMITED — WE’RE NOT
Most travel advisors can only book through one system — tied to their agency or host. That means limited access, limited pricing, and limited flexibility — even if it’s not the best outcome for you.
Unlike most agencies though, FORA is non-exclusive — which means we’re not locked into their systems. We get all the benefits of their preferred partnerships without losing the freedom to book through our own channels. That flexibility lets us work directly with hotels and DMCs when it gives you better value — especially in destinations like the Maldives, French Polynesia, and other remote luxury regions.
FORA’s reach + our independence = better pricing, more perks, and more control.
HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AGENTS
MOST AGENTS:
Book hotels they’ve never been to
Push properties with higher commissions
Work from scripts or supplier emails
Sell travel to family & friendsas a side hustle or hobby
VOYAGER GURU:
Have reviewed hundreds of luxury hotels in person
Recommend what’s right — not what pays more
Built our brand on real guest experience, not sales targets
We know the difference between a good deal and a trap
We didn’t become travel advisors to get free stays at hotels.
We became advisors because we were already staying in —
and reviewing — the best hotels in the world.
WE DON’T CHASE COMMISSIONS
Yes, we make money when you book — but never at your expense. Some agents push one hotel over another because they earn more from it. We don’t.
We book across multiple platforms. We have no loyalty to one brand or supplier. Our loyalty is to you — and getting the most out of your experience.
We started Voyager Guru to fix what we saw going wrong in the travel industry: bad recommendations, glossy marketing, and no one looking out for the guest. That hasn’t changed.
We built this business on trust — and we protect that with every booking.
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Maren was fantastic in assisting me in booking my trip and helping us feel very well taken care of. She was an excellent resource, knowledgeable and approachable, and I could not have done it without her!
Gloria H.
Working with Maren made planning for my trip a breeze. In addition to snagging me a great rate and a room upgrade, she offered thoughtful suggestions for activities and spa services. I am incredibly happy I found her travel advising website - she is a true gem!
Darcy F.
Maren made the trip planning so easy and also provided the best deal on booking rates!
Christopher Y.
Maren listened thoughtfully to what we wanted and hoped to achieve for this trip and then proceeded to give us the exact experience we were looking for. It was a fabulous trip, expertly planned. Thank you.
Diana B.
Maren was incredibly helpful, very responsive, and had lots of useful insights!
Amy P.
Maren did an amazing job organizing our trip. She provided a wealth of information that was incredibly helpful for both selecting the resort, as well as knowing what we should pack for/expect on the trip. We really appreciate how hard she worked to secure the best possible deal that allowed us to stay at our dream location within our planned budget. We will definitely work with Maren and the Voyager Guru team again!
Travis S.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BOOKING THROUGH US
We’ve personally reviewed hundreds of hotels — and we don’t push properties just because they pay more. We built this business on trust, not commissions.
No, for most bookings our fees are paid through commissions from the hotel or partner — not you. However, for complex multi-destination itineraries, of 3 stops of more, we do charge a $350 planning fee that gets credited back to your trip once you book $10K+ of travel through us.
Nope. In most cases, you’ll pay the same — or less — than booking direct. Plus, you’ll get extra perks and upgrades when available.
It depends entirely on the hotel or booking partner, but typical benefits include add ons like daily breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, or resort credits. We’ll always let you know what’s available before you book.
Send it our way — we can usually match it, beat it, or explain what’s missing. Some rates online don’t include perks, flexible terms, or real support. At the very least, we can confirm if really is the best deal available.
In many cases, yes — but it depends on the hotel and how the booking is made. We’ll always walk you through the tradeoffs and help you choose the best setup for your trip.
In most cases, yes — or better. We work directly with hotel teams to access direct rates and perks you won’t find on big sites. When the price is the same, we’ll usually still get you added value (like upgrades or resort credits).
Online booking sites (like the big OTAs, Costco, or flash deal platforms) operate on volume. They offer cheap rates but little support — and hotels often don’t know who’s coming until they show up.
When you book with us:
Your name is on the reservation — not a faceless travel site
We flag you to the hotel as a VIP guest (and follow up to make sure you're treated like one)
You get personalized recommendations, direct human support, and often added benefits at no extra cost
Hotels see us as partners — not just another booking channel. And that makes a big difference in how you're treated.
HOW BOOKING WORKS
Yes — you'll always receive a direct confirmation number once your booking is finalized, just as if you'd booked it yourself.
Not necessarily. Hotels often say “book direct” to steer guests away from big third-party sites — but working with a travel advisor is not the same as booking through an OTA.
When you book through us, you’re treated like a direct guest — often with added perks, upgrades, and priority handling. We work directly with hotel teams to ensure you’re looked after properly, and many hotels incentivize us to bring them great clients.
Typically just your full names (as shown on passports), travel dates. Many hotels do also require a credit card to hold the booking - in which case, we will share a secure link to collect your CC authorization. We’ll walk you through anything else needed — like dietary notes, celebration details, or transfer logistics.
Every trip is different — sometimes you’ll pay the hotel directly, sometimes through one of our trusted partners. Either way, payments are secure and you’ll always get full transparency before anything is finalized.
Absolutely. You’ll be a registered guest in the system just as if you booked direct. That said, we’re always here to step in if you need help getting a faster response or arranging something special.
In most cases, you’ll pay the hotel or tour operator directly. Some bookings are processed through our travel agency system, but either way, we’ll always walk you through exactly how and when payment is handled — no surprises.
It depends on the complexity of your trip — but for most hotel bookings, we can confirm everything within 24–48 hours. Multi-stop or custom trips may take longer depending on how much research is needed.
Yes! We work with luxury hotels and resorts that often provide our clients with upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, complimentary breakfasts, and other special perks.
PLANNING A TRIP
Not at all. Some clients have a hotel or two in mind, others just know the vibe they’re going for. Either way, we’ll help you figure out what’s worth it — and what’s not.
Pretty much. We’re not limited to one system or supply chain — we book across multiple platforms, partner programs, and direct relationships to get the best value for you.
Nope. We’re not loyal to one brand, supplier, or parent company. Our only loyalty is to our Clients and maximizing their experience as a guest — and we’ll tell you when a big-name hotel isn’t worth it.
In many cases, yes — but it depends on the hotel and how the booking is made. We’ll always walk you through the tradeoffs and help you choose the best setup for your trip.
We specialize in 4.5–5-star properties and high-end experiences, but we’re flexible if the fit is right. It’s more about the quality of the experience than the price tag.
Yes — especially if it involves hotels. For multi-destination itineraries, we help stitch together the right flow, coordinate logistics, and make sure the properties work well together.
Simple — click here to get started!
Yes! We specialize in personalized travel experiences, whether it’s a romantic getaway, a multigenerational family trip, or a destination wedding.
We have direct relationships with hotels and may have access to rooms that aren’t available online. Let us check for you! Worst case, we can find you a great alternative.
LOGISTICS & SUPPORT
We can assist with flight recommendations and routes but typically flights come with added fees for you if we book them on your behalf so we always recommend allowing us to help you find the flights you want and then you book them on your own. This gives you full control over the tickets without added fees.
Yes! We can book private transfers, car rentals, or chauffeur services to ensure a smooth arrival and departure. Note: if you are booking the Maldives, the transfer is always included.
Yes, if your airline allows it at the time of booking, we can assist with seat selection.
Absolutely! We can curate unique experiences like private tours, dining reservations, spa treatments, and adventure excursions.
Cancellation and change policies vary by hotel, airline, and tour provider. We always inform you of the terms before booking and assist with any modifications if needed.
That’s why you work with us. If anything comes up — missed transfer, overbooking, bad service — we escalate through our contacts to make it right. You’re not left dealing with call centers.
We don’t book flights using points, but we can advise you on the best way to redeem your miles for maximum value.
Yes, we highly recommend travel insurance and can guide you toward the best policy for your trip.
Every hotel is different, but when we say “VIP perks,” we mean real, tangible benefits you wouldn’t get on your own. These often include:
Room upgrades (subject to availability — and we flag you to increase your chances)
Daily complimentary breakfast
Resort or spa credits
Early check-in and late checkout
Personal welcome amenities
Priority for special requests (like room location, celebrations, etc.)
We work directly with hotel teams — not anonymous booking systems — so you’re more than just a name on a list. The goal is to make sure you’re looked after the way you should be.
Absolutely! We ensure hotels and travel providers are aware of any special requirements to make your trip as seamless as possible.
Still wondering if this is right for you?
Ask anything — we’ll help you figure it out, even if that means pointing you somewhere else.
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