5 questions to consider when you're booking a 5-star hotel

Grand hotel room with double bed, fireplace and armchairs

Before checking in, I like to know if there will be a chance to meet the chef and other team members who bring the place to life. I’m also keen to hear if children are welcome everywhere or if there are quiet zones, about the liveliest local markets, and to see if the places I plan to eat at get the hotel’s seal of approval.

To go further, I asked general managers, owners and chefs of five-star hotels around the world what upfront knowledge they consider important, and why. To help you make the most of a luxury escape, here are the top themes that emerged - and the smart questions to ask.

For more expert travel inspiration and guides, check out our pick of the best European hidden gem hotels, hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants and the 10 trickiest places to get a table in London - with tips on how to get in!

What to ask when booking a 5-star hotel

Insider and priority access

What to ask:

“What experiences or spots do your regulars never miss?”
Stuart Procter, The Beaumont, Mayfair

"Can the concierge secure reservations at hard-to-get-into restaurants?"
Ludo de Jong, Anantara The Marker Dublin

"Can your concierge help secure access to exclusive local experiences? Do in-house guests receive priority access to the hotel’s bar and fine dining?"
Tiziana Laterza, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Italy

A great concierge can transform your trip, by getting you a last-minute table at a hot new restaurant or securing hard-to-get gallery tickets - offering insider access that, typically, travellers can’t obtain on their own. Look for hotels that emphasise relationships, not just logistics. Ludo de Jong advises you to ‘ask about the concierge’s connections and success rate and if they are a member of Les Clefs d’Or’ [a professional association driven to setting new standards for guest service perfection]'.

'A well-connected concierge should also point you to the kind of places that haven’t been over-exposed on Instagram. You want a hotel that helps you discover the destination, not just skim it’, says Stuart Procter. In sought-after spots, hotels often have restaurants and bars with reputations of their own; ask if being a guest gets you early booking rights or VIP seating.

View of The Beaumont Hotel, large white building — Credit: The Beaumont

Local flavour

What to ask:

"Can the hotel arrange local food experiences such as cooking classes or market tours?"
Christian Spalvieri, Palazzo Ripetta, Rome

"Where do you go to eat on your day off?"
Caitlin Owens, Fowlescombe, Devon

Once you're at the hotel, asking the right questions can make your experience even more memorable and help you get the most out of your stay. Some of the best travel memories happen over a chopping board, market stall or at the table of a little-known cafe. Ask if you can meet the chef or visit the kitchen (just be realistic – if it’s a big-name chef this will be unlikely), forage for ingredients, or cook with artisans who supply the hotel. Sometimes the best meal of your trip is at the in-house restaurant, sometimes it’s at a humble local spot loved by the team. ‘By asking staff for their preferences you’ll get off the tourist track and be onto a winner’ says Caitlin Owens. They’re passionate about their part of the world and enjoy supporting their community by sharing their knowledge.

Coffee table of food surrounded by purple sofas — Credit: Palazzo Ripetta

Responsible, sustainable luxury

What to ask:

“What is the hotel’s approach to sustainable luxury?"
Tiziana Laterza, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

"What sustainability practices and local partnerships are you cultivating?"
Mounia Ezzaher, Villa Maroc and Les Jardins de Villa Maroc

This is not just about using your towels for an extra day or two. ‘Today’s guests - especially younger, affluent travellers - want to know their indulgence doesn’t come at the planet’s expense. Sustainability is increasingly synonymous with high-end hospitality’ says Tiziana Laterza. If a hotel supports its community and environment, it’s investing in its future and yours. From growing its own food and sourcing local, organic produce to using electric vehicles, using natural water filtration systems and solar-powered energy to reducing food waste, a hotel that takes pride in its sustainability programme will happily show you their credentials.

Swimming pool and cabana — Credit: Les Jardins

One-of-a-kind experiences

What to ask:

"What one-of-a-kind experiences can I expect that I won’t find elsewhere?"
Tiziana Laterza, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

"What unique experiences do you offer beyond the hotel stay?"
Mounia Ezzaher, Villa Maroc and Les Jardins de Villa Maroc

There is a difference between a stay and a story: a candlelit dinner on your terrace, a private arrival by helicopter, or a boat trip to a secret cove will be what you’ll remember more than crisp bedlinen and an awesome lobby (though those are important, too!). Don’t be shy to ask about unique ways to enhance your stay. From lively souk tours to playing pétanque under olive trees, memories are often found in the smallest details. Mounia Ezzaher says ‘Travel is immersive, and a hotel should reflect the character, rhythm, and beauty of its setting’.

View over the sea from rooftop table — Credit: Villa Maroc

The personal touch

What to ask:

"How does the hotel personalise my stay before I even arrive?"
Tiziana Laterza, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

“Does the hotel offer any personalised tours or experiences to explore the area?’
Simon Hall, The Welbeck Hotel, Marylebone

‘Pre-arrival calls to ask about your room scent, pillow preferences, dietary requirements and interests reflects attention to detail and the level of bespoke service you can expect’ says Tiziana Laterza. Simon Hall adds ‘Personalised tours (especially with insider access to hidden gems in the city) give depth to a luxury stay ensuring a memorable experience.’ Ask if private tours can be tailored to your specific interests. These gestures signal a hotel that genuinely wants to know you, not just host you.

Finally, what NOT to ask

Frame any concerns you have positively: “What’s included in the room rate?” or “Are there any events or maintenance to be aware of during my dates?” These questions show the hotel that you care about your stay and set the tone for the thoughtful, tailored service you’re likely to receive in return.

The Beaumont’s Stuart Proctor says “There’s nothing wrong with hoping for an upgrade, but there’s an art to asking. Rather than going straight in with a demand, focus on letting the hotel know why your stay is special (a celebration, a long-awaited trip). The hospitality world is full of people who want to surprise and delight and when there’s space to do so, they often will.”