About Us
Why we created Andaré
After years of working on both the hotel side and the client side looking for ideal venues for their meetings and events, we set out to create what we had always wanted but could never find – one resource that would include not only luxury hotels around the globe, but also things for groups to do around those hotels in destinations that would be appropriate for incentive travel. There are sites where this information can be found, but it takes some searching and once intriguing options are found, there is always a question of whether or not there are activities and venues nearby that high-end groups would enjoy. This information can be gathered by researching and reaching out to local DMCs or by searching on the web, but this takes time, perhaps days. Surely there could be a way to allow planners to have this information at their fingertips and in such a format that it would be available within seconds, perhaps while a planner is talking to a client. That is what we set out to do.
Quick access to vetted luxury hotels – all brands on one site
It was important that the curated collection of hotels were those that planners would feel comfortable recommending. Therefore, only the luxury brands of hotel companies such as Marriot, Hyatt and Hilton are included as are renowned companies including Belmond, Rosewood, Montage and Auberge. In addition to these we also wanted to include properties that have received accolades from Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast and collections such as Leading Hotels of the World and Relais & Chateaux. There are so many outstanding hotels around the world, many of which are hidden gems – we wanted to help planners find these but also feel comfortable recommending them, knowing that they have been vetted.
Global DMC resources
The next piece of the puzzle was to find experts in the most popular incentive destinations, but also options that are off the beaten path. To do that, we partnered with highly respected destination management companies in these locales, relying on them to include highlights and suggestions for activities and dining venues. Of course not everything in the destination would be included but our goal was to have the DMCs provide a taste of the area so planners would know if the destination is worth more consideration for each particular group. “What about Vienna? Would that be an option?” We wanted our users to be able to answer that question with a click of a button. “Yes, there are beautiful hotels such as….and there are some really interesting things that the group can do that include…..” Not only would the results be immediate and informative, they would also be intriguing!
Welcome to Andaré
We have had a ball creating the site, meeting wonderful people and learning about amazing destinations. That said, it has been many months in the making. A common phrase has become, “If it was easy, someone else would have done it.” While we will never be done, we feel we have a good start on a great resource to help those across the industry that are looking for information, contacts and inspiration. We will continue to add to and improve the experience and we welcome any suggestions or ideas you may wish to share.
Enjoy!