Luxury Escapes takes giant tech leap with acquisition of online travel player

Luxury Escapes has announced a major tech investment with the acquisition of New-York-based hotel booking platform Porter & Sail.

The company was founded in 2015 by Caitlin Zaino and Deepak Shrivastava, and has partnered with hundreds of hotels globally to offer flexible bookings and exclusive savings “for travellers seeking community, connectivity and culture”.

With the acquisition of Porter & Sail, Luxury Escapes co-founder Adam Schwab said members will be able to easily upgrade their room, arrange early check-ins, late checkouts and book in-hotel services such as spa treatments, restaurant reservations and local experiences via the Luxury Escapes mobile app.

“We are always looking for new ways to enhance the travel experience – making in-travel experiences seamless and easy is incredibly important,” he said.

“The ability to make bookings and purchase valuable add-ons like room upgrades, day trips, dining and spa bookings will ensure that Luxury Escapes creates the world’s best holiday experience for all our members, from the moment they book their trip, until they return home.”

As part of the acquisition, Zaino will join Luxury Escapes as general manager of guest experience, focusing on using technology to optimise the in-travel experience.

“Luxury Escapes is an exceptional company, and bringing Porter & Sail’s guest technology to the group offers a unique opportunity to proliferate our innovative platform to millions of members and leading hotels worldwide,” she said.

“With an ever-increasing demand for bespoke stays and contactless travel, this acquisition will further define Luxury Escapes’ footprint as a global leader in travel.”

The acquisition comes just days after a new entrant to the online travel landscape welcomed the challenge against Luxury Escapes and TripADeal.