Travel Advisor

Dave Gillan

He/Him

Expertise

Asia,
Europe,
USA,
Caribbean,
Luxury Travel,
Wellness & Spa

Based in

United Kingdom

Languages spoken

English

Minimum booking Budget

$250/night

Travel Advisor

Dave Gillan

Profile details

About

Dave loves organizing, experiencing and writing about all aspects of luxury travel. From a selective curation of the world’s best hotels and resorts to the finest ways to travel — by air or luxury residential trains. Bespoke local experiences also feature highly in his exclusive itineraries. Attention to detail is second to none.

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Travel style

ThePrivateTraveller focuses on curated luxury travel experiences in some of the world's most sought-after destinations. These include vibrant cities like New York and Tokyo, serene beach getaways in places like the Maldives and Bali and culturally rich locations such as Rome and Marrakech. The site emphasizes luxury, exclusivity and authentic local experiences in each destination, offering insights and recommendations tailored for discerning travelers seeking unique, high-end journeys.

Dave's travel guides & trip reports

Trip Report

Chenot Palace Weggis: Inside Switzerland's Most Exclusive Wellness Retreat

Chenot Palace Weggis is one of the most transformative wellness experiences I’ve ever had the privilege to enjoy. Tucked away on the shores of Lake Lucerne, this medical-grade spa retreat combines...

Trip Report

Luxury Spa Experience at The Retreat, Blue Lagoon Iceland

Balance of exclusivity, tranquility and natural beauty. From the moment I stepped into the private spa area, I felt completely immersed in an atmosphere of serenity. I was surrounded by Iceland’s...

Trip Report

Mid-Century Magic & Luxury Living: My Palm Springs Modernism Week Experience

Palm Springs has long been a playground for Hollywood’s elite, and during Modernism Week, it transforms into a living museum of mid-century design, art and culture. As a luxury traveler, I was...

Guide

Luxury California Escape: LA, Palm Springs & Joshua Tree

California is a dream destination that effortlessly blends urban luxury, desert serenity and coastal beauty. From the iconic glamor of Los Angeles to the retro-chic vibes of Palm Springs and the...

Guide

Luxury USA Itinerary: Boston & New York Highlights

At The Private Traveller, I specialize in curating bespoke travel experiences that blend luxury, culture and unforgettable moments. My USA travel itinerary blogs, featuring Boston and New York,...

A tall tower with a statue of a man in the front during the daytime

Guide

Reykjavik's Elite Escape: A Luxury Iceland Itinerary

Iceland had long been on my travel radar, so I was thrilled to finally visit. I flew direct from London with British Airways to Keflavik (KEF) Airport and stayed four nights at the centrally-located...

The outside of a building next to a forest-covered hill

Guide

Luxury Escapes: A Journey Through Raffles Singapore, Bintan's Beauty and Malaysia's Datai Paradise

I have a passion for curating unique trips, and one thing I've learned is that travel plans often evolve along the way. Originally, the focus of this journey was Malaysia — a country I've only...

An ornate gate opens to a serene view of the sea and distant land.

Guide

Luxury Escape to Istanbul & Cappadocia: A Bespoke Journey

Turkey is a destination that seamlessly blends ancient history with modern luxury, making it truly special. Istanbul captivates with its vibrant culture, iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and...

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Favorite hotels

The Oberoi Marrakech

Surrounded by 28 acres of Mediterranean orchards, this posh hotel in Marrakech boasts elegant rooms with views of the Atlas Mountains.

Fora Perks

★
$100 food / beverage or spa credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Royal Portfolio

Located in South Africa's Franschhoek Valley, this luxurious retreat is renowned for its opulent suites with panoramic vineyard views, gourmet dining, curated wine experiences and a serene spa: elegance and personal service in a breathtaking natural setting.

Fora Perks

★
$100 food / beverage or spa credit OR $100 donation to The Royal Portfolio Foundation.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Hotel Cafe Royal, London

Glamorous hotel bordering sophisticated Mayfair and buzzing Soho with a history of star-studded British guests.

Fora Perks

★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Londoner Hotel

A new-concept “super-boutique” hotel close to Leicester Square, with intimate and insider service and all the amenities and access of an urban resort.

Fora Perks

★
$100 resort / hotel credit.
★
Welcome amenity.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Song Saa Private Island

With pristine beaches, luxurious villas and a commitment to protecting the surrounding marine environment, guests can immerse themselves in a world of natural beauty and indulgence.

Fora Perks

★
$100 food / beverage credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Greenwich Hotel New York

Tribeca’s award-winning hotel, with a home-away-from-home vibe, locals-favorite restaurant and must-visit subterranean pool and spa.

Fora Perks

★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Langham, London

Luxurious London hotel with elegant suites and city views perfect as a home base for exploring the British capital.

Fora Perks

★
$100 food & beverage credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Six Senses Yao Noi

A seaside resort with luxe rooms and suites surrounded by tropical rainforest, located alongside the Andaman Sea.

Fora Perks

★
$100 food / beverage or spa credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon

A luxurious eco-resort located on a private island in the Seychelles, offering unparalleled natural beauty and sustainable luxury.

Fora Perks

★
Food & beverage / spa credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Dave's travel photos

View of a beautiful private villa with swimming pool on a sunny day

View of a long empty hotel swimming pool next to a red building with white trim on a sunny day

Beautiful view of a massive waterfall on a sunny day

View of hotel pool and lounge chairs in the Seychelles on a sunny day

View of the ocean and clear skies as seen from a window

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Dave's reviews

Friendly and efficient service from an extremely knowledgeable agent.

Lamont L.
Booked travel to Scotland
March 2025

Everything Dave said happened and not his fault the hotel didn’t deliver the product.

Jason P.
Booked travel to Singapore
February 2025

Dave has been amazing. He is very responsive and does his best to find and/or match deals online. I travel a lot for various reasons, within a month of working with Dave, he is handling all of my travel that I can send his way.

Varun G.
Booked travel to Las Vegas
February 2025

Dave was very helpful and I especially appreciated his really quick email responses. That is normally my frustration, that conversations over email tend to drag out over time, but not with Dave - that was almost like chatting real time! Will most certainly come back for help next time we are travelling!

Josefin H.
Booked travel to Seychelles
February 2025

Get in touch with Dave

Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

You can normally expect a response from Dave within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).