you have to be a real diva to get anything out of the butler service that you can't already get at a five star hotel. like having your bath drawn for you, or afternoon tea. which of course you can get anyway. don't get me wrong...i was able to pull out my inner diva for the experience. but overall, if you are staying at a luxury property you can get any service you ask for. but the st. regis new york was lovely. this year, however, we are choosing the lowell....

Just as an example, last month, we were in Rome, staying at our favorite hotel there, the St. Regis Grand, and we had butler service during our entire stay. (We made sure we didn’t overdo it, however, as we know the Managing Director of the hotel and he had provided the butler service to us on a complimentary basis.) Nevertheless, it was very nice to come back to our room either in the late afternoon or at night, right after dinner, and to ask the butler to bring some tea, scones and cakes down to us, all free of charge. He would appear with exactly what we wanted, usually in about ten minutes or so (in sharp contrast to the twenty to thirty minutes that it might have taken using regular room service). Perhaps it’s not the greatest of value to pay about US$150 per day, which is typical of what you’d be charged in a five-star hotel for butler service, but it’s wonderful if it’s provided to you on a complimentary basis!

Depending on the hotel butler service can really be a great service. If I am only going to be staying for a couple of days I never really use the service of a butler but for longer stays it makes it very nice. Having someone to do in-room pressing, laundry, tea service, pre-dinner canapes, unpack and repack your clothing, store your luggage, etc can be nice for longer trips. I think it makes the biggest difference when you are onboard a cruise ship. I have found a major contrast between different cruise lines though and what they expect of their butlers. On board Silversea the butlers are amazing, they do everything for you and make every detail perfect onboard and ashore. While I was on a cruise from Rome, Italy to Santiago, Chile the butler we had really did a fantastic job. One evening in Buenos Aires he actually made a day reservation at the Four Seasons Hotel for us and brought ashore a change of wardrobe so we could enjoy dinner at the Alvear Palace without having to return to the ship. Now on Regent and Seabourn the butler service is very limited and cheap in comparison. I say, if it is offered go for it, it can make things a bit more interesting and relaxed.

Thank you! (I've heard good things about the Silversea too)

Just looked up the St Regis Grand, how beautiful..