The Travel Agent Database

Happy Hotelers who book travel and can help you if and when you need it.

Well this was a huge success. I’m thrilled with the compilation of travel agents below, all paid subscribers of Happy Hoteling. I love that specialties are varied, as are affiliations. The goal is for this to be a resource you come back to whenever you’re looking to actually book the trip. If any new submissions come through, I will update!

Because the search function on Substack is tricky, I’m keeping this as its own post.

See you Sunday, I hope everyone has a lovely week.

xMarissa

P.S. Travel agent and travel advisor are interchangeable, if that confuses you.

Happy Hotelers to Plan & Book Your Travel

EMMY PANKEN

“I am originally from New York and moved to London in 2022 to scratch my lifelong itch of living in another country post university. I, like you, look for the special hotel. Cookie cutter, monster sized hotels don’t do it for me. I like the unique, under the radar but especially cool hotels, the ones that make you feel like you just discovered the next best thing and want to preserve its special-ness…authentic and historical. I specialize in luxury (mostly off the beaten path) European itineraries - Italy, France, Spain, The UK, Sweden, Denmark (lots of honeymoons) as well as Japan and my list is growing.”

emmy.panken@fora.travel

GRACE FOLEY

“I'm a luxury travel advisor with Arbiter Travel and a new mom. We're a California-based boutique agency that specializes in design hotels, off-the-bean-path experiences, and concierge-level service. We're a female-founded team and have planned almost every destination between the six of us. I personally love planning milestone travel for discerning couples and multi-gen - Europe, Africa, Australia/NZ, Japan, and SE Asia.”

@gracefoletravel | @arbitertravel | www.arbitertravel.com

HEATHER JAMES

“My name is Heather James and I am with Rapture Travels, part of Brownell.”

heather.james@rapturetravels.com

HEATHER WITTE

“I am the agency owner of @WELuxeTravel and experienced, top producing, luxury advisor. I specialize in luxury hotel bookings, Europe FIT (with a focus on Italy) and five star Caribbean. We are affiliated with Virtuoso and Preferred Partners with all of the lux brands, including Four Seasons, STARS, Belmond, Dorchester, etc. We can do simple hotel bookings, immersive custom itineraries and everything in between.”

heather@weluxetravel.com

JAKE POVLOW

“My name is Jake Povlow with Fora Travel. Thank you again for the opportunity! I specialize in all things Europe and love planning out of the box itinerary’s for travel lovers. More specifically Mediterranean: Italian Coast, Spain, South of France, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece :) Hotels and private tours/excursions.”

jake.povlow@fora.travel

JENNIFER SCHWARTZ

“I'm a Philadelphia-based advisor, specializing in bespoke luxury itineraries. I suit every itinerary to the needs, wants, and desires of my clients, and aim for them to come away from their trip with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world. In this way, travel becomes a catalyst for growth. I'm always looking for hidden gems, authentic experiences, and encourage my travelers to allow themselves the time to relax into and truly experience their destination.”

zigzagwithjenn.com | jenn@zigzagwithjenn.com

JESSICA MANLEY

From Marissa: this is the only name on the list who I know IRL, so can personally vouch that she’s a bona fide Good Person with Good Taste on all the fronts and I would trust her with my own personal travel.

“With a life spent across the UK, Spain, Peru, Argentina, and now Mexico City, I have always been drawn to uncovering the true essence of a place. Atelier Curioso is about transforming travel into a deeply personal experience—whether it’s learning a three-generation tamale recipe from an abuelita or stepping into the private workshop of a renowned artist to create alongside them. We thrive in driving meaningful connections that can open hidden doors around the world.

Our agency specializes in trips that include art/design, food & beverage, and one-of-a-kind hotels that make you want to return again and again. We don’t do cookie-cutter travel—every itinerary is handcrafted, immersive, and designed to ignite curiosity at every turn.”

jessica@ateliercurioso.com | ateliercurioso.com | @ateliercurioso | Virtuoso Member

JORDAN HABBERSTAD

“I'm a luxury travel advisor and founder of Atelier Le Monde, crafting bespoke itineraries for discerning travelers. Based in Los Angeles, I specialize in multi-stop honeymoons, milestone trips, and multi-generational travel across Europe (with a focus on Italy, Spain, and France), Africa, and Southeast Asia. I seek out luxury hotels with a story, uncover hidden gems through local chefs, and arrange immersive experiences like private cooking classes in family-owned kitchens. Whether it’s hotel-only bookings or full-service trip design, I curate authentic yet elevated experiences tailored to your preferences—seamless, thoughtful, and entirely your own.”

@atelierle_monde (instagram); jordan@atelierlemonde.co

JOYE FROM CARBIE TRAVELS

“I'm Dutch, based in Barcelona. Over the past decade, I have worked for some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts in the Maldives, Amsterdam and Monaco, being commercially responsible for many bespoke weddings, private stays, and experiences for the world's elite. I feel our taste is very similar, as I'm always on the lookout for hotels with a sense of place and not heavily brand focused.

The places where I’ve lived, especially Maldives where I spent the last 3,5 years, is where my personal passion lays.”

joye@carbietravels.com - independent affiliate of Little Emperors

JULIA HUGG

“I'm a travel advisor that specializes in boutique luxury hotels and experiences with a sense of place. I regularly plan milestone trips like honeymoons, family and multigen, safari & more. My travels have taken me around the world, and I’m passionate about authentically experiencing each destination in a way that aligns with my values and interests. That means prioritizing interior design and architecture, responsibly engaging with nature and wildlife, shopping from artisan makers, savoring local food & wine and learning about a place’s unique people, history & culture.”

@huggtravelco or huggtravelco.com

KAREN MORALES

“I specialize in family and multi-gen, with a particular practice and experience for the best experiences for those with adaptive needs: wheelchairs, food allergies, traveling with elders: here for it. It needs to be special and perfect for everyone.”

karen.morales@fora.travel; @gojoyward

MICHELLE ZERATSKY

“My ideal clients are couples and families looking to connect with new destinations in Western Europe and the Caribbean and want their accommodations be a part of that connection.”

michelle@particularharbor.com; @particularharbor_travel on Insta; particularharbor.com

NIKKI SHINER

“Speciality: Australia, New Zealand, but love all Europe and Asia too!”

nikki.shiner@fora.travel

RACHEL SOLEIL LERCH

“Luxury Travel Advisor & Culinary Expert based in NYC with STG, a Virtuoso + Jetset World Travel affiliated agency. I specialize in culinary-focused travel experiences, with a particular affinity for Italy (because obviously!). I’d love to help with thoughtfully crafted itineraries, VIP hotel bookings, and more.”

rachel@steubertravelgroup.com; @LifestyleCurator

TARIKA RICHTER

“Specialty family travel.”

tarika.richter@fora.travel

ZOE SCHAEFFER

“I book lots of cool luxury travel - mostly in Europe, Japan, Morocco, Egypt, Mexico, Central & South America.....also obsessed with magical hotels. Currently writing from Nour El Nil!”

zoe.schaeffer@fora.travel

Any requests?! Let me know, I’m all ears.

Thanks so much for being here.

xx Your Penpal,

Marissa