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Jim

Jim Marchandt

I built Élan Getaways the same way I travel: personal, curious, and always chasing the moments you never find in a brochure. I care about how a place feels when you arrive—its quiet corners, its views at sunrise, the textures, the privacy, and all the small details that stay in your mind long after you leave.

Élan Getaways is my own project to track down the world’s most unforgettable island escapes and share them the way a real traveler experiences them. Every guide comes from how I actually plan trips: obsessing over room layouts, privacy, views, dining, beaches, and the little touches that make a resort genuinely special.

Some of these places I’ve stayed myself; others are on my active shortlist. But I only feature resorts I’d confidently choose for my own bucket-list travels.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a celebration, or your next quiet escape, I want you to feel like you have a trusted companion—someone giving you honest insight, real expectations, and curated recommendations so you can book with confidence and turn your getaway into something unforgettable.

Every guide I write comes from my own planning style: detailed, honest, and driven by finding the moments worth remembering.

Take your time exploring the site — browse the guides, enjoy the features, and see what inspires you. And if you ever have a question or want a little extra insight, feel free to reach out anytime through the contact page below. I’m always happy to help.

— Jim

Élan Getaways — the world’s most trusted name in luxury travel inspiration.

⭐ Trusted by 50,000+ travelers  |  🌍 200+ destinations curated

Sunlit turquoise lagoon with overwater villas — luxury island escape

Élan Getaways
Where luxury meets legacy ∞

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Your Journey Perfected.

Why Book With Jim?

50,000+ bookings worldwide

Plan Your Next Luxury Escape

What’s your ideal luxury escape?

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✨ Luxury Travel Gear — Editor’s Picks

Hand-picked essentials for effortless, first-class travel. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On

LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On

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A rugged aluminum shell with smooth wheels and tight tolerances. Looks premium, protects gear, and competes with Rimowa without the markup.

TUMI Alpha Continental Expandable 4-Wheel Carry-On

TUMI Alpha Continental 4-Wheel (Expandable)

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Business-class durability with ballistic nylon and superb expandability. Ideal for frequent flyers who want long-term reliability.

Peak Design Packing Cube (Medium)

Peak Design Packing Cube (Medium)

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Lightweight, structured, and extremely efficient. The dual-compartment system and self-healing fabric make it the best cube on the market.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

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Top-tier noise cancellation and plush comfort. Excellent for long flights when you want maximum silence.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5

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Crisp, warm sound with elite transparency mode. Lightweight and great for both travel and everyday listening.

Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K)

Anker 737 Power Bank (24K)

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Huge capacity with 140W USB-C charging that can power laptops. A powerhouse for digital-heavy travel.

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter

EPICKKA Universal Travel Adapter

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Reliable, compact, and works nearly everywhere. Multiple USB ports make it ideal for charging your whole kit at once.

Apple AirTag (4-Pack)

Apple AirTag (4-Pack)

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Fast, accurate tracking through Apple’s Find My network. Perfect for luggage, backpacks, and checked bags.

trtl Travel Pillow Plus

trtl Travel Pillow Plus

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Scientifically designed neck support that actually fits airplane seats. Light and compact, unlike standard bulky pillows.

slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask

slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask

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Soft, light-blocking mulberry silk that’s gentle on skin and lashes. Great for flights and hotel rooms.

GoPro HERO12 Black

GoPro HERO12 Black

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Outstanding stabilization, brilliant color, and excellent low-light performance. A go-to camera for resort and adventure travel.

Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)

Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)

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Bright, crisp display with weeks of battery life. Waterproof build makes it perfect for poolside reading.

Resort Highlights

Explore breathtaking Sandals, Four Seasons, and Regent Cruises galleries — a curated visual journey through the world’s most luxurious destinations.

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What Our Guests Say

★★★★★

“Élan Getaways made our honeymoon in Bora Bora seamless — from private transfers to the best overwater villa. We felt like VIPs every step of the way.”

— Sarah & James, California

★★★★★

“The Ritz-Carlton Naples booking was effortless. Our advisor even secured complimentary upgrades. We’ll never plan luxury travel without them again.”

— Michael R., New York

★★★★★

“French Polynesia was a dream. The insider connections at Élan secured us The Brando. Absolutely unforgettable.”

— Amanda L., Texas

★★★★★

“Booking was easy — it took me straight to Expedia seamlessly, and everything worked perfectly. I felt confident the whole way through.”

— Rachel T., Florida

★★★★★

“I learned everything I needed from the Élan Getaways blog about this location — from insider tips to the best time to go. I’d be more than happy to book with Élan Getaways again.”

— David M., Toronto

★★★★★

“Our advisor at Élan found us an incredible deal on a Maldives villa we couldn’t find anywhere else. The personal touch made all the difference — it felt like having our own luxury concierge.”

— Natalie & Chris, London

★★★★★

“We’ve booked twice through Élan Getaways now — once for Italy, once for Tahiti — and both times were flawless. Every recommendation matched exactly what we wanted.”

— Daniel P., Chicago

★★★★★

“I wasn’t sure if Élan Getaways actually partnered with big names like Sandals — but when I booked Sandals Royal Caribbean through their link, it went straight to Expedia with all the official perks and room options. Totally seamless and legitimate.”

— Kevin D., Washington

★★★★★

“At first I wasn’t sure if Élan Getaways was an actual booking site or just a travel blog — but it connected straight to Expedia for my reservation, and everything was 100% legitimate. I’ll definitely use it again.”

— Lauren B., Arizona

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