Michael Halsall, Owner & Director
I founded Halsall Travel International in 2018 after working for 25 years in luxury hotels and having graduated with a Honours Degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from University of Surrey. I have worked for hotels such as The Savoy, The Langham, Sanderson, St. Martins Lane and the Intercontinental Hyde Park in London, as well as The Balmoral in Edinburgh, The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle and d’Angleterre in Copenhagen. With Grace Hotels I marketed resorts around the world (now part of the Auberge Collection) and helped with hotel openings from New England to Panama to Salta, Argentina. All iconic hotels that focus on the guest experience and customer care. I have lived in the US, Australia, Greece, Scotland and now spend my time between Sweden and the UK, when not travelling with my family or on business. The business has grown into a concierge service for our clients, developing new destinations, experiences and services to offer and engaging in industry training and development (in technology solutions and new hotel openings/ destination updates). All with the purpose of offering clients the very best service and value.
I remain an adventurer at heart and bring that wanderlust passion to the business. My personal career highlight would have to be being Father Christmas at The Savoy, London in 1995 when I gave out presents to all the children in The Savoy Grill and River Restaurant. It’s simply about creating magical moments for guests. And it remains that way.
As a hotelier I had the privilege to work successfully with Colletts Travel across many hotels in my portfolio and it was a very easy decision to affiliate with them in launching the business. Together we share a commitment to offering the finer things in life with an uncompromising attention to detail and service.
Please also follow me on my new travel YouTube channel where I look to meet inspiring personalities from hotel managers, owners, chefs, mixologists and passionate tour guides. In the coming months I will be travelling to California, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Scandinavia and London to get under the skin of these destinations.
Favourite hotels would be Brown’s in London (quintessentially English and with a fabulous Afternoon Tea and where I had my first date with my wife!), d’Angleterre in Copenhagen (Danish-Scandi style with amazing food in their Michelin restaurant Marchal) and Grace Santorini (views to die for and achingly romantic), my favourite holiday destination in Europe would be a toss up between Italy and Greece and long-haul New Zealand where I have visited half a dozen times. Favourite pastimes are skiing in winter and sailing in summer with the family.
Maj Scherer, Global Ambassador
Maj is the ultimate globetrotter. Now living in Copenhagen and having lived in the US, Maj has a phenomenal knowledge of the finest hotels and destinations around the world. Maj is extremely well connected and helps us open doors and make things happen. Maj’s favourite hotels are the Royal Mansour in Marrakech, Hotel du Cap Edenroc, Cap d’Antibes, Hotel Splendido, Portofino and San Clemente Palace, Venice.
Colletts UK and The Global Travel Collection
Halsall Travel is only able to deliver exceptional value, create personalised holidays as a tour operator, have the best airfare deals in the industry and offer incredible industry knowledge by its affiliation with Colletts Travel UK and the Global Travel Collection. Colletts Travel UK, offering bespoke luxury holidays has been operating since 1983 when Roy Collett founded the business in North London. Now part of the Internova Travel Group (with £20 billion annual sales), one of the largest global travel agency companies, we are able to offer global expertise and exclusive loyalty driven programs such as our own in-house SELECT program.
The SELECT program
Our very own in-house SELECT program offers you exclusive perks and privileges at the world’s finest hotels, resorts and villas. You only receive these if you book through a preferred travel advisor member, of which Halsall Travel International is one. The program also allows us to partner with the very best travel partners in each destination so we can offer you the very best amazing local experiences. From cookery classes to meeting local winemakers to private cultural tours not open to the public, the SELECT program allows us to create exceptional journeys.
SELECT amenities include :a VIP amenity or hotel credit valued at $/€100
complimentary breakfast for two daily
priority upgrade upon availability (and we check this shortly before your stay to ensure the best chance)
priority early check-in and check-out upon availability
complimentary wi-fi
destination spending money when staying at a SELECT villa
and much more – just ask us
It is fair to say that you do not receive these perks if you book through one of the mega on-line agencies (nor will you receive the personal service), nor if you book direct. It is because of our close relationship with our hotel, villa and travel partners that we are able to offer you these privileges.
