“Life is too short to waste on the mundane or second-best.” Quintessentially makes it clear that their mission as a worldwide VIP concierge is to provide their clients with nothing short of the best luxury services available.
Alfonso Martínez de Campos from Quintessentially
Quintessentially was founded in London in 2000 by Aaron Simpson and Ben Eliot as a global private membership club. Established in 60 cities around the world, their local experts provide 24/7/365 support and service to their clients. Benefits range from travel and accommodations to culture, food and drink as well as invitations to events not open to the general public. All of these are offered within an extensive network based on discretion and confidentiality, values of utmost importance to those in the Quintessentially community. The idea is to make adaptation to a new city or place seamless, stress-free and as comfortable as possible.
Argentina is a favourite spot for travellers and expats, and in recent years an emerging market has developed for exclusive upscale services. There are endless opportunities for the wealthy to enjoy an Argentina not all are privileged enough to know and Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural scene and nightlife that’s nearly unmatched. This has led to a boom in fabulous hotels, chic restaurants and bars, and fashion-forward design boutiques. Within this niche has grown an impressive offering to those who want to enjoy the high life.
The Quintessentially Buenos Aires team works with around a thousand members – a mix of both locals and expats. Events are held to bring the two groups together and to integrate those from abroad into the local culture. Members possess “virtual keys” that open doors that otherwise remain shut to the uninitiated. They encourage their members to be more than just tourists, to really weave themselves into fabric of the local scene. Tips that go beyond guidebook recommendations are standard; it is the mission of the personal assistant to keep the member on the cutting edge, providing them with information that only a seasoned denizen would know. All team members in each city are locals, experts in their field and available 24/7. Confidentiality is a primary concern among members. Quintessentially takes extreme care to protect the sensitive information of its clients and ensures their identities will neither be compromised nor revealed at any cost.
Tickets to events in Buenos Aires (Photo: Leo Laps)
There is no limit to what your membership will do for you. Whether it’s help finding an interior designer for your new pied à terre, personal security, tutors, interpreters, personal banking and other logistical details that are difficult to resolve, Quintessentially is there to coordinate it all. Personal shoppers and tips on the best places to find unique items or gifts are provided. Tickets to sold-out events, movie premieres, charity galas and fashion shows are arranged in a pinch. Exclusive social event invites are given to members, as is access to places like the Cohiba VIP lounge, the Oasis Collections Clubhouse, the Bace spa, and local hotspots L’Abeille, Bar Isabel, Jet and Tequila.
Common needs among the BA members are assistance with restaurant reservations and travel to the interior – whether it be plane tickets, transportation to accommodations or help finding the best hotel. Plans include expansion to the corporate level as well as connection between Buenos Aires with other cities in Argentina, given that they have noticed an increase in membership among business travelers visiting the capital.
Four levels of membership are available: Expat, General, Dedicated and Elite. “Expat” provides personalized, proactive service in the member’s current city of residence. An assistant selected according to the member’s needs is provided. At the “General” level members enjoy international service (in any of the 60 worldwide offices) but are not assigned a personal assistant. “Dedicated” membership provides “Expat” services worldwide: proactive, tailored attention in any of the Quintessentially locations. An “Elite” membership is invitation only and reserved for the “top movers and shakers.”
As would be expected, not just anyone is granted access to the club. An application form must be filled out and is then reviewed, followed by an interview to determine the member’s specific profile and needs. A one-time joining fee is required along with an annual payment.
