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As the TNC industry continues to grow, disparities between their conceptions of duty of care and adherence to the letter of the law continue to grow. While we’re the last to advocate protests like what happened in Paris earlier this year, or tactics like flaming tire barricades for that matter, we remain concerned about the long-reaching effects of TNCs and recognize the need to take action.
The truth is TNCs provide quick rides when you need them but fail to live up to exacting service and safety standards that chauffeured travel providers have been perfecting for decades.
However, we also recognize that the chauffeured transportation industry—while a steadily growing one valued at $3 billion—has been lagging behind TNCs in terms of technology. These companies have become tremendously profitable because they tapped into the mobile connectivity of our smartphone-dependent world. In order to keep up, providers of chauffeur services need to offer something just as convenient.
That something, thankfully, is here. EmpireCLS is proud to a join a number of select chauffeured transportation companies in creating Deem Car Service, a cloud network and mobile app that combines the real-time ride sharing capabilities of TNC apps with the advanced reservations and duty of care native to the livery industry. The creation of the app, which is the brainchild of Deem and the National Limousine Association, was announced at the 2015 Global Business Transportation Association Convention in Orlando.
The combined power of Deem, a commerce-as-a-service company that combines cloud tech and mobile commerce to find businesses the best price on services, and the National Limousine Association, whose members include the best ground transportation operators in the world, may be what the livery industry needs to push itself ahead of TNCs. With the app, travel buyers will be able to see our prices and policies, make advanced reservations and, as with TNC apps, hail rides in real time when they need them. If we’re booked up, the app will find other transportation providers who are available.
Only National Limousine Association members are qualified to offer their services through the app. Unlike TNC apps, which are a gamble at best every time you use them, the Deem Car Service app guarantees that each travel provider is committed to safety, security and five-star customer service. In addition, Deem’s price comparing technology and ability to be paired with Deem Travel, Deem Expense, or the complete Deem Suite, will save you and your business on travel expenses.
As we continue to adapt our ever-shifting technological landscape, we want to hear how it affects you in real time. Let us know your thoughts on the upcoming Deem Car Service—share them on social media or e-mail sales@empirecls.com. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting technology coming soon.
Lifelong travelers love adventure, from getting lost in a new city to using a new language for the first time. But travelers like us also understand the invaluable pleasures of returning from a day of exploring to an inviting and luxurious room where we can unwind in comfort. One of our favorites is the Beverly Wilshire, which we are proud to also call a partner property. Part of the Four Seasons family, the Beverly Wilshire is the pinnacle of fun and relaxation in the heart of LA’s most elite community.
For over eighty years, A-listers have retreated to the Beverly Wilshire’s 395 luxurious rooms (including 137 deluxe suites), for brief weekends and extended stays that promise relaxation, gourmet dining, impeccable service and plush accommodations, all just steps away from Rodeo Drive. The Beverly Wilshire’s room and suites are outfitted with leading-edge amenities and meticulous décor.
This hotel happens to be the home of LA’s most spacious suite: the Penthouse Suite, a 5,000 square foot penthouse on the hotel’s exclusive 14th floor. With its panoramic terrace view, media room and ten-person dining area, the Penthouse Suite is perfect for guests who demand only the best.
No matter which room you stay in at the Beverly Wilshire, you’ll have access to world-class room service and plenty of other luxury amenities. Never go hungry with award-winning dining at Cut, an updated American steakhouse from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, and the Beverly Wilshire’s other fine dining options, including The Blvd, the Pool Bar and Café, and Sidebar, which features gourmet appetizers paired perfectly with fine wine and cocktails.
Complement your stay with a trip (or several) to the Spa at Beverly Wilshire, where some of the city’s most pampering massages, body treatments and facial treatments await you. Special occasion? The Spa’s exclusive Diamond treatments (like the indulgent Diamond manicure & pedicure) help you to get a red-carpet ready shimmer. The hotel also offers hairstyling and makeup from Lea Journo Salon and nail care at the Nail Bar.
No stay at the Beverly Wilshire is complete without a jaunt along Rodeo Drive, where you can shop at boutiques from designers like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, Tom Ford, Chanel and Loro Piana. Don’t forget to explore some of the city’s other cultural landmarks, like the stunning Gerry Center. Your stay at the Beverly Wilshire includes complimentary luxury transportation from EmpireCLS. From Rodeo Drive to LAX, we’ll get you there on time and in style.
Photo via flickr
With the growing attraction of ride-sharing companies, like Uber, for business travelers, there is a need from the transportation industry to gain insight into how business travelers get around and what they expect from their preferred modes of travel.
Recently, we teamed up with the Global Business Traveler Association and a leading ground transportation industry operator to sponsor an in-depth survey to shed some light on this issue.
The GBTA Foundation’s 2015 Ground Transportation Study results are in. What we learned is a mix of results consistent with industry trends and some not-so-predictable findings.
Preferred Modes of Transportation: Rentals remain popular, and ride-sharing is rising. Thirty-six percent of business travelers prefer to rent cars during out-of-town trips, making rental vehicles the number one mode of ground transportation among traveling professionals. Close behind rental vehicles are taxis—24% of those surveyed said they preferred to call a cab. Thirteen percent of travelers chose chauffeured transportation, while 11% depended on (still relatively new and controversial) real-time ride-sharing services.
Important Factors: According to 75% of travelers and 80% of travel buyers surveyed, the most important deciding factors in choosing which form of ground transportation to use are traveler and vehicle safety, timeliness and convenient payment systems. That doesn’t surprise us: our executive protection services, early arrival policy and online reservation system are tailored to years of similar customer feedback.
Duty of Care Familiarity: Although safety is among the most important deciding factors, most buyers and travelers may not be familiar with the full extent of duty of care aspects. Only one-third of those surveyed identified themselves as “somewhat” familiar with ground transportation providers’ duty of care towards their clients, while less than one-quarter said that they were “very familiar” with the duty of care.
Ride-Sharing Company Controversy: We found this interesting: one out of four business travelers report that their companies won’t permit them to use ride-sharing companies. Michael McCormick, the GBTA’s executive director and COO, issued a statement confirming that ride-sharing is the transportation mode most frequently prohibited by corporate travel buyers.
The fact that, according to McCormick, “a large number” of companies have not adopted policies addressing ride-sharing, coupled with widespread unfamiliarity with the duty of care, suggests that there is a need for stronger education initiatives surrounding these controversial companies.
For an in-depth report on the survey, visit the GBTA’s website.
Photo Credit: The Wandering Angel via flickr
We choose our five-diamond hotel brand partners according to the same standards to which we hold ourselves accountable, including a sterling history in our industry and a reputation for unforgettable luxury experiences. EmpireCLS is proud to partner with one of the world’s finest hotel brand properties, the Peninsula New York.
The Peninsula Hotels belong to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, China’s first luxury hospitality brand. Founded in 1866, the family-owned Peninsula Hotels now operate in ten cosmopolitan cities across the globe. The Peninsula New York was opened in 1988, at the height of Manhattan’s post-70s resurgence of power and glamour. Now, the Peninsula remains an emblem of luxury at one of the city’s most prestigious addresses.
Who visits the Peninsula? The hotel’s guests want to experience the finest of Manhattan living and retreat from the busy streets, but still want to immerse themselves in the rush of the city at their convenience. At the Peninsula, you’ll find guests who appreciate classically elegant interior design as much as they appreciate technological innovation. From the lobby’s sweeping double staircase to multi-lingual room technology, the Peninsula is designed for them.
The hotel’s suites are outfitted with luxury amenities down to the last detail. Whether a deluxe suite for a family of four or an executive suite for the high-speed business traveler, each room is carefully designed to be as beautiful, harmonious and intimate as any pre-war uptown apartment. Lavish bathrooms with complimentary Oscar de la Renta bath amenities create the ultimate in-room retreat, while innovations, like in-room listening experiences by Beats, keep the Peninsula’s guests up to speed with their world.
At the Peninsula, guests are treated with the honor befitting a luxury hotel with such an extensive heritage, which means tailored packages, world-class dining experiences and accessible services both inside the hotel and outside of it. Guests visiting the hotel for business can take advantage of the Peninsula’s Executive Traveler Programme, which provides busy travelers with everything they need to stay on top of their game, including a daily Continental breakfast, complimentary local phone calls and daily paper, high-speed internet and complimentary pressing of two garments per day. For guests who come to the Peninsula just to escape, the hotel offers the Manhattan Retreat package, which guarantees a late checkout, discounted treatments at the hotel spa and $50 of hotel credit.
Even without opting for a luxury package, the Peninsula’s guests find a wealth of sumptuous experiences during their stay. Dining at the Peninsula is always a pleasure, whether at Clement, a world-class Contemporary American restaurant, or the Peninsula’s suite of bars, including the Salon de Ning rooftop bar and the Gotham Lounge, where guests can enjoy afternoon tea, light snacks and evening cocktails. The Peninsula staff also creates elegant, private in-room dining experiences by request. When not dining, guests can relax at the Peninsula Spa, which offers therapeutic, holistic treatments to refresh the mind and body.
When guests are ready to leave the hotel, EmpireCLS is proud to offer complimentary transportation from the Peninsula into the heart of Manhattan. The city’s most elegant shopping and dining can be found here, as well as thriving cultural district that houses some of the world’s most important works of art.
Ready to learn more? Visit our Partners page to explore EmpireCLS’s global alliances with some of the world’s finest luxury brands.
It’s true that the EmpireCLS brand is synonymous worldwide with “luxury” and “professional chauffeured experiences.” Part of the luxury experience is trusting we’ve gone above and beyond considering all aspects of our clients’ trips, from optimal routs to defensive driving and those “what if” scenarios.
Our services extend into high-risk markets abroad, so we had to become experts in layers of security for personal and corporate travel. We succeed at protecting your identity and safety while seamlessly upholding our signature luxury experience throughout the trip.
Risk Assessment
Meticulous planning and preventative strategy are our secret weapons in effective risk management. A security team undertakes an intelligence risk assessment 36 – 48 hours in advance of travel time, ranging from route planning, including exit strategies and alternative routes, to media exposure management and full sweets of hotels and venues.
Developed relationships with state and local governments, as well as with local law enforcement and travel intelligence agencies, allow us to address potential risks across multiple levels.
The proof of our planning is fully accessible to each of our clients in the form our of TransBrief reports, a detailed report confirming driver identity and trip itinerary, as well as outlining the extent of our exhaustive risk assessment of the location in which you are traveling.
Executive Protection Specialists
Well-dressed and well-trained, our team of professional executive protection specialists blend in with your entourage and react in a calm and professional manner. It’s part of their proactive approach to protection, identifying and minimizing risks before they happen.
Each of our specialists has an extensive background in protection services for executives, dignitaries and entertainment clientele, and is thoroughly vetted by rigorous background checks as well as physical and written exams. They study and exercise Krav Maga, the preferred combat system for elite forces like the Israeli military, the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.
Protection services vary from needs of each guest, from individual bodyguards to full teams of protection specialists.
Secure Luxury Fleet
EmpireCLS is known for the excellence of its late-model fleet, which includes only top-of-the-line luxury vehicles specially chosen for five-star safety ratings, powerful performance and features like entertainment systems, individual climate control and leather captain chairs.
For clients who need extra security measures, the ground transportation experience is no less luxurious, even with weighty features like armored plating, run-flat tires, ballistics glass and enhanced suspension.
You won’t find the combination of luxury appointments, strategic security and global presence anywhere else. A select few ground transportation companies offer high-level protection for executive clients, but it is rare that this level of security is accompanied by EmpireCLS’s range of other services, which include complimentary in-vehicle Wi-Fi, airport concierge service and white-glove treatment from the industry’s finest chauffeurs.
Photo Credit: American Advisors Group via flickr
Earlier this summer, travelers to Paris found their journeys to and from the airport were disrupted by city-wide protests against Uber’s UberPop service. Parisians proper, however, were less alarmed by the strikes. After all, protests in the city are a fairly regular occurrence. Take their quintessential shrugging and carrying on as usual as a sign that the anti-Uber strikes shouldn’t deter you from visiting Paris.
The city’s narrow and confusing roads, prohibitive parking fees and sometimes crowded public transportation make traveling by chauffeured vehicle a wise choice. We’ve found a few Paris landmarks in particular that complement the luxury experience of chauffeured travel. Read on to discover three of our favorites.
Sacre-Couer
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, known as the Sacre-Couer, is in Montmartre, the northernmost district of Paris, on its highest hill. From Sacre-Couer, you can take in a sweeping, panoramic view of the city that arguably rivals that of the Eiffel Tower. The view is as splendid on a sunny spring day as it is a gloomy one in autumn. The Basilica itself is a sight to behold, with its ornate, domed exterior, and containing some of the city’s most splendid devotional art.
To get there, you have your choice of trekking up the steep steps or taking a much less strenuous trip up in a funicular. Either way, you shouldn’t have to navigate the hills of Montmartre for any longer than you have to. Use EmpireCLS and save the walking for exploring the area’s boutiques and restaurants.
Château de Versailles
We’ll always offer you the height of luxury when traveling with us, but we have to humble ourselves before the Versailles Palace, possibly the most luxurious single building in the world.
A testimony to the wealth and legacy of the French ancient regime—especially King Louis XVI, with whom the palace is most closely associated—the preserved palace is covered from floor to ceiling with gilt, paint and brocaded paper. Far from being garish, the overall effect is wildly beautiful.
The grounds and palace itself easily take an entire day to explore. Make the hour drive from Paris with EmpireCLS and linger for as long as you like.
Musée Gustave Moreau
If you get weary of the crowds at tourist-heavy sites like the Notre-Dame de Paris, the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre, use our chauffeured transportation service and travel peacefully to the small, slightly eccentric and wholly enchanting Musée Gustave Moreau.
Originally a house, this hidden gem is equal parts cozy and mysterious, with its warm brown and pink color scheme and densely arranged canvases on display, all by famed painter Gustave Moreau. Moreau was a leader of the 19th-century Symbolist art movement, from which these artists produced vivid, sensually-charged and sometimes morbid images that preceded the later movement of Surrealism. In the case of Moreau, his paintings are characterized by intricately detailed tableaux depicting scenes from Greek mythology, often with dreamlike distortions of space and color. It’s the hiddenness of this museum that makes it such a luxury.
Whether you need chauffeured transportation in Paris, Barcelona, or Boston, travel in safety and style with EmpireCLS. Make your online reservation today!
Photon Credit: Sean MacEntree via flickr
Is the jingling of car keys about to be replaced by the sound of your voice giving instructions to your Apple Watch? Given that the integration of wearable technology with automobiles is a huge trend in both industries, technology will more than likely play a larger role in vehicle operation in the next decade.
Naturally, app-makers have eagerly gravitated towards developing programs for the Apple Watch. It doesn’t take an industry expert to understand the persistence of this trend: vehicle makers from BMW to Volkswagen have developed Apple Watch apps that allow drivers to streamline and simplify vehicle operation with remote diagnostics and control. Because who wouldn’t want to reenact “Knight Rider” and remote start a car by talking into your Apple Watch?
BMW iRemote
BMW is consistently at the forefront of luxury vehicle design, which is why we include the BMW 740LI in our Fleet of vehicles. Their latest innovations is the BMW iRemote app, available on smartphones and Apple Watches for owners of the BMW i-Series Hybrid.
With a few taps on their smartphone or wearable tech, BMW drivers can perform remote functions like opening their car doors—no keys required—and preconditioning the cabin climate by setting the vehicle interior to the perfect temperature prior to departure. They can also check important details like mileage and fuel levels.
One of the most novel features of the iRemote app is its integration with the i-Series’ capabilities as a hybrid. Apple Watch wearers can use the app to check battery power levels, find the nearest charging stations and even program their vehicle to charge only when electricity costs are lowest.
Hyundai Blue Link
The Hyundai Blue Link app was first introduced in the 2012 Sonata, and has since expanded. 2015 will see Hyundai’s Genesis, Sonata and Azera models equipped with Blue Link technology, which is currently compatible with smartphones, laptops, desktops and tablets. Recently, Hyundai announced that it will expand its integration with wearable tech (the app already works with Android Wear) and introduce Apple Watch support to its existing car control system.
Blue Link is primarily designed for everyday convenience, and covers a wide range of vehicle functions. Soon, Hyundai owners who wear Apple Watch will be able to use the app to find their car, automatically schedule service appointments, activate their horn, lock and unlock the car, start the vehicle, flash their lights, remotely stop the vehicle and call for roadside assistance. Even more conveniently, the app is voice-activated.
Automatic App
The Automatic app is proof that integrating mobile technology with in-car telematics isn’t restricted to the luxury market or even to particular manufacturers. Nothing proves that the remote vehicle control is soon to be a democratized technology more than this after-market solution, which has been gaining traction since its introduction.
Owners of compatible vehicles can fit their car with a device provided by Automatic (inexpensive at only $99). Once installed, the device allows users to remotely diagnose engine trouble and identify poor driving habits in need of improvement, among other functions. Automatic can also detect accidents and call for help.
As leaders in luxury transportation, we’re always considering new ways to make our guests’ experience safer and more convenient If you have a new idea about how we can improve our services, let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo Credit: LWYang via flickr
Similar to our partnerships with like-minded brands, such as our five-diamond hotel and private aviation partners, EmpireCLS also aligns with non-profits who uphold the values that make for unsurpassable luxury travel experiences. For years, EmpireCLS has proudly been a member of the Global Business Travel Association, an organization dedicated specifically to improving business travel management.
With more than 7,000 members, the GBTA is the world’s largest business travel management organization and network. Each year, the organization regularly holds its annual GBTA Convention for thousands of network members to meet and create new networking opportunities. EmpireCLS will be attending this year’s convention in Orlando, FL on July 25 – 29, at booth #821.
Business travel has an often overlooked impact on corporations’ bottom lines, and the GBTA firmly believes travel management must be included in strategic planning on the part of corporations. As a chauffeured transportation company with an extensive network of corporate clients, EmpireCLS understands the importance of efficient and strategic business travel planning firsthand.
During the convention, members will participate in panels related to this year’s theme of “#Sharing,” intended to address contemporary issues in the travel industry. This year, the GBTA will host some notable celebrity speakers to weigh in on the conversation, including Kevin Bacon, personal computer pioneer Steve Wozniak and Fox News commentator Megyn Kelly.
Since its inception, the GBTA has fostered a network of travel industry leaders who empower each other to understand how to create successful manager-provider relationships and implement cost-saving measures in travel management. Furthermore, the GBTA champions policy implementation that is favorable to safe, cost-effective business travel experiences for all parties involved. As providers of corporate business travel, EmpireCLS stands behind the GBTA’s mission.
The GBTA’s core values as outlined by the organization are as follows:
During the convention, members will attend panels on passenger safety, differentiating brands in a sharing economy, and the future of travel distribution. EmpireCLS will also participate in a series of industry expos during the convention, where the best and brightest exchange their ideas and visions.
Stay informed on the latest industry news: follow EmpireCLS on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to stop by booth #821 and say hi!
Photo Credit: Ricymar Photography via flickr
EmpireCLS’s commitment to luxury is highlighted by aligning with the world’s finest aviation and five-diamond hotel brands. One such historic hotel brand we proudly partner with is The Beverly Hills Hotel, part of the Dorchester Collection.
Known as the “Pink Palace” by locals, The Beverly Hills Hotel is Hollywood royalty’s favorite retreat—where A-list celebrities and Hollywood insiders come to lounge, relax and rejuvenate in the hotel’s pool, at one of the multiple gourmet dining spots and in private bungalows.
The Beverly Hills Hotel is deeply ingrained into the area’s legacy. Built in 1912, the hotel existed before the city of Beverly Hills did. As the sweeping hills and palm trees drew in permanent residents from the Golden Age of Hollywood, the hotel became a central hub of Hollywood life. Legends like Orson Welles and Elizabeth Taylor stayed here to temporarily retreat from the limelight. Recently, the hotel was granted historical landmark status.
Today, the Beverly Hills remains A-listers’ and executive travelers’ preferred hotel for luxury getaways and fine dining. The newly renovated rooms and lobby preserve the classic, Mediterranean-inspired style of the hotel’s original structure while updating it to suit the tastes of New Hollywood. Each of the 208 rooms and suites features pastel hues and plush furniture, and the 12 acres of tropical gardens are in bloom year-round. The hotel is home to four Zagat-rated dining establishments, including the Cabana Café, the Fountain Coffee Room, Bar Nineteen12 and the famous Polo Lounge, known for its Sunday Jazz Brunch and celebrity clientele.
The Beverly Hills was recently named the best business hotel in Los Angeles, and offers a package exclusively designed for traveling executives. Their guest amenities also include a high-speed Business Center and 12-seat boardroom for meetings. The hotel is family-friendly, as well, and offers a family package, including childcare for children under 12 and accommodations for family pets. Those who require the ultimate in luxury should consider one of the hotel’s spa or wellness packages, with spa services provided on-site by innovative luxury skincare leader La Prairie.
In addition to comprehensive concierge services, the Beverly Hills Hotel offers complimentary transportation within a five-mile radius of the hotel, courtesy of EmpireCLS. Our five-star, white-glove service transitions seamlessly outside of the hotel for exploring nearby Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard. We are also pleased to offer complimentary transportation between the Beverly Hills and its sister property, the Hotel Bel-Air.
We are proud to partner with The Beverly Hills Hotel and serve its clientele as the hotel’s dedicated chauffeured transportation provider. Discover more about our many hotel partner properties on our Partners page.
The rise of transportation network companies, as opposed to traditional chauffeured transportation companies, has led to an increase in reports of TNCs and their drivers mistreating passengers. These incidents lead some passengers to question exactly what they should expect from a transportation company.
The National Limousine Association has its answer in the form of its newly-launched Ride Responsibly campaign, an educational initiative that sets an industry-wide standard for how companies treat their guests while informing passengers about what they should expect from chauffeured transportation.
EmpireCLS proudly allies itself with the NLA in its Ride Responsibly initiative. As a luxury, chauffeured transportation company dedicated to providing secure, comfortable experiences for each of our guests, we lead the way in passenger safety and driver responsibility.
Both the Ride Responsibly passenger Bill of Rights and driver Duty of Care released by the NLA intend to ensure a safer ride for each passenger, during every trip. These rights apply to all passengers in any ground transportation vehicle, including sedans, SUVs, vans, mini-coaches and buses.
According to the NLA, passengers should expect that:
Drivers’ responsibilities are more explicitly detailed in the driver Duty of Care. These guidelines work in tandem with the passenger Bill of Rights to ensure that transportation providers know their responsibilities. According to the Duty of Care:
EmpireCLS meets and exceeds each standard put forth by both the passenger Bill of Rights and the driver Duty of Care. We have one of the most rigorous fleet maintenance standards in the country. Each late-model vehicle undergoes regular inspection at one of our in-house, ASE-certified maintenance centers. Although this consistent maintenance keeps our fleet in top condition, we still retire each vehicle after 24 months for maximum safety and luxury.
Before hiring, our drivers undergo an extensive background check and zero-tolerance drug testing. Only a select group of individuals are then trained at “EmpireCLS University,” a specialized, in-house training course covering passenger expectations for five-star customer service and educating drivers in Smith System defensive driving techniques. In short, EmpireCLS chauffeurs are dedicated to your safety and comfort.
For further safety and convenience, reservation specialists are available to process concerns and complaints to ensure our service exceeds expectations each time. Our Dispatchers track each vehicle and trip with the Silent Passenger GPS system.
Discover how EmpireCLS fulfills our responsibilities as a luxury, chauffeured transportation provider at the EmpireCLS website.
Photo credit: Abdullah AlBargan via flickr
