By Nikki Bayley
If, like us, you're still secretly impressed when you discover that your hotel has a pillow menu, prepare to be astonished at what's on offer at some of the more exclusive hotels. Turns out that there are some seriously decadent services, from a butler for your pets to your very own Masai warrior. Here are our favourites.
The doggy butler
There's a chance for your dog to live the life of a pampered pooch at Oare Manor in Exmore as they will be given their very own 'doggy butler'. Feel like a lie-in? No problem, the butler will serve you tea in bed before whisking Rover off for that all-important morning constitutional. Later, as you relax by the log fire, your pet will be enjoying a pooch-make-over with a special shower and super-charged dryer. Finally, after an exhausting day of fun, they can enjoy a specially prepared doggy dinner.
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The tartan butler
We may have found the most Scottish thing in the world; your very own tartan butler. Check in to the Balmoral in Edinburgh and enjoy the services of Andy Fraser, who'll help you trace your family's history to link you to one of the thousands of recognised tartan clans. Got your clan? Time to head for an appointment with the famous Kinloch Anderson, Highland dress experts who'll create a kilt for you in your clan's tartan. Obviously, enjoyed best with a wee dram in your hand...
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Your personal Masai warrior
OK, so it's not in a hotel, but it's definitely not camping as we know it. At Shu Mata, in Tanzania at the foot of Kilimajaro, you get full-on glamping with silver service, chandeliers, wi fi and, yes, your very own personal Masai warrior. Your warrior will guard you, bring tea and cake as required, catch any pesky spiders and even fend off lions. We think you ought to tip big here.
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[Related feature: Expensive hotel rooms around the world]
The paparazzi diversion service
Make like a Hollywood movie star at the Sunset Marquis in Los Angeles when you check into their Presidential villa. You get use of a chauffeur-driven Bentley plus special paparazzi-dodging access to private entrances not usually available to the public. Just scoot through the underground garage and take the private lift to your suite.
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The kids' concierge
London's Athenaeum hotel boasts the city's first kids' concierge to make the stay all that more special for any younger guests. Pre-check-in, all they need to do is fill out a questionnaire (which grown-ups can help with) so when they arrive, their favourite snacks, toys and games are laid out in the room, ready to be enjoyed. Kids also get bikes, bird seed and kites for a session playing in Green Park opposite the hotel.
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The fragrance butler
When we read about the Rosewood Hotel and Resorts "24-hour Fragrance Butler" we knew that this was a match made in heaven. In selected city hotels, you just need to ring for the butler, who'll come to your room with a tray of the finest perfumes and colognes for you to spritz yourself with, day or night. No more worrying about those pesky liquid rules at the airport - we love it!
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The in-room mixologist
We love a cocktail. Or two. Or three. But how tiresome having to go all the way to the bar, when you could just get slightly squiffy in the comfort of your fabulous hotel room. We like the way that the Surrey in New York think. They have an exclusive in-room mixologist, who will come to you with a well-stocked cart to shake for your drinking pleasure - and they'll even teach you how to make your favourites. Make ours a Blackberry Mint Margarita...
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The bath butler
Get the royal experience when you stay in the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and be waited on hand and foot by palace butlers. Part of living like a Maharaja is, of course, the daily Ayurvedic bathing ritual. Choose from the bath menu and let your bath butler take care of everything. Whether it's a rejuvenating Rani Padmawati milk bath, or a healing Rajput princess bath, you won't even have to turn the tap on.
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