Universal Traveller is an independent luxury travel publication. We review the world’s most extraordinary hotels and stays, cover adventures worth the journey, and publish the travel intelligence that helps you make better decisions about where to go and where to stay.
Founded in 2010 by Tim Kroeger, the site has grown from a solo travel blog into an editorial platform with an international team of reviewers, writers, and travel specialists across four continents.
What We Do
Luxury Stay Reviews
Every hotel and stay we feature has been personally tested by our team. We evaluate design, service, atmosphere, and value, and we’re honest about what works and what doesn’t. No pay-for-play reviews. No editorial control given to hotels.
Adventure Travel
From luxury bikepacking in Southeast Asia to sustainable sailing in the Whitsundays, we cover the adventures that go beyond a sun lounger. Our adventure content is first-hand, detailed, and designed for travelers who want more than a beach holiday.
Travel Insights
Industry trends, pricing shifts, and expert perspectives on luxury hospitality. For travelers who want to understand what they’re paying for and what’s changing in the travel world.
Why trust Universal Traveller
- 230+ nights stayed & reviewed
- 60+ cities with first-hand hotel reviews
- 112+ countries visited by our founder
- 100% of comped stays disclosed. No editorial control granted
Editorial Standards
We accept complimentary stays for review purposes, and we always disclose when we do. Hotels never receive editorial approval or the ability to influence our published opinion. Our reviews reflect what we genuinely experienced.
Read our full Editorial Standards →
Tim Kroeger, Founder
Tim Kroeger founded Universal Traveller in 2010. What started as a travel blog became a publication focused on luxury hotel reviews and adventure travel.
He pioneered the concept of luxury bikepacking and has spent over 230 nights in hotels in 112+ countries under review. Today, he splits his time between growing Universal Traveller as an editorial platform and writing about luxury wellness travel on his personal site, tim-kroeger.com.
Tim also works with luxury hotels and brands on visibility and positioning. For partnership enquiries, see below.
The Universal Traveller team
Our contributors are travel writers, photographers, and specialists who review stays and cover adventures across the globe. Every contributor writes from first-hand experience.

Pauline Joie, Travel Expert Specializing in Tourism in the United States
US tourism expert with a background in tourism management. Covers major destinations and attractions across the United States.

Mareike Wielens, Travel Expert Specializing in Costa Rica Tourism
Mareike Wielens is a highly experienced and passionate tourism expert, specializing in Costa Rica, with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry.
Franziska Reichel, Expert in Tourism in Bangkok & Thailand
Franzi is a seasoned travel blogger, online editor, and content creator, specializing in tourism across Bangkok and Thailand.
Universal Traveller Contributors
Mel Healy, Luxury Hotel Reviewer
Mel is a freelance writer, editor, and content whizz. She specializes in travel, lifestyle, and everything in between. She regularly contributes luxury hotel reviews to Universal Traveller.
Paul Tocatlian, Fashion and Editorial Photographer
Paul is a fashion and editorial photographer whose work has been featured in publications such as L’Officiel. On Universal Traveller, he writes about the best Luxury Travel Photography Locations.
Danielle Phyland, Luxury Hotel Reviewer
Danielle is a freelance travel writer and tourism strategy consultant focusing on adventure, luxury, and wellness travel in Australia and abroad. She has an affinity for solo travel and exploring regional areas, creating content to share with all willing travellers.
Write for Us
We’re always looking for experienced travel writers who can contribute honest reviews of luxury stays and adventure stories. If you’ve stayed somewhere remarkable and can write about it with detail and personality, we’d like to hear from you.
Get in touch → info@universal-traveller.com
Partner With Us
We work with luxury hotels, resorts, and travel brands to create visibility through honest editorial coverage, professionally produced content, and targeted audience reach.
If you’re interested in a review stay, content partnership, or brand collaboration, get in touch.
info@universal-traveller.com
