What is Luxury
Every person has a different definition of what Luxury Travel is. Built from our own expectations and understanding, some of these expectations were created through our upbringing…others were created by our personal goals or influences. What you determine is luxurious, someone else does not, and vice versa. What someone defines as luxurious is entirely based on their personal relationship with luxury…how it makes them feel, what value it brings, and at what cost. If we have a strong relationship with luxury we might always seek it out or continuously attract it into our lives. If we have a simple relationship with luxury, we might not need it as frequently or might have a particular set of conditions around it. Because of this, the spectrum of ‘Luxury’ is broad and ever changing.
Ways to Attain Luxury
Maybe you have loads of money, maybe your job pays for your travel expenses, maybe you’ve been saving all year to take one special vacation. Anyone can experience luxury at least once time in their life, if they want to. It is very possible for people in different pay scales to experience the nature of luxury travel. This is because luxury is entirely relative. Meaning, the nature of luxury travel can be attainable by all, but the cost of luxury travel is only attainable by few.
Perhaps you are someone who can afford to spend $4,000+ on a business class international ticket and pay $1,000 a night on a hotel room. Or maybe you have a corporate job that requires consistent traveling that has given you the opportunity to reach Diamond Status for airlines or hotel chains in which you receive free upgrades automatically. Or perhaps you’ve been able to rack up hundreds of thousands of credit card points with a strong travel rewards credit card and you’ve booked a completely free weeklong vacation out of it. Maybe it’s getting a reservation at THE restaurant that everyone has been trying to get into it. The point is, luxury travel experiences can be attainable in a variety of ways.
The Luxury Traveler
Whether it’s your first luxury travel trip, or your one hundredth, you will always be in a position to learn more about what luxury means to you, how best to attain it, and how to keep the experiences coming. If your goal is to improve your luxury travel experiences or the number of them, it comes down to following these simple practices, which you can start implementing into your daily life and travels, now.
The typical luxury traveler prioritizes exclusive, members only experiences. They love the airport lounge access…they have spa or country club memberships…they enjoy accredited hotels or wineries…they book private tours, transfers, and activities anywhere they go…and they will always pay the premium option for better seating, weekend dates, and greater access. They will always choose to spend more money if it provides an exclusive or more comfortable experience. These travelers can not be bothered with doing what is cheapest. To plan a legit luxury travel trip, the entire focus is comfort over chaos. Wherever they book, these travelers seek the most comfort and ease throughout their entire vacation.
The Desire to Feel Special
Luxury is entirely individualistic. But one common trait between luxury travelers is the desire to feel cared for. After the pandemic, people have shifted their mindset in the luxury travel industry. After speaking with many hotel owners about this shift, it is my understanding that the shift has been felt throughout the industry.
Before, people might have searched for 5 star resorts and booked one of the top 3 rated places without a second thought. Now, you’ll see that many people don’t necessarily care about booking the 5 star, ‘most expensive’ resort possible, if it fails to make them feel special at any point while visiting. Luxury travelers are looking to feel both exclusively comfortable AND special. We’re starting to see luxury resorts put these priorities at the forefront of their business.
Things to Consider
Something to consider for any luxury traveler, or someone traveling with one, is that these travelers tend to book high end hotels, restaurants, and experiences, relentlessly. They book only ‘the best of the best’ which can be both a good thing and an unfortunate habit. It is quite possible to have a remarkable experience at the second to best restaurant in town. Although adding a few more relaxed places might not be this travelers main prerogative, sometimes they might need the reminder that it’s okay to enjoy the simple restaurants as well. If you find yourself stuck with someone that can only do super luxurious everything, perhaps consider splitting up for an afternoon so you can still enjoy the local hidden gems that bring you pleasure.
Companions of the Luxury Traveler
Should you be invited on vacation by your boujee, luxury travel friend, know that they are so excited to share these luxurious moments with you! There is honestly nothing better than having these exclusive experiences than when you have your favorite people enjoying it with you.
Double Role
As the companion of a luxury lover, you will have the double role of both the fun enhancer and the money realist. On multiple occasions throughout the trip, your luxury travel friend will debate between two options. Option 1, which is expensive and great, and Option 2, which is more expensive and more great. They will come to you and to ask which option you prefer. Your decision will play a vital role in being the fun enhancer or the money realist.
Here’s an example: If your luxurious friend wants to go to the beach club to get a 1st row sun bed and umbrella for $100 per person. Once you’ve arrived at the beach club, the manager informs you both that he has 1 VIP canopy/sun bed/umbrella left for $400 total. Your friend looks to you with big bug eyes full of excitement at the newest proposal. You are now the deciding factor. If you decide ‘Yes’, you are essentially deciding to spoil yourselves and let the fun begin (minus $200)! Chances are, Traveler A would have been fine if you said no, but since you agreed, you have officially elevated the beach day to the next level…hence the fun enhancer.
If you decide ‘No’, you are deciding that you don’t need to spend double to be at the same beach when chances are you’ll have the same amount of fun (or at least that’s what you’ll tell yourself). By deciding no, you will be the realistic one out of the two of you, and your luxurious friend will woefully agree that your current reservation is just fine, and that you could spend the extra $100 each on beach cocktails or a jetski experience, instead.
Things to consider
Aside from booking Michelin star restaurants, 5 star hotels, and private experiences, some of life’s ‘luxury moments’ comes from the company you keep. Keep this in mind when you’re both super tired from a long day at the beach and the best plans for the night sounds like picking up a pizza, ordering a bottle of wine to the room, and eating on the patio with music, in bathrobes…because it will be.
Luxury is also about who you’re with and how to make the best memories. As the companion of a luxury traveler, you are the best and only person who can get the luxury traveler out of their wallet and into the present moment. If you want an amazing, lowkey night, sometimes all it takes is one of you to decide ‘we’re doing simple tonight’.
No vacation should break the bank and stress you out financially. Just because your luxurious friend wants to go above and beyond, doesn’t mean you have to do it every time. And if they insist they’ll cover it, let them. Listen to your body and decide for your own wellbeing what you’re willing and not willing to spend money on.
Pros & Cons of Luxury Travel
Pros
- Higher sense of security or
- May seem “cleaner”
- Less time, stress, and energy spent planning
- Tailor-made services and special request concierge available to you
- Personal experience is prioritized
- More comfortable travel options
- Premium quality bedding, bathroom products, food, and drinks
- Multiple amenities and dining choices
- Best view or location
Cons
- More $$$$$ or overpriced items
- Limits cultural integration
How to Plan a Luxury Trip
Step 1: Build Relationships with Everyone You Meet
Sometimes the people who can make your travel experience better, are the front men and women who run the operations. It’s not always the owner or manager of the hotel, restaurant, or airline. It’s the people you see each morning on your way in/out. Making their day a little brighter, can help improve your own experience. By talking to the receptionist and asking how their day is, giving a compliment to them, sharing what you are most excited for this vacation, asking where their favorite place to eat is after a long day…you start to build rapport with the key people who make the upgrades happen.
Building relationships with each person you speak with can help separate you from everyone else they are checking in or getting requests from. One skill I learned on a podcast somewhere was gifting the receptionist something. Whether it’s picking up a second to-go coffee or getting extra chocolates from the local market, these are great ways you can help make a lasting impression. At the very least, it’s something that will brighten both your days (queue butterfly effect)!
This is also a very important skillset to learn for travelers who are frequenting the same hotel or flight route often! Chances are you will become familiar to the hotel staff and they will remember you in your future visits. This meaningful touch point can be an added practice into your daily life as well.
Step 2: Book Hotels That Offer a Spa
One of the best things you can do is gift yourself a spa experience. Not only is this amazing for your mental and physical health, but by planning in a half a day for some self care will subconsciously create a luxury experience.
Even if you can’t afford getting a treatment, access to the hotel spa is free for hotel guests, so you can enjoy all the amenities and take time for yourself.
Pro Tip!
If you have the time, plan to visit the spa after your day plans have finished and before your evening plans begin. You’re on vacation, you deserve a little, daily, self care action…that’s luxury 101. If you have a half or full spa day available, my favorite day to book is the day before your last day.
One thing I’ve noticed when I have a half spa day reserved in the afternoon, is that my entire day feels more intentional from the start.
Step 3: Utilize the Complimentary Amenities
Similar to above, if the hotel offers complimentary services, use them! Always ask the hotel if they have a complimentary airport transfer or can provide their recommendations for one. Rather than dragging your suitcases across town and waiting for public transportation, it makes such a difference to walk out the airport, find your name on the white iPad, and be escorted directly to your hotel.
Once you’ve been picked up this is also a great time to ask your driver for his favorite local spots and recommendations. Even if you don’t go, write down what they suggest!
Pro Tip!
If they offer a concierge service, again, use them! They are literally there for any questions or special requests. My favorite way to utilize the concierge is for restaurant recommendations for both amazing food, and authentic experiences. And when they give you a list of their favorites, go ahead and ask them to book the reservations for you as well. The concierge is constantly booking reservations throughout town, on behalf of the hotel’s guests. It is very likely the hotel has longstanding, mutual relationships with many restaurants…to which, when called upon, will get you the best table available, compliments of the hotel.
Another way your vacation can feel more luxurious is by indulging in the bath products available to you. These products can range from hand crafted, locally made, organic and vegan products, to full designer home & body collections. Use them any chance you get to lather on the luxury.
Step 4: Choose One or Two Activities to Splurge On
Rather than choosing multiple activities to fill your entire day with, consider selecting 1-2 days or activities in which you pamper yourselves. Perhaps it’s a half day private boat tour of the coastline or a Michelin star dinner one evening. Forgoes the back to back plans that’ll leaving you feeling burnt out or exhausted and opt for a relaxing, slow day that leaves you feeling fulfilled and connected instead.
Step 5: Prioritize Slow Travel
This might seem like a dumb thing to do when you only have a limited number of days on a trip. But honestly, nothing is worse than getting home from vacation and feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation! No one enjoys returning home and going back to work restless. And there is something luxurious about getting a good night’s sleep or feeling well rested.
Whether you need to sleep in and order room service for breakfast, or you need a mid day cat nap, you will thank yourself when you return home feeling rested…like you took a real vacation.
And if you prefer not to sleep more on vacation, consider adding more down time and rest into your itinerary. Whether that is having a glass of wine on a patio over looking the water, or reading a magazine over coffee near a live jazz band…find the opportunity to add little moments of rest into and throughout your day so you can feel your best.
Tips for Building Your Luxury Travel Portfolio
Tip 1: Sign up for a Travel Rewards Credit Card
You can find travel rewards credit cards that best fit your travel style, priorities, and frequency. For instance, there are some travel credit cards that are best used domestically and others internationally. It’s important to do your research on what works best for you. You can see more information on my Travel Resources page, including my personal opinion of cards.
Many credit card companies offer promotional point bonuses as well. If you spend a certain minimum in the first 3-4 months of having the card, you can receive 50,000 – 80,000 in additional points! Literally just by booking an upcoming trip’s flights and hotels with your new credit card, you could reach the bonus offer. Or, if you prefer to add your new credit card into your monthly billing cycle, after a few short months you’re bound to meet the offer as well. This is how my husband and I booked our 5 star hotel & spa in Dubrovnik, Croatia for one week last May, completely free. We also just booked hotels for weekends in London, Budapest, and Interlaken all with points as well.
You will also find that many credit card companies partner with Airlines and Hotels. This can help you amplify your credit card rewards, achieve new levels of status, and accumulate points with the airline or hotel company at the same time. Booking with a travel credit card can literally maximize your opportunities for new travel experiences, upgrades, and free trips/stays. Booking with a debit card or regular credit card won’t give you this 3peat maximization. My best advice would be to choose a card that fits your priorities right now. I’ll explain the benefits on an Airline CC vs Hotel CC below.
Tip 2: Sign up for Airline Credit Card
If you’re someone who flies consistently it would be a great idea to sign up for an airline travel rewards credit card. Especially if you’re flying for work and/or have the responsibility of booking your ticket up front. Booking through the credit card company’s travel portal will usually offer 3x, 5x, or 10x+ the points for the flight you book through them. This is a great way to get points back for a flight you would have spent money on regardless.
Additional airline credit card benefits might include access to the club lounges in international and domestic airports and potential upgrades to upcoming flights (with status).
It’s important to note that lounge access and options may vary based on the airline you prefer to travel with, what airport you’re flying from, and where your layovers are located. That being said, it’s worth it to research which airlines fly to specific destinations if you are traveling somewhere often. You wouldn’t want to get a Delta travel credit card if you are flying routinely on an American flight, and vice versa. And the same goes for lounges, if you have Delta Sky Club membership but the flight itineraries only have American Airlines Admirals Club options, you wouldn’t be able to access them.
Tip 3: Sign up for Hotel Credit Card
The same situation applies to hotel credit cards as it does to the airline credit cards. If you’re constantly booking new hotels and love one specific hotel chain in particular, this is a great route to go. Not only will your reservations count towards new status levels as you continue to stay/return to the same hotel chain, but by booking through the credit card company’s travel portal, they will usually offer 3x, 5x, 10x+ the points for the hotel you book through them.
Additional hotel credit card benefits might include free breakfast per guest per day, free welcome basket upon check-in, free upgrades to the next best room (subject to availability), and discounts on dining, bar, or spa visits within the hotel.
One thing worth mentioning is it is a good idea to look up your preferred hotel chain domestically and internationally. I say that because we were big Hilton members domestically, but internationally we prefer Marriot hotels, so we had to rebuild our loyalty points while living abroad.
Author’s Note
The older I get in my 20s the more I have learned to appreciate my luxury travel experiences.
I love having the hotel transfer service pick us up from the airport and drive us straight to the hotel in their Mercedes GLS SUV…I love having a nice hotel with a large closet space that makes me WANT to unpack my suitcase and hang up my clothes…I love asking the concierge to help me book a table at a restaurant I’ve been eyeing for months, because when they call, they get me the best table in the restaurant…I love having slow mornings where I’m offered a mimosa, cappuccino, freshly squeezed OJ, and French toast made to order…I love putting on my bathrobe and walking down to the hotel spa for the remainder of the afternoon…I love having a glass of champagne sent to the table at dinner each night.
There is so much more than just staying in a 5 star hotel and eating at their Michelin star awarded restaurant. It’s the details. I live for it!
