Planning a luxury getaway should feel as relaxing as the trip itself. Yet, navigating the world of private transfers, exclusive access, and hidden gems requires a specific strategy. Before you book your next five-star retreat, review these critical dos and don’ts to perfect your luxury vacation planning, from start to finish.
When you are investing a significant amount of money in a vacation, the stakes are naturally higher. A high budget opens doors to incredible experiences, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee a flaw-free itinerary. From over-scheduling your days to overlooking concierge services, small missteps can compromise even the most expensive trips. Here is how to maximize your investment and plan a luxury vacation that actually feels luxurious.
Want to go on a luxury vacation? Of course you do – everyone does! Luxury vacations are great for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. All you have to do is pick a place, book a room, and spend your time luxuriating in the best surroundings possible!
Dos and Don’ts of Luxury Vacation Planning
Table of Contents
And while that sounds quite simple, the cost, organization, and simple demands of luxury travel tend to hold most of us back! That’s why luxury trips are something you aim for, more than the kind of vacation you actually go on. But if the time has come when you’ve saved enough money and have the kind of time where you’re able to travel to far off places and bask in the sun, we’re here to give you a hand.
Because planning a luxury vacation isn’t like planning your normal, standard air fare. It takes a bit more forward thought – and for a variety of reasons! So without further ado, let’s go through the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ of luxury vacation planning down below.
Luxury Vacation Planning Dos:
The hallmark of a true luxury trip is an itinerary tailored specifically to your rhythms and tastes, rather than a generic “best of” list. Do leverage the power of a dedicated travel advisor, whose relationships with general managers and local guides can unlock exclusive amenities—such as spa credits, flexible check-ins, and private after-hours tours—that simply aren’t available to the general public. Finally, invest in seamless transitions; opting for private transfers or VIP airport meet-and-greets buys you the ultimate luxury: time and peace of mind. Read on for more luxury vacation planning tips.
Travel in Comfort
Luxury travel should always be comfortable, by the very definition of the word. While most travelers take that to mean an airplane seat in business class or above, it doesn’t have to translate that way for you. For example, if you prefer to travel by train, book a first class seat (or cabin, depending on the train you’re planning to take). Similarly, you could also double up your vacation and journey into one, and finally go on that 5 star cruise you’ve always dreamed of.
While the destination is important, create an actual journey to set the stage for luxury vacation.
Stay Somewhere Relaxing
What kind of accommodation is most relaxing to you? Because once again, it doesn’t have to be a posh hotel with 4 or 5 stars above their name. If you prefer to upgrade to the ‘VIP’ suite in a hotel chain, or book the priciest room in a luxury resort, go for it! If that’s what relaxes you on your vacation, go ahead and splurge your budget in that way.
However, you do have quite a few options to consider. Indeed, you could go for a classy little boutique hotel in a cozy village, just outside of the big city. Or you could choose an AirBnB that has original 1930s decor all the way through.
Whatever you want to relax in after a day’s adventure, make sure you book the best version of it!
Try Some Fun ‘Out There’ Activities
Luxury vacations often come with a few ‘out there’ activities attached. These are the kind of activities you’d never, ever get up to on any other vacation – or if you were to just stay at home either. So make sure you do put a few unusual, once-in-a-lifetime kind of events down on the itinerary. And make sure you plan ones you’re actually interested in and excited to try out!
Always wanted to charter a boat and sail down the Cote d’Azur? Feel free to check out Windy Boats hire companies in the area and book yourself a day at sea!
Or maybe you fancy trying out some adrenaline pumping activities, like wind surfing or climbing a mountain? Now’s your chance! It’s just that, with a luxury price tag attached, you’re also likely to get a Michelin Star meal and drinks in the deal too!
Luxury Planning Vacation Don’ts:
When it comes to luxury travel, the biggest pitfall is confusing a packed itinerary with a rich experience. Don’t over-schedule every hour; true opulence allows for spontaneity and deep relaxation, not a frantic checklist of sights.
Pay Top Prices at All Times
This is our first ‘don’t’ to keep in mind, and that’s because it’s the most important one! Luxury comes with a high price, of course. But that doesn’t mean you should always pay the highest price you can find. Something being expensive doesn’t mean it’s good! And it also doesn’t mean it’s actually good for you! So if you’re someone who can’t really stomach seafood, and you’ve chosen a destination with the world’s best sushi restaurant, you don’t have to go and try out the menu.
There is no ‘luxury standard’, no matter how much people rave about it. Do your own thing and spend your money in a way that feels luxurious to you. Because there’s plenty of expensive things out there to try, so be careful about which ones you spend on!
Read More: Why a Luxury Getaway Might Be Jus What You Need
Follow the Online Trends
A lot of luxury items get most of their hype from the online world. Even older brands like fashion houses and car manufacturers have found a new shopping generation for their products through their social media posts. And that’s something to remember about your luxury vacation plan. Luxury travel trends tend to get overhyped, as everyone wants to be seen in the ‘best spots’ on earth. Avoid the temptation to ‘DIY’ complex logistics based solely on online reviews. By bypassing professional travel advisors or high-end concierges, you risk missing out on the “un-Googleable” perks—like guaranteed room upgrades, private after-hours access, and seamless transfers—that distinguish a standard trip from a truly exceptional one.
And sure, you may have found something on Instagram that looks like a great destination to you, and it’s OK to let that inspire your travel planning. But when you’re putting your plan together, DO consider the ideas you’re putting down.
Just ask yourself one simple question: where have they come from? And if you find that there’s the same answer for every single one, and that answer is you saw it on social media, you might not end up liking your travel plans all that much!
Bottom Line? Plan a Luxury Vacation That Works For You
Want to get your luxury vacation plan all tied up and squared away? Then you came to the right place! Because luxury vacation planning can get a lot of people tripping up, wasting money, and coming home again not feeling like they’ve been on a luxury getaway. Instead, they feel they wasted their time, didn’t get to do much of what they actually enjoy, and will spend forever regretting the price tag! And to make sure your luxury vacation doesn’t turn out the same way, always keep to the dos and don’ts we listed above.