The word luxury means many things to many people. It could entail Cristal and caviar, a large estate in the Hamptons, and private limos and jets for transportation. Maybe it means a walk-in closet and a fancy home theater setup, drawers full of diamond jewelry, or rows of classic automobiles parked in a custom garage. But no matter what your personal connotations of luxury include, we can all pretty much agree that the term entails comfort, cost, and exclusivity. So for the majority of adults looking to plan a vacation, luxury may seem like nothing more than a pipe dream. However, you don't have to resign yourself to traveling by Greyhound and booking a room at a Motel 6 in order to save some money on your trip. There are ways to get the extravagance you crave without blowing your budget out of the water. Here are just a few tips that will have you lounging in the lap of luxury for less.
1. Go all-inclusive. Cruises offer some of the best options out there when it comes to luxury combined with economy. Most are not terribly expensive (although you will have to pay extra for plane tickets if you don't live near a port), and even rooms with a view or a balcony can be had for a fraction of what you might pay on land. You will get smaller rooms than your standard luxury hotel provides, but if you're touring the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean, the view is a luxury in and of itself. Plus, the food is usually delicious and you will have plenty of opportunity to explore ports of call.2. Explore package deals. Since not everyone is keen to spend a week on a boat, there are also package deals that allow you to save some money when vacationing on dry land. Both travel agencies and online travel sites offer packages that include airfare, hotel, and transportation for less than you would pay for them individually. And you might even join hotel or airline membership programs to get access to special offers.
3. Opt for the off-season. Sure you might pay $500+ per night to stay at ocean-side accommodations in Hawaii during the summer or the holidays, but if you go in March you'll still get the good weather that the islands are known
for (with temperatures in the 70s and 80s) and you'll pay a lot less even at resort hotels (generally about half). As a bonus, you can avoid the crowds of summer and gain access to virtually empty beaches and other entertainments.
4. Join a club. Aside from becoming a member at your favorite airline or hotel chain, you might also want to consider joining a resort club. Many people that travel a couple of times a year or more find this a great way to save some money. Although you will have to pay up front for access, resort clubs could allow you to stay at locations all over the world (and provide you with all the amenities of home). And with varying levels of cost you should be able to find one that suits your budget.
5. Get off the beaten path. Forget spendy, well-known locales and look for alternatives that are up-and-coming instead. If you like a beachy vibe but Hawaii is too expensive, consider islands that are less frequented but no less posh, like Fiji or the Philippines, for example. Many have built luxury accommodations in a bid to compete for the tourist trade, but their prices are still incredibly low. Just don't forget to look for a Verizon promotion code before you go to secure your international phone and consider packing light to avoid baggage fees.