The simple answer seems pretty obvious. If you prefer to book a luxury resort in Phuket rather than a 3-star hotel or hostel almost every time you visit Phuket, then you love to travel in style. But preference is just one factor that makes someone a luxury traveller. You also have to consider your travel goals, budget, and travel companion, among other things. There’s also the fact that budget travel has its appeal, and many find this option more fulfilling. If you’re still trying to discover which way you lean, there are signs that would show you the right path.
Why luxury travel?
To get a good idea of why many people prefer to travel with luxury, it’s important to understand its allure and the not-so-alluring side of it.
- Comfort and Convenience: Luxury travel puts emphasis on exceptional comfort, convenience, and service. You fly first class and enjoy curated activities and experiences.
- Stress-Free Planning: Work with a luxury travel agency, and you won’t have to do anything else concerning travel planning.
- Curated Destinations: You have to admit that some regions in Thailand, for example, have hidden gems that are inaccessible for budget options. You may have to hire a yacht to visit remote areas or islands. You may need to book private tours to visit destinations only the elites know.
- Premium Offerings and Exclusivity: Privacy and exclusivity are guaranteed when you travel with luxury. From well-appointed rooms to bespoke experiences, you can enjoy them all.
Of course, you won’t be able to enjoy any of these privileges without paying a hefty price tag. If you can afford it, that’s not a problem. But there’s a possibility that you risk spontaneity and cultural experiences because everything about your trip is tailored for your indulgence.
Why budget travel?
It’s not just affordability that makes travelling on a budget appealing. When you travel to make the most of your travel funds, you open doors to many adventures and cultural immersions.
- More for Less: One night at a fancy hotel could probably pay for three days of your budget trip. The same budget you can probably use to explore more destinations or stretch your stay in one place.
- More Affordable Experiences: Between a guided tour and DIY, you can save more with the latter. The same is true if you dine at local eats and commute like a local.
- More Fun Opportunities: With your plan open to spontaneity, you can adjust to make the most of your dreamiest romantic getaway, for example. You can easily change your plans to accommodate downtime or for more unique experiences.
Comfort and convenience, however, can be a trade-off for budget travelling. Long bus rides can be exhausting, unless you seriously enjoy them. When you’re travelling on a shoestring, you probably won’t have access to exclusive experiences.
How do you make the right travel decision?
The long and short of it is that choosing to travel on a budget or luxury depends on your preferences and what you can afford. To better understand your preferred travel style, here are some questions to ask yourself.
Do you want to relax or explore?
- Relaxing doesn’t always mean arriving at your destination and doing nothing else all day. It may also include not planning a single thing for your trip and simply enjoying it.
- Exploring, in the very sense of the word, means going out of your comfort zone to experience something unique or new. There’s only so much immersion that a luxury trip can offer.
What is your main travel goal?
- If you want to indulge and treat yourself, you definitely deserve a luxury holiday with sumptuous amenities and offerings.
- Fly first class rather than economy. Book a suite instead of a standard room.
- If you want to travel more without spending a lot, affordability is the main focus. The cost of one luxury trip would probably give you two or more budget trips.
Who’s travelling with you?
- As a solo traveller, it’s easier to decide between budget and luxury travel because you only need to consider your preferences and budget. When travelling with family or friends, however, you need to consider their comfort and the kind of services that will provide that.
- If you’re part of a group, the majority of which prefer luxury trips, you may not have a choice but to go with what most people in your group prefer.
If you want to relax, indulge yourself, and are travelling with someone who prefers luxury, luxury travel is the way to go. Otherwise, travelling on a budget may be more suitable for you. But why not take a hybrid approach? Book a suite at the Amatara and DIY your tours and excursions.
