How To Bring Luxury To Your Vacation When You’re Traveling On A Budget

Instagram and TikTok are filled with images of luxury hotels and lavish travel experiences.From huge infinity pools to gorgeous yachts to lavish room service, expensive vacations are everywhere.

While the appeal is obvious, not all of us have the budget to stay at the Four Seasons or Aman.Even if you can technically afford such accommodations, people aren’t always willing to spend their precious vacation dollars there.

But there are ways you can travel in luxury without spending too much money.Below, travel experts share tips for making an affordable vacation more luxurious.

Have a drink at the bar in a fancy hotel

While some of the bars are pricey, it’s worth it to stop and relax with a martini after a busy day of sightseeing.

These nice hotel bars often offer reasonably priced happy hour deals and snacks.

Even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, you can dine in the famous gardens of the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City or enjoy the bar with its gold-leafed ceiling at the Royal Mansour Hotel in Marrakech.

As well as giving your vacation a high-end vibe, having a drink or a bite to eat at a luxury hotel also gives you the opportunity to visit other parts of the hotel.

Many luxury hotels do not allow guests to pass through the lobby.However, if you are drinking in a bar, these hotels will often let you in for a tour.

Get a resort day pass

A day pass essentially allows you to stay at an upscale hotel or resort for a day without having to pay for an expensive room, so you have access to amenities and features such as luxury poolside experiences.

It’s usually only $50 a day, which is a great deal.These day passes are usually not advertised, so you’ll need to call or ask in person at the hotel.

Sites like ResortPass.com also let you browse day passes from hundreds of hotels around the world, an easy way to find hotel day passes and make reservations.

Watch out for offers

A way to add a little luxury to a budget vacation is to save money on transportation while looking for deals on hotels or activities.

It is recommended to save on airfare by booking economy class and to use public transportation to further reduce travel costs.

Find even better lodging deals with apps like HotelTonight, which offers up to 70% off upscale hotels!You can look for deals ahead of time using Groupon or LivingSocial to incorporate luxury travel activities like spa services and delicious dining because you can look for daily deals based on the destination you’re going to.

Research happy hour or early-bird deals at local upscale restaurants that you want to try but your budget won’t allow it.And ask the hotel staff or concierge desk for tips on experiencing local luxury.These are free of charge.

Spa Reservation

Another option to make the vacation more luxurious is to book a massage at a nearby spa.You can relax and enjoy luxury without going completely over budget.

You may even be able to book a nice hotel spa at a relatively reasonable price.

Book spa services at luxury hotels between Monday and Thursday, as prices are usually more affordable.Hotels like the Mandarin Oriental allow spa-goers to use other amenities like the gym, pool, and sauna when they book spa services.Some hotels also offer lunch at the spa, so you can turn the experience into an all-day event.

We recommend booking a day pass instead of a treatment.Take advantage of all the amenities – even bath products and a hairdryer – and consider bringing a change of clothes so you’re ready for a night out.

If you want to experience a spa at a luxury hotel and don’t want to spend $500 on a massage, I’ve found that a lot of places offer full- or half-day passes for a fraction of the cost to use their facilities, which usually include saunas, steam rooms, cold showers, hot tubs, lounge areas, showers.Then gather your courage and enjoy the day.Bring a snack, a book, turn off your cell phone notifications as if you’re getting a two-hour massage, and maybe pick up a face or body mask product while you’re there (or quietly bring your own).

Bring your own bath bombs

Even if you can’t afford a luxury spa reservation or day pass, consider creating your own spa environment wherever you stay during your vacation.This may include bringing your own quality bathroom supplies.

If your room has a bathtub, bring your own bath balls so it still feels like a luxurious vacation experience.

If you’re traveling by air and don’t check baggage, make sure the bath products you choose are packaged securely and comply with TSA requirements.

Book a private driver

An easy way to enjoy luxury without paying for a luxury hotel is to book a private chauffeur to pick you up at the airport.This kind of service won’t be so expensive that it will cost you a fortune, but it definitely gives you a sense of luxury and makes traveling easier.

Indeed, there is something special about the experience of getting off a plane or train and seeing someone holding a sign with your name on it, someone helping you with your luggage, and a driver taking you to your accommodation.

Stay at a boutique hotel

Upscale hotel chains charge more for high-quality services, but by booking a more independent service, you can often enjoy a similarly exceptional experience for less.

I would suggest looking for small boutique hotels rather than large chain hotels.These hotels may not always have the extra amenities you can find at the Four Seasons or Aman, but the hospitality experience and local insights of a boutique hotel can be more authentic and memorable than the most luxurious chains.

Purchase wine from the store for your room

Sure, ordering a nice bottle of wine through room service can feel like a luxury, but if you’re on a budget, you can also recreate the experience by purchasing a bottle of wine from a local store – for an additional fee.

Instead of buying wines from pricey room service delivery, buy them from your local supermarket and just pop the cork in the comfort of your room.

Book premium rentals with groups

Another way to enjoy luxury on a low budget is to share the cost with others.It is advisable to book a luxury vacation rental with a group of people.Even if a vacation rental booked through a site like VRBO costs $600 per night, it’s not too expensive if you split it with a group of people, and you get to stay in a great place without spending too much money!This could mean the beachfront, an indoor pool, the mountains, and more.

Selection of less popular destinations

Another secret to cheap luxury travel is going to lesser-known places.By choosing less popular destinations, you can select locations based on special hotel offers, favorable currency exchange rates, and cost of living.

Often, these hotels have luxury boutique hotel rates that are a fraction of the cost of popular and expensive destinations.

Similarly, you can choose less popular times to visit a particular place.

If you’re planning to visit a specific hotel, you can either book off-season or see if you can plan your stay mid-week, which is much cheaper than a weekend stay.

Budgeting for year-end splurges

Oftentimes, if you’re willing to save a little money up front, you can spend a portion of your budget on a luxury experience at the end of your trip that will give you something to look forward to and end your vacation on a high note, whether it’s a nice dinner or a one-night stay at a swanky hotel!

Using points and rewards programs

One of the best ways to enjoy luxury experiences while traveling on a budget is to take advantage of credit card points and rewards programs.If you qualify for a new card with a massive points sign-up bonus, you can later convert those “free points” into “currency” for a variety of five-star experiences.

You must ensure that the minimum qualifying amount for spending does not exceed the amount you would normally spend.