Beyond the Hotel Suite: 8 Luxe Add-Ons That Make Your Vacation Unforgettable

Every detail contributes to your vacation experience. People planning a trip usually only care about a few primary areas, such as their hotel suite and the flight. These are undoubtedly important, but there are also lots of other crucial items that contribute to your comfort. The following eight tips will help ensure that your next luxury vacation is truly memorable.

Research Before Your Trip

Unless you already know your destination well, it's best to conduct as much research as possible beforehand. There may be events or destinations that you wouldn’t know about unless you stumbled across them. It can be frantic deciding what to do at the last minute. Plan for a more relaxing experience.

• Read restaurant reviews.
• Look for events such as concerts, festivals, theater performances, or sporting events that you might want to attend.
• Seek enjoyable side trips. A popular example is taking a day to see the Grand Canyon when visiting Las Vegas. Wherever you’re headed, countless potential side trips can make your journey more varied.

Find Creative Ways to Get Upgrades

Want to have a better travel experience without paying for a first-class flight? It’s often possible to get free upgrades.

• Use loyalty or frequent flyer miles. If you have a credit card or belong to a loyalty program, remember to check if you have enough miles for an upgrade.
• Book your trip on quieter travel times. If you are flying during a peak period, such as a holiday weekend, a complimentary upgrade is unlikely. On the other hand, traveling in the middle of the week increases your chances of finding a good deal.
• Ask before you board. Sometimes you can get an upgrade by asking a gate agent before boarding. This can also be applied to upgrading hotel rooms as well as flights. You have nothing to lose by asking if they can upgrade you as you’re checking in.

Make the Most of Concierge Services

In the age of apps and automated booking systems, travel is increasingly becoming a self-service activity. However, concierge services still offer many desirable perks.

• Contact the hotel’s concierge before your arrival. This helps you ensure a smooth check-in and arrange any services you’ll need right away.
• Have a special check-in or check-out time arranged for you.
• Arrange your car rental to be ready for you upon arrival.
• Schedule babysitting or daycare if you brought the kids.
• Ask for recommendations that cater to your personal preferences and interests, such as specialized shops or historic sites that align with your interests. They can also identify venues that meet specific needs, such as those with dietary restrictions, kid-friendly places, or venues that accommodate disabilities.
• They can be your inside contact who helps you book reservations or get scarce event tickets.

Arrange Personalized Experiences

Don’t just focus on tourist attractions and items you find listed on mass-market travel guides. Look for less frequented places and ones tailored to your interests. If you’re planning to visit a tourist attraction, inquire about exclusive or VIP tours, which offer a distinctly different experience from a public tour. Research the area and ask about exclusive venue bookings. For popular attractions, you may have to reserve them well in advance.

Rent a Luxury Car

You spend a lot of your vacation time moving from one spot to another. Renting an extraordinary car is one of the best ways to elevate your trip. If you’re going to be driving around anyway, consider doing it in style. Explore luxury fleet services to see if they offer your dream car. You may be able to find a vehicle that looks like it’s right out of your favorite action movie. You’ll feel like a different person behind the wheel, and you’ll attract attention wherever you go.

Dine Like Royalty

Eating out when you’re on vacation is normal. To find truly exceptional dining experiences, however, you must be intentional and seek out the best options. Remember to make reservations at the top restaurants well in advance. Popular spots are often booked months in advance, so it’s best to book before you start the trip. It’s also fun to be adventurous. In addition to dining at the area’s premier establishments, get advice from locals once you arrive. You may uncover some hidden gems that aren’t well publicized.

Spoil Yourself With Spa Treatments

Almost any high-end hotel, resort, or other vacation experience offers some form of spa services. However, not everyone takes advantage of this. When rushing around and exploring, it's easy to forget to book spa treatments. You generally have a wide range of decadent options, including massage, hot tubs, facials, scrubs, and makeovers. Be sure to schedule some time for indulging in pampering and relaxation, as this will leave you refreshed for your next excursion.

Get Quality Photos and Videos

No one needs to be reminded to take lots of photos and upload them to social media. However, smartphone photos and videos aren’t always ideal. Even the best phone cameras are limited compared to what you can get with higher-end cameras. Quality cameras are suitable for capturing backgrounds and nuances. Bringing or investing in a better camera ensures your memories will be captured in the best possible way.

Another option is to arrange for a photo shoot with a professional photographer. Having a pro tail you around for the whole trip is expensive, and you may not want to always feel like a celebrity being followed by paparazzi. Instead, you can arrange for short photo shoots at key locations. A good place to find reasonably priced photographers who are available nationwide is Airbnb Experiences.

Make Your Vacation Extraordinary

Memorable holidays consist of many small moments. You can help to arrange more special moments by planning strategically. You always want to be open to spontaneity. Some of life’s most precious moments are unplanned. However, planning well is also essential. Requesting upgrades, attending special events, and booking unique experiences all contribute to a vacation that’s way beyond the usual.