Win a 4-night stay for 2 people at the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping in Thailand
Home / Travel / News, Features, Tips & Advice

Top 5 tips for planning a luxurious escape in 2020

By LLM Reporters   |  

When planning a luxury getaway, and to get the most out of your trip, you must ensure that it meets all your desires. Going on the ultimate break doesn’t mean you need to travel far afield, but to ensure that the trip meets its purpose of a refined getaway it’s important that you are fully prepared so you don’t have to worry about a thing once you’ve arrived. Whether you seek some downtime or enjoy exploration, those in the know at the five-star hotel The Grand, York explain their top tips on how to plan for a luxury escape.

Start planning early

When planning your luxury getaway, the first thing you need to determine is how much you want to spend. There truly is no limit to the scale when it comes to luxury living so knowing what you want to get out of the trip is key then you can do your research and ensure your plans suit your budget. Is it going to be adventurous, full of lavish touristic plans or a sumptuous spa break for the ultimate in relaxation? Prioritising what you desire will ensure your break turns out just the way you want it to and it’s best to get the most coveted activities out of the way early on so that you can plan in some extras for later in the trip. It’s advisable to start to investigate a break around six months prior to the arrival date as this gives a good amount of time to get everything booked in.

The Grand is a five-star hotel in York

The destination

Choosing the destination in which to spend your luxurious break will either be extremely easy or quite difficult. With so many places that offer hugely delightful experiences, it can prove challenging to find the perfect place to enjoy your time away. First, determine whether you want to go abroad or have a staycation. If you have allotted a substantial amount of time for your trip, then going abroad could be a wonderful way to both see a selection of new destinations and indulge in the downtime you perhaps crave. If time is of the essence, then a staycation could well be the answer as you won’t want to take up too much time travelling so take a look at places that are within reasonably close proximity to your location, you might be surprised at how many fantastic hotels and retreats there are right on your doorstep.

The accommodation

When indulging in a luxury getaway, the accommodation is, of course, a main factor to consider. There are always so many options to choose from, with everything from location to facilities, dining options and accommodation type to take into account, it can be hard to narrow it down. When deciding where to go, consider reducing the length of time required for transport, as this will take away from your exploration time – by ensuring that you are as central to a main area as possible, you’re more likely to have easy transport links. If you are hoping for your getaway to be a relaxing experience, then choosing a hotel that has a luxurious spa with the offer of indulgent treatments will be a tempting option or perhaps a home from home is what you require for a little added privacy.

Choosing the destination in which to spend your luxurious break will either be extremely easy or quite difficult

The journey

Your break starts from the minute you leave your home which means that the transport to your destination should be just as enjoyable as the destination itself. You don’t want to be finding yourself getting delayed or late as this can often leave you flustered before the trip has even truly got underway. If the option is there, consider upgrading your seats to make your journey more comfortable and relaxing to make any delays more manageable, while pre-booking taxis will also benefit you greatly as you can have a car ready and waiting to whisk you away upon your arrival.

What to do

Planning what you want to do on your getaway is very important. For many, time away from everyday life requires an element of rest so it’s wise to consider a relaxing day or two where little activity is undertaken. If you want to engage in some of the many activities available within the area, it’s important to book in advance, as often the most sought-after sights, experiences and trips can be extremely popular. To avoid missing out, schedule in your requirements, whether that’s an excursion, tour or spa treatment to be sure that you will be having only the most fulfilling and stress-free time while you are away.