What determines your choice of Vacation Spot?

[andybigs]

Just a bit curious as to how luxury link community members determine or choose their vacation spot...
I determine mine by:

1. Popularity of place - sometimes the more popular it is, the less inclined I am to visit
2. Budget - i'm prepared to pay as long as it's worth it..but how would you know if it's worth it if you haven't been there? Get reviews.. and or bid on packages at luxury link and trust their high standards
3. Staff to Guest Ratio
4. Food!!!!


How about yours?

[christian07]

interesting question!

well, i also consider what you enumerated. just like to add the weather condition. i mean, i take into consideration if there's going to be a storm or if it will be irritatingly hot. also, i look into their accesibility to the decent transportation as well so if there's an emergency and I need to get back home asa, i can go immediately.

[bonniejoy03]

Andybigs. My list looks like yours!!!

1. Value for money/budget. I want a good deal for the money. Can't see paying a lot! That is why I am spending more time in Central America than Europe. I love Europe but the prices are killers! I can enjoy my travels AND travel more by going to Central America.



2. Popularity of vacation spot. I agree with Andybigs....the more "popular/stupid touristy", the less likely I will consider it. I like more remote, out of the way locations. I like to find properties before they are found by others.



3. OK....my breakdown that doesn't fit in with the above two....Would love tennis courts!!! There are a few in Central America and we have found them all!!! Tennis courts work best for travel in the Caribbean or US.

[kyshel]

Hi Andybigs! I have a different approach because I have the incredible luxury of being able to fly anywhere Delta and partners go for mini-money since my husband is a pilot.
When I see a LL pkg that interests me, my criteria starts with accessibility. If I can get there on stand-by, great; if I can get there is business class--yipppeee.
Then I look at logistics like visas and transfers. Will it requires a stay on each end to fit transportation schedules. Our recent trip to the Amazon is a 4 night package that ballooned to 10 days for transfers, etc. I've also be lucky enough to take a 3 night safari to South Africa that only took 7 days, flight time included.
I don't have to worry about destination popularity, since I almost always have to travel off-season. I'd rather spend a few cool days walking around in Prague leisurely, than to be whacked around by sweaty tourists in August! Somehow, I've been blessed with unseasonably nice weather nearly everywhere this past year. There usually much better availability with most properties and upgrades are easier to finagle.
I guess my last requirement is to just GO. If I haven't been there, why am I waiting? I think if someone told me to go to H E double hockey sticks, I'd be packed before I realized what they meant. (they can't bleep that, can they?)

[Syrene-1]

In no particular order;



warm or hot climate. I want to see the polar bears so badly but the thought of going on vacation to shiver is not appealing.



The more exotic the location, the better. By that I mean I want to see new cultures, try new foods etc. Basically I want to be out of my element.



Luxury accommodations. Not the antiseptic kind. Some place with character and great customer service.



With few exceptions, not where the crowds go.

[CMDAVILACLI]

hi andybigs,



sorry for the error on the earlier post by me - I must have hit some sort of button!



I base my vacations on:

1) how stressed out am I... do I need complete R&R involving deserted beaches and mega amounts of drinks with little parasols in them

or

2) If I'm not too stressed, I'll hit the big cities around the world



then I look at best "bang for the buck" and specials on using my airline miles. I like to go to new places, but sometimes the comfort of a "tried and true" spot works to my advantage - again this goes back to the stress level. I always, always, always research out my new vacation spots, read as many reviews of the places I am considering, and spend quite a bit of time working out the details of my vacation. For some reason, I enjoy that part of the planning - it helps me feel that chances are my trip will end up great and worth all the money and time invested.

cmdavilacli

[claassenam]

Good question!

For me, when planning a vacation, it comes down to:

1) How much time can I take?
2) What time of year is it?
3) How much money can I spend?
4) What's available on Luxury Link?
5) Where does United and its partners fly so that I can upgrade to Business Class?

My husband and I pretty much have a running list of "dream" vacation destinations worldwide, in some order, and we try to run down that list. Thus far, the locations have been fairly exotic and fast-paced but that will begin to change as we will be adding to our family soon. Obviously, some places can't be visited in just a week. Other places should be avoided at certain times of year. And, some places (especially now, with the dollar so weak) would require too much money to do it in the style at which we want to travel - this is where the importance of available hotel options comes into play. We don't always (but usually) travel to LL destinations, and we don't always upgrade to Business Class - but we always try! Somehow all of these pieces come together to create the perfect trip for that particular week or weeks....it's worked out well so far.

[andybigs]

What I've learned from everyone who's responded to my question (thanks by the way!)

Christian07 - decent transportation is important in case of emergency.

Bonniejoy04 - tennis courts - will definitely try my hand at that sport when I take a trip to the Caribbean

Kyshel - just go!

Syrene-1 - the more exotic the location, the better !

CMDAVILACLI - Exactly! I sometimes base my vacation on my stress level, but unlike you, when the stress level gets too high at work, I don't want to admit this, but casinos appeal to me for some reason.

claassenam - as much as I'd love to travel to Europe, I agree that the current exchange rate prevents me from doing so.

Thanks everyone!

[matthewlawrence26]

i guess for me, i choose my vacation spot based on what I hear about the place, or if someone recommended the place to me then i'll check it out. check the internet or ask more about a certain place. it's also important for me to know if i could try new cuisines or delicacies, and if the atmosphere is worth the trip.

[mary-j]

The first thing I look at is the accommodation. I have a look through the glossy brochures or photo's on the internet of luxury resorts and there is usually a few which "jump" out at me. I then investigate them further, e.g, rooms/suites/location/size and Then I have a look at where it actually is. So when I am looking for a holiday it is not the destination which is priority, but what I will be staying in.