Time to Stop my Luxe Ways?

Things, Travel ThoughtsOct 22 201210 Comments

In terms of travel, what does “luxury” mean to you? Chances are that your definition isn’t like anyone else’s.

Like so many other words, luxury is a subjective term. Sure, movies, TV, and magazines plant a vision into our minds of Michelin-stared restaurants, the finest wines, and grand hotels in fabulous locations with Egyptian-cotton sheets, marble bathrooms, and million-dollar views.

Of course, I’m a huge fan of this definition of luxury. I’ve stayed in my fair share of these types of places in Ireland, Chicago, Tokyo, Miami, New Orleans, and many other places around the world. I’d certainly be lying if I said didn’t enjoy my time in each one.

There’s something really special about staying in an opulent hotel. Walking through the front door causes one to walk a little taller. I love being greeted by name by the hotel staff and the little treats delivered to my room “just because”. I appreciate the extra-fluffy towels, the top-of-the-line toiletries, and the fresh flowers in my room. I like when I offhandedly mention something to the concierge and he makes it happen without being asked again. In my mind, these are the types of things that make a great hotel more than memorable.

Through travel blogging I’ve been fortunate to meet all sorts of people. None seem to have the exact same travel style or idea of luxury, but one thing that we all have is a passion for travel. It binds us into a tight-knit community. It’s our common thread.

I know backpackers who define luxury as having a private hostel room. I became fast friends with a couple who lived for a year in a campervan in New Zealand. During that time, they defined luxury as simply having indoor plumbing. I know couchsurfers who find luxury when their couch actually pulls out into a bed. I know family travelers who think luxury is staying in a hotel where continental breakfast is included. And then I’ve met people who only take luxury holidays and wouldn’t dream of staying in a place with less than five stars.

It takes all kinds, right?

This morning I spoke with a co-worker who was out all last week. Noticing a new photo of a sunset on her desk, I commented on how lovely it was. She then went on to tell me that she’d just spent a week in the Dominican Republic. Now, I’ve never been to the Dominican Republic, and it’s safe to say that it wouldn’t make my top 100 places I’d want to travel to next, but to see her eyes light up when she talked about her trip was intoxicating.

I listened to her go on about the fabulous food, her beautiful hotel, the exciting excursions, and the spectacular beaches. I couldn’t help but become excited, too. As she continued on about her trip, I wondered how she defined luxury and how it compared to my definition.

Apparently this was the first real vacation she’d taken in three years. This blew my mind as I’ve probably taken twenty vacations in the last three years. For my co-worker, simply taking a vacation is a luxury to her. That brief conversation put so much into perspective for me.

Although I adore all the five-star this and four-diamond that, what I treasure above all else is the actual act of traveling. It’s the packing and the butterflies I feel as I check my bags. It’s the pilot announcing our on-time arrival. It’s the click of the new stamp on my passport. Most importantly, it’s the idea of not knowing what lies ahead.

“I want to see things that I can’t imagine. I want to do things that scare me. I want to go places that I’ve only read about. I want to meet people that are nothing like me.” –Me

I wrote that in my very first post, “Why I Travel: A Dedication“. No place in that manifesto do I mention wanting to travel only in the lap of luxury. With that being said, I’m not turning into a backpacker, but I am beginning to redefine my idea of luxury. I’m still going to dine in fine restaurants, visit exotic locales, and stay in hotels that will address me as Ms. Walker, but I’m also going to eat from street vendors, tour places close to home, and stay in hotels that might simply offer a free bottle of water upon check in.

My coworker boasted about the “great deal” she got on her all-inclusive vacation, and I say good for her. It’s not my thing, but different strokes for different folks. Just like I hate cruises and have no desire to stay in a hostel, others wouldn’t ever consider spending $250 or more on a night in a hotel. With my redefining of luxury, I’m going to be a bit more selective in my choices. I’m trying to transition into a quantity over quality way of thinking when it comes to travel.

Travel is an inherent part of who I am. Perhaps my greatest fear is that time will run out before I get to experience the world. As a result, travel feeds me. It spurs my actions. It dominates my time. It monopolizes my dollars. In order to continue traveling like I want to, I’ll need to gain some perspective, adjust my goals, and reconsider what my idea of luxury really is.

After all, life is short and the road is long. It’d be a shame for me to miss out on a single adventure just because I refused to stay in a place without a doorman.

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10 Comments

lola dimarco :: October 22, 2012 at 9:04 pm :: Reply

hmmmm. i hear this. sometimes it's worth the $$ and sometimes it is not. hope you don't go cold turkey on the luxe life. it can be found for not so much dinero and BOY is it ever worth it! lola dimarco recently posted..Europe’s most iconic landmarks

Leah Travels :: October 24, 2012 at 10:37 am :: Reply

No, of course no cold turkey here. I'm just going to have to be a bit more selective or borrow one of your sugar daddies. ;-)

Jeff @ GoTravelzing :: October 22, 2012 at 9:17 pm :: Reply

I just had a conversation with a friend about the prices of hotels and what you get for your money based on location. One of the things I love about Vegas is that I can get a really nice hotel for the same price as a moderate hotel somewhere else. This is usually the case as long as you do not go during a major convention or New Years Eve. My friend was saying that it costs him more to stay on the outskirts of Chicago at a Holiday Inn than a nice hotel in Vegas. It is all about perspective. I am not a luxury traveler but I do like to be comfortable. I usually try to find the right balance between price and comfort. Jeff @ GoTravelzing recently posted..The Festival of Fools in Belfast Ireland

Leah Travels :: October 24, 2012 at 10:39 am :: Reply

I agree, Jeff. Vegas offers up great rooms for the value. I can't tell you the last time I've actually paid for a room, but from what I see come through my email, prices are still reasonable. I'm with you on being comfortable. It depends on the place I'm going. Sometimes the location is worth its weight in gold and very much worth the added price.

Anita Mac :: October 23, 2012 at 3:27 am :: Reply

So interesting - I really think luxury is in the moment as well as the eye of the beholder. Don't get me wrong, I have loved my luxe experiences in Mexico, Antigua, Boston....but the little 3 star hotel in Burgos on the Camino de Santiago had me pretty excited too...quaint, spacious and I didn't have to share the space with others...pure luxury. I think I am also trying to define what is luxury to me...and I think the experience has a big part of it! Here's to living the adventures with and without the doorman! Happy travels. Anita Mac recently posted..Monday Morning Series – Antigua Sunset

Leah Travels :: October 24, 2012 at 10:42 am :: Reply

You're so right about perspective. I can totally see how the 3* hotel would be heaven during the Camino. Sometimes a hot shower feels like luxury after a long day of traveling. I don't care if the soap is scented or if it just lathers up. Perspective!

@mrsoaroundworld :: October 23, 2012 at 5:32 am :: Reply

For me, it is pretty simple - if I leave home, it has to be better. Otherwise, seriously, it is pointless. It doesn't mean I won't compromise if it is a special place and there aren't other options. I read a great quote somewhere the other day - as I have gotten older, I have needed more stars in my hotels!

Leah Travels :: October 24, 2012 at 10:45 am :: Reply

Oh yes, Mrs. O, I'll be happy to come along with you on your luxurious escapes every chance I get. However, I must pace myself!

Loz in Transit :: October 30, 2012 at 9:39 pm :: Reply

Great post and great examples detailing how relative it all is. I met young Ukranian traveler in Rotterdam, she had never been outside her own Country before and was describing the awe she had with the City's skyline. I found that hard to believe considering what I'm used to in Sydney and have seen elsewhere, couple with the fact Rotterdam was flattened in WWII. It was then I realised how relative it all is and what ultimately matters is the feeling you get, that first high. For me luxury is experiencing something outside myself. For a person born into wealth or works long hours at their job, the 5 star hotel is probably commensurate to what they sacrificed. For me true luxury feel like magic, a stolen moment. Getting a glimpse of something you weren't meant to. Its not transactional, that's what makes it special. Loz in Transit recently posted..Being a kid again: Cave Clanning in La Perouse, Sydney

Leah Travels :: November 1, 2012 at 4:57 pm :: Reply

You totally got what I was trying to convey, although you put it in a much better way. WOW! I like the idea of a stolen moment, too. I hope to put more stock in finding those than the hottest and best hotel around. Thank you.