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Holidays are not a luxury, they are a necessity. And a little luxury is essential. Not that my bank account agrees. In these circumstances, is it a good idea to consider booking a hotel that costs more than £1 per minute?
It's not like you can't escape the Big Smoke. I am fortunate to have a second home on the Gold Coast of England, in God's own country, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex. I love that. The beach has glorious golden sand and I love the beach hut (a great place for lunch). I also love the wonderful lawn tennis courts at the local club. If it's sunny, I'll definitely get Furintan. Who needs to go abroad?
You should make the most of your home. It costs a lot of money to run this place, and now that the pool is up and running, the utility bills are eating up my cash as fast as the roses in the garden are being eaten by the muntjac. By staying there, you won't have to pay for a kennel, suffer through airport lines, or be crammed into a plane seat eating food that you would normally turn your nose up at. On my last flight, the best thing on the paid menu was the Marks and Spencer sarnie and her bag of M&Ms. I know it's at a high altitude, but it's not haute cuisine.
These days, looking up holidays online can trigger a spam hell. When you type “vacation”, “flight”, “hotel” or vacation destination into a search engine, be prepared to be bombarded with targeted advertisements from operators. However, the image of a five-star hotel with a pool, luxurious loungers, endless cocktails and delicious food serves mainly for fantasy and rarely matches reality.
Years ago, when I didn't own a vacation home, holidays were an escape. I work in an investment bank, so it was important to me to fly as far away from the office as possible. It's not to brag. Everyone had enough money to do it. But you need to stay out of touch with the catastrophe your jealous colleague concocts to see if he'll pull you back from your trip.
One time, I was so happy to be far away that I cut off everything I was told because the line was slow, hinted that it was too difficult, and told him I would leave him my fax number if it was really that urgent. Ta. No other words were heard.
These days, communication has made it easier to stay in touch. Work from anywhere with WiFi. Anyway, I'm a freelancer. Vacation means losing money, but not freedom. And these days, that means even more money, whether it's food, drink, or the power to get where we want to go.
Forget about coronavirus-era holiday bargains. They are long gone. Air travel increased by 44.1% in the year to December 2022, but fell again this year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Additionally, according to a survey by the consumer group Which?, holiday prices rose by an average of 51% during the high season. International travel is back. The problem was, no one told me their bank account details.
When it comes to holidays, apart from accepting the occasional activity leave from Club Med, I seek luxury. In keeping with my grandfather's traveling spirit, I want my hotel to be nicer than my home. Service must be exemplary. And that culinary experience should go beyond what you can find around the corner or just an Uber ride away. I'm not interested in slacking off on it for the sake of “experience”. Nor is staying in an oversized hotel like living in an airport lounge with a correspondingly long line.
So, given the cash crunch and huge expenses, why did I sit down last week and try to book an expensive trip? And with my mom? I am her 53rd year old and we no longer need to go on family vacations.
Over lunch, we made plans to revisit Venice, her favorite destination and a place we have visited often before. If you are planning a trip, she is the only place to stay. Hotel Cipriani. Her price per night is higher than many week-long package holidays, with room rates in June starting at around 1,700 euros per night.
But that's not the point. This place embodies luxury. It's not the smartest or best decorated hotel I've visited. But it's about returning to a place with special memories.
Some might argue that Bellini, which costs 29 euros a glass, is driving that. Alternatively, you can buy a glass of Ruinart for 50 euros. Or he can go over budget and buy a bottle for 200 euros. But we all know that a pint from the pub costs more than a pint of own-label lager from the supermarket. What you're paying for is the location and atmosphere.
If you're going to take time off from work and reduce your income, you don't want to live like a student just to save up a little money. Fortunately, I have already convinced myself that he is saving money by choosing a 4 night stay. Anyway, I need to buy new shoes and after Brexit I will be able to buy them in Venice and claim her VAT.
In the off-season, you can fly on EasyJet for between £30 and £40 each way. Prices are even higher during high season. At first glance, BA looks more expensive at several hundred pounds. However, by the time you actually want to take your luggage with you, the financial loss is not that big compared to that. When you book with your Amex Centurion credit card, you'll receive a “free” airport transfer. It will also cost less if you travel mid-week, even in high season.
This is the kind of hotel that is groaning under financial distress. I made a reservation through Amex again. You won't find any savings at our eye-watering prices, but you'll receive daily room credits that are enough for a few fizzes, a 'free' room upgrade, and a late checkout. This is convenient if you want to take a cheap evening flight home.
But there is another reason for this pilgrimage. We are all getting older and this may be the last time we get to travel together. And the time we spend making memories together is irreplaceable.
James Max is a television and radio host and real estate expert. The views expressed are personal. twitter: @maaaaaaaaaaaaaa
