Ugh! You’ve made a huge mistake.
This can’t be the resort you booked! You think back to the advertisement online for a ‘4-star beachfront oceanview all-inclusive luxury experience’. The price was right. In fact, it was the cheapest beachfront 4-star on the list!
….But now you see why.
The resort is beachfront as advertised, but they neglected to advertise the busy road you’ll need to cross on foot to reach the beach. Sure, you can see the beach and ocean from your hotel room… if you stand tiptoe in just the right spot on your balcony.
To add insult to injury, the picture online of the white sand beach was just one picture for a reason – the beach is all of 10 yards long and fit entirely into the picture when taken!
What a disappointment!
How could this have been avoided? You thought you did your research, right?
So how can you protect yourself from being let down by online bookings? Here are some tips to help you make the best choices:
Be skeptical of the lowest available price. Some resorts are the lowest price for a reason. They may be in an undesirable area, far from attractions and close to crime-filled areas. The resort may also be dated and in need of serious repair or renovation. Some resorts may even have a low list price because they are undergoing renovations during your visit. Who wants to hear construction noise over the waves?!
Get to know what the resort offers ahead of time. Some folks are content with an omelet for breakfast and beer in the afternoon. Sun and sand is the main attraction. But make sure your resort choice has the standards you need and are accustomed to. Top shelf liquor might be a priority if you are trying to impress who’s coming with you! Get to know what food options the resort offers – and keep in mind that different times of the year mean different offerings.
But the most important tip?
Pay attention to traveler reviews.
What are other people saying about the resort? The reviews you research for your resort choice should take a few things into account – when the review was posted, including time of year, what type of traveler gave the review (their age and where they’re traveling from)
Different standards around the world can make for a completely different experience for a traveler.
To get well-rounded information, be sure to read as many recent reviews as you can. Google and Tripadvisor are excellent choices. Try searching Facebook for groups based on that resort. Join these groups and ask questions.
Doing your research before traveling can make the difference between a forgettable trip and a memorable one. Though we can’t help you research that beautiful sandy cove resort in the Bahamas, researching your financial options is something we can help you navigate.
Call us now at 513-563-PLAN (7526), or go online to book a 15-minute chat with us. Let us do all the legwork.
Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®
