From glamping to a spa day: what is luxury?

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, the definition of luxury is: comfortable and extravagant living. So how does one find themselves in a tent in the middle of nowhere after booking a 5-star vacation? Because luxury travel is changing. It’s no longer about white-glove treatment, it’s focused on creating an unforgettable experience.

That doesn’t necessarily mean having someone dedicated to your every need, it can be in the form of unique accommodations on a cliff or a basket of local foods in your Airbnb.

Bottom line: you don’t always need to spend an arm and a leg to treat yourself. Here are some ways to feel luxurious at all different price points.

Luxuriate at the spa

Regular spa treatments like massages and facials are good self-care practices, but taking it to the next level with a spa retreat is the ultimate luxury. Whether you book a weeklong visit for an immersive experience or just a few hours at your local day spa, the time you spend taking care of yourself is worth every cent.

The LakeHouse Spa at Lake Austin Spa Resort offers lakeside luxury with more than 100 services to choose from. The setting allows visitors to reconnect with nature and embrace relaxation with all-inclusive packages and you can even take a water taxi to and from the resort to begin and end your journey on the water.

Get your Vitamin D fix in the Florida sunshine and experience the ultimate relaxation at Âme Spa & Wellness on Miami Isle. Their mix of traditional, integrative and holistic practitioners provides a well-rounded and modern approach to wellness.

Escape the mundane

Craving a change in scenery? Consider a getaway in the great outdoors. While camping might not seem luxurious, the glamping movement is making strides with new accommodations popping up all over the world.

Collective Retreats is all about “making luxury coexist with ruggedness” with outdoor accommodations in beautiful parts of the country like Hudson Valley, Yellowstone, and the Texas Hill Country. If you want a different glamping experience, consider staying in a yurt or tiny home. Yurtopia in Wimberley, Texas offers traditional yurts with the most beautifully painted doors and interiors you will ever see. Getaway House is a tiny cabin escape from large urban cities like Atlanta, Austin, Boston, and Portland that empower you to unplug and focus on you, your friends, family, and nature.

Are horses and wide-open spaces more your speed? Check out the Inn at Dos Brisas in the Texas Hill Country. Right outside of Houston, you’ll find yourself in a serene escape with all the bells and whistles. You can even book activities like skeet shooting, horseback riding, and tours of organic farms.

Focus on well-being

No matter the accommodation or level of customer service, working on your physical and mental well-being is a luxury. You can find yoga retreats to fit any budget all over the world including top international destinations like Bali, Peru, and Costa Rica. Domestic retreats are a great way to save money without minimizing luxury.

Hand over the reins

Sometimes luxury travel simply means letting someone else plan your trip. It takes away the stress of planning and lets you focus on what matters: you and your loved ones.

For a more luxurious offering, put yourself in the hands of the pros at top agencies like Virtuoso, Marchay, and Essentialist. You can either opt for annual membership to plan trips year-round or pay a one time fee depending on the agency and your needs.

Another more cost-effective option (especially if you’re traveling solo) are tour groups. Whether it’s your first time traveling internationally or you’re planning a multi-month trip, consider starting with a tour company like Intrepid Travel to get your feet wet.

Try something different

Kick it up a notch with unique experiences that will make all of your Instagram followers jealous. Like Ngala Treehouse from andBeyond, a luxury treehouse in the South African bush that allows visitors to sleep in the middle of a reserve.

Enjoy 360-degree views and sleep with elephants in Jungle Bubbles at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. Can Jungle Bubbles be luxurious? Short answer: yes. These aren’t your average bubbles. Each one features a king-size bed, a living area, and a non-transparent bathroom.

Check out this great list of the most unique lodging around the world from The New York Times including cliffside in Peru and underwater in the Maldives.

Wherever you go, make it memorable.