Ah, resort vacations. Those hit-the-buffet-for-breakfast, lounge-by-the-pool-all-day, meet-you-at-dinner kinds of vacations. Relaxing, blissful, convenient...a true escape from daily life.

Resort vacations are unique because you usually plan to spend most of your time at the resort itself. That’s kind of the whole point, right? Sure, you can go off and explore or book an excursion, but at a good resort you shouldn’t have a reason to leave. Ultimately you want the resort you’re staying at to provide everything you could possibly need to have an enjoyable vacation. So, no pressure, but there’s a whole lot riding on which resort you choose.

We’re here to help take some of that pressure off. Here are five big factors to consider to help guide you, so you can choose the right resort for you and make the most of your vacation.

source: clubmed alpe d’huez

Assuming you know what kind of resort experience you’d prefer — beach, island, mountains, river, recreational — the specific location is key. If you’re looking for a beach vacation, is the resort located on the beach? Or do you have to walk or drive there? If you’re skiing, how easy or difficult is it to get to the slopes? If there’s a specific activity you’d like to do or somewhere else you’d like to go while you’re on vacation, is the resort nearby? Is it easy to get transportation to and from the airport? Or is it too far away and remote? It’s important to consider what’s accessible and what’s not, so that you can determine exactly what the resort location means for you.

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Don’t just take the resort’s word for it — the best place to start is usually with personal recommendations. Has anyone you know been on a similar vacation, and what do they recommend? Have any of your friends loved a resort they’ve been to, and if so does that resort have other properties to look into? Once your personal network is exhausted, there’s always the internet: full of people who’ve been to these resorts, and who love talking about it! So look into what real people are saying. Are there lots of reviews online, and are they recent? Are they mostly positive? What do the not-so-positive ones say? Do there seem to be recurring issues or negative feedback? Look out for the things you’ve already decided are important to you, and pay attention to what people are saying about those things. Of course, there’s no need to go full web sleuth here — and you’ll want to take the internet-strangers’ reviews with a grain of salt — but a little due diligence is a great way to get an idea of what the experience has been like for other people, and help weed out any resorts that don’t seem up to par.

source: zoetry resorts

This is a big one! Remember, you’re going to be spending a lot of your vacation here at the resort. So what does it offer you? If you’re looking for luxury, are things like spa services, swim-up suites, or butlers available? If you’re looking for convenience, do the rooms have everything you need? Does the resort provide easy transportation options? Are there activities to do on the property? For adults or children, or both? Is there nightly entertainment? Are there pools, and do they provide enough space to swim or lounge in peace? Are there rentals available like bikes or beach gear? A fitness center? 24-hour guest services if you’re arriving late or need something off-hours? Most everything you actually do (or don’t do) at the resort will be dependent on its amenities and services, so make sure you find the ones that fit the vacation you’re looking for.

source: anantara riverside bangkok resort

Look, we all need to eat. And chances are most of your meals (and snacks, and drinks…) will be enjoyed at the resort while you’re enjoying all those amenities you looked for. So pay attention to the food and restaurant options on the property. What are the menus like? Do you think you’ll actually like the kind of food they provide, or will you get sick of it? Is there just one restaurant or several? Is everything buffet-style, and thus maybe not always fresh? Is there a fine dining option? Does the food seem extremely overpriced? If you’re going somewhere that tap water is questionable, how much is the bottled water? If there’s a kitchen or kitchenette available in your room, is there somewhere nearby and convenient to get groceries? Do they offer room service? What are the cocktail options and drink prices like? Is there a happy hour? A marketplace or convenience store? Somewhere to grab non-hotel-room coffee? Meals make memories, and you want them to be good ones. So check out your options and choose a resort that your stomach (and wallet) will thank you for.

source: unsplash

About that wallet...affordability is obviously one of the biggest factors when choosing a resort. You’d think this would be first on the list, but it’s important to consider all of the above first; then, you can determine whether the price is actually worth it. Plenty of resorts offer the things you find most important at prices you can afford. Just be sure to consider what’s actually included in that final price. Is the resort all-inclusive, with all meals and drinks taken care of? And if so, are you okay with possibly sacrificing some quality in that area? Is there free daily breakfast or any included activities? Are any offers included in the price like a complimentary spa service or food credit? Or will everything you do there be an additional expense? If you’re just paying for the room itself, what exactly does the room offer you? When it comes to resorts, remember: expensive doesn’t always mean a luxurious experience, and cheap doesn’t always mean a sub-par one. It’s all about what you’re getting for your money and what’s worth it to you.

It’s important to consider all these things, but choosing the right resort doesn’t have to be overwhelming! That’s precisely where your personal travel advisor comes in, to do all the consideration for you. Let them find the perfect resort to match your vacation wish list, so all you’ll have to worry about is enjoying everything it has to offer.

FIVE THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A RESORT VACATION