Can Luxury Travel be Authentic Travel?

I often find myself torn. I like the finer things in life: 1st class cabins, high end food and beverage, luxury hotels.  I mean, who doesn’t like to be pampered from time to time? But I also want to get the most out of my travel and really get to see “real life” in a country. Time and time again I read articles and blog posts that claim that high end, luxury travel is the complete opposite of authentic travel. That unless you’ve stayed in a hostel or in a local’s home, you have not truly embraced the country you’re visiting. Can that be right? Do I have to give up luxury for authenticity?

I say No!  There has to be a happy balance. As my friend once told me “And” not “or”. There’s no reason that a traveler cannot be a true traveler AND also splurge a bit.

Luxury Suite at the Gray Hotel – Beirut, Lebanon

Sure, you can post up at an high-end all inclusive resort in Cancun, never leave the pool side and never eat anything more daring than a cheese quesadilla. But honestly, Cancun is a tourist hub and likely most of the people that are staying in the budget hostels are also having the same, though less expensive, cheese quesadilla.
In a less touristy location, staying either at a hotel or a hostel, or eating in a cheap diner or a Michelin starred restaurant, it really boils down to the traveler.  Are they the kind of person who will seek out locals to interact with, who will search for out of the way food markets and dance halls, who will by pass the glitzy tourist offerings to experience true cultural events?  I will admit that with a higher class of service, there are greater options to just be pampered and avoid the true experience of the location, but if you’re staying in a budget hotel or hostel, there’s the temptation to just interact with the other travelers in your dorm room or on the discount package tour.
So if I can continue to fly first class and stay at a nicer hotels, I won’t turn down the opportunity. That’s just how I like to pamper myself if given the opportunity. But that doesn’t mean that my trip experience will be any less “real” than if I stayed in a budget guest house.  What are your thoughts on authentic luxury travel vs. authentic budget travel? Are both possible? How do you prefer to travel? 

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20 comments… add one
  • April -- The Absolute Travel Addict January 21, 2013, 4:09 pm

    Of course you can enjoy the luxuries of travel and still be “authentic”. I know I use the word myself, but what the hell is authentic travel anyway?

    I say it all the time, travel is a personal experience and should be a reflection of who you are as a person. I hate that travel nazis try to define what is or is not right, authentic, or real enough because it’s not their preference or experience or something they’ve figured out how to afford…

    • Nailah January 22, 2013, 9:36 pm

      Thanks for your comment, April! Totally agree … there are as many opinions as to what “authentic” travel is as there are opinions to what the world’s most beautiful city is. Its really up to each person. Of course I’m sure we can all agree that eating only in chain restaurants and staying locked on a tour bus is a little less than an authentic way to travel…but who are we to judge?

  • Murissa @TheWanderfullTraveler January 21, 2013, 7:25 pm

    I completely agree with you. My trip is usually a mixture of both.
    I don’t like staying in hostels and would rather opt for safer and beautiful places to stay in. But I also like to go out and see the country I am staying in by visiting markets and interacting with locals.
    I, like you said, feel torn when I stay in resorts that are all-inclusive because there is a bigger draw to stay within the resort but I just can’t do it. I need to leave and see the country I am staying or else I feel as though I could be doing the same thing anywhere in the world and not know it (if that makes sense).

    • Nailah January 22, 2013, 9:40 pm

      Thank you for your thoughts, Murissa! My travel preferences are all over the board, and I don’t want to have to apologize for staying in a luxury property any more than I do for having to stay in a hostel. its really what you do with your waking hours anyways, not so much about where you lay your head at night. And I agree with you – getting out to meet locals and exploring all areas of a city really make the trip special (though a nice spa treatment doesn’t hurt either!!).

  • caribbelle January 22, 2013, 11:07 pm

    Authentic travel sounds like a term some hipster created to one up their friends and act as the authority on a place they’ve visited for 5 days lol.

    I feel there is no such thing. If it is, then I’ve tried it and I don’t like it. Too many bad hostel experiences. I am willing to pay for good food and good lodging. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good experience as a traveler.

    I stay away from the authentic talk. I feel that’s complicated by too many factors, especially when I’m the stranger/variable element in someone’s home.

    • Nailah January 24, 2013, 9:56 am

      Thank you for your comment, Caribbelle! I guess the only definition of IN-authentic travel is when you’re making travel choices based solely on someone else’s ideal. As long as you keep your true interests in mind AND those of the residents of your host country, you’re doing the best you can!

  • Angela January 24, 2013, 1:01 am

    Conversely, who says that hostel/budget travel is authentic travel? Why try to negate or discount the experience of more affordable/luxury travel? To me, authentic travel gives the individual an experience of a destination based upon the desires of their heart. For some,it may be sitting on a beach..for others, it might be staying in a dorm. At 22, travel could mean one thing. At 42, it probably means something totally different. It is all in the experience.

    Happy Travels!

    • Nailah January 24, 2013, 9:52 am

      Well said, Angela. I like your comment about how the experience desired may change as the individual does, be it age, interests, financial position, etc.

  • Luxury On Travel May 2, 2013, 1:10 pm

    For best experience best on our 20 years in helping others plan luxury trips you really have to combine both authentic luxury travel and authentic budget travel to enjoy as at time some top attractions don’t have a close luxury hotel. Likewise some budget hotels have rooms that thought much expensive for regular customers, they offer best experience than let say a 5 star hotel.

    So it is really a catch 22 and it not as easy as most of us will think. I would recommend you do a survey and post for media house. This question as so much relevancy on luxury travel

  • Elizabeth J. Neal May 7, 2013, 11:11 am

    Thanks for your lovely comment I really appreciate it! I will try and go through and input any more Serviced apartments facts and figures I remember as I know that’s really helpful, but as I’ve been back for a while now I may not remember exactly! I hope you continue to enjoy my posts, more to follow soon from NY! 😀 Stacey

  • Luxury Villa for Rent September 5, 2013, 10:17 am

    Hi Nailah. You’ve put together a really interesting post here! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enoying the finer things in life while exploring a new country or city. It’s more about your attitude, and willingness to get involved in the local culture and experience a different side to life. That’s the true spirit of travel!

    Best wishes, Alex

    • Nailah September 9, 2013, 11:15 pm

      Thank you for the comment, Alex! I agree with what you said…its really the attitude the person travels with that most impacts their experience abroad!

  • M Zaib December 7, 2013, 6:27 pm

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  • Portico Club December 28, 2013, 5:01 am

    I agree with the above post. I’ve been traveling with you through your blog for years.

    Portico Club
    Best Luxurious Villas, Resorts and Homes around the World

    • Nailah December 29, 2013, 11:48 pm

      Thank you for your comment and for being a regular reader of my blog. Here’s to great travels in 2014!

  • Cristina Wilson January 6, 2014, 12:09 pm

    I like all the terms of your blog. You have a great knowledge and experience for travelling. I like your all discussion about luxurious travelling. Because natural beauty of places is hide in your feeling and weather and beauty of things in places. I want to tell you about my preference in travelling are history and beauty. Thanks for your nice sharing.

  • Elizabeth Hansen January 24, 2014, 5:02 pm

    Whether a trip is authentic or not has nothing to do with 5-star hotel vs. youth hostel. It’s all about attitude and intention. If you go with an open mind and heart, you’ll meet local people, show respect for their culture, and have real – not touristy – experiences.

    When I travel I want to wander off the beaten path and walk, browse, hike, bike, and kayak at my own pace. I enjoy talking with local people, benefiting from insider information, and dining on regional dishes. I want to savor the beauty of exotic environments in peace and quiet.

    Like other authentic luxury travelers, I also want my creature comforts. I appreciate high-thread-count bed linens, room service, and air-conditioning. I am especially fond of clean, well-equipped bathrooms.

    As the travel editor of a luxury lifestyle magazine, I’ve learned that the Third World and the Four Seasons are not mutually exclusive. Affluent travelers can have authentic experiences without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

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