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Home > I dare say I know how to vacation! (my luxury trip plan)

I dare say I know how to vacation! (my luxury trip plan)

June 17th, 2014 at 08:52 pm

35 days in 5 star hotels across China and Singapore. Being pampered, seeing new places, eating lots of awesome food.

This year I think I have outdone myself in planning. Booking so many awards, and all of them has to be timed perfectly, this task was nearly impossible. And I found below market prices for things I had to pay for.

Another challenge was that in one of the cities, where I was going to be spending almost 3 weeks (sans weekends), there were no hotels where I had any status or miles. But by checking prices over the span of month, I jumped on a phenomenal price for that property.

Here is my breakdown:



The "cost" column is determined by going online and making cheapest reservation for that particular flight or that exact hotel on that same date.

The value will end up even higher, since I anticipate few hotel upgrades due to status.

Less than 10c on the dollar, this is what I call value. And I worked and planned hard to make it all happen.

And everything listed has already been paid for! (last $1,700 will be on this month's statement)
There are only visas left (oh, don't get me started on yesterday's trip to the Chinese consulate).

Of course, there will be massive costs while there, like shopping, food, drinks, activities, local trains, etc. But, I've done my best to maximize experience while minimizing cost. (and I'm not counting flights and hotels I booked below average market price, since it was possible to book them at that price, even for a moment in time, I'm putting that price at "cost")

8 Responses to “I dare say I know how to vacation! (my luxury trip plan)”

  1. SecretarySaving Says:
    1403036141

    Amazing!

  2. snafu Says:
    1403038261

    It's been 3 yrs since I last spent time in Cheng Du and things change fast in PRC. I thought the best high end shopping offered in SEA was the beautiful plazas in ChengDu so I hope you'll make time to shop. Sichuan food is eye tear-up spicy so I suggest you learn to say 'Not Spicy' in Mandarin unless you prefer throat searing foods. or anyone who foolishly pay asking price.

    Cockroaches and oversized rats are problems in China. Bay leaves, Borax or Baking Soda help. I ended up wondered if luggage got infected in transit! I got so neurotic, I put clothes in the fridge. Tape bay leaves in electric plugs

  3. Shiela Says:
    1403053108

    Awesome job! Enjoy your holiday.

  4. Looking Forward Says:
    1403069994

    Sounds like an amazing trip with super deals! Smile

  5. Nika Says:
    1403277048

    I guess my post disappeared...

    Thanks everyone.

    Snafu, DH and I have lived in Chengdu for 6+ month, studying Chinese in SiChuanDaXue (2nd semester abroad during our college years, long time ago). We love local food just the way it is, and don't need any adjustments to enjoy it. In fact, we are missing that ma la taste like crazy and I'm so looking forward to the huo guo and so many dishes I used to eat there.

    As for roaches, I won't be staying in the dorm. And I haven't had any problem with roaches in 5* hotels in China. If you see my next post, there are photos of the brand new hotel we will be staying in Chengdu. I'm sure it will be fine.

  6. Buendia Says:
    1403311513

    I am very impressed! (Esp. the free hotels!) How did you do it?

  7. Nika Says:
    1403314528

    Buendia, the hotel in HK is from a Hyatt yearly free night certificate that I get from a Hyatt credit card. The rest of the free hotels are from points DH earns staying on business trips. He is a Marriott platinum elite (means above 75 nights a year) and that status provides some perks and upgrades. We often redeem the points for higher-end hotels, such as JW and Ritz Carltons.

  8. Buendia Says:
    1403362987

    Oh! My mother has points at Hilton and sometimes gives us some credits to use... But neither D or I travel for business (unless you count 30 mins. on the highway to little towns with fire stations once a week!!). It's great to be able to use those! And it sounds like such an amazing trip - I've never been to Asia and would love to go!

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