Book your vacation through Family Travel Concierge - info@familytc.com
Planning a vacation can be a stressful endeavor -- and it gets even trickier when you throw a new guy into the mix. For many, the first vacation together is an important step in the relationship -- and an important test. It's hard to know in advance whether you'll cohabit blissfully or be at each other's throats, but smart planning can help prevent catastrophe for your romantic rendezvous. Nothing kills the mood like a bad hotel stay, and the following information will help you make a shrewd choice for your couples getaway.
Here's
what to know...
1.
Peek-a-boo bathrooms aren't always sexy.
Bathroom
in the Medium Room at The Standard, Downtown LA: glass-walled
bathrooms, open bathrooms, and so-called "peek-a-boo" bathrooms --
where there's an open window between the bathroom and the rest of the room --
are increasingly popular, especially at hotels geared toward couples. The name
certainly sounds sexy, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to give your guy
a peek while you're in the bath or shower. But here's the rub: You may end up
sharing more than you'd planned. If there's an opening between the bathroom and
the room -- well, let's put it this way: noise carries. And in some
glass-walled bathrooms, such as the Standard
Downtown in LA, it's possible to see your guy on the toilet (and
vice versa). If
you're already comfortable peeing with the door open, this may not present an
issue for you, but if you're still at the phase where you'd like to preserve a
little mystery, you might prefer a bathroom with solid walls. Or at least a
privacy screen.
2.
Get a room with a rockin' bed
The
Superior Guestroom at The St. Regis New York: if
you're envisioning the type of romantic trip where you spend most of your time
in bed, it's important to pick a hotel with
decadent beds. Many hotels can provide details such as mattress
type, linen brand, and thread count, which can help you feel confident about
the bed's level of comfort in advance. Look for beds with extras such as
brand-name, pillow-top mattresses, super high thread count (over 300 -- and
keep in mind that thread count can sometimes be misleading), and sheets by
Sferra, Frette, Mascioni, or other luxury names. The St.Regis New
York's sumptuous beds, for example, come with Serta mattresses,
fluffy down duvets, and Egyptian cotton sheets.
3.
Room service is a must
Room
Service in the Ultra Deluxe Salon room at The Surrey: if
you're planning on a romantic night in or breakfast in bed -- and on amorous
activities that will make you work up an appetite -- room service is not
optional. 24-hour room service is even better. Don't assume the hotel offers
it; many hotels cut room service hours or eliminated it altogether to cut costs
during the recession. Some, however, still offer above-and-beyond room service
-- or even room service
prepared by a celebrity chef; The Surrey,
for example, serves 24-hour room service from the Michelin-starred Café Boulud.
4.
Agree on a budget
Make
sure you're on the same page for how much you want to spend.
Money
is one of the leading factors that contributes to break-ups, so it's a good
idea to chat about budget with your guy before you book anything. If you're
hoping to dine on caviar while he has hostels in mind, your trip could go south
pretty quickly. Agree on a budget and stick to it.
5.
Stay at a hotel geared toward couples
The
Classic Room at Fifteen Beacon: screaming
children or swarms of conventioneers can really ruin the atmosphere -- so steer
clear of kid-friendly hotels or hotels geared primarily toward business
travelers. If a hotel targets couples, it's more likely to provide the sort of
thoughtful extras that can elevate your stay from good to great. The romantic
boutique Fifteen
Beacon in Boston, for example, delivers a decadent dessert to
the room as a welcome treat, and guests will find classical music, a cheery
fire, and dimmed lights after the evening turndown service.
No comments:
Post a Comment