This is a collaborative post with Hilton Grand Vacations*
Lately, I’ve been dreaming about fun travel again. Dare I even think about a vacation during a global pandemic? Is there a new normal to follow when trip planning? Where is it safe to go? Should I drive or fly? Where should I stay? What about meals, lodging, bathroom breaks and yada, yada, yada? There’s so much to think about!
Current trends in travel
According to September 21 research findings from Destination Analysts (a travel research firm), “amidst rising stress, Americans are reporting stronger prioritization of relaxation and many (54%) are “ready to travel” to achieve it. Destination Analysts says that the level of excitement for learning about new travel experiences or destinations is at a pandemic-period high—not seen since the end of May, at the start of the summer.”
“Over half of respondents continue to say they are at least somewhat confident they can travel safely in this environment.”
In findings from September 28, things seem to be looking up even more. It was reported that “three-quarters of American travelers continue to have at least tentative trip plans—primarily over the next 6 months—as well as exhibit a perception of travel as a means to meet their emotional needs.”
In terms of the Fall, “nearly two-thirds of American travelers expect to travel this season. The top motivations for these Fall trips are relaxation, spending time with family and escapism, although younger travelers are also likely to be seeking connecting with nature and having new experiences.”
Ocean Tower by Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikoloa, Hawaii looks so appealing
Seeking safety advice from a leader in high-quality vacation experiences
Just as I was dreaming about fun travel, the nice team at Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) contacted me to see if I wanted to collaborate with them. Wow-o-wow! I’ve never thought about vacation ownership before and am looking forward to learning more about this type of vacation.*
Since HGV is a leader in high-quality vacation experiences, I thought their experts might be able to offer some safety advice for traveling during a global pandemic. They did defer to the CDC for safe travel best practices and shared more about travel safety on their website. Here are a few of their timely recommendations:
♥ Transportation: The first thing to consider is how you’ll get to your destination. Traveling by car is safest, but if air, train or bus travel are necessary, health experts recommend taking a direct route to your destination. Transfers and layovers increase your chances of being exposed to the virus.
Opt to rent a car at your destination, rather than using public transportation.
Last winter I rented a car in Florida, next year I may choose to drive South in my own car
♥ Lodging: When it comes to lodging, look for a location in which air can flow freely. Places with ample windows, a balcony or terrace are ideal. You’ll also want your location to have a quality air conditioning and ventilation system. Finally, the staff should follow industry-leading cleaning and sanitizing practices.
♥ Activities: Lastly, carefully consider your activities. The safest options are ones you can do outdoors like bike rides, hikes and visits to open-air attractions like botanical gardens. If you decide to do an indoor activity, check to make sure the establishment limits crowds, enforces mask-wearing and cleans often.
It was comforting to learn about the Hilton CleanStay™ initiative. This program features such benefits as touch-free arrivals and departures, protective and properly outfitted staff, enhanced cleaning schedules of rooms and public spaces like front desks and lobbies, as well as hospital-grade cleaners.
Hilton CleanStay™ provides an enhanced standard of cleanliness
So many Hilton Grand Vacations resorts and Hilton Club properties to visit
Ooh, ooh, ooh, now that the safety factors are out there, let’s get to the fun part of vacation planning. What HGV resort should my boyfriend L and I visit? “The accommodations are multi-bedroom suites and studios,” I said to L. He was eager to join me on any future stay.
“You are SO LUCKY that you get to travel with me. Such a lucky, lucky man,” I reminded L, as I usually do when he travels with me on a blogging trip. He winked and shook his head in affirmation.
We scanned the HGV website to learn about all the HGV resorts and Hilton Club properties where members can use their flexible timeshare. There are resorts in destinations including California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, South Carolina and Utah, and internationally in Barbados, Italy and Scotland. Points can also be used at a variety of Hilton Club properties in upscale settings such as New York City, Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and even internationally in Okinawa, Japan and Los Cabos, Mexico.
Hilton Grand Vacations La Pacifica Los Cabos Resort in Mexico will be opening in 2021
Planning to go south in winter 2021
Ooh, ooh, ooh, maybe we can stay at an HGV resort on our way to Florida in 2021. L and I are going south for a few weeks next winter to get some respite from the cold. We’ve never driven to Florida before so it should be an adventure.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Anderson Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is on the way. Savannah is another southern city I’ve always wanted to visit. The Cotton Sail Hotel Savannah, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton sounds like a perfect place to stay in the historic district.
Or perhaps while we’re in Florida we can visit the Eagle’s Nest Beach Resort or Sunset Cove Resort on Marco Island. I’ve heard that Marco Island has beautiful beaches and glorious sunsets.
Marco Island’s Eagle’s Nest Beach Resort is an offering in the Hilton Grand Vacations portfolio
A best-in-class vacation membership program
Granted there’s much more I need to learn about Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare, such as costs, points, and what exactly a Hilton Grand Vacation timeshare entails. For now, I’m just going to keep dreaming of fun future travel. Can’t wait to visit an HGV resort in person and get a first-hand view to see what 325,000 Club Members around the world have already experienced.
Where would you go if you could go to an HGV resort or Hilton Club property? Leave a comment and LMK.
Judi
*Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” Hilton Grand Vacations provided me with compensation for this post and will be providing me with a stay at a HGV resort/Hilton Club property in the future as part of our blog partnership in 2020/ 2021. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Note: Most of the images in this post were provided by Hilton Grand Vacations, except the one of me with my frizzy Florida hair!
Marco island is a wonderful destination- we loved it! Beautiful beaches and sunsets, and lots of pretty shells to collect – you’d love it there!
Melanie, I can’t wait to visit. I love to go shell collecting by the seashore.
This travel season was certainly unique, to say the least. We have also spent considerable time contemplating the future of our travel. It appears that you have found out the value of having a hotel chain that regards customer safety so high. We have found our stays at Hilton properties to be above our expectations.
Jeff and Crystal, I’m glad you like Hilton properties too. I’m looking forward to visiting their resort in Marco Island hopefully in 2021.
I’m not ready to start traveling again, but I did recently have to take a trip for a family emergency. I was looking for lodgings where I could open the windows for ventilation, but I love your simple idea of booking a place with a balcony or terrace. I was hoping to open windows, but forgot that many places make it very difficult to open windows.
Carole, I totally understand how challenging it is to travel right now. So I feel confident that Hilton has a good cleaning and safety system in place.
Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be in the US again in the near future – it’s local travel for the moment. But perhaps next year…
Karen, likewise I don’t think I’ll be traveling abroad. And I was supposed to go to London this past summer but had to cancel due to Covid. Sounds like you are in lockdown again.
I’ve always wanted to go to Savannah, too. I’m not familiar with Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. Looks great. Good to learn about the Hilton CleanStay initiative, too — definitely an important consideration as we look at new normal travels.
Cathy, I agree, I feel comfortable staying at Hilton resorts and hotels since they seem to be taking their cleaning seriously.