Getting ready for a getaway? Vacationing is all about fun, relaxation, and maybe even some thrills (if that’s your thing). However, the planning phase can be rather exhausting and even stressful at times, especially if you’re not sure where to stay.
Of course, deciding on a resort is a great problem to have, so try not to get too overwhelmed! With a little know-how and legwork, you can whittle down your list pretty easily—you just need somewhere to start. That’s where we come in.
Here at Alberton Orchards, we know a thing or two about planning the best resort vacations. We do it daily, after all! We decided to put together a handy guide with simple steps you can follow as you seek that perfect resort that checks all the boxes. Let’s get started!
1. Get Specific With Online Research
If you’re researching resorts, you’re probably traveling far, so that means visiting the resort in person isn’t a realistic option. The internet is the next best thing. You’re reading this, so you’re on the internet already—that’s a great start! Of course, the internet is a very big place, and it’s easy to get lost if you’re not careful. That means you’ll want to narrow down your searches.
The best resort vacations will have your favorite things and no unpleasant surprises. So, as you research various resorts, search for specific terms related to your likes and dislikes. This approach will help to reveal more in-depth information and specifics you might not have found otherwise.
For example, if you’re allergic to cats, you could search for “pets policy” and the name of the resort. Or, if you’re looking to see some live music or go dancing, you could add “local nightlife” to your search. Using the right keywords helps you find the relevant information that’s most important to you.
2. Read Reviews and Comments
The best resort vacations should have some fans out there singing praises. On the other hand, the bad places will usually have some disappointed guests speaking out. You can learn a lot about a resort by checking online reviews, social media pages, forums, and message boards.
If you have any specific questions, get involved in the conversation. There are lots of friendly folks out there who can steer you in the right direction and provide detailed information about their personal experiences at a resort and its surrounding areas.
3. Check the Lodging and Amenities
Are you planning a luxurious getaway, or are you ready to rough it? The best resort vacations align with your plan—you don’t want to anticipate a high-end vacation and end up in a shack! Before you even consider booking your stay at a resort, compare your options to see which offers the most bang for your buck.
For example, here at Alberton Orchards, we provide our guests with an authentic Western-style ranch experience, but we also offer high-end accommodations. Our real log cabins come outfitted with deluxe appointments that you wouldn’t get from a typical cabin rental. Similarly, our glamping tents offer guests an elevated camping experience.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with roughing it if that’s your style. The best resort vacations fit your unique personality and preferences. Just make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you buy your plane tickets!
4. Learn About the Location
The resort is a great place to spend some of your time and hang your hat at night, but you might want to explore the surrounding areas too. If a resort looks promising, expand your research to cover local towns and cities, popular attractions, restaurants and stores, and so on. Even the best resorts can get boring if you’re there 24/7.
Try to find a location with lots of attractions and activities nearby, so you always have a few options available to you at any given moment. The best resort vacations are eclectic! You never know when you and/or your travel partners might feel inspired to do some impromptu shopping, dining, exploring, or anything else that comes to mind.
5. Think About How You’ll Spend Your Time
Kicking back and soaking up some sunshine is always a great way to spend time on vacation, but even the classics get old if you don’t have a little variety. A common mistake is booking a getaway without considering what you’ll actually do to fill your days and nights.
While everyone has their own preferences when it comes to traveling, the best resort vacations usually include a combination of leisurely and exciting attractions and activities.
For example, we provide our guests with countless outdoor activities within walking distance, so they never have a dull moment. When they feel like unwinding, tranquil meditation and lazy inner tube rides are right around the corner. When they’re ready for an adrenaline rush, paintball and ATV/dirt bike rides are just a stone’s throw away. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
6. Research Food and Drink Options
Vacationing and dining go hand-in-hand, so don’t overlook food and drink options. You don’t want to arrive at a resort only to find you don’t enjoy what they’re serving in-house or what the restaurants nearby have on the menu.
The best resort vacations are delicious! Exploring local fare is such a great way to get in touch with the area’s culture, and food and drinks naturally bring people together. Some of life’s best memories are made around a table!
Alberton Orchards proudly offers agrotourism reminiscent of Tuscany, Italy. Guests absolutely love harvesting produce and herbs from the garden in our orchard and making fresh, farm-to-table cuisine and fresh-squeezed juices and cider. We also have a picturesque vineyard where guests can sip exquisite wines made from our very own grapes.
7. Don’t Settle
Why settle for anything less than the best resort vacations? While you might need to make the occasional sacrifice here and there to accommodate a tight budget, you might be surprised by how affordable a luxurious getaway can be if you do some research and planning.
If your dream vacation doesn’t fit your budget now, you may want to wait until you can afford a truly special experience. Or, simply look for ways to reduce spending.
Instead of dining out every night, make your own meals at the resort. Skip the tourist traps, and explore nature. Get creative with your trip; you might be surprised by how far you can stretch your budget.
8. Consider How You’ll Get Around
The best resort vacations are stress-free. When you’re in a new place, figuring out transportation can be a major hassle, especially if you don’t have your own vehicle available. Navigating public transportation can be confusing, and outsourcing rides to and from various places can be very expensive.
Before booking a resort, check the distances between the resort and the attractions on your list, as well as the transportation options that are available. Do you want to be on a bus or train for an hour or two—both there and back? Traveling locally may not seem like a big deal now. But when you’re in vacation mode, you may find that it’s a lot to deal with.
We believe that the best resort vacations should be all-inclusive, so you don’t need to go far to enjoy yourself. Our guests don’t require a vehicle because everything is within walking distance. We do, however, provide plenty of ways to get around, including vintage scooters, fat tire bikes, horses, and even snowmobiles during the winter.
9. Decide if You’ll Need a Guide
Some vacationers prefer to explore new places on their own, while others would rather have a knowledgeable guide show them the ropes. There’s no right or wrong way to approach traveling, but having someone familiar with the area to recommend and show lesser-known locations can really improve your experience.
The best resort vacations introduce you to new things and places. When it’s your first time somewhere, it can be challenging to discover everything on your own. That’s why we provide our guests with friendly and knowledgeable ranch hands who are more than happy to act as guides and concierges.
10. Contact the Resort Directly
When you’re planning a vacation, you’re naturally going to have a lot of questions. While you might be able to find some answers online, the best way to make sure that you’re getting the full picture is to inquire directly.
Book a First-Class Adventure
Planning the best resort vacations doesn’t have to be a hassle! We invite you to enjoy a luxurious, all-inclusive getaway at our authentic Western-style ranch. If you have any questions or special requests, get in touch anytime. Get out and explore the natural beauty of Montana, and fall in love with all that Alberton Orchards has to offer.