Discover smart ways to keep your travel costs down, ideal for those who overspent during Songkran but still want to travel this Labour Day.

As the post-Songkran blues fade, the upcoming Labour Day holiday on May 1st is a great opportunity for spontaneous travel. Don’t worry if you haven’t planned in advance; there are affordable ways to travel.

Recent surveys show that more people are taking spontaneous trips and looking for budget-friendly options. Below are six tips to help you make the most of a last-minute holiday.

1/6 Anantara Chiang Mai – Streamlined Booking

Simplify your travel arrangements by booking accommodations, car rentals, and activities through a single platform. This can both save time and unlock bundled discounts, allowing you to enjoy more for less.

Located on the bank of the Mae Ping River, Anantara Chiang Mai offers a “Stay Longer” special, inviting you to linger a little longer and create memories. Enjoy savings on accommodation and partake in more experiences that engage you with the best of the destination. When you book directly, you’ll also enjoy exclusive benefits such as 20% savings on dining, a 30-minute massage, and private roundtrip airport transfers. Choose from a variety of packages based on your length of stay, each offering significant savings on accommodation with daily breakfast included. With everything conveniently bundled together, you can relax and make the most of your stay in Chiang Mai.

2/6 Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa – Midweek Escapes

Opt for midweek travel to avoid the premium prices often associated with weekend getaways. This strategy cuts costs and offers a more serene holiday experience by steering clear of the usual crowds.

For instance, if you can get time off work, instead of planning your trip for Friday to Sunday, consider travelling from Tuesday to Thursday or booking a Wednesday to Friday getaway. This can often result in lower prices for accommodations and activities due to decreased demand during weekdays.

Planning a midweek escape for Labour Day? Koktail checked the prices for Kirimaya and found that midweek rates, particularly for Labor Day falling on Wednesday, are over 50% cheaper than weekend rates for that week.

Conveniently located near Bangkok, Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa offers the perfect setting for a peaceful getaway. Experience the natural charm of the surroundings as you relax in our thoughtfully designed rooms and villas. Reconnect with yourself through a range of activities, from golfing on our pristine course to indulging in Asian-inspired spa treatments. Savour delicious culinary creations at their restaurants and embrace the tranquillity of nature. Kirimaya invites you to rediscover wellness and the simple joys of life among nature.

3/6 Tri Vananda – Family-Friendly Resorts

When travelling with family, consider booking resorts that offer a blend of privacy, flexibility, and entertainment all in one place. Resorts provide a hassle-free experience, ensuring a memorable trip for everyone.  For example, some resorts include free meals for children under a certain age, offer complimentary kids’ clubs and activities, or offer discounted rates for families booking multiple rooms.

One standout example is Tri Vananda, appealing to wellness enthusiasts across generations with its top-notch amenities. Beyond conventional spa offerings, Tri Vananda redefines wellness, providing various avenues to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. Central to its offerings is a fully equipped medical centre focusing on functional and integrative health. Here, you’ll find consultation rooms, physiotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment spaces, a cognitive health centre, and tailored health diagnostics programs.

There are also meditation spaces and a large spa, plus an Olympic-sized pool and activities for all ages, ensuring there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.

4/6 Soneva Resorts – Special Deals and Promotions

Keep an eye out for special deals and promotions offered by various platforms. Take advantage of promotional periods to enjoy substantial savings on last-minute plans, making spontaneous trips more affordable and enticing.

Soneva Resorts offer a range of all-inclusive packages that cover accommodations, dining, activities, and wellness experiences. By booking your entire stay through Soneva, you will eliminate the need to coordinate multiple reservations and payments, streamlining the booking process from start to finish.

Soneva’s Discover SOUL Festival from October 9 – 13, 2024, at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, where booking is streamlined for your convenience. You will meet the exploration of health and wellness, featuring insightful panel discussions, engaging workshops, and transformative experiences in the surroundings of Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Secure your spot with ease and enjoy packages for two adults, inclusive of full board dining, daily festival access, spa treatments, and more. Moreover,with code 50SOULFB, you will get exclusive benefits and take advantage of the early bird offer until July 31, 2024.

5/6 Kamalaya Koh Samui -Loyalty Programs

Explore loyalty programs that offer benefits such as lifetime discounts and exclusive perks. For example, consider joining the Genius program from booking.com or hotel loyalty programs Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy as these programs often offer perks such as room upgrades, late checkout, or even free nights after a certain number of stays.

Whether it’s a progressive tier system or rewards for frequent travellers, loyalty programs can enhance your travel experience without stretching your budget.

To show their gratitude to their most loyal guests, Kamalaya offers one complimentary night to all returning guests that book a minimum of seven nights from 1 March – 22 December 2024. Leave all the stresses behind with a blissful stay on Koh Samui in Thailand. Unwind and relax at their wellness sanctuary with rejuvenating and uplifting programs, access to a wellness centre with spectacular views, and steam caverns and thermal plunge pools.

Kamalaya Koh Samui offers an award-winning wellness experience in Thailand’s tropical haven. With a practical approach to wellness, guests can tailor their stay to suit their needs, whether for a structured program or a relaxing getaway. The serene environment fosters a sense of presence and community, complemented by healthy cuisine and a range of holistic treatments. Kamalaya’s accommodations, from cosy rooms to private villas, blend with the natural surroundings.

6/6 Embrace Flexibility

Stay open to adjusting your travel dates and destinations based on availability and special offers. Being flexible can lead to unexpectedly good deals, allowing you to seize opportunities that fit your budget and preferences.

Let’s say you originally planned to visit a popular beach in Phuket, but you found a great last-minute deal for a mountain retreat in Chiang Mai. Being flexible with your destination choice allows you to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and save money.

By incorporating these practical tips into your last-minute travel plans, you can have your budget-friendly adventures without compromising on quality or experience.