What’s Included?

I toe curl mentioning things I get gratis, with *brat* alarm bells ringing in my ears. But I also don’t want to shy away from a topic that’s so central to the PR-journalist exchange in the beauty sphere. So, here goes.

I’ve done countless spa hotel reviews in my time – from Aberdeen to Zanzibar – and, as private press trips, they resemble a similar format: a PR invites me and curates an itinerary; somewhere lovely hosts me and I explore their offerings; I write a review based on my experience. It’s a pleasure and a privilege, truly. But it’s also, sometimes, a bit awks. Not because of the paper undies presented for a massage, nor the small talk had with strangers in the jacuzzi. It’s that part when I might be handed an unexpected bill at the end, and I’m British and middle class and…

This used to happen often, and I’d panic-scrabble through email threads trying to identify what was – and wasn’t – noted as included in my visit. As standard, I would assume dinner and breakfast for myself plus my guest, and any spa treatments (if booked on my behalf). But mostly, there was no literal confirmation. So now I avoid the ambiguity. Again, while cringing, I ask PRs in advance of embarking what’s included vs what I’m expected to pay for – if such info isn’t clear. I don’t expect mega details in response, but a general acknowledgement of whether the trip is all-inc. or not – and if not, what’s not.

It can be costly to travel to and from these properties (though thankfully such expenses are often covered when venturing abroad), which I see as a small price to pay for something I love doing. But, when I spend beyond that (considering the extravagant prices that come with luxury hospitality), a press trip can sometimes become less of a bonus and more of an overhead.

Anyway, I’m not complaining – just explaining. And, hopefully, providing a reminder to spell out what’s what when it comes to these things. It can’t hurt, but it might really help.