Packing for a Resort Getaway Part 2: The Lady's Perspective

I thought Tim was joking when he laid down his one rule for this trip. Only one carry-on bag between two of us. I laughed off the ludicrous suggestion and asked him to please help me in retrieving my own bag from the top of the armoire. Not successful. So here we are off on our first international holiday together sharing one teensy bag. Deep breathes. I reassure myself I have packed for dozens of holidays abroad and it’s time I put my Tetris skills to test anyways.

So what do you pack when you have half of teensy?  

Swimmers: If only for the fact that pulling on a wet bikini gives me the heebie jeebies, bring a few bathing suits. Look for tops that won’t give you funky tan lines. I cannot even fathom how funny my tan line would have been if I stuck to my white, one shoulder piece the entire trip. 

Clothing: Make the most out of what you pack. If you stick to one colour, everything will automatically match with everything else. White is always a safe bet when it comes to beaches and brunches. Maxi dresses that can be worn alone or paired with tank tops and buttons ups as converted maxi skirts are also a person favourite.  

Travel Esstentials: baby wipes, chapstick, Airborne.  Flight or no flight, never do I leave home without these.

Bits and Baubles: If you cannot live without it, then stick to one set of jewellery. My Puerto Rican bangles and pearl studs made the trip, but only because I wore them on the plane making stylish travelling and space saved. 

Fragrances: Pack a new, sample size vial of perfume.  Citron de Vigne by Fresh was perfect for the setting and made the cut as a eau de parfum for day or night. Since scent memory is so strong I am looking forward to using it later on and being transported back to the paradise of the W Retreat, Koh Samui for a moment.

 

Skin Prep: I checked into what the resort provided in advance. Sounds a bit crazy, but I was trying to prove I could pack without over packing. Since the W provides Bliss products, I knew I could leave most of the essentials at home. Faceblock, sunscreen, night moisturizer and eye cream did make the cut.

First Aid: Someone may have chuckled at my baggie full of odomos, after-bite, tylenol, throat lozenges, and vicks vapor rub, but guess what? We used each of these. Travel sized saviours.

Shoes: Leave your fussy shoes at home. You need a holiday, not your stilettos. While my original list included a pair of 5 inch black platform stilettos, I settled for two pairs of summer sandals and a pair of nude, versatile wedges. My feet thanked me later. 

Happy packing!

Packing For A Resort Getaway

I travel a fair bit, racking up over 40 flights so far this year alone, so packing is something that I know a little about.

With a trip to the incredible W Retreat on Koh Samui, it’s the perfect time to put down a few recommendations about how to pack your bags for that all important resort getaway.

Pen – You will have to fill out numerous forms during your international transiting, and no one will have a pen you can borrow. A cheap black biro kept with your passport and travel documents works best

Flight Socks – Yes they may look silly combined with sandals (gentlemen you should not be wearing sandals at the airport) but they will help your legs from swelling up and prevent the possibilities of Deep Vein Thrombosis, a nasty complication that causes clotting in your veins

Wear good shoes on the plane – This saves space in your bag for more essentials. AS they say, you should always put your best foot forward.  

Light, playful clothing – Leave the jeans at home and pack light, versatile fabrics that can be matched with a variety of outfits.

Sunblock – Take two types: moisturising high SPF face block to keep you looking young and wrinkle free and waterproof lower SPF for your body.

Shoes in shoe bags – This is as it should always be, plus it will help protect your clothing from your dirty soles.

Bag your delicates – Ladies this one is for you. Using a mesh baggie, plastic sandwich bag or large scarf to contain your delicates not only keeps those sensitive fabrics safe from travel but organized as well.

 

A good book – Sometimes you just need to put the iPhone away and get lost in some literary fantasy.

 Snacks - For when airline food just doesn't cut it.