Not many people associate 'Luxury Holidays' with late deals - but we're about to dispel that myth! You can get a luxury holiday for less.... a lot less in some cases, less than half price if you time it right.

Calum Macdonald from specialist last minute holiday firm, Latedeals.co.uk offers the following advice on how to get a luxury holiday for less - looking at top destinations, star ratings, board basis and insider tips on upgrades.
 
"Thoughts of luxury holidays automatically switch to the Maldives or Caribbean. Holidays to these destinations can be at the top end of people's holiday budgets, but you may find the ever popular Jamaica, Dominican Republic or Maldives can often throw up a gem of a discount when you look eight weeks before travelling.

"These kind of deals offer a great luxury holiday bargain because what we try and get across to customers is that a late deal holiday is the exact same luxury holiday that was on sale a few weeks prior to when we put it on our site. It's just discounted because it's now eight weeks until the departure date and there is still availability. They can even see the tour operator and reviews to back this up.

"Think how smug people can feel enjoying a five star holiday to a luxury destination for the same price as a three star break without the added perks."

MALDIVES
While the Maldives' peak season is November to April if you go in August 2013 you can enjoy two weeks all-inclusive for £4988, compared to £6654 in February 2014 at a resort (Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo, North Ari Atoll) that boasts transfer by speedboat or sea plane, a water villa on stilts with stunning ocean views in a private island setting and is an exclusive destination popular with couples and honeymooners.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Similarly, two weeks all-inclusive at the Gran Bahia Principe La Romana, Bayahibe is £1744 if you travelled on 13th April 2013 compared to £2916 on 14 Aug 2013, but the luxury is the same whatever you pay - beachside location, white sands, swaying palms, Spa and health club, swim up bar and jetted bathtubs!
 
JAMAICA
Or get jammy in Jamaica by booking late and off-peak, saving £930 on the same luxury holiday at Riu Montego Bay (14 nights all-inclusive) with whirlpool baths, spa, sailing, snorkelling and kayaking
 
Non-long haul luxury 

But you don't have to travel long haul to find a week or two of luxury at affordable prices. Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt have the exotic landscapes, mystique and some excellent five star accommodations that would fall into anyone's idea of luxury. Whether it's a beach hotel or spa these North African destinations will tick all the boxes and can boast some amazing discounts.

TUNISIA
Take Tunisia for example, summer is classed as peak season and is extremely hot, but as a year round destination if you travel a little earlier, when the weather is still great, the price can be halved. It's also a non euro destination so is great value for money in resorts. For example, a seven night all-inclusive stay at the five star Riu Imperial Marhaba, Port El Kantaoui was £786 on 10th April 2013 with Latedeals.co.uk, while the same luxury holiday is £1616 on 1st August 2013. The hotel has its own Thalassotherapy Centre with varying treatments, massages, sauna and saltwater pools, whirlpool bath, and an excellent Riu entertainment programme and evening show.

AGADIR, MOROCCO
Similarly, another year round destination is Morocco who's peak season is June to September when temps are at their hottest. Spring and autumn have gorgeous temperatures however. A five star hotel with a private beach, spa and wellness centre and steam room (Riu Palace Agadir) all-inclusive is £1562 if booked late and booked in April, compared to £2446 on 12 August 2013. That's for 10 nights.
 
CAPE VERDE
After a hugely successful 2012 thanks to the amazing value it offers, West Africa's Cape Verde is once again being tipped as THE hot tip for those wanting the luxury of the Caribbean but for less and with a shorter flight time (only a seven-hour flight away).

As it's still an up and coming destination, there are a plethora of late deal offers to be had on Cape Verde. If you wait until up to eight weeks to book you could get on average 30-35% off the full price of holidays on late deal sites. It offers an eclectic mix of culture reflecting its African, Portuguese and Caribbean influences unlike anywhere else.

And think you can't get a late deal on a cruise? Think again!

A cruise and stay at Sharm el Sheik and the Tropicana Grand Azure is an excellent example of a late deal luxury holiday for less. Fourteen nights (seven on cruise, seven in hotel) on 4th April 2013 was £1422 but if you book ahead for next year (April 2014) you're looking at £2718. With this holiday you spend a week at sea cruising the Red Sea, including Sharm el Sheikh, Jordan, Cairo, Luxor, and Hurghada - on a ship with luxurious spa facilities on board then at a hotel with a private beach and four a la carte restaurants.

How to get a luxury holiday for less

Calum said: "We do advocate a late deal site like ours (Latedeals.co.uk) for getting a luxury holiday for less, but also do your homework to find out where is in season and where the season is just beginning/ending, book outside of school holidays if possible; night flights are cheaper and do consider travelling from any UK departure airport as you can often save hundreds of pounds this way.

Is there a better board basis in terms of getting a luxury holiday for a bargain?

Calum said: "Our advice is to compare the cost of a self catering holiday to that of an All Inclusive in the same resort. Work out the difference in price and decide whether you would spend that much a day on eating and drinking. Larger families will benefit from all inclusive, and they are, of course, more relaxing as you don't have to think about where to go for dinner but if you're heading to a non-euro countries eating out can be good value - so you can spend more on activities.
 
He continues: "There will be more luxury destinations than ever to choose from this year - and at bargain prices, too."

-Ends-

For further information please contact:
Kirsty Hunt
Tel: 07816876091
Email: kirsty@theprboutique.co.uk