Don’t Forget to Splurge!

For me, part of the fun of budget travel is the chance to loosen the purse strings once in a while and drop some cash on a worthwhile splurge.

Whether that means a night in a plush hotel room after weeks of hosteling, a spa day, or a way-out-of-my-price-range meal, I generally find some way to treat myself once during any budget-conscious trip—and, I figure, I appreciate my reward that much more than if I’d been pampering myself all along. It doesn’t have to be about spending a lot of money, either. My favorite travel splurge of all time cost just $15.

It was my last day in India, after three weeks of solo shoestring travel, and I was fried from a combination of heat, harassment, and the inevitable case of Delhi Belly. I walked into the Imperial Hotel—a historic, Raj-inspired luxury property in the heart of New Delhi—and headed straight to the restaurant for brunch. The buffet was like nothing I’d ever seen before: table after table of pastries, a vast cereal bar, vats of different yogurts, and every type of fresh fruit I could name, and then some. Waiters took hot food orders once guests were seated, too—perfectly cooked French toast, or South Indian dosas or (hey, why not?) both. I’d lost 10 pounds when I got sick earlier in the trip, and I probably gained half of it back at that brunch.

My memory of the meal remains vivid, years later, but I also remember the cool air in the hotel corridors, the flawless manners of the staff. Outside, I’d been one “Hey baby!” away from dissolving into helpless rage; inside the restaurant, I felt completely restored. The bill came to around 500 rupees, or, at the time, about $15. It remains some of the best travel money I’ve ever spent.

Do you toss away the calculator once in awhile on the road? What’s your favorite travel splurge?

©2026 World Hum, All Rights Reserved