My thoughts.
While I don't travel often with clients, I have enough experience that I think I have a good grasp of the situation. Anyone who's dealt with me knows I have a really strong sense of fair-play and ethics and that I don't gouge my clients.
I've done the "weekend-away-24/7-GFE-share-a-bed-&-bath" and there is no way I would ever do that again for less than $2500 per 24/d. And that is only with someone whose company I already enjoyed. While I love people, I'm by nature very introverted and need a LOT of time to recharge my batteries, even when I'm with friends or SOs. I like my own bed, being with my dog, having lots of quiet time. I can easily pull off the devoted GFE and make it a romantic and memorable trip, and those who have experienced it still write me sweet little notes reminiscing, even if I haven't seen them as clients in over a year.
But make no mistake, it is 24 hours of work. I can't speak for others but I don't sleep well in a strange bed, with a non-SO, so then I'm functioning for the next day on minimal sleep... try being a stellar companion when you are bone tired. THAT is why we charge what we charge. Oh, and when I do this type of travelling, I always pay for my own hotel room, out of my fee, so I have my own bathroom, safe, place to store my stuff and bed to sneak off to if someone proves to be a terrible snorer or bed hog.
I rarely offer that service generally anymore as I prefer a different style. With my regulars that I enjoy, I prefer to structure it this way: They pay my flight, my room, my meals and the minimal amount I would make in the time I am away with them. We travel as "friends" not GFESP-client (sorry gents, canoodling in public with someone 20+ years older than me labels me either a pro or a gold-digger, and the latter is the same in my books) and it's expected that I sleep in my own room at night and have ample time to myself including the occasional day off if it's an extended trip. I don't expect first class accommodations, flights, pampering, presents or doting. So far this has worked incredibly well. It keeps their costs relatively low and I'm super comfortable which makes for easy travelling.
Also, it's always key to travel with people who have a similar travel style and interests. If someone wants to sit beside the pool all day and drink, or party all the time, or do a frenetically paced see-everything-there-is-to-see sight seeing trip, we won't get along. If they want to have a list of things to do and see that sync with mine but have a low key, "let's take it as it comes" (weather, mood and wellness dictating) groove, we will have an awesome time! One of my favourite things is exploring local cuisine and instead of eating at swank places, I'd rather eat where the locals eat. Some of the best meals I've ever had were in little places that I never would have found had we not asked a doorman or taxi driver, and one of the most fun things I've ever done was a cooking class where we got to learn to make some killer dishes after touring local markets and learning to haggle.
**As MM and other's have said, if we want to go somewhere on a holiday, we'll go. If someone is in this business and can't afford to take themselves on an occasional holiday they aren't planning well or managing their finances. If we want to go, we'll just go. I don't think any of us would rather go with a client than a friend or SO, as much as we may genuinely like our clients. That makes it work and not a holiday. Besides, you can't really enjoy one key part of the holiday afterward.... talking about it! How do you say to Mom & Dad or your friends who don't know what you do, that you went to HK and stayed in a 5 star resort when they know you're college student/CSR/very small business owner and know your SO and know he's not in a position to take you?
And again, sorry boys but you really have to understand that as much as we may enjoy your company as clients, and often we d really do, unless
we are calling you to hang out/go out/shag/spend the night off the clock....you are clients. If we want to get personal.... we'll let you know in no uncertain terms.
My mechanic always flirts with me, does nice little extras for me (treats bought just for my dog) and even says he gives me a deal... and I still get a bill that I've been told is the going rate.
On the subject of bed hogs I have a tale to recount. I once spent the night with one of my all time favourite clients, who I continue to see to this day. Big mistake, totally incompatible sleeping partners. Huge king size bed. 4 star accommodations at my favourite hotel. It takes me quite some time to fall asleep but after some some post-coital cuddling he was out like a light and promptly started snoring, his temperature went up by about 5 degrees AND he wrapped himself around me like a monkey climbing a tree. I gently detangled myself, moved away and got comfortable. Around 15 minutes later, just when I was starting to drift off, he rolled over and his arm landed across me, he then shuffled over and wrapped himself around me again. I detangled, moved, got comfy, and he did it AGAIN. I was now on the very edge of a giant king sized bed. I detangled and moved to the other side of the bed, expecting that he'd never make it across the entire bed, and I'd get a good night's sleep. I fell asleep quite comfortably. But my plan was foiled! I woke up about 1.5 hours later thinking I was in bed with an anaconda! He'd made it across the entire bed and was still snoring light a freight train. I ended up sleeping on a tiny little love seat in the livingroom area for the rest of the night and was a less than happy camper in the morning.
He swore up and down that he'd been sound asleep and that I should have woken him up and made him sleep on the couch, or tired him to the bed. His explanation was that it had been years since he'd had a warm body in his bed (SO slept in a different room) and he must have have been seeking my body heat in his sleep. He's a sweetie so I bought it and we laughed it off. But never again will I not make sure I have a bed to retire to if that is the case, but I consider that to be one of the costs of business if I'm going to charge $2500+ for 24 hours or some other comparable fee for a different period of time.
