TV Chef Sandra Lee Reveals Her Go-To Travel Hack: ‘I Pack an Extra Duffel’ (Exclusive)
The TV chef reveals how she scored a dream honeymoon for less—and her rules for smart travel
Key Takeaways
- Delaying travel dates allows budget-conscious travelers to enjoy longer, cheaper trips.
- Calling the hotel head concierge directly can unlock custom perks, deals, and upgrades.
- Scatter flower petals and pack a collapsible duffel to elevate trips without overspending.
After helping her nephew plan a dream honeymoon in Aruba, the Semi-Homemade creator opens up to Woman’s World about the travel tips she’s learned from a lifetime of exploring the world!
When TV host and chef Sandra Lee put on her travel-planning hat to help orchestrate her nephew’s honeymoon, she knew she wanted to create more than just a vacation. She wanted to give the happy couple memories they would treasure forever. “Aruba was on my nephew’s dream list,” Sandra tells Woman’s World. “So I chose the St. Regis Aruba Resort, and I was so delighted by how wonderfully the staff took care of everything for them.”
As an avid traveler herself, Sandra has learned firsthand what makes a trip truly special. “I’ve traveled as much as I can in my life — I used to want to be a travel agent! — because I love experiencing new places. I’ve found that those memories stay with us for a lifetime,” she says.
Now Sandra is sharing what she’s learned throughout the years — from saving money and packing smarter to finding simple ways to make an ordinary getaway feel extraordinary. Keep reading for her best advice for getting the most from every trip without overspending.
Consider off-season timing
“More couples are delaying their honeymoon to take advantage of better rates and packages. Instead of five or seven days, they may be able to afford 10 days by traveling during a less expensive time,” Sandra explains. “When comparing packages, look beyond the hotel price. Consider airfare, transfers, meals and activities, too. Being flexible with flight times can also stretch your budget.”
Skip the agent, call the concierge
“Instead of going through a travel agent, call the front desk of your hotel and ask the head concierge what they believe are the best experiences for you to have while on the property,” Sandra suggests. “Then tell them why you are coming, what you want to do, and see if there’s an opportunity to either get a price reduction or a discounted package for multiple experiences. This will also plant the seed in their minds to do a little extra for you throughout your stay.”
Pack an empty bag for treasures
“I always leave a little room in my luggage in case I find the perfect Christmas gift for my niece or the perfect dress on a trip that I want to wear on New Year’s Eve,” she shares. “For instance, there’s a specific flea market in Paris where I buy sweaters that everybody wants. They are only $15, and I call them my ‘girlfriend sweaters’ because I get them for all my girlfriends and my sister. I leave some room in my luggage for the sweaters, or I pack an additional collapsible duffel.”
Use a low-interest card to spread the cost
“Some credit cards offer introductory rates as low as 0% or a few percentage points for 12 to 18 months,” she says. “I opened a card at 6.99% for 18 months specifically to pay for a honeymoon. It gave me a way to spread out the cost without paying a high interest rate. Just as important, look at the card’s travel benefits. You may get perks such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, resort experiences, travel credits or points that can be redeemed for airfare.”
Sprinkle in thoughtful extras
“For my nephew’s honeymoon, instead of spending on oversized floral arrangements, I chose smaller bouquets and had the petals scattered throughout the room. It created a beautiful effect and cost a lot less. I also had their names embroidered on bathrobes, and I brought a photo of their wedding cake so the resort could recreate the top layer. My tip: Ask what special free touches the resort can arrange, and give them plenty of notice to get it done.”
Sandra’s go-to resort
The St. Regis Aruba Resort offers oceanfront views, multiple pools, a spa, several restaurants, and signature butler service — the perfect backdrop for Sandra’s thoughtful touches to shine. But as Sandra will tell you, the real magic of any dream trip isn’t the price tag or the pool count. It’s the love poured into the planning. And for her nephew and his new bride, that love will be part of their story forever.
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