Who Gets Paid to Vacation?
The people who land these gigs often work as mystery guests, luxury hotel reviewers, or social media content creators. Their role is to experience the hotel just like any other guest—then report back with detailed feedback, photos, and sometimes even video content.
In short, you’re not just lounging by the pool—you’re working. Your job is to evaluate service, cleanliness, amenities, and overall guest experience, then submit a report or content package that the hotel can use for improvement or marketing.
Why Do Hotels Offer This?
- Quality Control: Mystery guests help hotels identify issues that regular surveys might miss.
- Marketing Content: Hotels need high-quality photos and videos to attract guests.
- Word-of-Mouth: Influencers and bloggers can bring in new customers.
- Competitive Edge: Luxury hotels compete fiercely for top ratings and glowing reviews.
The Types of Roles Available
- Mystery Guest: Paid to stay at the hotel and provide a detailed, secret evaluation of the experience.
- Travel Blogger or Influencer: Given free stays in exchange for high-quality content and audience exposure.
- Hotel Reviewer: Writes professional reviews for magazines, websites, or travel platforms.
- Content Creator: Produces photos, reels, and videos for the hotel’s marketing campaigns.
How Much Can You Make?
It varies widely:
- Mystery Guest Programs: Often cover all expenses plus $200–$500 per assignment.
- Influencers: Free stays plus $500–$5,000 depending on audience size.
- Professional Reviewers: $100–$500 per review, plus perks.
- Content Creators: $500–$2,000+ per project.
The Catch
While the perks are incredible, these jobs aren’t all leisure:
- You may need to follow strict checklists during your stay.
- Photos and videos must meet professional standards.
- Deadlines for submitting reports or content can be tight.
- Some assignments require anonymity—you can’t let staff know you’re evaluating them.
Skills You Need
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Attention to detail
- Photography and videography skills
- Ability to travel on short notice
- Professionalism and discretion
How to Get Started
- Build a portfolio—start a blog or social media account focused on travel.
- Sign up with mystery shopping companies that specialize in travel.
- Reach out directly to luxury hotels with sample content ideas.
- Network in the travel industry through events and online forums.
- Deliver exceptional work to get repeat assignments.
Real-Life Example
A 32-year-old travel photographer in London works part-time as a mystery guest for luxury hotels. Each month, she’s assigned a property to visit, stay for two nights, and submit a detailed report along with professional photos. She earns $800 for the assignment, plus all expenses covered. She also negotiates to license some of her photos for hotel marketing, earning an extra $1,200.
Pros
- All-expenses-paid luxury stays
- Opportunities to travel regularly
- Can be combined with other travel-based work
Cons
- Work deadlines can cut into relaxation time
- Not as glamorous behind the scenes
- Competitive industry—hard to break into
Final Thoughts
Getting paid to vacation in luxury hotels may sound like the ultimate dream job—and for some, it is. But it comes with responsibilities and expectations. If you’re willing to put in the work, build a portfolio, and approach hotels professionally, you could find yourself checking into five-star resorts and calling it a “work trip.”
