Discover HOW to Make Travel Truly Worth It
Beyond price tags and star ratings, our Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index measures joy, comfort, and value so you can travel smarter.
Why We Created the Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index
We’ve travelled extensively in 50+ countries, from Costa Rica’s rainforests, to luxury in The Maldives and stayed in bamboo huts on hidden islands in The Philippines. Cost doesn’t always equal enjoyment when comparing travel destinations.
So we built a smarter way to measure our travel satisfaction; not just by money spent, but by the memories made, the comfort enjoyed, and the smiles per mile travelled, which ultimately comes down the amount spent. Hence, the need for a Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index!
How the Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index Works
(HCEI)
The HindlesWorld Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index (HCEI) reimagines how we measure a holiday.
It blends comfort, connection, adventure, sustainability, and value to reveal what truly makes travel memorable; not by luxury, but by how it feels to live it. From five-star luxury in Oman to Egypt, to glamping in eco-resorts, it’s easy to find the sweet spot, using our tool, that make a lifetime of memories more achieveable.
Each journey we share is scored across these five pillars to help travellers compare destinations and discover experiences that bring joy, purpose, and perspective.
The HindlesWorld Index breaks down each destination into five balanced categories that reveal the true cost of enjoyment.
We combine comfort, experience, and value into one simple score — so you can see where joy per £ is highest.
Put simply, sometimes the best room in a 3* provides more value than the cheapest in a 4*.
Comfort & Ease of Stay
How the hotel matches what you paid for. How effortless it feels once you arrive; smooth journeys, restful stays, and surroundings that let you truly unwind.
Uniqueness & Cultural Connection
Genuine encounters with people and place; local life, shared stories, and experiences that feel real.
Adventure & Exploration Factor
The natural beauty or vibe fits. The energy of discovery; new landscapes, local adventures, and those moments that make you feel alive. And it’s on your doorstep.
Sustainability & Eco-Balance
Journeys that respect the planet, its people, and its future; travel that gives back more than it takes.
Ethical Tourism and Long-Term Stewardship has been considered.
The best adventures leave footprints of care, not impact.
Value Score
Upfront Value: Fair price for lodging quality vs. cost.
The balance between what you spend and what you truly gain.
Enjoyment per Spend: Was it worth it? Would you do it again at that price?
Compare Destinations by Enjoyment, Not Expense
Let’s see the index in action…
A 14-day trip to Costa Rica might cost the same as a week in the Maldives: but which gives you more joy per pound? We absolutely love the beaches and service and have stayed in multiple Maldivian resorts. But we’ve all seen the pictures of spoilt holidays because it rained incessantly in the “dry season”!
By the same token, we thought the beaches in Costa Rica were, well meh! 🫤 You can’t beat the pink sand of Bermuda either!
Our Methodology
We score destinations the same way we travel: with curiosity, consistency, and care. Each HindlesWorld Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index score blends on-the-ground experience with clear, repeatable criteria.
- - Research & Data: We compile prices, transport options, seasonality, and crowd patterns.
- - Field Travel: We visit, stay, and test how easy it is to enjoy your time.
- - Scoring Framework — Five pillars scored 1–10 for consistency.
- - Review & Publish: Compared, refined, and published transparently.
See How It Works
We turn travel experiences into measurable joy. Each destination is scored across five pillars: Ease of Stay, Cultural Connection, Adventure Factor, Eco Balance, and Value Score, to create one clear, comparable result.
Pillar Breakdown (Scored 1–10)
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Ready to Travel Smarter?
Stop Chasing Discounts. Start Chasing Joy!