FANTASY: Evian-like water and white sand as far as the eye can see.
Note: The Sandals Carlyle Inn has removed this photo from their site, though there are some similarly misleading ones still present.
REALITY: A roadside patch of sand.
FANTASY: Having a super serene stay at this secluded beach at the La Plage resort in Sicily.
REALITY: Sharing it with half the town and lying on rocks.
FANTASY: Taking a nighttime dip at the Los Angeles Sofitel.
REALITY: Basking in the shadow of a Macy's.
FANTASY: Having a pool that's empty save for beautiful women at the Crown Reef at Myrtle Beach.
REALITY: Kids. Everywhere.
FANTASY: Getting the perfect Instagram shot of the Amata Resort's infinity pool, where there's nothing between you and the roofs of Phuket.
REALITY: Getting said Instagram shot ruined by a metal fence.
FANTASY: Chilling at the Delfino Beach Hotel's private beach in Sicily, blissfully devoid of other people.
REALITY: Feeling like a sardine.
FANTASY: Sleeping like a baby in a giant, plush bed at Hotel Athena in Tuscany.
REALITY: Falling through the giant crack between two twin beds that were shoved together.
FANTASY: Swimming laps at the Inn at Seaside in Oregon.
REALITY: Stewing in a pool that's hardly bigger than a hot tub.
FANTASY: Relaxing in this plush, swanky suite at the Centrale Palace Hotel after a day of lugging that Birkin bag around Palermo.
REALITY: Wanting to spend as little time as possible in this bare, mostly empty room.
FANTASY: Engaging in a romantic nighttime swim in the indoor pool at the Norfolk Royale in Dorset, England.
REALITY: Slipping over mildewed tiles and toward a non-functioning hot tub.
Fantasy: Cooling off in a serene, palm-fringed pool at Hostel El Corazon in Cancun.
REALITY: Getting depressed by its crumbling walls.
FANTASY: Having drinks in the shadow of Athens' famous Acropolis at the AVA Hotel Athens.
REALITY: Squinting to see the Acropolis in the distance.
FANTASY: Staying fit while on the road thanks to a well-equipped gym.
REALITY: Having to fight over one of the two treadmills the gym has to offer.
FANTASY: Learning to play tennis like a pro thanks to this smiling instructor at Samsara Cliff Resort & Spa in Jamaica.
REALITY: Realizing why they didn't show the actual tennis court.