Some travel plans just don’t go the way we imagine — and Zoe Hague, the fitness influencer and sister of Molly-Mae, is learning that the hard way.
After heading to Bali with high hopes for her first wedding anniversary getaway, Zoe found herself packing up and flying out just 48 hours later.
The reason? Bali didn’t match the picture-perfect image she’d seen on Instagram.
“It Wasn’t What We Expected”
In a new YouTube video, 28-year-old Zoe explained that she and husband Danny had envisioned a luxurious escape filled with idyllic beaches, trendy cafes, and top-tier gyms — the kind of Bali that influencers rave about.
But reality didn’t quite line up.
“We came here with high expectations,” she said.
“We’d seen such amazing places online, but the actual experience didn’t reflect that.
It’s not shown as a developing country much on social media, but it is.”
Even though they were staying at the fancy five-star Radisson Blu with a sea-view room, the vibe just wasn’t right.
Zoe added that she’s travelled across Southeast Asia before, visiting places like Thailand, Vietnam, and China, but something about Bali this time felt “very different.”
Time for a Change of Scenery
Rather than stay in a place they weren’t enjoying, the couple decided to head to Dubai for the rest of their anniversary.
“Time is precious,” Zoe explained, adding that they didn’t want to “waste” their trip trying to force a good time.
Danny chimed in, saying, “You either travel to experience culture or to relax — and we needed the latter.”
Zoe was quick to admit the choice to leave early was their personal decision.
“Maybe we missed the mark, or maybe it just comes down to personal preference. We’re choosing somewhere we know we love.”
Social Media Divided Over Her Comments
As expected, fans had mixed reactions. Some were sympathetic, agreeing that Bali can be over-glamorized online.
“I 100% agree,” one person commented. “We tried to enjoy it, but it’s not what Instagram makes it look like.”
Others pushed back. “Bali is a developing country, and that’s part of its charm,” someone else wrote.
“It’s not Dubai. Expecting that level of polish is unrealistic.”
Some asked for more clarity on what specifically turned Zoe off from the island, while others defended her right to leave if it wasn’t her cup of tea. “Why stay somewhere if you’re not enjoying it?” one supporter added.
From Bali to Dubai Luxury
Soon after leaving Bali, Zoe shared a highlight reel from their trip to Dubai, where the couple checked into the lavish Atlantis The Royal.
Rooms in July cost around £290 per night — and skyrocket to over £1,500 during peak season.
“Danny surprised me with a stay at Atlantis The Royal and I couldn’t believe it,” she shared on Instagram.
“Everything was more affordable this time of year. It was the perfect spot for a special occasion.”
More Drama: Botox Mishap and Airplane Confrontation
Zoe’s travel saga wasn’t the only thing catching attention lately.
The influencer also shared a frustrating update about a botched Botox procedure that left one of her eyes drooping — for the second time this year.
“I could weep,” she told her followers earlier this year.
And despite saying she wouldn’t get Botox again, she went back to the same practitioner for her wedding — and had the same reaction again. “I trust her.
She’s fully qualified,” Zoe defended her choice. “Sometimes, these things just happen.”
She’s now recovering from ptosis, a rare side effect of Botox that causes one eyelid to droop.
But the incident sparked more than just self-consciousness — it led to a tense argument with a fellow airline passenger on a flight to Portugal.
Zoe explained that a woman insulted her appearance mid-flight, prompting an emotional confrontation.
“I was so upset,” she recalled. “Her husband even told me to ‘sort my daft eye out.’
Honestly, he wasn’t wrong. I need to get it sorted.”
Reflecting on Beauty Standards and Regret
Zoe isn’t the only one in her family with a complicated history with cosmetic tweaks.
Her sister Molly-Mae, now 26, recently opened up about her past obsession with fillers and Botox in her Amazon docuseries.
Looking back at her viral photos from her filler-heavy days, Molly admitted, “I thought it made me look better — but it made me look ten times worse.”
She said her drive to look like other influencers led her down an “unhealthy” path from as early as 16.
“I feel sorry for myself when I look at those old pictures,” Molly added. “Luckily, I could reverse it.”