It’s good to go on a vacation when the stresses of daily life start taking a toll on you. Travelling to new places and sightseeing can rejuvenate both your mind and body. However, planning a long getaway can take a lot of time, effort, and money—especially if you’re travelling to a far-off place. This is why taking a hotel staycation can be a great way to relax when you don’t have the budget or time for a lengthy trip.
As the name suggests, a staycation is a short vacation that involves staying put and focusing on relaxing rather than heading out to explore. In most cases, people choose to have staycations near or even within their home city. Instead of just staying at home, however, they can treat themselves and book an evening at a nice hotel. This allows them to leave all their worries behind without having to go somewhere far.
The duration of your staycation will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, but most staycations don’t exceed three nights. With the right planning, accommodations, and activities, a staycation can be just as fun and restorative as a two-week trip. For instance, you can book a calming spa treatment or get cosy in your favourite leisurewear while enjoying quality room service.
To help you with your staycation planning, below are nine tips to make your trip extra comfortable and relaxing:
TIP 1: Plan Ahead and Choose the Right Hotel
As with any vacation, planning ahead will help you book lodgings that align with your budget, needs, and preferences. On that note, try checking different hotel websites for special packages at discounted rates. You’ll find that many hotels in business districts or cities tend to offer very affordable rates during the weekends.
The quality of your staycation largely hinges on the quality of your accommodations, so be sure to stay at a hotel that offers plenty of nice amenities. For example, a great dining establishment, a luxurious spa, beautiful park grounds, and a lavish swimming pool are just a few features to look for in a hotel.
Feel free to choose a hotel in a location that’s different from what you’re used to. A change of scenery can be very refreshing when you want to take a break from the usual sights and sounds. For example, if you live in the city, you can stay at a hotel that’s closer to the countryside. If you live inland, you can choose a hotel near the seaside. Be sure to choose lodgings that you can get to without taking a plane. This will save you plenty of time and help you avoid pricey travel costs. If you plan on sightseeing, choose a hotel that’s located near the places you want to visit.
TIP 2: Relax at the Spa
Booking a spa treatment is a great way to start a rejuvenating staycation. In fact, a day at the spa can feel like a five-star vacation all on its own. Many hotels have in-house spas that offer a variety of services like facials, body massages, and aromatherapy baths, to name a few.
TIP 3: Chill by the Pool
Swimming and chilling by the poolside is definitely a must-do on any hotel staycation. Hence, it’s important to check if your hotel has a luxurious pool area. Be sure to pack your best swimsuit and coverup so you can enjoy taking a cool dip in those blue waters. Even if you’re not one for swimming, you can still relax by the pool. Just grab a good book, lie on a comfy deck chair, and enjoy the beautiful poolside scenery.
TIP 4: Plan a Special Evening Out
A good staycation should be a memorable one that you can fondly look back upon. Engaging in a variety of activities is great, but it also helps to plan one evening out where you can indulge in something truly special. This is particularly true if you’re on a staycation with a significant other or celebrating an anniversary.
The nature of this special activity is entirely up to you. If your hotel has a fantastic dining establishment, you can make reservations for a delicious dinner. You can also ask your concierge if there are any good restaurants nearby. If there’s a theatre near your hotel, you can opt to watch an evening play or musical performance with your special someone.
TIP 5: Order Room Service
If you don’t feel like stepping out to eat during your staycation, that’s perfectly fine. An enjoyable staycation also involves maximizing all the comforts that your hotel has to offer. Try calling room service if you just want to stay under the cushy comforter of your hotel bed. This way, you can have delicious food served straight to your room without having to get too dressed.
TIP 6: Take a Walk or Self-Guided Tour
A staycation doesn’t mean that you have to stay indoors throughout the duration of your trip. You can still get some fresh air and see some exciting sights even if you’re staying at a hotel in your city. If your hotel has a pretty park or garden, you can take a nice walk and soak up some sun. Hotels by the beach are particularly great for seaside strolls in the late afternoon to early evening.
If your hotel is located in a bustling cityscape, you can also go on a self-guided tour. Even if you’re staying within your own city, you can see it from a new perspective with a more intimate exploration of both its popular tourist attractions and hidden gems.
TIP 7: Enjoy a Hot Bubble Bath
There’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of a hot bath before bed. More often than not, that’s all it takes to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. Most hotel rooms come equipped with bathtubs that were made for luxuriating, so be sure to prepare quality bath products. Some hotel gift shops sell soaps and bath bombs if you’d rather purchase them onsite, but if you have some personal favourites, it’s always a good idea to pack them along with your other staycation necessities. You can even play your favourite tunes while lounging in the tub for a more calming ambience, so consider bringing some portable speakers.
TIP 8: Try Participating in Hotel Activities
Many hotels host their own special activities for guests to enjoy during their stay. So if you’re looking for more fun activities to participate in, try asking your hotel’s concierge for suggestions. For example, some hotels offer special classes for hobbies like cooking or dancing. Others might offer unique outdoor activities like polo, horseback riding, paragliding, or sailing.
TIP 9: Catch Up on Sleep
It’s easy to get caught up in vacation activities. You may feel like you need to do everything there is to do in order to truly enjoy your trip. However, doing all these things can tire you out, which is counterproductive when you’re trying to take a break. Remember, an essential part of any staycation is rest. Taking plenty of naps or catching up on sleep is time well-spent if it helps you de-stress and relax. Don’t be afraid to spend a whole day in bed—you certainly deserve it.
Everyone needs time to unwind and leave their worries behind. Taking a hotel staycation can be a great way to kick back and relax, even if you don’t have much time to spare. By planning ahead, booking the right accommodations, and engaging in the activities mentioned above, you can make your staycation an extra special one.
Are you planning a staycation?
*Disclosure: Collaborative Post
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
Linking up with:
I am hoping to go on a staycation to Dorset in September. Interesting tips from you but I wouldn’t be bothered about a pool at a hotel as I don’t swim!
Hey, so this summer my friend is anxiously looking for a vacation rental home to escape the usual and decompress in a different setting. To make the most of their summer vacation, they want a comfortable and well-furnished lodging that offers a tranquil setting and is conveniently close to beaches, attractions, and other facilities. She should know that a memorable staycation is one that you can look back on with pleasure. As you mentioned, it’s fantastic to participate in a range of activities, but it also helps to schedule one evening where you can treat yourself to something genuinely unique.
You made a great point when you mentioned that if your hotel is situated in a busy city, you may also take a self-guided tour. Even if you remain in your city, a closer examination of both its well-known tourist sites and undiscovered jewels may help you gain a fresh perspective on it. Next month, my husband and I want to take our kids on a holiday vacation, so I wanted to be sure we understood how to choose a suitable hotel for everyone. Once I start looking for one that we can stay in during our vacation, I’ll keep these suggestions in hand!