I love staycations. I think I’ve already made my point on this? But in the current climate, when we’ve all got cabin fever and are desperate for a break, I don’t think we can speak enough about alternatives to travelling abroad. We are worried about our health, about our job security, about getting stranded by a random emergency quarantine… A spontaneous weekend close to home is a lot less risky right now, but no less fun. So many possibilities…let me share with you a few of my favourites, 5 simple staycation ideas you can book for THIS weekend.
The ‘body holiday’
Can’t make it to Saint Lucia? Improvise with a wellness weekend. There’s something about working out in nice surroundings that inspires me to develop good habits. I can exercise in a swank gym with fluffy towels and ice water with cucumber slices, maybe take a yoga class, a long walk around the grounds, a float in hot tub, a couple of glasses of organic wine then a full eight hours of delicious sleep in a luxurious hotel bed. I would be super virtuous for at least 3 weeks after that…
I tested this out myself at The Leonardo (formerly The Grange) in St Paul’s, London. Yes, it is a standard ‘faceless’ chain hotel, but it’s also an affordable 5 star with great spa and leisure facilities and a fab city location. It’s directly opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, so perfect for long walks through The City, along the Thames, across the river to The Tate…and they often have killer deals on the weekends.
Tip: I got this as a Top Secret®. hotel on lastminute.com a couple of years ago, paying £99 for a Sunday night. Just went online and found a hotel that sounded suspiciously like it for THIS weekend for £89. Hotels often have unsold inventory to unload late in the day so, if you are flexible and can book last minute, it’s worth checking these types of sites (unless you hate bargains?).
The close the door and leave me the f*** alone
I call this the ‘mental health’ break, some time out for self-care. You’ve had a bad week at work, you’ve fallen out with a friend, you hate EVERYBODY. Sometimes you need to just take yourself out of the situation – book into a hotel, drink a bottle of wine in the bath, order room service and watch a lot of Netflix. Take a breath, get some perspective, re-enter the real world on Monday .
I’ve done this one too. One of my very first staycations was at Number Sixteen in South Kensington. Part of the Firmdale group that I knew so well through hosting events for work – I just love Kit Kemp’s modern rainbow twist on traditional interiors, and all the signature quirky details – and it was my sanctuary on a random Sunday when I was having a bit of a moment. I inhaled travel mags in the library, raided the honesty bar (honestly…) ate a room service burger in my single bed and, outside of “please” and “thank you” spoke to pretty much no-one. It was the BEST.
The girly spa hang-out
Most people save this one for a hen do or a big celebration. Me? I save this one only for days ending in ‘y’. You shouldn’t need to have an excuse to spend time with your friends, lolling about by the pool in fluffy robes, bouncing between sauna and steam room, an afternoon tea, a boozy sleepover and Bloody Marys for brunch…
Pick a hotel with great facilities that you can all use, even if you don’t indulge in a spa treatment (fab if all the group are on different budgets), or look for packages where they often include a meal or maybe even a massage for each person. More money for cocktails…
Tip: If you are only able stay one night, maximise your time and get best value for money. Have lunch on premises/close by so as soon as you are checked in, you’re ready to use the facilities. Do spa access and treatments on day one so you can wander around in your slippers and robe, go back to your room to wash and dry your hair, get ready at your leisure. Day two is for late check out, stowing your bags and taking advantage of walking the grounds, hanging out in the restaurants, bars, lounges and libraries all day until security come and escort you from the building…
The hometown holiday
A few years ago I staycationed at The Hoxton Holborn and fully intended to visit the British Museum around the corner. Until I got distracted by tea and cake. It did get me thinking, though, of how a staycation could be such a great opportunity to finally see some key tourist attractions in my city or, a step beyond that, to explore a corner of London that was completely new to me. I still stand by that as a great idea for a potential hotel or, even better, Airbnb weekend – how cool would that be? Test-driving a new area of town – could I do the East London thing? Grabbing an artisan coffee on the way to picking up flowers on Columbia Road, meeting friends for a vegan brunch before a vintage boutique trawl and a gallery stroll, an alternative street food pop-up followed by a gig and edgy after-hours bar-hop? I’d stay somewhere industrial and warehousey. Hmmm…don’t know if I could pull that off. Would love to try, though.
The dirty date night
Do you really need me to explain this one…?
When you’re on a good a date and don’t want to go home after dinner…just don’t. Malmaison will offer you a room at a heavily discounted rate if you have dinner in any of their brasseries (you need to book in advance, though, so maybe not for your Tinder date, eh?). After courtyard cocktails and karaoke (?!) at Mama Shelter London, you can stop by their shop for “supplies” before heading to your room. And, if we are taking this really seriously, luxury boutique property Blakes offers a senses package including a “…specially curated selection of romantic treats”.
What goes on behind closed doors between consenting adults is none of my business. I’m saying nothing.
The end bit
Not being able to stray too far from home might sound like a nightmare for any true lover of travel. But it shouldn’t be. Wherever you are based, there are just so many opportunities to build the perfect ‘hometown holiday’. You don’t even need a pandemic – just a little imagination.
What’s your ultimate staycation idea? Drop a comment below.
Lead image from Coach House room at Babington House.
