With all that is going on in the world right now, you’d be forgiven for thinking we are living in the End Times. Many of us have been stuck eating, working and socialising in the same room for the past four months. We all deserve a break, a little bit of luxury…but where? Can we fly? Is it safe? Do we have to quarantine? Stuff it…how about we just staycation?
Strictly speaking, a staycation is a holiday in your home country rather than abroad, but I tend to narrow the definition to my home town. For several years BC (Before Covid), I have been taking hometown holidays – max an hour or so door-to-door (anything further is more vacation than staycation, right?). I live in London and overnight inside the boundaries of the tube map at least twice a year. It’s usually a spontaneous treat at the end of a bad week, when I just want to drink cocktails, take long baths and recharge ready for Monday morning.
In these unprecedented times, we need alternative trip ideas more than ever and, as a self-certified Staycationologist, I’m here for you. How do you plan the perfect luxe life local retreat? Pull up a chair, let’s start with a look at the 5 P’s…
Step one: POINT
As in, “what is the…?”
Do you want to explore a new part of town with friends? Get outside and enjoy some fresh air and green open spaces? Have some ‘me’ time, a digital detox, or just bolt the door and do nothing at all?
Knowing your staycation objective will pretty much dictate everything else, so sort that out first. And if you just can’t narrow it down? No problem. Just book another one. The beauty of local travel is that it is easy to arrange…and repeat.
For a few suggestions to get you started, check out 5 Simple staycation ideas to try this weekend.
Step two: PLACE
As in, where?
Many people, wherever they live, can travel for an hour or two and have options. From my home, I can be in the buzz of central London within 20 minutes, the more open spaces of the home counties within an hour, the beach at Brighton within an hour and a half. Rinse and repeat for so many others, wherever you are based. You don’t have to go far to have a different experience – important if you can’t afford the time/cash to do a whole weekend.
My go-to out-of-town experience used to be The Grove in Hertfordshire (until their rates shot up and I got priced out). A tube and a taxi, I could be there in under an hour walking in their 300 acres of grounds, indulging in their killer spa and generally faking it as a Footballer’s wife (aim high…).
Which handily brings me to…
Step three: PROPERTY
As in, type and amenities.
A luxury hotel?
I love places like The Ned that offer access to a gym, pool, steam room, hammam etc. at no extra charge, plus the option to splurge on spa/ beauty/ hair treatments (because you deserve it). Then there are all the bars and restaurants…you don’t even have to leave the building.
Tip: With many hotels, Sunday night rates are often a little cheaper than a Saturday, so taking Monday off work can get you so much more for your money. Also, don’t rule out booking directly with the hotels. Often they’ll have promotions: free dinner, free champagne, discount extra nights and you’ll have great leverage for a category upgrade on the room you’ve booked. Always balance this against any savings made booking with 3rd parties like booking.com .
It doesn’t have to be a hotel. How about airbnb or other home rental site? Go get your tiny house, converted barn or mews cottage. Snap up that swanky warehouse apartment with river views you’ve always wanted. Make coffee in your industrial bean-to-cup machine and retire to your balcony with your laptop to finally get started on your novel #goals.
A few of my favourite London staycation spots
Beyond The Grove and The Ned (Twice!), I’ve done the London staycation thing A LOT – it would be a little rude of me not to share a few more of my fave locations:
- For the glam: I have a major staycation crush on the Soho House bedrooms, From the curated decor touches, to the Picante de la Casa cocktails served in the bars, to the tins of freshly baked cookies left in each bedroom, they have taken the sexy-cosy design aesthetic and elevated it to the SKY. Of their six London properties with bedrooms, most are bookable by non-members and often come with perks like club access for the duration of your stay. Availability is a bit of a lottery, but persevere – it is so worth it
- For the vibe: You don’t have bust the budget for your little bit of local luxe. I love the style of more accessible brands like The Hoxton (3 properties in London and growing worldwide) and Mama Shelter (opened their first UK hotel in 2019), and I’ve had fab stays at Malmaisons across the UK.
- For an affordable 5 star: yes, you can even pimp your stay at a ‘generic’ corporate chain. I like Leonardo Hotels (formerly Grange, branches nationwide) for their facilities and price point. I found their St Paul’s location as a secret deal on lastminute.com for less than £100, and spent most of my time in their fab spa. Don’t rule them out.
- For the booze: still on the bucket list as technically, I’ve only drunk rather than stayed there, but I have my eye on the lodges at Black Rock Tavern. I first came across this place as The Napoleon – one hotel suite with 3 – yes three – bars attached, but now it has evolved to a more whiskey-focused venue with a Japanese flavour. And I’m itching to try it. Honourable mention to The Distillery aka Gin Heaven across town on Portobello Road. Again, have been here for drinks – next time I’m staying over.
- For a wildcard: because I’m not nearly as fancy as I think I am, The Moxy at Heathrow Airport. How I ended up here is a long story for another day, but I have no regrets! Rooms are small, with limited facilities, but functional.The whole place gave me designer hostel vibes, with decor that was heavy on street art and neon (very “corporate boomer does millennial/Gen Z”; didn’t hate it). Loved the huge, open common spaces, the buzzy bar area and the staff who hit on you without being creepy. Would definitely give this brand another look (…in a more central location).
The place you choose and the amenities it offers can really make or break your staycation. Choose wisely.
Step four: PLAN
As in, your activities. If you have ambitions beyond room service and Netflix, do a little bit of work in advance so you don’t waste precious holiday time working out what you want to do. Just because you’re close to home, don’t get complacent:
- book tickets in advance
- check opening times
- make restaurant reservations
- make appointments for treatments (so annoying to be dreaming of a relaxing massage…only to to realise that they are all booked out for your entire stay)
A city-centre staycation is so perfect to combine with a gig, event, club night, theatre trip (post-lockdown, of course. I am writing this in July 2020 and we can’t do ANY of these things). A short walk home at the end of a late night – no negotiating night buses , taxi queues or Uber surge pricing is a luxury in itself. Throw in a hangover-busting Bloody Mary brunch the next day and, well…
Step five: PREP
As in, a little shopping trip can go a long way.
Pick up some luxury products for a DIY day spa. A sheet mask, a body scrub, a bath oil, a rich moisturiser can really elevate your pampering experience. If you’re not planning to splurge on spa treatments, it’s a nice investment (you’ll use them more than once). Cruise the aisles at SpaceNK or a big Boots to find something lovely (…and snag some samples!).
Don’t forget a candle – perfect mood setter, I never travel without one. I do have both Jo Malone and Diptique, but right now I’m loving the cheap and cheerful M&S CALM candle from their apothecary range. Lush.
Not a staycation story, but when I checked into my room at Wapa di Ume in Ubud, the huge sunken bathtub was calling my name. About half a bottle of bath oil later, I was surrounded by warm bubbles and frangipani flowers (housekeeping had scattered them around the room so I repurposed them for my DIY version of the Instagram-famous Bali petal bath) inhaling the scent of my travel candle and BLISSING OUT. Bathtub=staycation essential.
BYO bubbles – mini/half bottles if you are in a hotel with a small fridge (though you can always call down for a bucket of ice, or improvise with a bag of ice from Tesco Metro and a bathroom sink, like I did at The Moxy). If you are in an airbnb, do an online shop for treats and time the delivery around your arrival. Don’t waste good staycation time running around a supermarket.
The end bit
I am a lover of long-haul travel, but right now have to accept that I can’t always get what I want. But, just because our ‘away’cations are now a bit more ‘stay’, it doesn’t mean we have to compromise. We can have style and luxury, be with friends or on our own, we can spa, we can explore…or just do nothing at all. No passports, no jet-lag, no long travel days, no lines at security. The money we save on transport can be put towards extra treats and, if we love it, we can do it all over again next weekend. Best of all, we don’t need to go very far…unless we want to.
Yes, I miss my long haul, but staycations? I’m a little bit addicted (…no, I’m not thanking Covid-19 for that).
Lead image of Cosy Room at White City House.
