Hi, I’m Alicia of CarterGirl Events and I’m a city girl with an undeniable love for hosting, planning and home decor. But there are times when I am exhausted, overwhelmed and am in need of a vacation but my city girl budget won’t allow for a random week in Tahiti.
What’s a girl to do? She plans a Staycation. What the hell is that? A staycation is the budget friendly remedy that will get you back on track. Sort of like a weekend getaway, but in your own city. Because they are pretty brief, usually only 2 days or so, staycations are easy to fit into your hectic schedule. Besides, there is nothing like a quick “getaway” to regain that triple R feeling: Refreshed. Relaxed. Renewed.
Hotel Vertigo in San Francisco
Where to stay:
Bed and Breakfasts and boutique hotels are my top recommendations for staycation accommodations. Here’s why: the ultimate purpose of a staycation is to regain your triple R. These unique spots are known for low occupancy and high customer service. Check out sites like Groupon and Living Social or special rates and discounts. Tablet Hotels features stylish and unique hotels for cool accommodations. Here are a few recommendations for boutique hotels across the country.
Los Angeles – Maison 140 Beverly Hills
New York City – Crosby Street Hotel
Philadelphia – Morris House Hotel
San Francisco – Hotel Vertigo of San Francisco
What to Pack:
Ok, this part is super simple. Your most comfy, cozy pj’s are non-negotiable. You’ll be doing plenty of NOTHING and you want to make sure you’re dressed for it! If you are into fitness, you should definitely pack your workout gear. Sometimes, I release the most stress and gain the most creative inspiration when I’m working out. Pack your favorite dress for your hot date with yourself. (We’ll get into that a little later).
There are a few other staycation essentials that you will not want to forget. Pack that book you’ve been trying to finish and all those magazines you have been dying to catch up on. It’s also a good idea to grab some of your favorite treats and snacks to munch on in the room.
Staycation Survival Kit
What to Do:
The true answer is NOTHING. DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! But, I know that’s not as realistic as I would like. Here are a few ideas:
1. Be a tourist in your own city. Most cities have a tourism bureau site where you can see special exhibits, tours and festivals that are being featured at local museums and attractions.
2. Wine and Dine. Make a reservation at that chic restaurant that just opened. Put on that sexy dress you packed and enjoy a great meal and maybe even some champagne with your favorite date, Y.O.U. !
3. Spa. Spa. Spa, baby! Here’s where those discount sites I mentioned before will come in handy. They are almost always offering some sort of deal or discount at local spas for massages, facials… the works!! Depending on your budget, I would say book as many services as you can. There’s no such thing as too refreshed, relaxed, and renewed right??
4. Movie/Marathon Night. I have a guilty pleasure for anything on Crime Tv or Lifetime; seriously, I could watch those two networks all day long. What’s your favorite movie or show? The weekends are the perfect time to catch a marathon. Throw on those pjs, grab your snacks and tune in! This is also a great way to enjoy the amenities of your hotel.
So the next time your job is stressing you out or you’re going through a rough patch of life you are now equipped with the know how to get back to YOU. You know where to stay, what to pack and what to do. If you follow these steps you are sure to enjoy the staycation of your dreams! One thing to remember while on your staycation is to focus on Y.O.U.
Enjoy! Have you planned a staycation? How did it go?
I was actually just thinking of planning a Staycation in the next few weeks or so! Between my 3-year old “diva” running around and our extensive renovations at home, anything with “ation” at the end is for me! Obviously that would include fancy accommodations, relaxation, glamorization, foodization, and of course some good old fashion shoppingadation! Thanks for the list Alicia, I’m looking forward to more!