Hello, fellow travelers and homebodies alike! Let’s chat about one of my favorite ways to get away from it all without straying too far – the hotel staycation. Picture this: you and your family, relaxing in a comfy hotel room, surrounded by amenities you don’t have to maintain, enjoying a change of scenery without the hassle of long-distance travel. That’s the essence of a hotel staycation.
We’ve compiled nine fantastic tips that will elevate your hotel staycation experience from ordinary to extraordinary. These secrets will help you really enjoy your family while creating lasting memories, even on a budget. So, let’s dive into our top strategies for planning the perfect hotel staycation that will have everyone in your family smiling.
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Tip 1: Pick the Perfect Spot
When it comes to time to choose a hotel for your staycation, you’ll want to check off these boxes:
Hotel Amenities and Activities
When it comes to hotel staycations, the hotel amenities matter. Look for spots with free breakfast, pools or waterparks (hello, built-in entertainment!), game rooms, free or low-cost outdoor activities, or even kid-friendly classes. Goat yoga? Cookie decorating? Hula dancing? Sign us up!
While some kids are totally cool with chilling in a hotel room watching movies all day (my youngest), other kids require much more activity to keep the equilibrium (my middle child). So if your goal is to not leave the hotel or resort for a day or 2 or 3, choose a hotel with plenty of onsite activities.
And let’s not forget the adult amenities. Tag team parenting and book a spa visit for a massage or other treatment. It’s your chance to rejuvenate, too, so take time for yourself. And if you don’t have the budget for a spa visit, even some time alone at the pool or coffee shop can be a nice reprieve from daily life of work and parenting.
Destination Location
Location is key, y’all. You don’t want to be so far from home that you’re spending half your vacay in transit (hence the stay in staycation). But if relaxation is your goal, you also want to be far enough from the traffic and city noise and anything that reminds you of work, so that you can actually catch some Z’s and decompress. Is the pool next to a noisy freeway or construction site? Hotel down the street from the office? It’s important to not just choose a hotel for what it offers but also scope out everything around the location.
Tip 2: Find Ways to Save Money
Now, let’s talk about making your wallet as happy as your kiddos. There are tried and true strategies for scoring some amazing deals on resorts and hotels that you might otherwise think are completely out of your budget.
Timing is Everything
Booking during off-peak times can save you more money than you’d think. While it’s tempting to vacay when everyone else is, choosing off-season times can save you hundreds of dollars. In the US, November is typically the cheapest time to book a hotel, with December being the most expensive.
Also, the timing of your booking is really important. If you’re like me, you get giddy about finding the perfect hotel right away. Unfortunately, pricing is often in favor of those last-minute planners. You can find much better prices days out from your booking, due to all the last-minute cancellations. If you’re worried about them filling up and you being left without a room, go ahead and book early but choose a hotel that has a generous refund policy, so you can cancel and rebook at a cheaper rate if/when the price drops.
When choosing the days of your stay, opt for weekday stays and avoid the higher Friday and Saturday night costs. Hotels that cater to business travelers are the only exception to this, as they are often cheaper on the weekends.
Freebies
Save money on daily staycation expenses by choosing hotels with complimentary breakfasts and evening snacks or small bites. Some hotels, such as Residence Inn or Drury Inn offer free breakfast and evening snacks and can potentially save you hundreds of dollars depending upon the length of your stay. And in our experience, the “snacks” have included burgers, salads, barbecue, nachos, and more and can definitely suffice as a meal.
Hotel Loyalty Programs
This has been the key to us getting some incredible hotel perks and savings. We signed up for Marriott Bonvoy thirteen years ago. Over time we’ve been able to accrue points towards free nights, earn lifetime platinum status guaranteeing us lounge access, plus receive lots of upgrades for free.
While it’s not a necessity to earn hotel loyalty status, if you’ll be traveling frequently, it just makes sense. The free breakfasts and snacks and drinks in the lounge have saved us money, the room upgrades have saved us from having to book an extra room to fit us all, and all the hotel points have given us a high-end resort and hotel stays for free.
Credit Card Reward Points
Another way to save money is choosing a credit card that rewards your spending with hotel stays and points. There are tons to choose from. Since we are Marriott lovers, we have Marriott Bonvoy credit cards that have rewarded us with extra free nights and tens of thousands of hotel points.
Tip 3: Pack Like a Pro (Less is More, Y’all!)
Listen up, because this is important: You do not need to pack like you’re leaving on a 14-day cruise. Pack light, pack smart. Bring the essentials and maybe that one fancy outfit for when you’re feeling fancy (or when room service arrives, same thing). Remember, whatever you pack has to be unpacked when you get home, so make it easy on yourself and just bring the bare minimum.
Don’t forget the fun stuff, though. A deck of cards, a favorite board game, or that book you’ve been meaning to read for the last decade. And snacks, people. SNACKS. Nothing says “family harmony” quite like a well-timed granola bar or a secret stash of gummy bears.
Tip 4: Play Tourist
Do a little homework (I know, I know, but this is the fun kind) and check out things to do around your hotel. Trip Advisor is my go-to for finding real reviews of all the top attractions wherever we’re visiting! You should also chat up the hotel staff or concierge desk – ask them where they’d go on their day off. They have some of the best ideas. And don’t forget the local tourism office, where you can often find coupons for discounted rates to lots of local attractions.
If you want to hit up several main attractions on your staycation, you can save 50% on entrance fees with the City Pass. It’s totally worth the cost if they offer it at your location.
While you’re playing tourist in your neck of the woods, check out the restaurants, try a new coffee shop, go on a hike, visit cultural spots, the zoo, parks, or shops, take a self-guided tour, etc., etc. Also, keep an eye on social media for local events, like festivals, art fairs, vendor markets, or concerts. Much of that is free, which can really help with keeping you entertained on a tight budget.
Tip 5: To Plan or Not to Plan
A hotel staycation doesn’t have to be all room service and movies in bed (unless that’s totally your thing!). Make it feel like a real vacation away from home by mixing it up with a combo of scheduled activities and downtime. The point is to have fun and relax, not overthink and over-schedule.
And always, ALWAYS have a backup plan. Weather happens, places close unexpectedly, and sometimes the kids just aren’t feeling that educational walking tour you were so excited about. Flexibility is your friend, so try to roll with the punches.
Tip 6: Make a Splash!
I know I mentioned the pool when we talked about amenities, but this one is so important it deserves its own bullet point. If you’re looking to plan a relaxing, budget-friendly staycation that doesn’t involve driving all over town, the pool is key! A shimmering oasis of chlorinated bliss can transform your staycation from alright to glorious faster than your 9-year-old can yell “Cannonball!”
To make it a full day of fun, pack some pool toys, invent some crazy games, and bring on all the snacks to keep the energy up and the fun flowing. If the sun and fun are too much, take an afternoon nap and then head out again for an evening swim.
And parents, don’t forget to treat yourselves to some poolside relaxation. Take turns watching the kids so each of you can enjoy a few moments of peace with a good book or a fruity drink. You deserve it.
Tip 7: Room Service
Room service always feels like a luxury to me. I can’t help but conjure replays of Home Alone 2 in my head and the lavish spread of junk food rolled in on fancy carts. But what better time to indulge in some fancy feeling room service than on a stay cation.
Room service isn’t just a meal; it’s a fun experience for everyone. Breakfast in bed? Yes, please! Late night hunger cravings while you’re snuggled in bed watching a movie? Go for it, if it’s in your budget. Indulge in the little things to make your staycation feel even more memorable.
Tip 8: Get Your Game On
Bring on the family game night! Pack your favorite games or bring a new one along to learn together. Some hotels will even have games for you to check out in the hotel lobby. We’ve found that at the end of the day when we’re back in the hotel room, it’s easy for everyone to retreat back to their individual screens. So pull out the games instead. And snacks. Always snacks.
Tip 9: Unplug and Unwind
Alright, here’s the kicker, folks. It’s time to break up with your devices. I know, it’s hard. But trust me, absence makes the heart grow fonder (and the family grow closer). Set that email auto-responder, turn off those notifications, and remind your coworkers that unless the building is on fire, it can wait.
Instead of scrolling when you’re bored, play a conversation game, go on a walk together, or practice simply being present. It’s easier said than done, but you won’t regret those moments that you might have otherwise missed if you’d been glued to your phone.
Wrapping Up: Tips for Planning the Perfect Hotel Staycation
Remember, a staycation is about quality time together. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable. Embrace the change of scenery and the break from routine. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or exploring a new part of town, the key is to go with the flow and enjoy each other’s company.
By following these tips, you can turn a simple hotel stay into a rejuvenating family experience. So go ahead, book that staycation, and create some new family memories!
