Staycation: the holiday that starts at home
Fancy a holiday with no lost luggage, no airport queues and no Google Maps sending you round in circles? Welcome to the world of the staycation, a fast-growing trend that wins guests over… without them really going anywhere!
In this article, we look at what a staycation actually is, who enjoys them, how they work and why the formula appeals so much to local guests. Spoiler: you may well want to book one before you reach the bottom of this page.
What is a staycation?
The word “staycation” blends stay and vacation. In plain terms, it means taking a holiday close to home, or even at home, while keeping the mindset of someone on their travels.
It can take several forms:
- booking a hotel room in your own city for a change of scene,
- enjoying a local spa or wellness centre,
- exploring restaurants, museums or activities you have never made time for,
- or simply turning your living room into a “private resort”, with a box-set marathon, homemade cocktails and zero guilt.
In short, a staycation is the art of travelling without going very far at all.
Why are staycations so popular?
There are several reasons why local guests are embracing the trend.
No passport needed (and no stress)
No endless queues, no suitcase mysteriously vanishing at the airport, no jet lag. A staycation is simplicity itself.
Kinder on the wallet and the planet
No eye-watering plane tickets, far less spent on transport and a smaller carbon footprint. Your holiday becomes both more affordable and more responsible.
Rediscovering your own patch
We often underestimate what our own city has to offer. Museums, parks, exhibitions, boutique hotels… A staycation lets you play tourist on your doorstep.
Flexibility
A weekend, an evening or even a single day is enough for a staycation break. Perfect for anyone with a packed diary.
Who goes on a staycation?
Contrary to what you might assume, staycations are not just for people who cannot afford to travel. The clientele is remarkably varied:
- Couples: they love booking a hotel night or a local spa for a romantic pause without leaving town.
- Families: a practical way to keep the children busy during the school holidays without flying halfway round the world.
- Overworked professionals: those who long for a rest but lack the time (or the energy) to plan a proper trip.
- The curious: locals who want to see their region in a new light.
In other words, the staycation appeals to a broad audience, from young professionals to retirees, all drawn by the idea of relaxing without the hassle.
How to plan a great staycation
The art of the staycation rests on a simple principle: looking at your everyday surroundings with fresh eyes. Here are a few ideas to turn your weekend into a mini-break.
Book a local experience
Plenty of hotels now offer staycation packages including a night's stay, breakfast, spa access and sometimes extras such as cocktails or a massage. It is the perfect chance to enjoy high-end service without leaving the city.
Play the tourist
Visit a museum you have never got round to, join a guided walk or explore neighbourhoods you barely know. You will be surprised by how much your city has to offer.
Treat yourself to a food adventure
A staycation is also a fine excuse to try new restaurants, cocktail bars or food markets. Local guests love it, because it means travelling through your taste buds.
Create your own resort at home
Switch off your phone, put together a “holiday” playlist, bring out the Egyptian cotton sheets and turn your living room into an improvised five-star hotel. Bonus: you are the room service, but at least it always arrives on time!
Staycations and the hotel industry
For hotels and tourism businesses, the staycation has become an essential strategy. Local guests are a valuable opportunity, especially in the quieter months.
- Special packages: a night's stay plus breakfast plus spa, ideal for tempting people who live nearby.
- Seasonal offers: winter brunches, summer rooftops, themed evenings…
- Exclusive experiences: wine tastings, mixology workshops, cultural activities.
The result? Hotels fill their rooms and locals enjoy premium services a stone's throw from home. Everyone wins.
The benefits of a staycation for local guests
To sum up, the staycation offers city dwellers a whole host of advantages:
- Accessibility: no complicated planning required.
- Value: cheaper than a long-haul trip.
- Sustainability: a smaller carbon footprint.
- Wellbeing: quick, effective relaxation.
Above all, it lets you get away from it all without going away.
Conclusion: what if your next holiday started… at home?
A staycation is not a compromise, it is a new way of travelling. Simpler, more accessible and often more restorative than a long journey, it turns familiar surroundings into an adventure.
So, ready to be a tourist in your own city? Get your diary out, block off a weekend and give the staycation a go. You will see: sometimes the best trips are the ones that take you… hardly any distance at all.
