9 Essential Rules To Remember For The Perfect Staycation

“Smaller suitcase; less baggage!” advises Jorge de Jesus, general manager of Beaverbrook, as his first rule for staycation planning. “Make sure not to pack too much in, so that you have the time and space to do nothing – except savour the experience, of course. At Beaverbrook Surrey, we hope that our guests will enjoy losing themselves in the beautiful landscape of the Surrey Hills. Having a great spa on hand helps, too; our Coach House Spa feels like so much more than a spa – it’s a transformative wellness space. At our new London outpost, Beaverbrook Town House, we hope that guests will find themselves lost in conversation and unaware of time as they settle in for evening cocktails at Sir Frank’s Bar. I think the perfect staycation is one where time is allowed to stand still, so that you can really switch off.”

Wherever you are staycationing – at a hotel or at home – plan an itinerary that includes some of your most relaxing pursuits. “Start your day with yoga or meditation to ground yourself. Spoil yourself with a nice hot bath and add beautifully scented bath salts,” suggests Jeanette Mix of Stockholm’s Et Hemm. “Light a candle and play your favorite music. Moisturize afterwards with a rich body cream. Make time for an extra-long walk in nature. Leave your phone at home and pay attention to your surroundings. Pass the local bakery on the way back. Treat yourself to something really tasty. Smell and enjoy it!”

Bring the elements of a staycation into your everyday. “Many of the restful and restorative effects of a trip away can be put in place at home. Stopping work at a certain time, creating a comfortable space to relax in and enjoying the company of those with me. Space, time and simplicity,” says Sam Godsal, co-owner of Cobblers Cove, Barbados. “Simplicity is one of the elements that makes a vacation feel so special. There’s less stuff around you, so I would start by creating a space that is free of clutter. In the bathroom, I would get a set of super-soft, deep-pile towels, a fresh bathrobe and a candle to have by the bathtub – and I would line up the products I love. For me, this always includes a large glass jar of rosemary-scented sea salts for the bath. And I’d prepare a pile of books I want to read – as if I were packing for a vacation. We shouldn’t look to vacations to be the be-all and the cure-all. We can give ourselves a little bit of that holiday feeling each and every day at home.”

“To have the most amazing staycation, we need to start by unplugging the TV – and stop watching the news. Then, start walking around the area using the same spirit and eyes as when you are abroad,” advises Pedro Franca Pinto, owner of Craveiral Farmhouse in Alentejo, Portugal. “During a quiet period, you can take advantage of the opportunity to really enjoy wherever it is you are. Go to the local market and buy really good organic products, get to know the local owners and enjoy the community as if you were there for the first time.”

For Dina De Luca Chartouni, co-owner and creative director at The Lowell, New York, a staycation is all about finding ways to explore. “While traveling during the pandemic was curtailed, I tried to find other ways to give myself a sense of adventure. I have learned to create ‘new worlds’ through virtual worlds. I have shopped at the souks in Nairobi, courtesy of Indagare’s virtual trips. I have joined yoga classes in India. And I have biked the back villages in Bavaria and taken scenic rides through New Zealand, and Iceland, courtesy of Peloton,” she says.

Meryanne Loum-Martin, owner of Jnane Tamsna, recommends recreating the experience of a favorite vacation dinner. She takes inspiration from nights at her boutique hotel in Marrakech: “On the table, covered with a suzani or an Indian fabric, I set lots of glass candles and have bowls of water with floating rose petals. Because we use organic orchard produce at Jnane Tamsna, I would do a citrus chutney made with lemon jam, spices, garlic and fresh ginger. Then, for dessert, I’d prepare oranges and cinnamon, which I would cook very slightly to caramelize the oranges. With the addition of a full-bodied red wine, lots of candles and some comfortable pillows, I would enjoy a Moroccan One Thousand and One Nights-themed evening.”

“This past year has been brutal in so many ways, but if there is a positive we have all felt, it is the power of connection. Connection through social media and the internet is what has kept us all on track with the outside world, our family and friends – albeit from afar and on a different time zone,” shares Mariella Avino, owner of Palazzo Avino. “For me, one way of doing this has been through food – traveling virtually and experimenting with different cuisines and recipes. On Instagram, I have connected with lots of chefs and tried their quarantine recipes.”

“This spirit of enjoying the everyday and being present in the moment can be shared wherever you are, and I can recommend a few small ideas to help bring the magic of the Maldives to your home,” says Esin Güral Argat, owner of Joali. “Firstly, add in lots of indoor greenery. Colorful art can add the wow factor to your space, too. In the evenings, I’d also recommend enjoying some ‘me time’ with a calming yoga or meditation session. Afterwards, enjoy a long and luxurious bath – the type you would usually only reward yourself with on vacation.”

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