3 Steps To A Perfect Staycation
Everyone travels in the summer, except me! Where is the quick trip that I’ve been waiting for? Against all odds, I pulled off the perfect staycation in 3 easy steps.
There’s this thing that happens in the summer – everyone leaves. Beaches & pools flood the scene & I sit back… jealous. This year (well most years), I didn’t make time to plan a trip or getaway. Finding the time to put one together, then finding a time that it’ll fit into the schedule, plus deciding how much money to spend? Didn’t happen. I’m not bragging, I’m disappointed.
If you’re feeling like me – this is what you need to do. Find a nearby big city, any city. Weed through all the hotels & find the one with the best POOL. That’s it. Book it & go. If you can go during a weekday? Even better. The rates for the hotel, spa, & restaurants are usually lower & it’s a more chill vibration.
That’s the short version of a perfect summer staycation.
Last weekend I had a staycation in Dallas, TX. Which is like a 2-hour drive & probably has nothing extraordinary to offer that Austin, TX doesn’t have – other than distance from home. It was Wafiq & Bernice’s birthday week so it’s somewhat a tradition to vacation together.
3 Steps To A Perfect Staycation
Step 1: Find a Hotel With A Good Pool, Think RESORT
Here’s how I planned my staycation, & here’s why it worked. I searched Dallas for hotels that felt similar to a resort. Know what I mean? A nice pool, spa, restaurant, lounge, room service, valet, ect. I’m trying to feel like I’m in Hawaii, ok? I’ve done this before so I learned how essential the POOL is. The pool provides entertainment even if there’s absolutely nothing else going on -therefore it has to fit the bill. I always make sure it’s not too small or kid-friendly. Meaning, if there are children slides, it ain’t the pool for me. TRUST.
STEP 2: Make Nice Dinner Reservations
Once you have the hotel figured out, fill in the holes w only a few activities. It’s a staycation, you don’t have to explore the city, you already live there! BUT, you can plan a nice dinner or two that you wouldn’t normally indulge in. Again, we’re aiming to feel like we’re at a 5-star, all-inclusive hotel on a beach in Hawaii. Once you find a hotel w an excellent pool, similar to a resort, no children slides, then fill in the gaps w a nice dinner or 2. Make reservations, dress up, eat whatever you want – ENJOY!
STEP 3: Take Advantage Of Hotel Amenities
Now, with the hotel figured out & the restaurants reserved, figure out what you can do to enjoy staying IN the hotel! Find a good book to knock out while you’re lounging by the pool. If you’re at a hotel with a spa, consider working that into the schedule too. Hanging at the hotel as much as possible will offer you the best time on a staycation. As soon as you go outside you’ll be reminded you never left, ha! Keep the illusion alive! Read at the pool all day, hit the hotel spa, go down to the restaurant, grab a drink at the bar, dance at the lounge. Before you have a chance to think twice, you’re in a Hawaiian resort! You did it! The perfect staycation & it can be booked on Wednesday night.
This was the first time I pulled off a last-minute {almost} staycation so well. We stayed at the W in Dallas & it was exactly what I was looking for. The weekend was extremely low key, easy-going, plenty of pool time, exceptional staff & the perfect staycation.
On another note, we stopped in Waco to see Chip & JoAnna Gaines CITY. They own it you guys. I’ve never watched their show, the only thing I really know about them is their one book, The Magnolia Story – but it was a FANTASTIC read.
They’ve created an entire Magnolia compound if you will. There’s a huge barn with a store inside, which was always JoAnna’s main endeavor. For anyone that can’t visit Magnolia, a lot of the things inside her store look very similar to the Magnolia line at Target. So if you’re a big fan, shop her stuff at Target 🙂 I visited Magnolia on a Thursday so there wasn’t a huge line, but it was BUSY. I can’t believe how many people are invested in this couple, enough to drive all the way to Waco to see them?? Eeeeeek!
My staycation was way better than I expected. I need to remember that’s always an option when the days start to run into each other…
I hope you all have a great week!! Any staycation tips you can share?
Love you, be thoughtful
Xx
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What a great idea! Thanks for sharing
Let me know if you try it & in what city!