If you read my blog on the regular, you may already know that Emil and I are big believers in a quick getaway ( or a staycation if you will ) when life gets a little crazy and you feel tired, uninspired, exhausted and find yourself in a general state of meh. For us, a staycation is really a perfect way to disconnect and get away from the craziness ( especially come Holiday season ) without spending too much time on actual travel, or when we simply don’t have the time to take a full blown vacation. Since we do these little trips pretty regularly, we’ve developed a road map of sorts to maximize the benefits of these mini getaways and make them as enjoyable and relaxing as possible.
For us, choosing the right hotel is really important, so we are always on a lookout for a new staycation favorite, and as of late, Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles has been it for us. Aside from the fact that we love this brand in general, when we opt for a city getaway, we tend to look at the surrounding area as well. We love being able to take a walk to a nearby cafe in the morning, or do a bit of shopping or simply exploring without having to drive, which is why the fact the Hotel Indigo is located in one of the most charming neighborhoods of Downtown LA is so important to us. Another reason is obviously the hotel itself – from food ( opt for eggs Benedict in the morning, I promise you won’t regret it ) and light and airy rooms, to the penthouse cocktail lounge which offers beautiful views of the Downtown Los Angeles we simply can’t get enough of this charming boutique hotel!
As far as my staycation essentials are concerned, I don’t think I could really enjoy these mini getaways properly without the following:
First – cozy and comfy loungewear or pjs. As much as we love exploring, sometimes, staying in, ordering room service ( Hello breakfast in bed! ), binge watching an entire season of something on Netflix, or even simply catching some z’s is exactly what the doctor ordered, so I always make sure to pack my favorite pajamas and slippers.
Second – my headphones! I love music, I am one of those people who can listen to their favorite song on repeat over and over again because it helps me to unwind and to clear my head of all the must-dos and simply enjoy the moment. So, when I have a bit of free time, I like to light my favorite candle, lay in bed, and listen to my favorite tune on repeat!
Third – a bit of pampering goes a long way! I always bring a few skincare or new make-up goodies to try out. I pack face masks, hair masks, body scrubs, lotions, oils, you name it! Because it’s a staycation, I don’t feel so guilty spending a little extra time on myself so I definitely take advantage of it.
What about you guys, what are your staycation essentials?
More staycation favorites by City:
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Washington, New York & also here, Montreal, Chicago, Las Vegas
Special thank you to ShopStyle & IHG for partnering with me on this post.