Staycations are usually a great way to save money and get in more rest and relaxation.
They are popular during the pandemic where people like to stay close to home.
You can use the staycation even after the pandemic though.
Staycations are very popular in the points and miles community.
With a stash of points always around, you can take the kids to a local hotel and let them enjoy the pool without having to spend all the time or sometimes hassle of normal travel.
We point’s people are some spoiled folks.
Others are out talking about their hostel while we relax at the local Westin.
Points really not only allow you to save money and travel more, but also allow you to have an upgraded experience.
I usually do staycations each year, though it has been a while.
With a hectic schedule and no time to hop on a highway, I decided this was the right time.
In any case, whether using points or cash, you can relax at a nice hotel like and enjoy the pool, etc.
I will explain 5 reasons to enjoy a staycation later in case you are not sure why you should still choose one.
What is A Staycation anyway?
A staycation is just what it sounds like, a vacation where you stay at or near your home.
In regards to staycations, some people like to enjoy local events without paying for a hotel.
Others like to stay at a local hotel.
Some even consider staycations to be any trip in their own state,.
For me, a staycation usually revolves around staying at a local hotel.
Local hotels can also cost less points or cash when closer to home, and you don’t need to be in the center of the city.
Again, if a hotel is too much to include in your staycation, you could also do a staycation where you did not stay at a hotel, but enjoyed the city or town you lived in again.
My Embassy Suites Staycation In March
Honestly, during the pandemic, it has been kind of hectic (in a good way).
You would think a pandemic would be why I wanted a staycation.
Currently, I have been back to my full time day job, and I still own 3 businesses.
If this sounds extreme, it is not as crazy as it sounds.
First, I love what I do.
I love being an entrepreneur.
My day job is in my former career, working with kids.
I still like kids, so this is not bad for a day job.
There is also a method to the madness and some lofty full time entrepreneurial goals I have in mind.
A day job at the school system gives me a lot of holidays too.
I just enjoyed a week off for spring break.
In any case, last month I had planned to hit the road to New Orleans.
Honestly, with a month before spring break, it was time to relax without a hectic road trip.
So, I decided to stay at a local hotel in the Hilton chain.
My preferred brand in the Hilton chain are usually flagship Hiltons.
We no longer have those in the Huntsville, Alabama area where I live.
We are growing, and there is even a Hilton Curio and Marriott Autograph coming.
Huntsville, Alabama is currently the second largest city in Alabama but expected to be the largest in the future.
This is for all you folks who live in small or medium sized cities or places outside the top metropolitan areas.
I lived in New York City for a decade, so I understand a lot of perspectives though.
I still want to move to the D.C. area later too.
As a travel blogger, I should get to be on the road or in the air almost every week later.
Honestly, that is more fun than other things and as close as I can come to the digital nomad life.
If I were not a blogger, I would need to be a business traveler.
Blogging or just being in the point’s community allows many people to travel frequently though.
This usually has me staying at 50 hotels a year though I expect it will be more in the future.
That is something easy to do in the point’s community again, not just for bloggers.
In any case, I wanted to take advantage of the Hilton promotion that ends this month that benefits people who do only one night stays.
For those of you who don’t know, I choose between Marriott and Hilton, usually by who has the best rate for each location.
Since my road trips are overnight right now, the most lucrative promotion for me has been the Hilton chain where you get 2000 points per stay.
I am Hilton Gold, so after base points (10 per dollar) and elite status points, (8 points per dollar for Gold), I come out to almost 4000 extra Hilton points per stay.
Hilton points are worth .5, so that is about $20 off each stay, if you want to think of it that way.
I want to get a Waldorf or other luxury redemption in the next couple of months.
The closest thing I could choose in full service hotels in the Hilton chain was between the Embassy Suites or Doubletree in Huntsville.
Although I have done staycations here at the Westin, Embassy Suites, and Doubletree, it has been a couple of years again.
Since the Embassy Suites is the most popular hotel in the Hilton chain here, I choose that.
In any case, it has been five years since I did a staycation.
What did I do on a staycation?
Go to my hotel room and relax.
Hotels can offer a lot.
You get great design.
We are in a pandemic, but you also get a clean room (cleaned by someone else).
On most trips (if you are exploring your destination as you should), most people spend very little time in a hotel.
Most hotels have pools and other facilities.
This is the chance to relax and enjoy the hotel experience more.
If you have kids, while you are relaxing, they can enjoy the pool, etc.
Basically, this is some serious pampering and relaxation.
I also enjoyed the nearby downtown area too.
Again, since you won’t need to be in the center of the action like you would in a new city, even if you live in an expensive market, you should be able to find a reasonably priced hotel in even the Hilton or Marriott chain for $100.
Why people like staycations during the pandemic?
Although more people are being vaccinated, travel is still not completely normal.
Many people enjoy staycations to get away from day to day life when most international borders are closed.
They still feel like they went on something that resembles a vacation.
Many people feel this is safer too.
5 Reasons To Enjoy A Staycation Even Under Normal Circumstances
1. Save money
Under normal circumstances, this is one of the main reasons to do a staycation.
You will spend less money.
Usually, there is no gas.
There is no need for an airplane ticket.
For people with families, this saves a lot of money while the kids enjoy the pool.
Although my staycations usually include a local hotel, again with a stash of points, this can be easy for people in the point’s community.
I paid $100 plus taxes.
Since Hilton’s promotion earn 2000 points on each stay, I also earned around 4000 points again.
As many readers know, I don’t believe in spending a lot of money on travel.
Some people may even question why I spent $100 plus taxes on just a staycation.
It is easy.
I used this method and spend nothing.
This may not work for everyone though.
2. More time to relax
This was my reason for my staycation.
Again, I work a full time job and own three businesses.
It was getting hectic.
I was supposed to go to New Orleans, but I was too tired for a 6-7 hour drive.
Next month, I will hit New Orleans.
3. Save time
Even though I am a travel blogger, travel can take time.
There is the time to get to your destination.
There is the time issue of how many sights you can see.
Since I like to cover places in 24 hours when I travel by car, this is usually pretty hectic.
4. Bring revenue to the local economy
A staycation can bring money to the local economy.
5. Minimal planning
Usually, to plan a trip can take a lot of time researching activities and putting together plans.
You don’t have to do this on a staycation.
Summary
Staycations are popular during the pandemic.
If you have never done one, the pandemic is a great chance to try it.
Again, you can get out of the house but be near your home.
Honestly, staycations are popular in the point’s community without the pandemic again.
People can relax at the local Westin while the kids enjoy the pool without some of the hassle or extra time of travel.
With a stash of points, this is easy to do.
My staycation was paid for with cash though.
Of course, since I still like to spend as little as possible on travel, I used my Swagbucks and other extra money.
Have you ever did a staycation?
Did you enjoy it?
