Let's Focus.
I decided since both of our schedules were a bit hectic and we didn't get to spend much time together it wouldn't be possible to go away for the weekend. However, we did share the same days off and that worked out perfectly.
I decided to book a hotel for one night and two days. Here's the deets on the digs and all things staycation:
The Neighborhood
Make sure the neighboorhood is far enough from where you live that you don't just want to go home or run into people from your town/city. The environment makes a huge difference. Try a town or city you may have visited for a special occasion and always wanted to explore.
You can also search Google or TimeOut to see what's happening in the area you are thinking of. It can give inspiration or solidify a decision to visit a place.
Or, you can pick the place depending on what the person or you like. I knew my person loves the unconventional, artsy and innovative design and relaxed environments. It was as easy as click, click pack and done.
It was in an extremely artsy neighborhood with everything in walking distance. There were amazing boutiques and restaurants nearby and it made for a beautiful afternoon stroll.
I stayed in the super trendy and relaxed in nature but vibrant with colors neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Transportation
The easiest way to feel like you're away is not to take your normal mode of transportation. It's really simple, if you drive, don't or if you take public transportation, don't. In my case, I decided to Uber everywhere. It wasn't super expensive and I was able to relax and enjoy the ride and the company of my person.
Everything was in walking distance but we did uber to one location as we were running late (I took an extended nap... lol).
We also took an Uber back home. It was a nice transition back into reality and it allowed the weekend to linger for just a few minutes longer.
The Hotel
As described above it helps to know the person and even yourself. Small gestures make a huge difference such as the decor and vibe of the hotel. The hotel just was just perfect. When I viewed the photos online I immediately knew this was the place. It has everything I was looking for, it was a great balance of something for both of us.
I booked online and was able to get a special promo to use in the hotel. Because, we like Free! and free isn't possible we like discounts and lots of them. I called the hotel to confirm the details and decide if it was really worth it. Once I calculated the difference with and without the promo and weighed the options it was totally worth it.
We were able to receive an early check-in. The room was ready and we were ready to relax. The relaxation didn't last too long as we were hungry.
Speaking of food, the promo is called Eat and Drink. Here are the deets:
Drinks
Two drink tickets for the rooftop bar... yes, please! The hotel only serves top shelf alcohol so it was a true win-win.
Food
There was a credit to be used at the restaurant on the ground floor or the rooftop bar. The credit would be applied at checkout and deducted from the charges.
We ate brunch and it was SOOOOOOOO GOOD! It made me so happy. I ate the crispy Bacalao with caper aioli, sage, and arugula salad. The food was well seasoned, and the greens were fresh and crisp.
Here are Some photos of the room:
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The Fun Stuff
After a much-needed brunch, we decided to go out and explore. Although we have previously been to the neighborhood we never just took the time to stroll the streets and explore the neighborhood with no time restraints or reservations. We walked to our favorite Ice Cream parlor. After ice cream, we walked the street and stopped in a few stores to look around. We found a cool shoe store and well, let's just say our feet were very happy. We popped in a few more stores and did a decent amount of damage for the afternoon.
While walking we saw A$AP Rocky and he was walking the neighborhood like everyone else. No one bothered him or asked for photos. It was refreshing to know everyone was in their own world but sharing the same space.
We decided to skip the pier as we have been there so many times and wanted to explore some new additions to the neighborhood. If it is your first time in the neighborhood, don't skip the pier. I would recommend going in the evening as the sunset is awe-inspiring.
In conjunction with my earlier statement about events in the neighborhood, make sure there are some things to do and/or explore. Pre-purchasing tickets will help and can allow you to plan the day better.
You can also wander the streets and let the wind guide you through the day. That usually leads to the best "remember that time" stories.
We went back to the room and decided to just relax. After all, that's the point of the staycation. I definitely relaxed more as my quick nap turned into hours of sleeping hence the needed Uber mentioned earlier.
We got to the movies and found good seats. We watched Sorry to Bother You and it was a very interesting discussion as we walked back to the hotel.
The beautiful thing about the staycation is the night does not have to end. This particular neighborhood has a great nightlife. There are plenty of vibrant bars, underground music spots and art shows happening all the time.
A quick search or random conversation with someone can lead to a fun-filled night. Hopefully, without a pounding headache the morning after.
However, we ended the night in the room watching Harry Potter movies...
It was the best weekend I had all summer, bar none.
See staycations can be super fun, relaxing or the combination of both. They can be whatever you want them to be. It's great to be a tourist in a local city at a fraction of the cost of a booked flight, hotel and the time spent on airport security lines.
Let me know where you decide to do a staycation in the comments.
Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May.
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