Staycations :The best form of Short Vacations! (5 Mins Read)

Handcrafted by sweetheart friend Mansi Turakhia Gosavi!

Vacation which is short yet memorable, simple yet luxurious, cheap yet fun filled, nearby yet getaway – a very satisfying, smile brimming staycation time!!!

So, a dear family member raised a quick question, you guys stay alone in Hong Kong so what is the need to go some other place within Hong Kong and stay! That’s it! – Quick motivation for writing this small piece of note justifying the need for staycation!

We often travel for some defined reasons like business trip or family trip or honeymoon or couple trip or for the sake of some special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries or for people like me exploring new place – the hidden gems and getting the passport stamped with maximum countries or anything else..

All this travel generally requires a good amount of time, money and energy so that it turns out to be really special and memorable the way we all believe how it’s suppose to be. Yet many a times we end up in mess due to weather or forgetting few important documents or visa compliance or waiting for the right time or even budget constraints or any unforeseen reasons whatsoever. And off course many hurdles can be avoided by hiring professionals but lot of us still like to plan the travel our way. 

But, a quick therapy, long lasting enough to keep one boosted in the fast paced life is always welcome.So here comes a very smartly refined version of vacation, called staycation. Which works like quick heal.

After the first staycation that me and Jimit took back in 2014 at Marriott Renaissance in Mumbai for J’s birthday. We were delighted to figure way out of avoiding all troubles of Visa, currency, budget, itineraries, weather, location etc and rather just be around home and have 'We' time. 

There has been long thesis and anlysis written on Post Vacation Depression, one can google more on it. Anyone who has returned from a trip knows what Post Vacation Depression Is. The life out there is different, challenging, enthralling, there were many first time experiences and life-changing feel’s and then suddenly there is this idea of coming home and just sticking around to routine. And hence one needs staycation anyway post long vacation to beat the blues. The road is where we belong!!! 

Well, cutting it short! Vacation is must, but when long ones are not queuing up short vacations called, staycations make maximum sense and makes one feel completely rejuvenated.

Staycationing with gals gang is the most ideal way to rejuvenate and re-connect with self!

What to do when you go for Staycation?

• There is absolutely no fixed to-do list because remember, that staycation is all about “Me time”. It’s that time when one does things that are little but not possible in daily routine. 
• Like we love listening music, reading, playing cards, games, chatting hours over cup of tea, just lazing around in the pool, Jacuzzi is off course top priority,  cycling, gymming, massages, going for sauna, or just be in bath tub with some amazing bath bombs having quality “We time” and making some special efforts to build memory to smile forever at. 
• The to-do list for every one and every time is always going to be different. 
• With children you may want to spend time where there is no screen time just pure love and quality time listening to them and being with them without thinking about daily mundane.   
• The goal of staycation is coming back rejuvenated. So whatever makes one happy is ideal to-do list :)
  

How to select place for staycation?

• Again everyone has different preference, we prefer either booking the Hotel near beach or some mountain where we can head for some small trek, cycling or some city outskirts away from hustle and bustle of daily life. 
• For some in States and Canada, staycation also means just being at home and devoting all the time for doing what one loves to do. 
• Originally, the idea of staycation was coined in United States of America during financial crisis of 2007-2010 when an average family just couldn’t afford to spend on vacations later it also evolved in UK during 2009 when pound was depreciated greatly and holidaying internationally became crazy expensive. 
• However, the concept of holidaying within city outskirts started trending and we totally rejoice this concept every now and then with lot of thrill.

How to book for Staycation?

• We prefer to keep an eye on hotel deals especially five star hotel and whenever we get great deal, grab the opportunity to book it. Everyone has their specific budget, so keep looking where you fit in best :)
  
• I prefer using one portal so as to get maximum benefit from points earned from the website and also use same credit card to get the points that can be redeemed later for booking. There are many online portals like Agoda, Booking.com, Trivago, Expedia, Ctrip for hotel bookings in Hong Kong / China. 
• However I have been able to crack maximum deals through Makemytrip which is Indian travel portal and which generally has some of the best offers for hotels across the globe. 
• Also there are package deals and offers on websites so if you book from their official websites you may earn Rewards on cards as well.
  

How  do we select the Hotel:

• We prefer staying absolutely away from city life so New territories is obvious location preference in Hong Kong. Another preference is not so expensive yet high end property to get all the facilities we desire to enjoy. 
• We generally opt for standard room however if rooms are available, the front desk staff are courteous to upgrade room. 
• If you are booking for special occasion do mention it while booking, so they generally alos arrange for cakes and champagne. Sometimes its paid sometimes just complimentary. 
  

What about Jain/ Vegetarian / Vegan Food options while staycations?

• We prefer to carry our food given we are ‘Pure Jain Vegetarian’ so we can’t rate food of hotels much, 
• However many 5 star hotels have few good vegetarian options and 
• There are always convenience stores nearby which mean making sandwiches are easiest options. 
• Also, we prefer carrying few snacks not to forget theplas and samosas :p 
  

Some glimpses from our Staycations in Hong Kong and around Mumbai: 

Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel (5 Star Hotel)

• Address: So Kwun Wat, Castle Peak Road (Castle Peak Bay), 1號Castle Peak 黃金海岸 Gold Coast 1 號.
  
• Contact: +852 2452 8888

Gold Coast hotel is all about beautiful location, good plaza, nearby beach and excellent choice for families with children. They have special children specific designed rooms. their garden for children is excellent and offcourse beach just there is best way to spend time with your little ones. Visited in 2017

Pros: 

• This hotel is in outskirts of Hong Kong and all 450+ rooms has amazing views of Tolo harbour. 
• The standard rooms are also very spacious and lavish. Pool is excellent. The staff is friendly. Food is decent. (For Jain Food option, you have to rely on carrying your own stuff or there is Ebeneezers near the promenade).
• The Beach is just 2 mins walk from hotel infact its sort of Beach Resort. 
• The Gold coast plaza which is 5 mins walk from this hotel is absolutely stunning with colorful buildings and range of shops and restaurants. 
• For us, 1 N 2D stay felt definitely less since there is so much to enjoy just around the vicinity. 
• Its not hole in the pocket 5 star. Really very reasonable. 
  

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Shatin (5 Star Hotel)

• Address: 18 Chak Cheung St, Ma Liu Shui
• Contact: +852 3723 1234

Hyatt Shatin is just convenient to reach, excellent views, cycling is best option when you stay here and must enjoy massage and jacuzzi here. May not have too many options for children though. Visited - Oct 2017

Pros:

• Shatin is in new territories but very well connected. 
• This hotel is just 5 mins walk from MTR. Rooms are big and beautiful, loved the bath tub setup here. Pool is excellent and Jacuzzi is exactly what you need. 
• Spa was pretty and Gym was excellent.Jacuzzi is the key highlight! 
• We just couldn’t drag ourselves out of this small little wonder. Sauna and Melo spa are very scenic and beautiful too!
•  For children they even have small designated camp area. Not to miss is the convenience in location.
•  Its just a 2 minute walk away from MTR – University station. And there is 7Eleven just nearby. 
• Some odd weekends are super budget friendly deals
  

Some of the Hotels are in our Must Visit list in Hong Kong:

• Warwich Hostel - For Beach side location on Chueng Chau Beach 
  
• Hotel W - For absolute luxury
• KerryHotel - For serene harbour views and absolutely amazing infinity pool
• Auberge - For Beach location and excellent food to enjoy around plaza
  
• Some Hostel in Sai Kung - Havent looked it up there. except 'The Pier Hotel' but its super expensive. Yea we can go camping too but its not our thing still probably!
• I found this website to be good reference - SassyhongKongStaycation Guide
• Also, Macau and Shenzhen are nearest from HongKong for a good 1 or 2 nights staycation though right now de to Covid situation, that is not option. 
  

Some glimpses from our Staycations around Mumbai:

Renaissance, Powai

• Address: #2 & 3B, near Chinmayanand Ashram, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400087, India
• Contact: +91 22 6692 7777 

We had lovely time celebrating birthday. But highly dissapointed with rooms and service. Visited Oct 2014

 Pros:  

• Its luxurious five star hotel in Mumbai. 
• We had great time enjoying the ambience of hotel and lazying in pool. 
• Food in Italian restaurant named Frateeli Fresh is amazing. And Lake view cafe buffett is great but they take endless time in making Jain food despite our booking and lettting them know our preferences before hand.
  

Cons:  

• We had bought the one year membership for Renaissance for J's birthday and it turned out to be not a very great experience. Simple things like Cake, dinner, etc included in membership wasn't very pleasantly taken care of. 
• We had taken membership wherein we can book room anytime in the year and despite that had some date issues and while we got the room a date after actually we wanted they gave us some not so appropriate room where rugs were not too clean and there were stains in bathroom and bath tub. 
• So, dont go just by name. Over a period we have learned that its very important to know the year of establishment of hotel. Because sometimes the bigger brands does not mean best.    

Dukes Retreat, Khandala

• Address: Old Mumbai - Pune Hwy, Khandala, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410301, India 
• Contact: +91 22 4333 2000

Dukes Retreat is my most favourite, just around mumbai place to be at! Visited: Dec2017

Pros: 

•  Its the one place on planet Earth near home in Mumbai that i can keep coming to. 
• I just love the vibe of this place. It feels perfect. The rooms are underneath the ground level. The lobby is littterally on 3rd floor and rooms below it. 
• And all the rooms have perfect mountain views and especially in rainy season you can endlessly watch the water flows from your room balcony. It s wonderful architecture. 
• Their pool is extraordinary fun and food is quite expensive but has amazing spread. Breakfast buffett is so hearty that you may skip your lunch after it. 
• The games room, the lounge area, the library. Everything about this place is poetic, meditative and extra ordinary.
•  As if all this is not enough there was live music at open restaurant near pool at night. the gentleman on guitar was amazing playing Arijit singh songs :)
•  I have been here twice and both the times only fell more in love with it. 
  

Cons: 

• We got done really exorbitantly priced Thai massage here and it was just average for the price paid. the rooms were strictly OK and it wasn't well staffed.     
  

Rivergate Resort, Karjat

• Address: At Post Kadav, Taluk Karjat, Dist. Raigad, Kalamboli, Maharashtra 410201, India
• contact: +91 95271 29700

Its a perfect place for couple, friends, families all alike. Visited in 2013

 Pros:  

• Point blank just go for it especially with kids this place can be ultra fun. Pool is amazing,
•  Food spread both Vegetarian and Jain are extra ordinary. 
• Location is in midst of nature, cottages are lovely and there is small walk away a beautiful river front which is must visit. 
• With games room and discotheque to coziness of cottages, this place is must visit. And offcourse the drive from Mumbai to Karjat is treat to eyes in itself. Its not difficult to reach even by train.
  

Courtyard by Mariott, Andheri

• Address: Cts 215, Andheri - Kurla Rd, opposite Carnival Cinemas, Andheri East, Mumbai,
• Contact: +91 22 6136 9999  

Really! You want photos here too ? what happens in bachelor paties stays there :p 

Pros:  

• We had booked this in India for friends bachelor party and didnt regret at all. 
• It had things we wanted. Food was decent and room size is good enough.
• Four of us could easily tuck in 2 twin beds. Breakfast was great range.
•  Its more of business hotel but we still enjoyed our space and had great memories.  

Well, if budget is issue, There is a concept of Day pass in Five Star hotels in most of countries that you can buy of any particular luxury hotel and you can use for spending time in thier pool / jacuzzi, gym, restaurant, etc. Inclusions differ from hotel to hotel.  

In Covid times, if staycation feels too risky - one can always take a car ride to far away place and put up the tents and spend some great time in lap of nature with home cooked meals. 

In HK, we just be home and have 'We' time by not doing absolutely any household chores and just watch beautiful sun rises and sun sets from harbour which are walk away. Either have quick sandwiches for lunch / dinner or order from most trusted source, we order a tiffin meal and just relax with binge watching netflix :)

Or Just Take your tents, head to the beach and enjoy some barbeque food!

#BeSafe #BeHealthy #EnsureSafety   

 Do drop in suggestions for your best experience on staycations and we can pick some points and places from your experiences.