How to add a holiday feel to your lock-down

Coqui Coqui Cobá

We’re all in different situations at the moment depending on where we live, but for the majority of us travelling still feels far away. Here at Hôtel Weekend we’re staying safe indoors but missing the joys of taking a holiday. Social distancing may be a far cry from the travels we’re craving, but there are steps you can take to give your lock-down a bit of a vacation vibe.  

Whether you’re still working or you’ve been furloughed, try to find time in your weekly routine for rest and relaxation. We love the idea of reclaiming your weekends and dedicating them to the type of relaxation you usually enjoy on holidays. Turn off your computer and television and indulge in soothing pastimes that you associate with travelling. Get stuck into a good book, put on your headphones and listen to music or simply sit in the sunshine and soak up the rays. Try to divert your attention away from the news for a couple of days and just focus on giving yourself a little TLC.

What better way to indulge in yourself than to transform your bathroom into a luxurious home spa, reminiscent of your favourite relaxing retreat? Shut yourself away behind a locked door and take the time to try out a few new products and home treatments. Paint your nails, apply a face mask and try out a rejuvenating salt scrub. Light a few candles, run yourself a bath and add oils, salts or bubbles for a full home spa experience. If you live with a willing friend or partner give each other massages or simply enjoy a few treatments together. 

Food and drink are always a huge part of enjoying our travels and are two elements of travel that you can easily enjoy at home. Give your meals a holiday spin by dining al fresco as often as possible if you’re lucky enough to have a garden or balcony. If you don’t have outdoor space open all the windows and allow the sounds of nature to flood your home as you eat. Tailor your home cooking to reference the cuisines of your favourite holiday destinations, choosing a different country each week to maintain the holiday spirit. Completely immerse yourself in your chosen culture by playing music from that country and dressing as you would if you were dining out on the other side of the world. 

Don’t forget the cocktails! Gather your favourite travel companions on a Zoom call and mix the cocktails that remind you of past travels. Get creative with the ingredients you have available or stick to tried and tested recipes, presenting your drinks with full kitsch flair – cocktails umbrellas and sparklers will instantly add a little holiday spirit. Drink your cocktails in the garden, on your balcony or beside the window, watching the sky change colour as the sun sets.  

If you’re struggling to relax and evoke a holiday feeling, try creating a zone within your home that’s dedicated to capturing the holiday spirit. If you have an outdoor space you could hang a hammock or create a relaxing seating area. Perhaps your bathroom becomes a semi-permanent home spa, or you declare your bedroom a technology-free zone. The current situation is different for everyone, so find the rhythm that works best for you and don’t feel any pressure to constantly be proactive. Embrace that slow and steady holiday spirit and give yourself a well-earned break.