Why You Should Do a Staycation (& Giveaway)
[The contest is currently closed. The winner is ALYSON. Congrats Alyson & hope you enjoy your stay. Thank you to all who entered! Stay tuned for more giveaways and thank you for reading the site]
I am always reminded of T.S. Eliot's quote when I feel my inner restlessness: "The spirit, unappeasable, peregrine."
The soul –I'm convinced –is a wanderer. Even after coming back from a well-planned, well-executed trip, I give myself barely a day of decompression before itching to get on the road again.
The lobby at the Roger Smith Hotel
It's like a New York bed bug: it just WON'T go away.
All the hours of uploading pictures, admiring the ones which should stay and which should be tossed out the virtual window, just serve to highlight that sense of loss. I should be exhilarated after a trip, but more often than not, I'm sad to see it end.
A born wanderer is always searching.
A Roger Smith Hotel Suite
Recently, I fought the urge to flee when bitten by the travel bug. I did something I've never done before: I took a staycation in New York City, in one of the suites at The Roger Smith Hotel. I had won this room in a Twitter contest, so I was excited to claim my prize.
I had visited the Roger Smith Hotel, located on 48th and Lexington, once before, during the TBEX holiday party. All the Picasso-style art on the walls reminded me of France's Bateau Lavoir district, where artists painted in the crystalline, open spaces.
The hospitality is unmistakable from the moment you set foot into the small but busy lobby: bright red — almost a scarlet/coral/saffron — walls immediately warm you up, especially if you're bringing in winter with your shadow.
I had a lovely suite, 1511, to share with my husband for one evening, and everything detail was in place: from the bottle of wine with two elegant glasses, to the handwritten "Welcome" card.
I felt as though I were in another city on vacation. Even if you "staycation" in your home city for an evening, time seems to stand still. That night, I sipped the warm comfort of the wine, indulged in Indian takeout from Darbar, and flipped through the TV stations with firefly hands.
After getting lullaby-ed by the soft traffic sounds and using the city lights as nightlights, we fell asleep and were blissfully unaware we were less than a few miles from home.
The next morning, after indulging in a Big Apple-sized breakfast, I felt like the proverbial zillion coins. I did not have to make my bed, nor worry about my daily list of household chores. Both mind and body had gone on a vacation, and there's nothing more relaxing and recharging than the feeling of escape.
The Penthouse at the Roger Smith Hotel
So, why should YOU take a staycation?
1) I get it: you don't have a million dollars, but you want to feel as though you've gone somewhere. Do yourself a favor, and BOOK your favorite hotel or local B&B and eat breakfast in bed.
2) You can check out the local hotels. Chances are when visitors come to you for advice on where to stay in your hometown, you don't really have a clue. You've heard good things about Hotel XYZ through the grapevine, but you don't really have firsthand experience. The answer is, clearly, a staycation.
3) You can indulge in other treats because you've saved on airfare and other travel costs. Opt for a spa treatment, or order a five course meal. Life's too short to be too frugal.
To celebrate the true "staycation" experience, The Roger Smith Hotel is offering one FREE HOTEL ROOM for an evening to any traveler for the month of January 2011. Simply enter a comment below to be considered, and a winner will be picked within 24 hours (since time is running out). Also be sure to let me know which date you'd like to stay at the hotel.
Hope you have a great staycation!
- Charu
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Great post Charu! I've stayed in hotel rooms in my hometown for special occasions and it is always a treat! It's a chance to splurge on luxurious accommodations since you don't have to pay for airfare. I would love to win a night at The Roger smith Hotel! I'm flexible about the night
Looks and sounds heartbreakingly beautiful. Definitely going to check out Roger Smith. I'm thinking a frivolous girls night is in the future
Everyone needs a little stay-cation in their life! Thanks for the heads up…
Wow – where do I start? I deal with the cold, blustery winter days, cramped subways, slow trains and 8-hour workdays day in and day out with little ME time (accept to do laundry, cook, iron and clean my apartment).
I need to celebrate Valentine's Day celebrating my single self in peace and indulgence! What girl does not deserve that?
p.s.jan 29th, 30th or 31st would be amazing!
This is great!. I'm so bad about committing my time to a trip so far off. A "stayvacation" is so much more doable. Here, now, works… just so much more doable and less stressful. I'm ready, Friday, Saturday, Monday, they all work for me.
Hi! Thanks for the great post! I would love to do a Staycation, I'm planning a June wedding and would love some TLC time to get away from it all, especially now because I am broke! Its hard planning such things like a vacation when we have been trying to pinch every penny. Since my fiance and I have been so stressed out, we would love to have a night stay in the Roger Smith Hotel! Hopefully they pick me, its meant to be considering my last name is Smith also (no relation! he he. I am open to any date!
I'd love to see the inside, since I always pass by on the outswide of this hotel.
Any date in Jan is ok. thanks!
I'm a big fan of staycations – you get to view your favorite city with a curiousity that doesn't otherwise figure into your everyday routine. Some of my favorite coffee shops and nooks and crannies of the city have been stumbled upon while exploring in this way.
What a fun giveaway! My preferred date is any Saturday after Fashion Week.
(Oops, just saw this is good for a night in January. Unfortunately all booked up. But hope the lucky winner enjoys!)
gorgeous hotel ive heard of it but never been would love to
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Wish they wouldn't put an expiration on it! Jan is almost over!!! So glad you had this experience.
BTW Any time is fine!!!
So funny…my boyfriend and I were just discussing doing a staycation in Manhattan! Our work schedules our a little too crazy right now to leave on an actual trip, but with all this SAD-inducing weather, a little respite is definitely in order! We're open any night between now and the end of January (a weeknight would be especially awesome … skipping the commute from Brooklyn into midtown is a vacation in and of itself!)
What a GREAT idea/suggestion! We should treat ourselves like this more often! I'm available except for President's Day Weekend (2/19). My fingers are tightly crossed . . .
I've had the opportunity to stay in a few hotels in my life while touring with a show, but have never stayed in a NYC hotel. After being out of work for a year a vacation is nowhere in sight as I can't afford it. A night away from my roommates and the stress of life would be great right about now to refocus and rest and not feel guilty about laying in bed and watching tv for a few hours. I'm good with any night.
Oh my gosh, this is AMAZING Charu! So happy to hear that you had such a lovely time/were able to relax
If could extend into February, would love to do for V-Day – maybe that Sat, Feb 12th or Monday, Feb 14th (what a treat) OR my b-day is Sunday, Feb 27th so would be such a nice gift to stay in the city that Sat, Feb 26th…If not, no worries – will keep a look out for other tempting giveaways from you 
I've never done a "staycation" but think would be fabulous to try. My husband and I have such crazy schedules w/ work, so would be wonderful to share a night together and relax in the city. Offer only good for January since less than a week to go? If so, unfortunately the next few days/weekend isn't going to work
I recently hosted an event at the bar The Roger Smith and I was blown away that midtown hotel could have such charm and such friendly and outgoing staff. The bar was warm and inviting and everyone we worked with bent over backwards to make our event great. I can only imagine how great an overnight stay would be there. I love that the rooms are unique and individualized. It would surely be a cozy retreat in a harsh winter day!
I'm sorry I missed the Travel Tweetup
I was in Boston! Please let me know when then next one is!
btw the hotel looks fantastic! I bet you had a great time!
Wow, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of a Staycation! We rush about day in and day out in our beautiful city and rarely get to stop and "smell the roses!" Most of the time it is not until we have a friend or guest come into town that we even begin to explore the endless array of "tourist spotlights" and underground treasures….
I would ADORE winning this Staycation! What better way to end a weekend of almost 20 hrs of Yoga Teacher Training (my first one, might I add) than to spend Monday night in a fabulous Hotel nestled in under the lights, splendor and beauty of this glorious city!
Roger Smith is a great place and one of the major hubs of the NY Tech scene.
so who won?
Alyson Smith. I posted her name on the very top of the post. She’s a schoolteacher who’s getting married in a few months and is frazzled by all the wedding planning, so I’m happy for her!
Charu
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I must know how to Tiwtt?