There are a lot of great destinations in the world. From theme parks to national parks, there’s a lot in the world to see! But, what if you have a more relaxing vacation in mind?
If you plan carefully, you don’t have to plan your days away from the hotel—you can make your hotel the destination!
If you want to spend less time driving through the city, and you want to spend more time relaxing without compromising your vacation experience, look for these things when booking a hotel room.
On-Site Spa
If relaxing is your top concern, you definitely have to look for a hotel with an on-site spa. Booking an appointment on-site means you can get a massage without having to GPS a spa destination in a town you are unfamiliar with.
If you want to make the most of your time in the spa, make sure you take a look at what services they offer before you book your stay. For example, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville features a European-inspired spa in a 20,000-square-foot facility. In addition to traditional massages, they also offer fitness counseling, makeup services, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and they even have special services for kids!
The trick is simply to look for a spa that offers the kinds of services and atmosphere that will help you relax.
Pool and Spa Area
Almost every hotel has a pool, but their pools aren’t created equal. Some hotels feature small, ugly pools full over over-chlorinated water. If you want your hotel to be your vacation destination, you have to look closely at the kind of pool the hotel maintains.
There are many beautiful hotel pools around the world that take their pool game seriously. For example, the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas features a full outdoor swimming beach styled with real sand and a wave pool.
If you’ve got kids, an indoor water park is always a great choice, but if you’re taking an adults-only vacation, make sure you look for a spa area too. By doing your research ahead of time, you can find a hotel with a hot tub or even a sauna.
On-Site Restaurants and Bars
Every hotel has food, but that doesn’t mean you want to spend all day in your room ordering room service! Choose a hotel with an on-site restaurant and/or bar, and you’ve got a built-in destination that doesn’t require you to leave the property.
If you want choices, look for a hotel with multiple restaurants. It’s the norm for many hotels to offer both casual and more formal dining options.
The hotel bar can be especially tricky. Many are lackluster, empty affairs. When looking for a great hotel bar, look for a place with interesting décor and a unique drink menu. Checking reviews online can be helpful too, as can calling the hotel directly to ask about the kind of crowd that frequents the bar.
Something Unique and Surprising
There are a lot of things luxury hotels have in common, but for as many things as they have in common, every hotel has something special to offer. If you want to create a memorable hotel experience, it’s important to choose one with something unique and surprising.
Just a few of the unique and surprising features you can find in a hotel include:
- Atrium with indoor plants and water features
- On-site casino and concert venue
- Winter activities, like a snow tubing or skiing hill
- In-room spa tubs and pools
Modern, Updated Accommodations
If you want your hotel to be your destination, don’t choose the cheapest hotel you can find. Although you’ll save some money, you’ll be left with an outdated, slightly dirty hotel that requires you to do a lot of work the moment you step foot in the door.
Although there are always things you should check when you walk into any hotel room, like your escape plan in the event of an emergency, you’ll be much more comfortable if you spend a little bit more money to enjoy modern, updated accommodations. Hotels that charge more also tend to be cleaner, so you won’t have to worry about dirty coffee mugs and rings in the bathtub.
Want to plan a stress-free vacation? Make your hotel your destination! With the tips on this list, you can find a hotel that is just the right amount of exciting and relaxing so you can skip the expensive, frustrating rental car!