While the UK’s vaccine rollout has so far been a success, those treasured luxury hotel stays on faraway shores still feel out of reach, until later on in the year, at least. We’re all craving a bit of escapism, and as such, there has been an increase in interest in ways to ‘holiday from home’ recently. Nope, this isn’t another article on the UK’s best destinations for a break, but rather, advice on taking a staycation in the original sense of the term; a holiday enjoyed at home.
Indeed, the Washington Post – via the Guardian – defined the much misused phrase in 2005 as meaning ‘’staying at home and enjoying such creature comforts as 300-thread-count sheets, stainless outdoor fire pit, well-stocked fridge”. And you know what? Creating the perfect hotel-feeling space at home sounds kind of ideal to us right now.
Getting ready for a season of escapism from the comfort of home? We think that there are certain elements that make a great hotel that you can incorporate into your domestic setting this Spring and Summer. With that in mind, if you’re dreaming of a luxurious hotel experience at home, then here are some affordable ways to make that happen.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BATHROOM…
One of the best bits about a luxury hotel? The bathroom. And more specifically, those long, languid soaks in the tub and contemplative sessions on the can. But how to achieve a luxury bathroom at home?
First things first – declutter. Clutter is the enemy of any luxury aesthetic and can make even the most expensive item look cheap and ill judged. Let’s put it as succinctly as the spirit of the message demands; less is most certainly more.
You can declutter most effectively in your bathroom by ensuring you have enough storage space for your belongings – be they beauty products or fresh towels. Remember, there should be a place for everything, and everything should be in its place; the most surefire way to keep things tidy, we think.
You can evoke opulence even in the smallest of details. In fact, nothing speaks of a subtle yet sophisticated design quite like new faucets of brushed nickel or polished chrome.
That said, if you’re looking to do a complete overhaul of your bathroom, the use of natural stone in here brings a feeling of calmness to this most private of spaces and establishes a sense of connection with the outdoors, too. No wonder so many 5 star resorts and luxury hotel rooms use stone so expertly in their design, harnessing its elemental quality and reassuring feel.
Tactile touches are important, too. Don’t forget the fluffy, plush white bathrobe – a coveted component of any luxury hotel stay. Oh, and some cosy waffle slippers for good measure. Go further; investing in some indulgent bathroom products will offer that feeling of a luxurious hotel experience, on your skin and visually.
If we’re considering all the senses, aroma plays a huge part in the bathroom space, both sensual and functional. Rather than deploying a diffuser or freshener in the bathroom to hide aromas, be proactive and light candles or wax melts to provide a warming fragrance.
Some of the most iconic brands used by hotels across the world include L’Occitane, Hermès and Diptyque. We could go on about this forever, but instead why not check out our article on luxury bathroom ideas here.
And if you’re missing luxury hotel spas, then we’ve written a piece on tips for turning your bathroom into a private spa.
…AND THE BEDROOM
Those bedrooms you see in the movies, in catalogues and on adverts for 5 star hotels…they just look so comfy, don’t you think? So damn sinkinable. So inviting that we’ve tried to bed down on the pages of a glossy magazine depicting one, just to feel something.
So how do you achieve this at home, we hear you wonder? Without fail, luxury hotel beds boast beautifully upholstered headboards. It gives the bed that wow factor, and that extra bit of drama and opulence that you want when forking out on a hotel room. And the good news; they’re not at all expensive to install; you can find one at premium level from around £150.
When it comes to that channeling that luxury look in the bedroom, more is often more, especially when it comes to pillows. Start with oversized square pillows; we recommend 65 x 65 cm continental pillows which add support, depth and interest to the bed and really bring home the luxury hotel look.
You’ll also want to invest in some sumptuously soft sheets; the higher the thread count – 800 for example – the denser and more luxurious the feeling of the material. However, you needn’t splash out on ridiculously high count sheets; a thread count of 300 (or higher) is about right if you’re to achieve the feel of a 5 star hotel bed without the luxury price tag to match.
ADD A BREAKFAST BUFFET BAR
The beloved breakfast buffet is a key hallmark of any luxury hotel stay. It’s one of the finest pleasures of the hotel experience, and the truly great buffet breakfast turns a sometimes mundane daily ritual into the ultimate gastronomic experience.
We love the ones spread over a vast dining space, with multiple ‘cooking stations’ devoted to different global influences. And while the obligatory omelette station serving tender and fluffy eggs and the sweet waffle stand laden with every topping imaginable are both integral to a great hotel breakfast, we especially love the station showcasing regional or local cuisine, offering guests exciting and enticing opportunities to try new flavours.
And for those who have overindulged the previous night, that freshly-squeezed juice, trio of smoothies and detox tonics all bring a feeling of wellness to a worn-out mind. Sorry, we got a little sidetracked there….
Unfortunately, owing to coronavirus restrictions and social distancing, it’s been rumoured that hotel breakfast buffets might be confined to the history books and pages of enthusiastic travel blogs forever. However, while the life of omelette stations in hotels across the world hangs in the balance, you can recreate this luxury hotel experience at home with just a little effort and preparation.
Have a space in the corner of your kitchen that can instantly be dedicated to breakfast; think a breakfast bar where you can perch a waffle machine on at the weekend and a coffee maker, or a free-standing bar table that you can set up in your living room. Consider investing in a Bain Marie to keep hot items warm and perhaps even some cereal dispensers, too, if you’re keen to go all out.
LET’S LOUNGE
We think a luxury hotel escape is all about finding the space to properly stretch out, relax and lounge around. There’s always a few attractively furnished lounge areas within a luxury hotel exclusively designed for overnight guests, and we just love settling into them.
According to Hospitality Net, some of the key features of a hotel lounge area is comfortable seating, and what could be a more fitting piece of furniture to invest in than lounging furniture? Enter the Chaise Longue.
The chaise longue has been associated with luxury, decadence and the high life for generations, and the hotel and hospitality industry has been using them in their high-end hotels for just as long. The guys at Homes Direct tell us that this type of French lounge furniture was “designed by French craftsmen for the rich to lounge and rest, without the need to retire to the boudoir”. So, why not spend your Spring and Summer doing the same, preferably reclined in a robe with a bunch of grapes for company…pure luxury.
A HOTEL BAR AT HOME
Serious Eats once wrote that “hotel bars are a quintessential port in a storm: reliable, comfortable places to take shelter from everyday life”. How things have changed. For the past year, hotel bars have been shut and the welcoming spirit of these meeting places, sociable spaces and sometimes, dens of iniquity around the world have all but disappeared.
There are certain characteristics and aesthetics of a great hotel bar that are easy to pinpoint – sumptuous seating, the subtle, flickering lighting and of course a master mixologist. While the latter may be impossible to replicate (although there are some pretty excellent at home cocktail kits out there right now) you can create your ideal hotel bar at home quite easily.
It’s worth noting here that all luxury hotel bars are different and unique. However, key to any home bar is atmosphere. Rather than keep you, we’ll point you in the direction of our guide on how to create the IDEAL wine bar experience at home for some inspiration. Cheers!