As another Great British summer draws to a close (what, so soon?!), many of us are left pondering how we might do things differently next year. Drink a little less, sure. Apply a lot more sunscreen, certainly…
But for many Brits scarred by a summer of queues, chaos and misplaced luggage, a whole rethink of the way we holiday in the future might be in order.
Staycations, once again, have never felt more appealing, and if your next summer’s holiday is to be a more relaxing affair, then have you considered transforming your own garden into a luxury resort?
Hear us out…
Here are some IDEAL ways to transform your garden into a luxury staycation resort.
Consider A Swimming Pool
Let’s start with one of the key markers of a luxury resort, its swimming pool.
Though installing a swimming pool in your back garden might seem frivolous at first, it’s not actually as far-fetched as it sounds. In fact, a swimming pool can be a valuable investment, both for you as a person and for your property as a whole.
Spending extra money on a pool can increase the value of your property significantly – to the tune of £10’000, according to Stylist – while giving you more maximum enjoyment from your garden and a great excuse to keep fit.
There’s a lot to think about when building a pool – it’s not just about choosing a shape, after all. The best advice is to plan accordingly, find a professional, consider the cost of building a swimming pool and look at whether the styles match your needs and taste.
Unfortunately, unlike a luxury hotel resort, you will have to maintain your pool. If you are opting for a larger swimming pool, then it is highly likely that you will need to purchase a pool water pump.
You may be asking what is a water pump? Well it’s an essential component needed to keep the water clean, safe and free of algae.
How does a water pump operate, we now hear you ask? Well, by drawing water from the pool through a set of skimmers, the water is filtered, cleaned, and then pumped back into the pool with discharge nozzles. Some swimming pool pumps also have a disinfection system which can add an additional level of cleaning to the water.
After that, just be prepared to become everyone’s favourite person when the sun is shining!
Invest In A Jacuzzi Or Hot Tub
If you really intend to luxuriate in your garden as long into the evenings as possible, then a hot tub really is the OG choice of water feature.
There’s something deeply therapeutic – and luxurious, of course – about the idea of slipping into a hot tub, steam rising and bubbling water enveloping. In fact, it’s not just the idea that offers a certain tonic; studies have suggested that hot tubs bring real and potential benefits to those that use them.
Heading out to your garden for a relaxing hot tub or jacuzzi session will have you feeling like you’ve just been on a luxury retreat every time you return indoors! And that’s why you’re here, right?
Add An Outdoor Bath Or Shower
Here at IDEAL we’re big fans of hotel rooms at resorts that have private outdoor bathrooms. For us, they scream unadulterated hedonism, and that’s what luxury is all about.
Indeed, bathing outdoors is the epitome of summer escapism. Provided you have at least a little privacy in your garden, and the prying eyes of neighbours rarely fall on your plot, then there really is nothing better than starting your day off in nature with an al fresco shower.
An open air bathroom or outdoor shower takes some planning and installation, sure, but luckily it’s not actually as daring as you might think. Check out Grand Designs Magazine’s top tips on installing an outdoor shower here.
In terms of privacy, consider harnessing the power of nature to ensure you’re not visible to all and sundry each time you head outside. Simply add some pot plants with the requisite height, and you’ll create a natural oasis which also shields you if you’d like to enjoy your garden shower as nature intended. Oh, and a pergola over top will stop those neighbours with particularly prying eyes from seeing you in your birthday suit.
Tropical Plants
The word ‘resort’ instantly makes us think of a tropical place, with the serenity that the green, tropical foliage brings to your home able to soothe and rejuvenate in equal measure.
Luckily, you can easily create a convincingly verdant paradise reminiscent of a luxury resort with UK plants. Hardy palm trees like the Windmill palm or Trachycarpus fortunei do well here, as does the Wagnerianus, often affectionately called the ‘waggie’. Other tropical plants that thrive in the British climate include the Male Fern, the Cabbage Palm, and the Plantain Lily.
Oh, and don’t forget to hang your hammock from your newly planted palm trees; this is a holiday, after all!
Dining Alfresco
One of the top features of a luxury resort is a memorable and satisfying dining experience. Large resorts typically have multiple venues for dining, and unfortunately, this is going to be hard to replicate in your garden. However, there are certain features that you can add so you can host different types of meals outside, including:
- Crawfish boiler: One of our favourite things to do on a holiday abroad is to eat plenty of seafood. Luckily, Britain is home to some of the best seafood in the world, and a crawfish boiler is a wonderfully convivial, communal way to cook shellfish outdoors.
- Wood-fired oven: A fun addition to your outdoor space and a hub for entertaining, too, the most affordable outdoor oven on the market will set you back around £250 for a portable one, whilst a larger version tops £2500. Pizza party, anyone?
- Big Green Egg Barbecue: Favoured by Michelin-starred chefs, these powerful yet compact grills provide a real statement in your garden.
Add A Bar & Chillout Area
Drinking by the pool, or in a relaxing lounge area – yep, just another apt hallmark of a luxury hotel resort. You’ll of course need to add a bar to make some tropical cocktails and a space to relax. Rather than keep you here, let us direct you to our article on how to create the ultimate garden chill-out area in 5 IDEAL steps.
The Bottom Line
With these features, you’ll have the basic and most beautiful ingredients of a luxury resort right in your own garden. Now where’s our invitation?