TO HOME LIFESTYLING



TAKIng off in style





4.4.22



Most travelers would say their vacation begins the day of departure - but this Concierge thinks differently. Transitioning in and out of a holiday mindset can take days, if not weeks. By my calculations, that puts in jeopardy a large portion of the hard earned, much anticipated journey you may have planned. Why not ensure enjoyment and extend your trip by taking off in style hours or even days before the trip begins?

Making “bon voyage” a ritual that seamlessly transports you from daily existence to holiday lifestyle, even before arriving at your destination.


Looking for inspiration? Search no further than our Star-Studded ideas to create departing habits that delight. Don’t forget, Hotels to Home lifestyling is founded on the premise that adding luxury to your lifestyle comes in varying forms. Customization is key! Simple or grand, choose the star upgrade that works best for you.





• Pack early. (Procrastinators, I’m looking at you.)


• Cancel plans before you start making memories. Before departure, take an extra day or afternoon to yourself. This builds in time to execute last minute item procurement, packing, cleaning, or primping – without the need to rush.


• Traveling with children? Why not utilize a beloved Hotels to Home strategy, the Kid’s Wall! Decorate in a theme based on your destination - make it educational, or simply use as a tool to enhance enthusiasm and family bonding.



• Simplify culinary chores Dine out or order in food the night before you depart. Perhaps enjoy a cultural delicacy that you will find at your destination and build anticipation for the locale ahead.


• Minimize the hustle and bustle of airport life. Enjoy an airport lounge prior to departure and embrace the holiday vibe prior to take off. One such lounge offers a craft beer bar and game room, while another, various spa treatments so you can capture some of that holiday spirit prior to reaching your journey’s end.


• Call the babysitter, we are staying in! Let the kids be cared for while the adults have some down time to relax prior to a travel day. Extend that sitter over a couple evenings, and enjoy a leisurely packing pace as well as a serene evening prior to embarking on travels.



• Time for a shopping spree! Traveling solo? Treat yourself to a luxurious new travel outfit – think comfort, style, and maybe even a little sparkle. Touring as a family unit? I know one savvy family who designed custom t-shirts for a college move-in weekend creating bonding prior to travel and making a statement during the trip!

• Hire an in-home masseuse. One guest swears by a pre-trip massage to get her in the right frame of mind for the journey ahead.


• Early Flight? Check-in before you check-in! Make travels less complex by staying at an airport’s adjoining hotel the night before you take off. One seasoned traveler does this whenever he has a pre-dawn flight. If traveling with young ones, this makes rousing the children all the more simple, and ensures they are at the airport gate in a timely and calm manner. (He also mentioned that they order room service the night before to begin enjoying hotel amenities from the outset which makes everyone, including him, excited.)


• Road trip in your future? Get that car professionally detailed inside and out. Add some special treats like candies, audio books, or car games to further observe the holiday time. Perhaps even install new media gadgets, such as a DVD player, for passengers to enjoy. Heading to a theme park? Surprise the younger passengers and deck out the interior in tribute to favorite colorful characters or mystical places. Celebrate your destination, the whole way there!



• Say farewell to your luggage first! Utilize a luggage service to send your belongings ahead. One less thing to worry about and it saves time if traveling by sea, rail, or air. This Concierge also recommends asking the destination accommodation to provide unpacking services, so you are neatly unpacked and fabulously pressed from the minute you enter your guestroom.


• Bringing the family? Bring the “airport” nanny! Childcare just for the airport navigation and flight time. With the expert help of a nanny, long flights and mad-dash layovers can be a breeze. This way, you can be assured that the youngest travelers are well taken care of, leaving you to navigate travel or simply enjoy the ride.

!



It is a widely accepted misconception that the lead-up to a vacation is inherently messy, if not entirely chaotic. Your ritual for departing can be just as relaxing as the holiday itself. We rob ourselves by allowing turmoil to follow us to the gate a vacation state of mind is yours to be had, even prior to departing. Treat yourself to a myriad of options that help you transition into a state of relaxation, and usher in holiday bliss.

Happy trails,

The Concierge