My family and I would travel a lot when I was younger. Over the summer, Christmas vacation, spring break and more. But now that I’m older and I understand what goes into the planning (and expenses!) of traveling, I often catch myself wondering: mom and dad, how did you do it?!
These days it seems like it costs an arm and a leg to buy a plane ticket, and taking enough PTO to warrant a great vacation seems almost impossible. And that’s when it hit me– STAYCATION! We’re lucky enough to live in an incredible city, so why pay- and plan- for a big weekend away when you can get away right in your backyard!
For my first staycation destination I decided to check out the Loews Hotel in Midtown. It’s walking distance from Piedmont Park, has an incredible spa and restaurant right in the hotel and the rooms are gorgeous! Definitely a great start to my staycation project.
Photo by Loews Hotels
My boyfriend and I happened to be celebrating our anniversary, and Loews could not have made us feel more special! When we walked into our room the staff had lined the pathway to the bedroom with rose petals and then left this surprise for us on the bed! I always appreciate when hotels think about little things like that. It may seem small to the staff but it left a lasting impression on me!
After checking out the room I ran downstairs to Exhale, the hotel’s spa. I was there for some relaxation, but Exhale offers everything from massages to facials to fitness classes and more. *And a bonus for all you Atlantans– Exhale is not exclusive to Loews guests so you can book a spa appointment or fitness class any time!
Photo by Loews Hotel
I opted for the 60-minute fusion massage, which was a light-to-medium pressure massage. My massage therapist used a “detox” essential oil blend- which I thought was perfect considering the amount of rose I have been drinking this summer! I walked out of Exhale feeling completely relaxed.
Half of me wanted to fall asleep after my massage, but once I remembered that food was next on the agenda the other half of me made sure I stayed awake! Saltwood is the restaurant downstairs at the Loews Hotel. It features incredible drinks, locally sourced meats and cheeses and delicious shared plates. We ordered the flatbread of the day (which happened to be peaches, goat cheese and mushrooms!!), the Saltwood board and the southern paella. And every last bite was delicious! Oh and if you’re looking for a great cocktail, be sure to order the “summer break!” It was my favorite. Saltwood made quite the impression on me and I can’t wait to return!
Oh and if you’re looking for something a little more casual than a sit down meal, Saltwood has a gorgeous bar in the lobby!
Before we went to bed, my boyfriend and I filled out the breakfast room service card and hung it on our door. I mean: Is it really a staycation if you don’t order room service?! We woke up the next morning to the smells of freshly baked pastries and a hot pot of coffee. Everything was delicious! And it made for an extremely relaxing end to our mini getaway.
I had such a fun (and relaxing) time exploring the Loews in Midtown Atlanta. Even just one night away made me feel like I got my vacation fix– and I didn’t even need to leave Atlanta! Have you ever taken an Atlanta staycation? Where did you go? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!
This post was written in collaboration with Loews Hotels.