Why a staycation is the perfect romantic getaway

When couples think of romantic destinations where they can spend much-needed time together, places like Paris, Santorini, and Bali usually come to mind. Beautiful city skylines and beautiful island getaways make excellent backdrops for a romantic getaway since they create the perfect ambiance that helps couples focus on their relationship without a care in the world. 

Unfortunately, planning for a romantic getaway usually takes a lot of time to prepare and costs a lot of money. And, for a lot of couples, they simply don’t have the time or budget to make their dream couple’s vacation a reality. Luckily, couples can still create their perfect romantic getaway without having to travel far or break the bank by choosing to go on a staycation at home or in a nearby hotel. 

Staycation, which combines the words “stay” and “vacation”, has become increasingly popular not only for singles but for a lot of couples as well. For one thing, staycations give couples the freedom to spend their vacation days however they want without having to worry about following a schedule. It also gives them an incredible opportunity to strengthen and deepen their relationship. 

But how exactly can a staycation achieve this? First, let’s delve into the advantages of a romantic staycation and how it can transform your romantic life.

The Advantages

A romantic staycation carries many benefits, some of which may surprise you. Here are some of the advantages of having a romantic staycation at home or a hotel that’s close by:

Comfort and Convenience

Staycations allow you to bypass the stress and fatigue that often comes with traveling. If you’re living in Manila, for example, it’s easier to have a staycation in Pasay or at home because you don’t have to spend long hours in transit or to adjust to a new environment. Instead, you can enjoy the comfort and familiarity of your hometown, making it easier to relax and focus on each other.

Flexibility

Unlike a traditional vacation, where itineraries can be rigid and crowded with various activities, a staycation gives you the freedom to set your own pace. Want to have breakfast in bed at noon or watch movies until the early hours? With a staycation, you can.

Affordability

A staycation can be a more budget-friendly romantic getaway. It eliminates expenses like airfare, expensive meals, and tourist traps, freeing up your budget for other special treats like a fancy take-out dinner or even splurging on a high-end local hotel for a night.

Quality Time

Perhaps the most significant advantage of a staycation is the opportunity to spend quality, uninterrupted time together. Without the distractions and demands often associated with travel, you and your significant other can connect on a deeper level and strengthen your relationship even further.

A Bit of Planning Goes a Long Way

A romantic staycation may be a dream come true, but a bit of planning can take it to the next level. Here are some ideas you can try to turn up the romance level of your staycation to a hundred:

Setting the Mood

Create a romantic atmosphere to make your staycation feel special. This could be as simple as cleaning and decluttering your space, lighting scented candles, or setting up fairy lights for a cozy ambiance. Don’t forget to prepare a playlist of your favorite songs to set the mood.

Food and Drinks

One of the highlights of any vacation is trying new and exciting food. For your staycation, consider ordering from a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or cooking a special meal together. Pair it with your favorite wine or try making homemade cocktails.

Disconnecting from Routine

To make your staycation truly feel like a romantic getaway, it’s important to disconnect from your regular routine. This means setting an out-of-office email, turning off message notifications, and putting off household chores. Make this time purely about enjoying each other’s company.

The Variety of Romantic Staycation Activities

To make the most of your romantic staycation, it’s a great idea to plan some activities that can enhance your experience and promote bonding. Whether you decide to stay at home or book a hotel room, there are plenty of enjoyable things you can do together. Here are some activities that you might consider to make your romantic staycation more memorable:

Cooking or Baking Together

If you’re at home, try cooking or baking a new recipe together. This not only allows you to enjoy a delicious meal or treat but it also gives you the chance to create shared memories.

Movie Marathon

Choose a series of movies or binge-watch a new series together. To make the experience even more romantic, you can create a cozy atmosphere with dimmed lights, comfortable pillows, and your favorite snacks. This can be done both at home or in a hotel, making it a versatile option.

Game Night

Whether you’re at home or in a hotel, setting up a game night can be a lot of fun. Bring out classic board games, card games, or even video games you both enjoy, and your time spent together will be filled with laughter and playful banter.

DIY Spa Day

You can transform your bathroom into the ultimate spa by simply placing scented candles on the bathroom counter and using aromatherapy sprays. You can even make bath time more romantic by adding some bath salts or throwing in a bath bomb in the tub. When the ambiance is set, you can enjoy a relaxing bath together, give each other massages, or try out new skincare products. This can be a special treat, particularly if you’re in a hotel with a beautiful bathtub.

In a world where we are constantly on the go, a staycation offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a chance to slow down, appreciate the simple things, and focus on the one you love. With the right planning and mindset, a staycation can provide you with all the joy, relaxation, and romantic connections of a traditional vacation without the hassle.

Palais Garnier, home of The Phantom of the Opera, is now on Airbnb

‘The Music of the Night’ is returning to the place that inspired one of the world’s longest-running and most-loved musicals, The Phantom of the Opera. To celebrate the global phenomenon that will be performed in 15 countries in 2023, including a final bow on Broadway, ‘phans’ will be able to follow in the footsteps of le Fantôme and book a night in the mythical underworld where it all began – the historic Palais Garnier Opera in Paris.

For the first time, one of the most exclusive private viewing areas in the theater, the Box of Honour, has been transformed into a majestic bedroom, where guests will spend an exceptional night, befitting the mysteries and architectural splendor of the Palais Garnier. Guests will also get to ‘haunt’ the halls of the iconic building, including a visit to the real underground lake, home of the Phantom, featured in the famous novel.

Airbnb Phantom of the Opera

The Host of the stay, Véronique Leroux, is the great-granddaughter of French novelist Gaston Leroux who created the world-famous phantom character. “My great-grandfather’s classic story has inspired so many people through the years,” Leroux said. “This is the perfect time to honor him and welcome ‘phans’ to the famous setting of his much-loved novel for a once-in-a-lifetime stay.”

Airbnb’s commitment to heritage

This special night at Palais Garnier is the latest heritage offering from Airbnb following a series of measures and commitments by the platform to revitalize heritage tourism in Europe, including heritage donations to historical home organizations across Europe.

Airbnb Phantom of the Opera

As part of this programme, Airbnb is offering its support to the restoration and enhancement of the Opera’s heritage, including an ongoing project to restore the Palais Garnier boxes. Airbnb’s contribution will also fund the development of the Opera’s streaming platform, bringing together all of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual content to a wide audience, all over the world.

About the stay

Guests will sleep in the largest opera box in the Palais Garnier – the Box of Honour – a room normally reserved for visiting dignitaries. The exquisite chamber has been transformed for an exclusive guest experience that includes:

  • The best location in the house to take in the architectural beauty of the Palais Garnier and its stage.
  • A tour of hidden areas in the Palais, rarely seen by the public, including the Opera’s incredible private archives and famous underground lake.
  • A private ballet initiation with one of the Opera de Paris Ballet dancers.
  • An exclusive recital performed by the artists of Paris Opera Academy, complete with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. 
  • Dinner in the lavish Foyer de la Danse, a private and historic dancing rehearsal room behind the stage, used by dancers for warming up before a show.
  • A tour of the private dance studios underneath the eaves of the iconic opera building where guests will enjoy picturesque views of the Paris skyline.

How to book

Phans may request to book the overnight stay on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 from 6:00 PM CET(Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 from 1:00 AM PHT) at airbnb.com/opera. The stay will take place on Sunday, July 16th, 2023. This one-night stay will cost 37 euros (approx. Php 2,154)*, in honor of the Box of Honour’s number. Let the dream begin!

Airbnb Phantom of the Opera

To request to book, the booking guest must have a verified Airbnb profile, a good track record on the platform, and be aged 18+. Maximum occupancy is two persons. Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from Paris, France. 

The Phantom of the Opera musical
Since opening in London in 1986, The Phantom of the Opera has played to over 145 million people in 183 cities in 17 languages The Phantom of the Opera has run for over 36 years in the West End and on Broadway. It is Broadway’s longest-running show and has received over 70 major theater awards, including seven Tony Awards and four Olivier awards. A Global Edition of the soundtrack was released in 2022, featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved soundtrack in full in seven global languages, and a special eight compilation disc.

Airbnb Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera will be performed in 15 countries, across 4 continents and in 7 languages in 2023. To book tickets and find out where Phantom is playing near you visit: www.thephantomoftheopera.com


*Plus taxes and fees. This one-night stay is not a contest.