Have you ever heard of a staycation?
A staycation is a vacation with the intention of you getting away but not going nowhere at all.
For my KayyDayy , I’ve done brunches , dinners , parties , shows , trips , and more . This year , I wanted to do a staycation.
Everyone has their own definitions and idea of what a staycation is .
My idea of a staycation was simply booking a nearby hotel and doing what I wanted.
Whether that’s to turn up the music and dance , read a good book , or cry , that’s my idea.
I honestly just wanted to light some candles , play some R&B music and take a bubble bath.
WITH MY PHONE ON DO NOT DISTURB !
Choosing A Hotel
Planning a staycation is so much easier and more affordable.
I knew I wanted a hotel with a bathtub . This was my number one priority besides cleanliness of course.
I wanted to spend less than $300 on the hotel.
I looked around for a few weeks , reading reviews and narrowing down my list.
I finally chose Millennium Premier Times Square.
I used Booking.com to reserve a room for only $233 ! The price included free breakfast.
Be sure to sign up on Booking.com to get free room upgrades , discounts, and more.
I only needed two nights for my staycation but you can choose how many nights you need .
I opted for the executive queen room but they have smaller rooms .
Day One
It was kind of weird not getting ready to go to the airport. I usually can’t sleep the night before and I’m anxious that I’m forgetting something.
However , I slept like a baby . It started as a normal morning . I was already packed up and check in time wasn’t until four.
I ran a few errands and just chilled until it was time to go.
Then around 3 , I left my house . As I was dragging my suitcase to the train station , I realized I forgot my speaker but I didn’t turn back .
About a 45 minute ride later and I was at the hotel .
Check in process took less than 10 minutes and a short elevator ride up , I was in my room .
With a quick disinfecting of the room and a quick change , I was out of the door.
Indoor dining just reopened in New York so I decided to go to Bubba Gump . Table for one please . It was a 30 min wait so I decided to walk around . I chose to have a cartoon portrait of myself drawn and just sightsee. I haven’t been to Times Square in a year or so , so I really felt like a tourist.
After 30 minutes or so , I headed to Bubba Gump. It was almost empty . I loved the decor . It’s based off the movie “Forest Gump” . Honestly, I haven’t watched the full movie , I only caught the ending .
I haven’t dined alone in a while but I didn’t feel weird or anything . The waiters paid extra attention to me. I wanted to do an advice video on dining alone but it was a bit loud.
However , dining alone is how I accustomed myself to traveling alone . More tips on solo travel in the blog post HERE .
Day Two
ITS MY KAYYDAYY!
Waking up in a hotel made the day even more special .
I went downstairs for the free breakfast but barely ate it .
The breakfast was to – go bags consisting of apple , yogurt , granola bar , cereal , and juice . I went outside for some real food.
I dressed in my birthday outfit . I decided on a red two piece and a red fur-lined robe with my crown to match.
I had a photoshoot pretty much all day long .
I actually don’t like drinking on my actual birthday , I try my best to avoid it. So I didn’t have any liquor besides the drink I had at Bubba Gump.
I was in complete peace this year . There was no overwhelming myself with plans , no disappointments of people flopping , no negativity, and no weird vibes.
I encourage everyone to have a self love birthday .
People often confuse lonely and alone . Just because you’re alone , don’t mean you’re lonely. Also just because you’re lonely , don’t mean you’re alone.
Being alone just means you can choose how you spend your time without any commentary from others about your choices.
Your joy might look a little different than others and that’s okay but don’t let nobody take your joy away.
Even if you’ve lived somewhere forever and think you’ve done everything , I bet you haven’t. There’s so much of New York I still haven’t explored and I’m going to explore it little by little.
Price Breakdown
Hotel – $233
* Please be aware of refundable $150+ security deposit .
Food / Drinks – $60
Train – $5.50
Cartoon Portrait – $20
Tip – $10
* I was treated to dinner by my friend , he sent me money so I saved some .
Total : $328.50
Hotel Review
Overall , I rate the Millennium Premier an 8/10. Let’s start with the cons. It was good for a quick stay however it was cold . I kept turning up the thermostat but it didn’t seem to help for too long . I know we are in a panoramic but I would prefer maybe bagels or something more solid for breakfast . It was a little confusion to the hotel location because their sister hotel is right next door. However , there is a corridor that connects the two if you enter the wrong one. I knew there was a security deposit but wanted to pay cash , however I was informed it would be more.
Now time for what I liked . The check in was less than 10 minutes . There was enough space for two people . The room was clean and neat and everything had its place . The key card accessed the elevator which is a good safety precaution. There was also an extra door lock / blocker that helped me sleep a lot better at night . There’s two bottles of water for free in the room. I put my do not disturb sign on the door but I could hear cleaning staff in the morning . It was only a block up from Times Square . I received my security deposit back in two days .
Smoovee Tips
1. If you don’t need any cleaning , put the “do not disturb” sign on your door.
2. Budget out how much you’ll need . You’ll probably only need money for food , shopping , or any small outings.
3. Don’t think about work , school , your family , anything stressful , this is your time to fully relax.
4. Do you , do what you truly enjoy .
5. Feel free to put your phone on do not disturb.
Check out my YouTube !
I started a YouTube for the new year . I have my staycation vlog up now . Check it out !
Have you ever had a staycation ?
I love this post. It reinforces the importance of “you do you” and doing things that bring you joy. I’m envious that you live in NYC, one of my favourites, and with so many different ways to enjoy a staycation.
It sounds like you had a lot of fun! Going to a local hotel is a great choice for a staycation! When I try doing a staycation at home I just end up doing chores, and then I’m mad at myself for doing them!
I love a good staycation!! what a great way to spend your birthday!
It was just what I needed .
What an awesome way to spend your birthday! We love the idea of a Staycation and NYC is a great place for it! I feel like right now with COVID, this is the ideal time to avoid international travel and instead explore your own town through staycations.
I’m not avoiding international travel , I’m still traveling where I can . However , I don’t mind exploring my own city .
I love staycations! I am so glad you got to make such amazing memories on your birthday. This honestly made me consider a staycation for my own birthday in March! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I hope that you have a good staycation .
I love the idea! Staycations sound like a great way to do something different especially with the way the world is right now. Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
Thanks for reading . I hope you have a staycation soon.
Happy Belated Birthday!!! Looks like an absolute amazing way to celebrate and treat yourself!!! We can all use a little bit of a getaway during these crazy times!! I love that you got dressed up and did something for yourself! We all deserve to celebrate once in a while! Cheers Girlfriend!!
Thank you . I had an amazing time .
I love doing staycations and it sounds like you did it right for your birthday!!
You look like an absolute queen! I want to do something like this for my birthday but so far never feel like I deserve to spend so much money on myself, so I haven’t. I can see though that a staycation is the ultimate form of self love and indulgence your birthday looks so fun
I’ve always wanted to do a staycation, but haven’t had the chance to do one yet. I love how you splurged on yourself and had some much needed me-time. Thanks for the inspiration to incorporate self-care!
Staycations are a great way to feel the luxury of travel near home! I love to go to neighboring cities and do it as well. I think we all to often overlook the amazing places we already live! Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant! Why didn’t I ever think of this?! Thanks for the great idea! Happy birthday to you!
Awww, it looks like you had a great time on your Staycation + Bday! I’ve never tried a staycation before, but I’d definitely like to try. I’m def an advocate for being a tourist in your hometown for a day or two though… It’s so much fun!
Brilliant idea Kayy and looks like you had a blast. I’m inspired to do the same for my upcoming birthday
I’m glad I could inspire you. I hope you enjoy your birthday staycation.
Staycations are one of my favorite things every to do. I’m so glad you enjoyed yours!
Thank you . I plan on doing a lot more .
I LOVE this idea. I now want to take a staycation in my city when the hotels are open again and just relax! I love your tips too, especially 4 and 5. Do what you enjoy and have your phone off. That’s true relaxation!
I definitely want to try another hotel in another area . It’s definitely relaxing and needed .
A spacious room definitely ups the score for me a deal too!
Yes , I had more than enough room to dance around lol 😆
I love a good staycation, it’s important to get away even if you can’t really get away!
Yes , it’s very refreshing. I will like to do another one soon .
Hey, happy KayDay! I just had a staycation too with my partner, and it was also at a Millennium hotel but in Kuala Lumpur. Congrats on your new YouTube channel. 🙂
Thank you so much . Did you enjoy the hotel ?
I love that you had a staycation for your birthday, staycations are so much fun. And it’s always good to spend some time with yourself. I love that you did all the touristy stuff too, how fun. I’ve been to Bubba Gump before and actually really like it as I really love the film. I need a staycation soon!
I definitely have to watch the movie soon . I only know the famous line “ Run , Forest , run “ .
This sounds amazing! What a fun and relaxing day to spend your birthday. I love how you made it special yourself!
Thank you , it was just what I needed after a crazy year. Just glad to make it to 27 !
Looks like a perfect way to celebrate birthday! When we ain’t able to travel abroad, staycation is the best way to feel that travel spirits!! I have had two staycations last year and I am planning on my third soon!! Have done many Solo travels but not solo staycations yet! You gave me some amazing idea to plan in future 🙂
I’m a solo traveler myself and a staycation is definitely needed to get you back in the travel mood without actually leaving your city .
I love that you treated yourself to a mini vacay without truly leaving home. This is especially perfect during the pandemic. It’s refreshing to act like a tourist in NYC. I realized I hadn’t been to Time Square in like a year until I took my visiting cousins to sightsee. Glad you enjoyed yourself!
It’s really no need to travel over there on a regular but it was nice to see through a tourists eye. I’ll probably venture out to the city more often .
What an amazing birthday staycation! It sounds like such a relaxing experience, just doing what you want, when you want! Whenever I travel I’m, always making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time…nowhere near as relaxing as your break! I’d never thought about treating myself to a solo staycation for my birthday but it sounds so luxurious! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for reading . Glad I could inspire you to do the same . I might just do it every year honestly .