Give loved ones the Christmas gift they really deserve with a 2021 staycation

For lots of us, travel has been something we have really missed in 2020.Getting away to the seaside, feeling the warmth of the sun and being far, far away from the daily grind is all part of what makes a holiday so relaxing. Losing out on that has meant that plenty of us feel we haven’t really had the chance to get our annual dose of restoration this year. Even if you did happen to get away, the sudden change of plans is likely to have limited the feel-good factor. One thing this year has reminded many of us is that there are some amazing places to holiday in the UK, with beautiful beaches, country scenery and luxury hotels. So what better Christmas gift to give your loved ones than the staycation they really deserve to look forward to in 2021?

The Christmas gift that keep on giving

The wonderful thing about giving a staycation Christmas gift (whether you book the actual thing or provide it in the form of a gift voucher), is that it’s the gift that you get to enjoy over and over again. It’s a joy to get the present on Christmas Day. Then it’s a joy to plan it, look forward to it, and then experience it.

Research published in the Huffington Post, showed that anticipation of a holiday, can be as important to our sense of enjoyment as the holiday itself. While how you feel after a holiday depends on the reality of it, the study found that all holidaymakers experienced a significant boost in happiness during the planning stages of the trip because individuals were looking forward to good times ahead. That planning process can have a significant and positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, up to months in advance.

We may not have the reliable heat of the Algarve or the dense snowfall of a February trip to the Alps. However, the UK is home to some spectacular scenic locations coupled with breathtaking spa hotels to really make someone feel special in the New Year… and hopefully making up for lost holiday time in the one just gone. Here are a few examples…

Cameron House, Scotland

With panoramic views of Loch Lomond and the Highlands, Cameron House provides you with all the things you imagine when you think about an escape in Scotland.  Scenic, welcoming and brimming with the best facilities, you can turn this into a family holiday thanks to The Club, which offers leisure facilities for the kids and fitness for adults, or make it one for grown ups, thanks to the adult-only Carrick Spa.  It’s a short distance from the hotel with its own gym, classes, 20-metre pool, Jacuzzi, hydrotherapy pool, rooftop infinity pool, and complete thermal experience.

Kenwick Park, Lincolnshire

Thanks to beautiful lodge accommodation, Kenwick Park is a wonderful destination to visit for a weekend away with friends.  The grounds are huge so the lodge accommodation is a little drive away from spa facilities, adding to the sense of privacy, surrounded by beautiful Lincolnshire countryside and wild flowers.

South Lodge, West Sussex

Charmingly designed to celebrate the surrounding landscape, The Spa at South Lodge does much to honour the natural world. The pool is very much part of that. There’s an infinity pool and a superb thermal suite, but also a unique wild swimming pool, which is a heated outdoor pond, complete with reeds and moss for a natural vibe and delivers a totally unique experience.

Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, Cumbria

The breathtaking surroundings at Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa are very much part of the appeal, and the hotel and spa have been designed to celebrate them at every turn. The pool in particular is a magnificent way to do that, feeling most magical as you swim towards the lakes and Catbells mountain range in the Cumbrian countryside. It’s a 16 metre hydro pool with neck jets, underwater loungers and an amazing overflow hot tub feature, and there’s even a glass-fronted Finnish sauna so you can enjoy the view and stay warm.