NEWS | Unlocked Bengaluru plays safe; opts for staycations at city venues over trips outside
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This time around, those looking for breaks are choosing staycations instead.
The second wave of the COVID pandemic might be subsiding and the phased unlocking is on, but people don't seem to be as adventurous in Bengaluru, as yet. The enormity and the repercussions of the second wave have made people a little more cautious. While travel seemed to be big on the bucket list in the last phase of unlocking, this time around, those looking for breaks are choosing staycations instead.
Amitabh Rai, general manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, shares, "We have seen a surge in staycations with families looking to rejuvenate with a getaway that entails enjoying a set of personalized dining and spa experiences including engagement activities for kids in an environment they can trust to maintain the highest standards of hygiene protocols." This seems to be the biggest criterion for families who are venturing out. Sachin Maheshwary, general manager, Grand Mercure Bengaluru at Gopalan Mall, says, ""There has been a paradigm shift in terms of the requirements of the guests post the lockdown. City breaks have been a quick escape for guests who have not been able to travel for a long time, leading to a higher interest in spending time within the hotel than exploring the city. The main criterion while choosing a staycation is proximity and hygiene."
Apart from families, individuals are choosing staycations for celebrating special occasions like birthdays, families or other important days. Solo getaways to these city hotels also seem to be big on the priority list. Actress Meghana Gaonkar is one such. "I am someone who loves to travel, but did not get the chance to, because of the pandemic. With so much negativity and stress around, I needed a break, so I checked myself into a city hotel to experience luxury, eat good food and just get time to reset. It was for one night, but it was worth it," she shares.
There are some people in the city who seem to have found this as a quick periodic leisure activity to ensure they get a break. Communications professional Ashwini Jaisim says that she has had a few staycations through the course of the pandemic, be it solo, with family, or with friends. "It is a simple way to recharge. I chose one-night breaks and they have been good ways to beat the stress, especially since we have not been able to travel as we did earlier. Choosing a place that you trust with safety is the biggest priority right now," she adds.
Amitabh, too, shares how there have been returning guests who enjoy the staycation experience and that hotels also are giving a range of staycation packages to lure them. To this Sachin adds, "We have also seen a lot of demand for curated experiences. In terms of dining, in-room and private dining experiences are highly sought after, be it breakfast in bed or a candlelight dinner on your private terrace."
