Despite its abundance of distinct neighborhoods and never-ending newness inherent in a major city, it can be easy for New Yorkers to fall into a rut. Particularly in the depths of winter (or summer, for that matter), when the weather limits your penchant for exploration: You go from your house to your job and back, making stops at your local deli or coffee shop and grocery store. Maybe you try a new restaurant, but one in your own neighborhood. To shake things up and bring a little excitement to your routine, consider a hotel staycation. It’s an ideal way to spruce up a month with few plans on the calendar, or to celebrate a special occasion. Logistics are minimal, meaning planning is a breeze compared to gearing up for an international or multi-leg trip, and there’s no jet lag to worry about or days off needed.
It’s also an easy entrée into traveling alone—solo adventures are on the rise this year, according to Fora’s 2026 Hot List, a trend forecast compiled by the travel agency’s platform data and insights from its global roster of advisors; women in particular are “embracing a seize-the-moment mindset,” the report says. If a flight or road trip feels overwhelming to tackle alone, a staycation at a local hotel is a nice way to practice elements of solo travel—setting your own schedule, dining alone—without the pressure of a longer stint away, while still taking you out of your routine and adding some whimsy to an otherwise standard (or doom-scroll-filled) week.
For those looking for inspiration, I polled several of our New York City–based editors to see what their dream staycation looks like—here are the hotels we’d like to snap our fingers and hunker down in.