Blue Monday: Mood Boosting Stays
More so than daily exercise or mindful meditation, getting away on vacation will become THE form of self-care this year, with over three-quarters of people (79%) affirming that travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of rest and relaxation*. With this in mind, Booking.com has collated a range of properties to stay at this Blue Monday to uplift your spirit and help boost your mood. Escape daily life with wellbeing retreats, digital detoxes, and spa stays; enjoy mood-boosting activities such as cookery classes and relax in the most colourful of places right here in the UK.
The Retreat
Where to stay: The Quaives, Kent
If you’re looking to truly escape Blue Monday, head to The Quaives, a family run estate and retreat centre in rural Kent, owned by a yoga teacher and women’s wellness mentor. More than two thirds of people (66%*) find that staying somewhere with different scenery helps them recharge, so being surrounded by 19 acres of beautifully manicured secret gardens and land at the private estate is sure to help you relax. The estate features a Scandinavian wood-fired hot tub, a tennis court, a gourmet chef, massage therapists and offers guests the opportunity to stay in either cottages or glamping, whilst the monthly yoga and meditation retreats on offer will help you find your zen. The perfect place to slow down and unwind.
The Digital Detox
Where to stay: Chewton Glen Hotel, Hampshire (Travel Sustainable Property)
If the chaos of life is weighing you down, check into the luxury, 5-star country house hotel and spa based in Hampshire. The hotel now offers a two-night digital detox, locking away your devices so you can truly relax and enjoy everything the hotel has to offer, including spa treatments, yoga, and meditation. Why not even try one of the cookery classes? With over half (57%*) of people finding trying out new cuisines an ideal form of wellness whilst travelling. The hotel has everything you need for a relaxing stay, away from your devices, including 130 acres of land to explore, a golf course and even four tennis courts.
The Relaxing City Break
Where to stay: Inhabit, London
Inhabit is the perfect place to detox from the inside out in London. Tucked away in Paddington, Inhabit is described as an urban wellness hotel, a collection of thoughts on travel, sleep, and wellbeing. Guests can explore the city with guided nature walks, relax in the meditation stations, or take part in vinyasa yoga or morning meditation classes. The hotel offers bespoke aromatherapy rooms, an infrared sauna, mindfulness workshops and organic drinks and nourishing meals for an ultimate day of wellness this Monday.
The Pop of Colour
Where to stay: nhow, London (Travel Sustainable Property)
Based in the vibrant streets at the heart of East London between Hoxton, Islington and Shoreditch, the bright décor and artistically furnished rooms in nhow London are sure to brighten your Blue Monday. Release some endorphins at the fitness centre, explore the ‘flexitarian’ British pub restaurant, or have some fun with board games ordered to your room. Venture out and experience the art and food the local artistic neighbourhoods have to offer, and you can even bring along your furry friend to stay with you.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is sharing Early 2022 Deals for travellers to use when booking their first trip of 2022. Discounts start at 15% and are valid for stays until 31 March 2022. In addition, Booking.com is bringing the great value of its Genius program to even more customers by giving all account holders access to the program’s Level 1 benefits, with no minimum number of previous bookings to qualify, including access to exclusive 10% discounts at hundreds of thousands of participating properties around the world. All travellers have to do is download the Booking.com app, log in and look for the Genius logo to identify associated benefits, discounts and perks.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.