Creating a Resort Experince at Home

We typically travel year-round, but we decided to pause traveling for the summer this year.  We love the heat and the sun and in the Midwest United States, June through August is the time we get the weather we love.  We will pick our traveling up again in September, but in the meantime, we have been determined to create the resort experience right in our own backyard!  

Creating a resort experience at home can be a fun and relaxing way to bring a touch of vacation into your everyday life and it’s not as difficult as might think. Here are seven steps to help you create the ambiance and atmosphere of a resort, right at home:

Choose your Resort Theme

Decide on the type of resort experience you want to recreate. It could be a tropical beach getaway, a mountain retreat, or a luxurious spa-like experience. Selecting a theme will help guide your choices for decor and activities. We love spa and wellness resorts, so we went with that theme!  

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

Lighting – Use soft, ambient lighting to create a calming effect. Dim the main lights and opt for table lamps, candles, or string lights.

Scent – Choose scented candles, essential oils, or room sprays with fragrances that evoke a sense of relaxation and vacation. We love essential oils and the following are the best scents we find for the spa experience: 

  • Lavender – Calming
  • Eucalyptus – Clears the mind and promotes deep breathing
  • Peppermint- Cooling and uplifting 
  • Bergamot – Mood lifting, positive, relaxation
  • Chamomile- Soothing and calming effects
  • Ylang Ylang – Calming, uplifting, blends well with other oils 
  • Rosemary – Mental clarity, focus, alertness
  • Frankincense – Creates a grounding, meditative atmosphere

Music

Think about the vibe you are looking for and look for stations that match that feeling you want.  Don’t forget to change it up and maybe step out of your comfort zone. You might be surprised.  

  • Spa vibes – play soothing music or nature sounds in the background. You can find playlists or ambient sounds online.
  • Chillout and Lounge – look for stations like “Chillout Lounge” or “Poolside Vibes” to create a tranquil relaxed pool atmosphere. 
  • Tropical House – Tropical House combines tropical beachy vibes with house music.  Try stations like “Tropical House Radio” to give you that upbeat relaxed feel.
  • Reggae  – Reggae music can bring a cheerful, positive, laid-back feel…look for stations like “Reggae King Radio” or a playlist featuring UB40 or Bob Marley.  
  • Latin music – bring a fun, energetic vibe to your pool scene…try stations like “Latin Hits”  or  “Summer Latin Vibes”.
  • EDM – Electronic Dance Music-, EDM Genres like Deep House and Progressive House can bring you that pool party vibe. Try stations like “EDM Hits” or “Tomorrowland Radio” to take it up a notch.  

Transform Your Space

  • Declutter: Truthfully this could be the most important step.  Think about it, one of the reason resorts feel so amazing is the organization, decor, and simplistic, tidy environment.   Look around your living area and remove any unnecessary clutter to create a clean and serene environment.  When you have downtime at your “at-home resort” read “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing”, by Marie Kondo.  This book is a game changer and will give you the tools needed to create the home you have always wanted.  
  • Decor:  Incorporate elements that reflect your chosen theme. For example, if you’re going for a beach resort vibe use tropical plants as decorations and pull in your favorite items from past trips. We love the Tuuci Umbrellas we often see poolside, so we purchased those to replicate the luxury look we love. Be sure to ditch those random pool towels and check out online stores like Frontgate to get plenty of matching towels to maximize the resort feel. Personalize your towels for that extra touch.  
  • Bedding and Linens: Use high-quality, luxurious sheets and fluffy pillows to enhance your sleeping area. 

Pamper Yourself

  • Spa-like Treatments: Create a spa experience by indulging in a bubble bath, face masks, or body scrubs. Use scented bath oils, bath bombs, or salts to enhance relaxation.
  • Fluffy Bathrobe and Slippers: Treat yourself to a plush bathrobe and comfortable slippers to add to the resort-like feel.
  • Massage: If possible, book a professional massage therapist to visit your home, or you can give your partner a soothing self-massage using essential oils. 

Food and Drinks

  • Research recipes to prepare your favorite tropical drinks or mocktails with colorful fruits and garnishes. Serve them in fancy glasses to enhance the resort experience. 
  • Plan and prepare delicious meals and snacks that remind you of your favorite places.  Research recipes or order takeout from a restaurant that offers cuisine associated with your desired resort experience.

Engage in Resort Activities

  • Relaxation Spaces: Set up a comfortable outdoor lounge area or hammock if you have a garden or balcony. Enjoy a book, listen to music, or simply enjoy the tranquility.
  • Indoor Activities: Engage in activities that mimic resort amenities such as board games, puzzles, or watching movies that transport you to your chosen resort environment. Every time we go to Tulum we love to play backgammon.  We purchased a custom backgammon board from Crisloid with the geographic coordinates of our favorite beach spot at Nomade!  

Cheers to hoping you can create a peaceful and enjoyable environment that allows you to unwind and feel like you’re on vacation all summer long!!  

Z.L.T.

2 responses to “Creating a Resort Experince at Home”

  1. I enjoyed reading your suggestions. We have a small but cozy patio area that is next to our garden and overlooks the park and wildlife in our back yard. It is a relaxing area for us. I am going to look at it again- and try to declutter it a bit. ❤️