Gen Z is done. Done with burnout. Done with being “always on.” Done with glitchy airports, overpriced plane snacks, and needing a passport to catch a break. What they’re looking for now is a pause button – one that comes with fluffy robes, a hotel gym, and absolutely no alarm clocks.
Introducing the great local escape, aka the staycation at a hotel close to home. It’s where spa robes replace spreadsheets, reading your book takes priority over replying to texts, and room service becomes your personal chef (without asking how your day was). It’s the kind of getaway where you can breathe, stretch, sleep, scroll less, and feel more.
Making your mental health a priority
This generation has grown up in the middle of a mental health revolution – and they’re not afraid to demand what they need. A 2024 Deloitte Global Gen Z Survey revealed that over 46% of Gen Zs feel stressed or anxious most of the time, with burnout hitting harder than a Monday morning meeting. The antidote? Time out. Intentionally. Guilt-free.
And while a five-day tropical holiday sounds nice in theory, so does checking into a boutique hotel 10 minutes from your house, sleeping in a king-size bed you don’t have to make, and making a life-changing decision between a hot stone massage or a deep tissue. (The correct answer is always both.)
Staycation checklists now include having a gym
For Gen Z, wellness isn’t a weekend trend, it’s a lifestyle. That’s why access to a hotel gym (with real weights, not one lonely treadmill) and energising food options is a must. This is a generation that sees movement as medicine, with studies showing that over 70% consider regular exercise essential to mental health.
Whether it’s a sunrise stretch, a sweaty HIIT session, or just moving their body to shake off the stress, fitness is a non-negotiable. Pair that with a green juice or fruit salad instead of a stale muffin and suddenly, your staycation isn’t just relaxing – it’s a full-body reset.
Work. Play. Repeat.
Of course, Gen Z still needs to be connected. And no one’s checking in somewhere bland. A destination needs personality. Think bold interiors, curated content corners, fast Wi-Fi, and enough aesthetic energy to make you feel like a walking Pinterest board.
Today’s staycation spots need to offer flexibility, where you can jump between Zoom calls and poolside playlists without missing a beat. Hotels with creative spaces, co-working nooks, and lounges designed for both hustle and chill are winning with a generation that’s building businesses and side hustles between naps.
Romance yourself alone
This isn’t isolation – it’s intentional solitude. Staycations have become Gen Z’s love letter to themselves: complete with scented candles, mood lighting, and hotel breakfasts that somehow always taste better than anything you’ve ever made at home.
That’s why a luxury hotel like Radisson OR Tambo is the ultimate escape. It’s not just a place to stay, it’s your personal five-star timeout. Order dessert at any hour (because chocolate cake at 10am is absolutely self-care), book a spa treatment that revives your soul, and dine at elegant restaurants that remind you your taste buds deserve luxury too.
Whether you’re poolside with a long-neglected book or slipping into a plush robe post-massage, the Radisson turns rest into an art form. It’s indulgent, effortless and, 100% about you.
So no, Gen Z isn’t going anywhere far. But they’re going inward — to recharge, reflect, and reset. The staycation era has arrived, and it looks (and feels) incredible.
