A few weeks ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to enjoy a little staycation at the Metterra Hotel here in Edmonton. Ever since the arrival of our son, quality time with my husband has been somewhat of a rare occurrence, so we decided to go for it. Mind you, we had initially planned to bring him but our dear friends offered to watch him overnight. It was the best decision and we were definitely able to relax.
The Metterra Hotel is located in Old Strathcona, which just so happens to be one of our favorite neighborhoods of Edmonton. We lived there for a year and really enjoyed being in what I still consider to be the heart of the city. There are oodles of restaurants, bars and shops, and more are coming almost every month.
Our suite was beautiful and spacious, with big windows overlooking Whyte Avenue. I loved that we had a fireplace and could decide to snuggle while watching a movie in the living room area and finish watching the movie (or, in our case, HGTV, let's be real) on the giant screen in the bedroom in the the comfy king size bed.
The bathroom was probably my favorite part of the room with a gigantic mirror going from wall to wall, a jetted tub and a rain shower. Being the beauty junkie that I am, I also loved the Molton Brown toiletries!
(notice the crib they had initially put in the bedroom? so thoughtful!)
The Hotel even provides earplugs. If you're familiar with Whyte Avenue on a Saturday night, you know those are a must! If you're a light sleeper, I highly suggest asking for a room on a higher floor, preferably not above the Julio Barrio's. While we didn't get a chance to enjoy the complimentary wine tasting, we were delighted to be able to have our first cup of (Starbucks) coffee in the room before heading to breakfast, where the buffet had me anxious to try everything.
All in all, it was a great, relaxing night in the city. If you are planning a staycation, or even a quick weekend getaway not too far from home, here are a few tips to make it perfect:
We were really hesitant to leave our son with our friends overnight, but it ended up being for the best: he was with people he knows, loves and trusts and was able to stick to his routine. We didn't have to worry about his schedule, finding a kid friendly restaurant or going to bed early. 
I usually pack for overseas travel or trips to the mountain, where practicality is key. That means making sacrifices and not bringing the superfluous stuff. For a staycation, pack light (you won't have time to dig through 12 layers of stuff) but fancy! Want to bring your pretty pyjamas, scented bath bombs and cute dress? Sure! A staycation is all about pampering yourself!
There is nothing you should do. Just things you want to do. Forget about the sights you should see or the food you should try. Do as you please. It's your city, you'll come back. And if you want to take your pecan pie to go and eat it while watching Fixer Upper, do it! (yes, this happened).
All you have to do now is unwind and enjoy a nice vacation in your own city! Find a new restaurant you want to try, or a staple you love and crave. Watch as much TV as you want, lounge in the comfy robes and take a morning bath. It's your time to relax!
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