Since giving birth to Baby Points Traveler back in February, my traveling has obviously come to a halt. While I enjoyed being a new mom, I had been suffering from major cabin fever during the cold, gray winter months.
As a treat to ourselves, Mr. Points Traveler and I had booked a romantic post-baby trip to Aruba for the beginning of April, and we were counting down the days for our first “date night” weekend away together.
Unfortunately, the cards aligned poorly leaving Mr. Points Traveler sick with the stomach flu for the entire weekend away. We thought about the option of extending our time in Aruba so that we can get a day or two in of him potentially feeling better, but we already were missing the little guy and didn’t want to be away from him for too long.
After returning back home, we decided we needed a “take 2” on a proper date night; after all, I had a Hyatt category 1-4 night that was set to expire on 4/30. Instead of booking a new trip all together, we made an executive decision to redeem the free night at the nearby Hyatt Regency New Brunswick.
The one and only time I had ever been to the property was 10 years ago for my high school prom. Since it was a category 2 property, I expected a low-key experience – we had planned to go out to a nice dinner, get drinks, and simply have a nice relaxing sleep with an in-room movie.
The hotel was actually quite nice and located within walking distance from all of the places we had reservations at, and the service was unreal. I am only a Platinum GoldPassport member, but yet they extended free breakfast coupons to us, which was a nice surprise.
Somehow they also knew it was my birthday and sweet token this came to the room:
I was so impressed with the hotel that has been right there all along and close to home, and we plan on returning again. Even without redeeming a free night, room rates sometimes dip below $100, so it’s definitely a “date night” option again in the future.
It’s amazing how even one day in a local hotel can recharge your mind and give you that quick “vacation fix”. A staycation was all we needed.
Have you ever checked into a hotel close to home just to unwind? 
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Congrats on little baby points traveler! Hopefully there will be another one coming soon. I have a sibling 1 year older than me and it definitely made my childhood a lot more exciting, in my opinion.
As for staycation, I always thought that meant you didn’t go anywhere, meaning you stayed at home in your house & sleeping in your own bed. By staying at the Hyatt Regency, that’s pretty much a vacation for most average folks like me! Enjoy motherhood!