A staycation is a short break close to home: a night or two somewhere that is not your house, with no flights and no visas. A furnished shortlet apartment gives you space, a kitchen and your own front door, so it suits families, friends and couples. Below are 15 staycation ideas, a quick guide to hotel or apartment, and a simple plan for two good nights.
Why a staycation
A staycation gives you most of what a holiday does, for far less planning:
- Rest without the travel. No airport, no long drive, and no days lost getting there.
- A real change of scene. A different home, a different view and nobody asking you to fix anything.
- A treat for a big day. Birthdays, anniversaries, a promotion or the end of exams.
- Time together. Families and friends get space to talk, cook and play without the usual chores.
- A test run. Stay in an area you might move to, and see how it feels.
Public holidays, long weekends and school breaks are the natural times for one. Weigh up a staycation against a trip away in staycation vs vacation.
Hotel or apartment?
Both make a good staycation. They suit different trips:
| Hotel | Shortlet apartment | |
|---|---|---|
| Space | A room, sometimes a suite | A whole flat or house |
| Kitchen | Usually none | Usually a full kitchen |
| Groups | Several rooms, often apart | Everyone under one roof |
| Services | Front desk, restaurant, daily cleaning | Fewer services; some hosts offer cleaning and extras |
| Privacy | Shared lobby and corridors | Your own front door |
| Best for | A one-night treat with no cooking | Two nights or more, families and groups |
Some people search for “staycation suites and apartments”. That usually means a serviced apartment: a furnished flat with some hotel-style services, such as cleaning or security. Read what a serviced apartment is and serviced apartment vs hotel to compare.
On Cabans, some hosts sell extras such as bottled water or breakfast during your stay. Once you are checked in, you can order them from “Shop for your stay” on your stay page. You can also ask for a clean or fresh towels through “Stay services”. See how to order extras and pay your bill.
15 staycation ideas
Pick one idea as the heart of your break. Then choose the home that fits it.
- The pool weekend. Book a home with a pool and do very little else. Ask whether the pool is private or shared, and when it is open.
- The cook-off. Invite a few friends, split the dishes, and cook a big meal in a proper kitchen. Check what pots and pans the home has.
- The film marathon. Choose a home with a large TV and good Wi-Fi, stock up on snacks, and watch a whole series.
- The birthday dinner at “home”. Book a home with a big dining table and bring in a cook or order in. Check the house rules on visitors first.
- The couples’ reset.A quiet one-bedroom flat, a late breakfast and no plans. Anniversaries and Valentine’s weekend suit this well. See our weekend getaway plan for couples.
- The family night away. Two or three bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen let children play while adults rest. See which size shortlet you need.
- The work-from-somewhere week. Swap your home office for a new view. Ask about steady power and internet before you book.
- The beach base. Stay on the Lekki side of Lagos, spend the day by the sea, and come back to a shower and your own kitchen.
- The spa day in. Face masks, a long bath if there is a tub, and an early night. Some people book a mobile massage therapist; check the house rules on visitors.
- The read-and-rest weekend. Bring three books, switch off your phone, and sleep as long as you like.
- The food tour of your own city. Base yourself somewhere new, such as Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1 or Ikeja GRA, and eat your way around it.
- The game night. Cards, Ludo, Whot and a board game or two, with a big table and friends round.
- The girls’ or guys’ trip. One big home for the whole group, and the cost split between you. A duplex keeps everyone together; read what to check in a group duplex.
- The try-before-you-move stay. Thinking of renting in a new area? Spend a few nights there first. See where to stay while you house-hunt.
- The city swap. Lagosians can take a calm weekend in Abuja, and Abuja residents a lively one in Lagos. Our guide to where to stay in Abuja helps you pick an area.
Start looking in shortlets in Lekki, shortlets in Ikoyi or shortlets in Abuja. Want a pool? Browse shortlets with a pool in Lagos.
A staycation with children
Children love a night away, and a whole home makes it easier than a hotel room. A few checks keep it safe and calm:
- Ask about the pool. Is it fenced or gated? Plan for an adult to watch whenever children are near it.
- Look at balconies and stairs. Ask for photos, and choose a ground-floor home for small children if you can.
- Check the beds. Ask whether there is a cot or enough beds, rather than assuming.
- Bring the familiar. A favourite blanket, toy or snack helps little ones settle in a new place.
- Keep the plan light. One outing a day is plenty. The home itself is part of the fun.
For areas that suit families, see where to stay in Lagos with kids.
Finding a good deal
We do not quote prices, because they change with the home and the dates. These habits bring the cost of any staycation down:
- Go midweek. Sunday to Thursday nights often cost less than Friday and Saturday.
- Avoid the busiest dates. December and long holiday weekends usually cost more. A quiet weekend in between can be just as restful.
- Stay a little longer. Some hosts offer a discount or a free night for longer stays.
- Share a bigger home. A three-bedroom flat for six friends can cost each person less than six hotel rooms.
- Compare the full total. Add the cleaning fee and caution deposit, not just the night price. The deposit should come back after you leave.
- Read what a hotel deal includes. A staycation package with breakfast or a late check-out is only a deal if you would use them.
Watch for fake deals. A beautiful flat at a price far below its neighbours, with a host who wants a transfer to “hold” it, is a warning sign. See shortlet scam warning signs before you pay anyone.
More ways to save on a longer break are in how to pay less for a longer shortlet.
On Cabans, offers show in green in the “Price Breakdown”, for example “7+ nights, 10% off” or “Stay 5 nights, get 1 free”. You get whichever saves you more, never both. The breakdown shows the cleaning fee, the caution deposit and the total, and Paystack’s fee is shown before you pay. That fee is not refunded.
Planning your two nights
Two nights is the sweet spot for a staycation. Here is a simple plan to follow:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Friday afternoon | Arrive after check-in time, often around 14:00. Unpack, then shop for food and drinks nearby. |
| Friday evening | Cook or order in, and settle in. Save the big plans for tomorrow. |
| Saturday | Your main idea from the list: the pool, the food tour, the beach or the long lie-in. |
| Saturday night | Pack most things, and read the host’s check-out list. |
| Sunday morning | Slow breakfast, a last walk-through, and check out on time, often by 11:00. |
Before you book, check:
- the number of beds and bathrooms for your group;
- the house rules on visitors, parties and noise;
- power: grid hours, and whether there is a generator, inverter or solar;
- water, Wi-Fi and parking;
- check-in and check-out times, and the last day to cancel for free.
What to pack:
- chargers, a power bank and an extension lead;
- toiletries and any medicines;
- swimwear, if there is a pool or you are heading to the beach;
- games, books or a speaker for the evening, kept at a polite volume;
- snacks and drinks for the first evening.
Leave the home as you found it, and take a few photos as you go. It protects your caution deposit. Our shortlet check-out checklist walks you through it.
On Cabans, pick your dates on a listing and press “Reserve”. Your dates are held for 30 minutes while you pay securely online through Paystack. Its fee is shown before you pay and is not refunded. Planning a city break? Start with staycation in Lagos or staycation in Abuja.
Ready to choose? Plan a staycation and pick the home that fits your idea.
Have a flat that would make a great staycation? Guests are looking for exactly that. List your short let.
Frequently asked questions
What is a staycation?
A staycation is a short break close to home. Instead of flying away, you spend a night or a few nights somewhere nearby, such as a shortlet apartment or a hotel in your own city.
Is a hotel or an apartment better for a staycation?
A hotel suits a one-night treat when you want room service and no cooking. A shortlet apartment suits two nights or more, families and groups, because you get a whole home, a kitchen and your own front door.
Where can I have a staycation in Lagos?
Lekki suits pool weekends and bigger groups. Victoria Island and Ikoyi suit restaurants and evenings out. Ikeja suits Mainlanders who want a break without crossing the bridges.
How do I find staycation deals?
Stay on weeknights or outside busy seasons, and look for longer-stay offers. Share a bigger home with friends, and compare the full total, not the night price. Be wary of any deal that asks you to pay a stranger first.
How many nights should a staycation be?
Two nights is a good start. You arrive, have one full day with nothing to rush, and leave the next morning. One night can feel short once you count check-in and check-out.
Can I have a party during a staycation?
Only if the host allows it. Some shortlets do not allow parties or extra visitors, and breaking the rules can cost you your caution deposit. Ask the host first and get the answer in writing.
Can I book a staycation shortlet online on Cabans?
Yes, where the host takes online bookings. Pick your dates on the listing, press “Reserve” to hold them for 30 minutes, and pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s fee is shown before you pay and is not refunded.
Related guides
Weekend getaway in Lagos for couples · Where to stay in Lagos with kids · Staycation vs vacation · Serviced apartment vs hotel · Which size shortlet? · Shortlet duplex for a group · Detty December in Lagos
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