From sauna-cations to garden-first design, the staycation experts share what today’s guests are really looking for in UK breaks.
Perfect Stays has revealed the trends set to dominate UK travel in 2026 as the popularity of staycations continues to rise. Research has shown that 8 in 10 Brits planned a UK-based break in 2025, and 61 per cent are now more likely to choose a staycation than they were previously (1).
Against this backdrop, Perfect Stays has taken a deep dive into how trends have evolved, analysing guest booking behaviour and concierge insights from the past 12 months to reveal what’s most important to staycation travellers in 2026. From garden-first design to sauna-cations and experience-led escapes – luxury is defined less by scale and more by how a space makes people feel.
Joe Knight, Head of Guest Experience, says: “We’re seeing a clear change in what guests value and how new properties are being designed. Guests today are looking for tailored experiences that fit within their lifestyle and interests, not just views and square footage. This has been reflected in the facilities that have become a must-have for new home design – from saunas, yoga centres to subtle working spaces. It’s about the quality of the experience – how a space enhances the way guests want to live, unwind and feel at ease. In 2026, the most successful luxury breaks will be those that offer true hyper-personalisation – places to experience, create and prioritise wellbeing.”
Key luxury travel trends for 2026, according to Perfect Stays:
Sauna-cations
Wellness-led breaks continue to rise, with saunas emerging as one of the most sought-after features across luxury UK holiday homes. Throughout 2025, Perfect Stays recorded a notable increase in enquiries for properties with saunas, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards hot-and-cold therapy and immersive wellbeing experiences.
Beachside sauna culture, in particular, has gained momentum in the South West, where cold water swimming and coastal walks naturally pair with heat-based relaxation. Homes such as Red Cove in Mawgan Porth and Gwelefan in Porthtowan illustrate how indoor and outdoor saunas are no longer considered add-ons, but central to the appeal of a stay. From a commercial perspective, sauna facilities are also proving valuable outside peak season, helping properties maintain strong year-round appeal
Commenting on the trend, Perfect Stays’ Head of Marketing, Hilary Dominey notes: “Luxury travel continues to evolve: simplicity, wellness, and immersive experiences now define what it means to travel well. At the heart of this evolution is the sauna: no longer just a spa feature, but a ritual space for restoration and reconnection. With searches for our properties with saunas up 30% year-on-year, wellness has become a cornerstone of luxury travel. Today’s guests seek more than relaxation, and nature-aligned healing rituals such as saunas, with benefits ranging from improved sleep to stress relief, are increasingly essential. In response, 57% of homes added to our portfolio in the last 18 months now include one, with every new addition this year featuring a sauna.”
Yoga retreats and digital detox escapes
The appetite for structured retreats continues to grow, with yoga and Pilates breaks leading the way. UK search interest in yoga retreats rose steadily throughout 2025, alongside a sharp increase in demand for digital detox experiences. In the UK alone, Google searches for “yoga retreats” increased by more than 8.5 per cent in the past year (as of December 2025). Interest in “digital detox retreats” has surged even more dramatically, with Perfect Stays noting a 120 per cent uplift in searches recorded over a three-month period earlier this year.
In response, Perfect Stays has seen growing interest from retreat organisers booking properties specifically designed to host small, high-end retreats. Homes such as Noordhoek in Porthcothan and Pentyak in Harlyn Bay, both featuring dedicated garden studios, are increasingly booked well in advance and perfectly fit the criteria for luxury retreats.
Perfect Stays’ Concierge Service now regularly supports retreat hosts with in-house yoga instructors, private chefs and tailored guest experiences, reflecting a more hands-on approach to this evolving segment of the market.
Alfres-staycations
Outdoor space has moved from being a secondary consideration to a defining feature of luxury holiday homes. In 2026, guests are prioritising properties where gardens function as social, wellness and dining spaces in their own right.
Perfect Stays identified this shift during 2025 and coined the term “alfres-staycation” to describe holidays centred around outdoor living. Newly launched homes such as Wharf House in Mousehole and Constantia in Constantine Bay exemplify this approach, incorporating outdoor kitchens, garden rooms, saunas and open-air bathing into their design.
According to Perfect Stays’ Portfolio team, well-considered outdoor features now play a significant role in guest decision-making and visual storytelling, particularly in a competitive luxury market where differentiation matters.
Bleisure trips
The line between business and leisure travel continues to blur. With flexible working now firmly embedded, more guests are extending work trips or combining short breaks with remote working. When research revealed that 60 per cent of UK business travellers now extend work trips into personal holidays, according to a report from American Express Global Business Travel, it became clear that the distinction between travelling for business and for leisure is increasingly indistinct. With flexible travel dates making it easier than ever to combine work and downtime, the once-controversial “bleisure trip” is now firmly mainstream.
Holiday homes that offer reliable high-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated workspaces and flexible communal areas are particularly well positioned to benefit. Coastal properties such as Trevenek in Mawgan Porth and Clifftop in Bigbury-on-Sea allow guests to balance productive mornings with restorative time outdoors, without compromising on comfort.
Rather than traditional sightseeing, bleisure travellers are gravitating towards low-effort, high-reward experiences: coastal walks, local dining and early evening swims that fit naturally around the working day.
Eco-minded getaways
Sustainability has shifted from a ‘nice to have’ to a core consideration for luxury travellers. Research from Booking.com shows that 84 per cent of UK holidaymakers planned to think more carefully about sustainability when travelling in the past year, and in 2026 this mindset is shaping booking decisions. Guests are increasingly drawn to homes that demonstrate thoughtful, well-integrated environmental design without compromising on comfort.
Properties such as Brynia in Daymer Bay and Salt Sprayin Porthleven exemplify this balance, combining renewable energy systems, low-impact construction and contemporary architecture; Brynia is powered by solar panels that run the home, hot tub and EV charger, while Salt Spray’s carbon-neutral design produces 105 per cent less carbon than the average household. During both builds, 85–100 per cent of trades were sourced locally to minimise travel. Alongside this, Perfect Stays has previously worked with academic partners, including the University of Exeter, to assess environmental performance across its portfolio, while its Concierge Service and Local Area Guides encourage guests to reduce car use, support local producers and explore on foot or by bike. In 2026, sustainability is not simply a consideration, but a defining travel trend driving demand
About Perfect Stays
Perfect Stays is a luxury holiday rental company specialising in spectacular holiday homes in beautiful locations across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. From stunning contemporary houses to waterside retreats and countryside cottages, all feature five-star facilities like private swimming pools and games rooms. Perfect Stays match guests to exclusive, hand-picked homes that are best suited to their needs and occasion.
Breaking the mould when it comes to luxury self-catering holidays, Perfect Stays is about much more than opulent accommodation. Through a tailored approach and inclusive concierge service, their team of local experts can craft a personalised itinerary for the duration of your stay. From private chefs, wine tastings and in-house spa treatments, to foraging adventures and one-to-one surf lessons, the Concierge team will plan and book experiences on your behalf. Also on hand to take care of the practical details, from recommending baby-sitters and dog-sitters to making taxi reservations, Perfect Stays aim to create memorable, bespoke holidays that are hassle-free.
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