Atlas by AvantStay®

If you’re looking for the best tequila cocktails, you’ve come to the right place. With travel in our blood (plus, a hint of lime and salt), we’ve rounded up our top tequila drinks inspired by our favorite destinations. Try making some of these easy tequila cocktails that you could whip up right at home—or your home away from home when you stay with us!

Up in the Mountains

Tahoe Blue Margarita

Inspired by the vibrant blue waters of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Blue Margarita is the perfect drink to enjoy out on the lake while soaking up the sunshine. Lucky for you, we’ve got the ultimate place to take in the view—Lakeview by AvantStay. This 5-bedroom vacation rental offers a panoramic sight of Lake Tahoe, making it the perfect spot to sip on your margarita that’s as blue as the view.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Blue Curacao
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• Salt for the rim

Recipe: 

Using a cocktail shaker, add one-half to one cup of ice to your salted glass. Next, pour in 1.5 oz tequila (our favorite is Lo Siento), 1.5 oz of triple sec, 1 oz of lime juice, 1 oz Blue Curacao and shake vigorously.

Out in the Country

Sangriarita

Meet the Sangriarita—where tequila meets wine country! This hybrid of two fan favorites incorporates both sangria and the classic margarita. Enjoy this perfect mashup of a tequila cocktail at our home Via del Sur in Temecula, California.

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce Triple Sec
• ¾ ounce lime juice
• Splash of sangria
• Garnish with orange slice

Recipe: 

Using a cocktail shaker, add one-half to one cup of ice. Next, pour in 1.5 oz of tequila, 1 oz of triple sec, ¾ oz of lime juice, and shake vigorously.

Pour mix over ice leaving space for sangria

Top glass with a splash of sangria of your choice

Garnish with an orange slice

Down in the Desert

Spicy Bloody Maria

We’re heating things up in the desert with our Spicy Bloody Maria. Similar in flavor to the popular Bloody Mary, the Bloody Maria uses tequila rather than vodka. It’s the perfect cocktail to kickstart your day before lounging around in the sun. Stay at our Joshua Tree vacation home, Smoketree, and take a dip into the plunge pool when you need to cool off from the heat.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 4 ounces tomato juice
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 tablespoon horseradish
• 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
• 1 pinch celery salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• Garnishh with lime wedge, lemon wedge, and cucumber spear

Recipe: 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, Tabasco, celery salt and black pepper, and shake vigorously.

Pour mixture over fresh ice 

Garnish with lemon, lime, and celery stick

Along the Coast

Tequila Sunrise

This cocktail looks exactly like the sunrises you’ll find at our home Ocean’s Eye in Folly Beach, South Carolina, located right outside the city of Charleston. It may look intimidating, but the Tequila Sunrise is one of the easiest drinks to make. Try out the recipe below and don’t forget to grab the sunblock—this is one drink you’ll love to enjoy when you have your toes in the sand.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz Orange Juice 
• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Grenadine
• Orange Slices and Maraschino Cherries to garnish

Recipe: 

Pour the orange juice and tequila over ice

Add 1 oz of grenadine without stirring (for the sunrise effect!)

Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry

It’s Pride time! Let’s get to it with a super special list of all the best places to stay. Whether you’re attending your hometown’s pride parade, or are making a journey to a special city to see one, this round-up has all the stays to guarantee a rowdy and rockin’ Pride 2025, all the way from April to August.

Gable – Sonoma, CA

Sonoma County Pride is held June 3rd at Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square. With performances from Spencer Day and Paul’s Drag Race star Miss Rock M Sakura, you’ll be sure to sashay the day away before a night of relaxation at your Sonoma vacation rental, Gable.

Serenity – Key West, FL

Key West Pride is held this year from June 7-11th. Enjoy the sunny island and all its daytime activities. Try a trip to the Key West Butterfly Conservatory or maybe even a sunset sail. After you’ve danced your little heart out, head back home to Serenity or any of our other Key West vacation rentals.

Hollywood Hello – Los Angeles, CA

LA’s Pride is held this year on June 9th and 10th. This year, be extra as hell with a stay a Hollywood Hello in the (duh) Hollywood Hills. It’s got a private pool, a courtyard hot tub, and a luxe firepit lounge tucked near a gorgeous fountain, so after you’ve lost your voice to screaming songs a little too loud, you’re sure to find your zen again with a nice decompression session outdoors.

Bourbon – Nashville TN

From June 24-25 you’ve got full rein to head on down to Nashville’s Pride Parade where you’ll find over 225 vendors for local nonprofits, artists, and businesses celebrating freely! And when y’all have had enough of all that downtown hustle and bustle, head back to this cozy stay at Bourbon – a Nashville vacation rarity where you’re close enough for your Ubers to not be a million bucks.

Peak 8 – Breckenridge, CO

Year of the rabbit so you’re in your snow bunny era, huh? One of the best parts about visiting Colorado in June is the fact that you get to witness all of the trees, flowers, and plants in full bloom. When you’re not visiting one of the many local hot springs, take a day trip from your Breckenridge AvantStay, like Peak 8, and come as you are to Denver’s 14-block Pride celebration! The 2023 Coors Light Denver Pride Parade is held June 25th.

Camden – San Diego, CA

With over 250,000 cheering supporters, the San Diego Pride Parade at the Hillcrest Pride Flag is a truly liberating place to express yourself. From July 8-16th, you’ll find the streets of Hillcrest blossoming with beautiful rainbows from head to toe. After a long day of parading, enjoy your stay at Camden – a beautiful bungalow located in Cardiff by the Sea.

Ramsey – Austin, TX

Austin’s Pride Parade will be held on August 12th. Everything’s bigger in TX, so this fest features live music, dance, and drag performances and is the largest of all ATX’s parades. When you’ve danced your little heart out, head back to Ramsey where you and your besties will have plenty of room to spread out – from the expansive front yard to the pool and al fresco dining.

How do we turn a vacation rental from average to an AvantStay? In our Ask the Expert series, we sit down with different members of the AvantStay team to learn just that. For our first installment of the series, we take a look into how AvantStay transforms vacation rentals with award-winning design services.

We asked our Design Lead, Nic Kay, what it’s like designing for AvantStay, the biggest design mistakes, where she gets her inspiration, and more. Let’s dive in!

1. Where do you get inspiration from when designing a new AvantStay?

My inspiration for each home comes from a combination of the market, the architecture and style of the home, and what kind of guests travel to the area. I always aim for the design to feel localized to the area and authentic to the home, and always keep in mind how our guests can best utilize the space to gather. 

2. Biggest mistake people make when designing vacation rentals?

Lack of seating! In addition to a space being beautiful, it also needs to function for the groups inhabiting it. There should be plenty of comfortable seating and space to share meal around a table. 

3. Favorite home you’ve recently designed?

Ishan in Joshua Tree is a new forever favorite of mine!

4. How does AvantStay work with homeowners to design their homes?

AvantStay collaborates with homeowners to enhance the function, aesthetic, and experiential aspects of their home. We focus on comfort, gathering spaces, and taking advantage of experiential areas like game rooms, movie theaters, and stunning outdoor spaces. These enhancements improve the guest experience as well as drive ROI for homeowners.

5. What style trends are you seeing in vacation rentals lately?

Color is very on trend! I’ve been seeing a super fun use of paint, murals, and wallpaper. People are embracing some groovy vibes and I’m very much here for it!

6. How is designing for vacation rentals different from designing for someone’s home?

Vacation rental design is very different from designing a personal home in the way that it needs to appeal to a wide audience, rather than a space someone will live in every day. It’s the same in that vacation rentals should make you feel at home, but they should also give you a little something special that you don’t get to experience every day.

In today’s world of remote and distributed work, corporate retreats have been redefined as a powerful way to support employees and company culture. Retreats can be a fantastic opportunity for your employees to escape work for a bit while strengthening relationships, boosting productivity, and refreshing workplace morale.

These excursions can break up the monotony of the day-to-day grind and can be a respite from the standard cycle of meetings, Zoom calls, productivity reviews, and workplace projects. 

It’s crucial to put some time and thought into the planning process to ensure that you curate a positive environment. Follow our 8-step guide to plan the best possible retreat for your company.

How to plan a corporate retreat that your team will love

Let’s talk about some decisions you need to make before you get into the 8-step planning process. These things will help you narrow down what you’re looking for, so you can plan accordingly.

Define your company goals

The first step in the retreat planning process is figuring out why you’re doing it. What’s the purpose of the retreat? Many businesses plan a company retreat primarily as an opportunity to bring team members together on a fun getaway to reflect on the year’s performance, company culture, and the overall work environment.

But it doesn’t have to be all about work. These retreats also offer an incredible opportunity for team bonding and relaxation for everyone on the team. If your office sometimes feels like a collection of individuals rather than a united front working together toward a shared purpose, some carefully chosen activities can help them bond. 

Sure, colleagues must be productive and achieve the company’s work-oriented goals. But an enjoyable work environment is a big part of that, and retreats are a great way to help work toward that more personal goal.

One goal of a company retreat is to help employees learn about each other’s personalities and how they work. Everyone is different – some people work better alone, while others are more productive in teams. Some people like to work in silence, while others prefer to listen to music or brainstorm out loud. Some people enjoy sitting at a desk, while others work better while standing or moving.

Retreats provide a unique opportunity for employees to have fun while learning about each other’s personalities and work styles. This insight can help you to curate a more enjoyable (and more productive) workplace when you get home.

Consider the time of year and season

Different locations and styles of retreats can be great at varying times of the year, so you’ll want to consider this when planning your next company retreat.

First, consider the weather. If you want an outdoor-oriented retreat, you’ll need nice weather. You probably don’t want to go to the desert in the summer or the mountains in the winter if you’re hoping to do lots of hiking.

But if you’re planning on skiing or snowball fights, a winter trip to the mountains could be great! For example, you might consider Cherry Ridge in Breckenridge or Canopy in Park City. Or the desert in the summer could be great if you’re hoping to have a lot of pool days or lake days. Try buying out the Monkey Tree in Palm Springs for a pool all to yourself, or book Buena Vista Estate in Coachella Valley for a private pool AND a private lake. Just make sure to provide a detailed list to your employees of what they need to bring to prepare for the weather. 

Not only do you want the weather to cooperate with your plans, but you also want to look at how your venue’s pricing fluctuates throughout the year. For example, a mountain resort will likely cost more during winter because everyone wants to go skiing or snowboarding.

But if you’re more interested in hiking and other mild-weather activities, you could consider going during a different time of year. You’d get the weather you’re looking for, and you’d probably get a cheaper rate.

Look into a few different potential retreat locations and see which one works best for what you have planned.

Give your team a save-the-date with sufficient time to plan

While your company retreat can provide an incredible opportunity to get away, you still want to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with too many people’s busy personal schedules. Most people have lives and responsibilities outside the office that can be tricky to work around. 

Don’t spring the news on your team at the last minute. Ensure that you let them know you’re planning a retreat with a good amount of advanced notice, and let everyone know of any costs they may need to budget for. 

That means you’ll need to start planning even sooner. It’s usually a good idea to begin the planning process for a company retreat anywhere from six months to a year in advance, depending on the group size. That will make it easier for you to find lodging and venues that can accommodate the number of people you’re bringing and will take the stress off of you as the retreat gets closer.

8 steps to follow when planning a corporate retreat

Now that you have a general idea of what you want your retreat to look like, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Follow these eight steps to plan the company retreat of your dreams:

1. Find and book the venue

Choosing the right venue can make or break your team retreat. These trips are typically designed as something of an escape from the usual workspace, so make sure you’re looking for venues that will provide a fun and unique experience for the entire team.

But the right venue will look different for different teams. With a small group, you could probably book a group home or another short-term rental. If you have a large group, you may want to consider a boutique hotel or resort as accommodation. 

Whatever you choose, make sure you’ll be able to plan activities that take place outside of a conference room – remember, you’re trying to avoid the mundane corporate environment!

2. Book lodging for the offsite

Depending on which venue you choose, you may need to provide offsite lodging for your team. If that’s the case, you’ll want to ensure the lodging isn’t too far away. If your employees are driving to the retreat and have their cars, you may have some wiggle room. But if they’re taking a bus or flying to the retreat, make sure it’s going to be easy for them to get from their room to the venue each day.

If you want your team to have a truly seamless experience, AvantStay offers the opportunity to book out an entire hotel, an entire neighborhood of villas, condos & homes within walking distance of each other, or even take over a whole estate together. 
While it’s not necessary, it can be a nice touch to put together some sort of welcome basket for each person. Leave them on the beds for them to find when they check in. You can include things like planners, copies of the retreat agenda, water bottles, or other company-branded swag (like t-shirts, pins, totes, backpacks, or temporary tattoos), and some self-care items like face masks or snacks.

3. Secure transportation

Your employees must be able to safely get to and from the retreat, and then to and from their rooms once they get there.

If your retreat is close to home, decide if you want employees to drive themselves or if you want to rent a shuttle or a bus to take everyone there and back together. If you’re choosing the shuttle route, ensure your employees won’t need their vehicles while on the retreat. If your employees will be driving there, ensure there are ample parking spots.

If you’re traveling further away for the retreat, make sure you take care of all the flights and subsequent rental cars, Uber rides, or shuttle services. You don’t want your employees to get stressed about transportation during the retreat. The more you plan for a smooth ride, the easier it will be for everyone in the long run.

4. Manage food and catering if needed

One of the best parts of vacation is the food– it should be no different on a corporate retreat. Shared meals can offer a great bonding experience, so plan what food options to offer your team.

Will there be self-serve options? Large catered meals? Maybe you could even consider cooking classes as a team-building experience that ends in a great meal or ask AvantStay’s retreat coordinator to book you a private chef for a delicious feast The options are endless, just make sure you plan ahead.

Some hotels and venues have food and drink options available for large groups – the bigger the group, the cheaper the rates typically are. That can be a great option, but realize that people probably won’t want to have every meal on-site. You may want to consider branching out to offsite restaurants for a meal or two as well. If you need recommendations, AvantStay’s retreat coordinators are ready to help you find and book the best dining in the area for your team.

5. Coordinate and plan team-building activities

These are essential retreat activities, but they can either be really fun or cheesy. Make sure you think long and hard about the team-building activities you plan and think through what sounds like fun.

Some popular options you can incorporate at any venue include icebreakers that allow people to get to know their colleagues better and scavenger hunts that let them have some fun and explore the retreat location. You want your employees to get to know each other’s personalities better and cultivate better working relationships. 

Then depending on the venue, there are plenty of other fun team-building exercises you can plan to promote employee engagement. Wherever you are, try to think about ways to get out and enjoy some fresh air – beach days, hiking, skiing, etc.

When planning your retreat, make sure you incorporate a variety of activity styles to accommodate people’s preferences and comfort levels. Some activities can be more active (like hiking and yoga), while others could be more laid-back (like board games or crafts). 

Include different options for people with varying physical needs and capabilities. If there’s a strenuous hike option, plan a shorter guided loop for those with different needs. 

You could make personal sessions where everyone has the chance to share a bit about their lives outside of the workplace, and even offer people the opportunity to teach their colleagues about something they have a passion for. AvantStay retreat coordinators can help book activities like mixology classes, beach picnics, and more if you want someone else to take care of the planning!

Remember, team-building activities aren’t just about bringing your team closer together in a work environment. It’s about building relationships and helping people get to know their colleagues better. Ideally, your employees will leave the retreat feeling like they’ve developed friendships with their colleagues.

6. Organize work sessions

Retreats can be fun, but you’ll likely need to get some work done at some point. Check that the venue has everything you need, including comfortable work seating, WiFi, and meeting rooms.
While working on a retreat doesn’t always sound appealing, it can be a fantastic opportunity for remote-work companies to have in-person brainstorming sessions, which are often more productive than over the phone. It can be hard to achieve a sense of teamwork in a remote team, so factoring in some working hours during the retreat may help.

7. Provide restaurant recommendations and activities in the area

Sure, the retreat is technically a work thing. But you must schedule some downtime for your employees as well. Make sure you not only allow for some free time but also provide some recommendations of things to do.

One way to do this is to create a pamphlet or information card waiting for each employee on their bed when they check-in. The card could list information about restaurants, activities, and other interesting locations in the area. Include some that are walkable, and some that may require a drive, depending on what they’re feeling up for.

8. Create a post-retreat survey

No matter how much thought you put into planning your retreat, you can never really know how well it’ll go. That’s why it’s always good to talk to your employees and get a feel for how much they enjoyed it. You can take their feedback and use it when planning your next corporate retreat.

While you may have good relationships with some employees, not everyone will feel comfortable voicing any questions or concerns they had in one-on-one chats. You’ll want to make sure you get as much honest feedback as you can.

Consider creating an anonymous post-retreat survey. That will allow people to be as honest as they want without fear of retribution.

But if you send out one of these surveys, just make sure the leadership team takes any concerns or suggestions into consideration when planning the next retreat. People will notice (and appreciate!) the change, but they’ll also notice if their concerns get ignored year after year.

Final thoughts

A company retreat is going to be as good as you make it. So make sure you put in the necessary work to plan a good one.

That idea can seem overwhelming, but if you follow the steps we outlined above, you can get it done in no time.

Remember that everyone is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach probably isn’t best. Consider who’s going on the retreat and build a flexible schedule with something included for everyone. Not everyone has to love every aspect of the trip, but you want everyone to enjoy at least some parts of it.

Lastly, as the person leading the retreat, remember to have fun. The planning process can be stressful, and by the time you’re going on the retreat, you’ve probably been thinking about it and worrying over the details for months. This trip is about having fun and building relationships– you don’t want to miss out on that.

Have fun and happy planning! Here’s to hoping your next retreat is a huge success!

Hurricanes are a part of life for those who live near the water, and if you’re planning a vacation in one of the many areas that are prone to hurricane weather, it is important to be prepared. Here are some helpful tips to know before you travel to Key West or any other major hurricane hotspot.

When is Hurricane Season?

Hurricane Season begins in June and lasts through November. Peak season is mid-August to late October. There is an average of 6 hurricanes a year, approximately 3 are considered “major” in Hurricane Season.

Travel Insurance

As we all know, plans can change so we strongly advise guests to purchase travel insurance.  Lucky for our customers, after completing a booking on the AvantStay website, guests will be given the option to add Allianz Insurance protection to their stay.

Vacation Hurricane Safety Tips & Preparation

• Purchase Travel Insurance – Normally the insurance policy needs to be purchased prior to a storm being named. Travel insurance doesn’t ALWAYS protect you so ensure to ask as many questions as possible so that there is a clear understanding of the policy.  (Also check the refund policies).
• Hurricane Policies – Contact the establishment in which you are staying during a vacation to request details on their hurricane policies. 
• Download Health and Safety Apps – There are some apps such as “The Red Cross Hurricane App” that will allow you to track hurricanes and weather conditions in specific areas. Some apps will also give Storm Warning Alerts.
• Keep a copy of all important documents – i.e. Itineraries, Driver’s Licenses, credit cards, and passport ID page in case the originals are lost or damaged.
• Have an emergency plan in place – Ensure everyone in your travel party and maybe someone back home knows of it.
• Have storm supplies handy – Of course, you do not want to pack a huge amount of things but if possible find a way to pack a few supplies that may come in handy if a storm arrives. Here are some items which are helpful to have:
  • First aid kit
  • Bottled water
  • Mini flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Rain gear
  • Blankets
  • Canned foods
  • Can opener

It is important to have “all of your ducks in a row” when traveling during such an unpredictable time. Although storms cannot be prevented, we can prepare ourselves as much as possible.

Remember safety for yourself, family and friends are most important.

If you can believe it, these items truly were left at our homes. We’re happy to report that most of them were claimed and returned to their owners – even the family dog that we absolutely got emotionally attached to. 

Here’s all the tea on these (un)forgettable items, straight from the source (our area managers).

Tesla

Yeah, this one surprised us too. These vacationers left their Tessie in the garage of one of our vacation homes for over two weeks because they lost their keys. Unfortunately, they actually did come back for it.

Single Sock

No, the washing machine didn’t eat the other one. Places we’ve found them: the drawer, in between the mattress, on the stairs. We’ve found so many socks in so many places we could honestly rebrand as a clothing accessory store.

The Family Dog

For what it’s worth, he was a very good boy. When a family vacation came to an end, they packed up their two cars to hit the road. The guests in the first car thought the guests in the second car had the dog—and vice versa. The poor pup was left behind. Our team quickly notified the guests and reunited them with their furry family member. 

Pull Up Bar Station

Because the grind doesn’t stop on vacay. This item was literally left in the front yard of one of our homes. We don’t know the full story, but we’re oh-so curious as to how they could forget such a large item behind and hope they’re enjoying swoll season wherever they are now.

Phone Charger

One of the most commonly left behind items: the phone charger. Honestly, if your group doesn’t leave at least one of these behind we’ll be shocked. From iPhones to Androids and even flip phones, our area managers rescue enough chargers to power a small city.

MacBook Pro

Personally, we wish they’d left the new AirPods instead. One guest left their MacBook Pro in a desk drawer at one of our homes and didn’t even realize they had left it behind. We ended up overnighting it to them when we found it so that they could clock in for work the next day.

“Back Massager“

It definitely massages…something. This item (amongst others of its kind) was found in a shoebox under the bed. We should also mention there was a bonus pregnancy test included in the box.

Wedding Ring

Trouble in paradise, huh? Jewelry is one of the most commonly left behind items. Whether you’re taking it off to wash your hands or taking it off before bed, be sure to grab your ring to avoid any awkward conversations with your partner when you get home. 

Family Portrait

Who leaves a family portrait behind? Especially a family this familiar. We’re not really sure why someone would travel with a framed copy of this, but the back is signed by “Jim.” So if you’re looking for a nice family photo to add to your office, as we all are, take a bet on this one.

Let this be a cautionary tale to always double-check that you’ve grabbed your belongings before you check out of one of our vacation homes! We’ll always reach out if we find your things, but we have a feeling you want to avoid being the main character in a story like the Tesla’s.

The winter months have officially arrived, and quickly transitioning your home from trick-or-treat friendly to family feast ready can be stressful. Given that this is the time of year when you should be winding down, opening up your doors to host an event can be overwhelming. So why not open up ours? 

Elevate your holidays by hosting your plans in an AvantStay vacation home – where you can leave the prep and cleanup to us, so you can focus on the personal touches that make entertaining your guests worth it! Whether you’re hosting Friendsgiving, Christmas dinner, or ringing in the New Year with your loved ones, we’ve got you covered with 15 tips that are sure to crown you the hostess with the mostest. 

1. Co-host with a friend or close family member

You don’t have to do it all! Take a breather knowing that you have help from a trusted co-host who can help split and delegate tasks with you. Is one of you a better baker than the other? One has a better eye for design and decoration? There are no hard rules here, but simply knowing that someone has your back can relieve the pressure of tackling a holiday party on your own. 

2. Lean on the AvantStay app

Our app was designed to cater to all your vacation needs. With upgrades and experiences from stocking your fridge before your arrival, mid-stay cleans, itinerary planning, and even coordinating a private bartender or private chef for you, we’ve got you covered.

3. Stay organized and plan ahead

This one may seem obvious, but being proactive and maintaining a checklist minimizes surprises and helps to ensure that nothing gets forgotten. If you’re hosting a potluck, keep a running list of what everyone is bringing to avoid duplicates and/or missing pieces. Be sure to confirm your guests, reinforce dates and times, and keep a cooking schedule on hand. This is particularly true for Friendsgiving since there’s no official date for this “holiday.” 

4. Designate rooms for each guest

When planning for an overnight stay, bypass the last-minute scrambling by assigning everyone rooms before check-in. Fortunately, we have a “choose your room” feature in our app where you and your added guests can effortlessly see all rooms and beds and reserve your pick. From the bookings tab, simply locate your reservation, select “choose rooms” under the Guests and Rooms section, and then swipe through each room while adding a name to each room.   

5. Curate your music just right

Once you’ve happily arrived, it’s time to personalize your vacation home to your ideal vibe. One of the most important ways to set the mood is with the perfect album or playlist. Select AvantStay homes, like Chicory, are vinyl-ready with record players waiting for you. If you prefer more of a mix, create a collaborative playlist on your favorite streaming platform. And if you’re feeling especially adventurous, there are plenty of premade playlists out there eager to be set on shuffle.

6. Ambience is everything

Musical stimulation is only one piece of the puzzle which is ambience. Think of a cozily lit fireplace, perfectly dimmed mood lighting, or diversifying each and every space for a different activity. You can make your guests feel welcome by ensuring that they feel right at home. This is extremely easy to do at all of our vacation homes because they are designed by professional (award-winning!)  interior designers rather than just anyone.

7. Entertainment for all

What’s your preference? Playing a game, watching a movie in a home theater, or cozying up by an outdoor firepit? No need to choose just one! Our homes are set up with all the amenities to ensure that there will never be a moment of boredom between the feast and festivities. 

8. Have a signature something

Think signature party favor, activity, centerpieces, or even themes! Having an on-brand something that your guests associate with your events (and therefore get excited for) is always a win.

9. All the libations for a memorable celebration

What celebration is complete without a cocktail or mocktail station? Our homes allow you to easily create your own self-serve bar with features like wine coolers, beverage stations, and wet bars like Chateau Syrah’s. Take it a step further by providing a menu of go-to recipes for your guests! Put a spin on classic cocktails by creating a naming convention around the holiday theme such as ‘Cold Turkey’ or ‘Bloody Merry.’ We’ve even compiled some of our favorite tequila recipes for you.

10. Snacks, Snacks, Snacks!

As everyone gathers and mingles, it’s always a great idea to have finger foods ready to go. From a charcuterie board to the all-time favorite chip bowl, we’ve got gourmet kitchens (that can be fully stocked upon request) ready to handle whatever gets your guests’ mouths watering.

11. Clean as you cook

One of the best pieces of advice any host or home cook has passed down is “clean as you cook.” In a home like Castle Rock, with not one, but two dishwashers at your disposal, we make it easy to tackle the cleanup after a feast of any kind. 

12. Create new traditions

Here’s your chance to get really creative. Is there an activity that brings you overwhelming joy? Maybe it’s taking an annual road trip, doing a white elephant gift exchange, or baking a holiday treat together. Choose something that not only sounds fun to you but will keep your guests looking forward to your hosted events in the future – the power is in your hands. Your tradition could even become experiencing the holidays in a different AvantStay home every year! 

13. Document all the moments

It’s easy to get so caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle that you don’t take a minute to be present and capture the moments. Whether you provide disposable cameras to your guests, set up a photo station, or take advantage of the photo booth we already have at The Monkey Tree Hotel, don’t be afraid to pause and pose. Let the memories serve as a reminder of what an amazing time you had on your group trip. 

14. Treat yourself to some self-care

Once it’s all said and done, take a pause. Don’t get so caught up in catering to your guests that you end up neglecting yourself. Use our app to book an in-home massage, or you can take a moment to de-stress in an in-home sauna like Nightstar’s. Some other ways to relax in our homes include sleeping in extra late, taking a bubble bath, or curling up on the couch to binge-watch your favorite holiday sitcom episodes. Tend to your needs, because at the end of the day, it’s meant to be a vacation for you as well.