Make the most of the exotic vibes.
Maybe it’s the somehow very ~adult~ sexiness of a hotel room, or maybe it’s just the fact that you can finally chill TF out and relax for the first time in…IDK, ever (?), but there’s just something about vacation sex. From the inherently horny perfection of a hotel bed just waiting to be all kinds of messed up to the sheer novelty of getting it on in a new locale, there’s a reason sex away from home has a reputation for being some of the hottest there is.
But what is it about vacation sex that’s just so freakin’ hot? Hint: It’s not necessarily because you ate those oysters at your fancy dinner. As it turns out, the reason vacation sex seems to permanently reside in best-sex-ever territory has less to do with fancy hotel rooms or exotic vibes than the simple fact that being in a new place, away from the humdrum routines that rule your everyday life, makes it easier to tap into your sexiest self.
Obviously, the day-to-day chores, stressors, and boredom of normal life tend to be “sexual inhibitors, or brakes,” says psychotherapist Rachel Wright, a sex expert for Zumio. “They stop our system from wanting and engaging in sex.” But when we’re in vacation mode—which, for most of us, means actively taking time to unwind and escape from our regularly scheduled work-Netflix-sleep-repeat grind—“our brains are much more present,” Wright explains. In news that is surprising to literally no one, it turns out a more present, less stressed brain equals better, hotter sex.
Not to mention, even the most relaxing, beach-bums-only vacation is ripe for novelty and adventure—if only between the freshly cleaned sheets waiting for you on the California King in your hotel room. “Taking a trip dedicated to relaxation creates newness, a sense of adventure, and opportunity,” says sex therapist Casey Tanner, an expert for Lelo. Unsurprisingly, all of that newness and adventure tends to translate to “sex that feels hotter, more connective, and easier to initiate,” says Tanner.
Ready to take full advantage of all the sexy potential of your next exotic (read: erotic) getaway? Go ahead and slap that “do not disturb” sign on the door and follow these nine expert tips for the hottest vacation sex of your life.
1. Take advantage of *all* the hotel room furniture.
Any room can be a sex room if you make it one, and a hotel room is kind of the ultimate sex room. Yes, the bed is probably large, comfy and freshly cleaned—it’s a great place to start! But if your vacation sex itinerary begins and ends on the bed, you’re missing out. From the chair to the desk to getting bent over the bathroom sink in front of the mirror (my personal recommendation!), your hotel room is literally full of furniture just begging to be defiled.
2. Treat yourself to a little afternoon delight.
Again, the thrill of vacation sex is all about breaking out of your usual routine. According to Tanner, ??getting it on during times of the day that wouldn’t normally be available to you is a great way to make the most of vacation sex. If you and your partner are typically morning or night sex people, try mixing things up with a little mid-day bang sesh.
3. Take your time!
When you’re trying to squeeze sex into a jam-packed day already filled with work, errands, and catching up on your latest streaming obsession, it can be easy to end up rushing through the good stuff to get on with your day. Not that there’s anything wrong with a good quickie, but a vacation is a great opportunity to slow TF down for once. “This is a chance to take your time, both during the sex itself and with aftercare,” says Tanner. When you’re fully relaxed with no place to be but the beach, there’s literally no reason to rush.
4. Force yourself not to work.
As someone who is also guilty of checking emails while away, this is so important. “It defeats the purpose of getting the rejuvenation you and your body need,” says sex therapist and pleasure expert Rachel Allyn, PhD. So leave the laptop behind, snooze those Slack notifications, and think of “doing work” in other, sexier, contexts instead.
5. Get reacquainted with your bod.
Oh, hi, remember her? She’s begging to be touched and appreciated. Start by noticing the new sounds, sights, smells, and tastes of your surroundings, as well as the titillating touch of your partner. This will definitely turn you on in a fresh way and make everything during sex feel so much better.
6. Lube up.
Really. Like water, lube is one of the necessities of life. It just makes everything slip and fit a little (by which we mean A LOT) better. It doesn't matter how excited you may get au naturel, a few drops of lube can take your vacation sex up to fire levels.
7. Let your stress really go.
It’s easy to become disconnected from your body during sexy time with your partner, especially when you have a million different thoughts roaming through that head of yours. But use vacation sex as a time to connect to the sexual pampering you're experiencing, says Allyn. Vacation is a time when you are—or should be—the most relaxed, so ease your mind and all expectations and just enjoy every sensation.
8. Don't count how many times you've done it.
Remember, this is vacation...not an all-day fuck festival. While it’s totally fine if it happens to end up that way (do you!), you two are also there to bond, share new experiences, and grow closer to each other. “Don’t put expectations on yourself or your partner,” says Wright. “Know that, for some people, it takes a bit to adjust into vacation mode, and that’s okay.” Go with the flow, and don’t get too hung up on how frequently you two are sexing. Instead, concentrate on how deeply you’re sexing.
9. Try new, playful moves.
This is your time to be as goofy and carefree as you'd like. “Being silly and laughing together not only bonds you, but it’s also a fantastic form of foreplay,” says Allyn. Make it a point to get outside your comfort zones and fulfill both of your desires via fantasy or role-playing. You're away and feeling yourself, after all! Into the idea of light kink play? Use a towel or your swimsuit strap to tie each other up, suggests Allyn. Remember, the limit to sexiness while having vacation sex does not exist!
Taylor Andrews and Kayla Kibbe
