question: This study examined jaystaycationer behaviors to complement the overly optimistic discussions of staycations in the literature. Guided by constructivist grounded theory, 10 frontline hotel workers in Hong Kong were interviewed to identify jaystaycationer behaviors during the pandemic that deviate from generally accepted social norms. A theoretical framework comprising six causes, four jaystaycationer types (i.e. attention seeker, benefit seeker, rule breaker, and property abuser), and seven hotel worker emotional and practical responses, is proposed. These findings critically investigate whether staycation is a better form of vacation from the perspective of hotel workers, laying a theoretical foundation for more comprehensive discussions of staycations. It also discusses the managerial implications for developing staycations in a better way.