Is a villa holiday a real break or just same shit, different place?

[longnavyskirt]

Idly browsing 2021 holidays (they are so dear, I thought I'd get a bargain).

I love the idea of having our own space, especially in the heat. The kids are also good swimmers so it would be lovely to have a run at a pool of our own.

[superram]

We always go for a villa. We make sure the pool is heated, the tv has English channels and WiFi. They have a washer so I can do laundry there-it’s not a chore as we wear swimmers all day and dries in seconds. We always take carry on luggage as tight! We bbq or eat out fir dinner but breakfast and lunch at home. I wouldn’t cook much but very relaxing as I can get gin at my convenience.

[Bunnybigears]

I found them a real break but thats because I can turn off. I wasn't constabtly trying to clean etc we just did a quick clean around before we left, we didn't really cook apart from fun cooking like barbecues etc. We ate out or just did simple salads and cheese and bread etc. If you re going to be worrying about tidying and doing 3 proper meals a day then don't bother.

[Foghead]

We always do villas or apartments. It is a bit more work but it works for us.
We buy breakfast and snacks when we get there so we always have a relaxed breakfast whenever we decide to get up and then chill by the pool or go out, give dc snacks and find somewhere for dinner.

[Campervan69]

We much prefer them. You have so much more space than a hotel. Feels a lot freer somehow.

[Foghead]

And the dcs love checking out the foreign supermarkets. It’s part of the fun of the holiday.

[longnavyskirt]

I also like a foreign supermarket, but possibly not as much as I like hotel breakfasts

[grassisjeweled]

Obviously it's more work in a chalet, but if your kids don't each much anyway, it can save a lot of money.

[Ginfordinner]

We prefer self catering, but we don't really self cater. None of use like a big breakfast - just a slice or two of toast. Lunch is usually a sandwich, and we eat out in the evening.

[SingingSands]

We always do villa or apartments, I don't like being surrounded by other people on holiday

We eat out at night, and love a trip round a Spanish supermarket for breakfast and lunch stuff - and those massive bags of Leys crisps and little bottles of beer for snacking round the pool.

[Yamashita40]

I love a villa. Nice lie ins and no rush to get up, showered and dressed for breakfast. My youngest has no interest in food so it's much easier to just give him what he wants at our own convenience. You can still eat out every night if you want with pre drinks on the terrace.
Just get easy stuff for lunch like fresh bread, fruit, cheese, cooked meats etc.
No listening to other kids screaming next to the pool or jostling for space for a sun lounger.
Makes me want to go on holiday!

[longnavyskirt]

but if your kids don't each much anyway



Ah. Well

I have terrible holiday blues tonight. I do really like the idea of being able to have a bit more space than a hotel room, and more privacy.

[FatGirlShrinking]

We always go self catering where possible.

I much prefer a quick trip to a fascinating supermarket on the first day to stock up on bread, cheese, fruit, veg, crisps and yoghurts to feeling like I have to be up and out of the hotel room early to source a place for breakfast.

Tend to have lunch and evening meal out and about although sometimes have a pool day at the villa with a salad or sandwich lunch, or an evening bbq.

[squishedlemons]

I love the idea of a villa but then like you op I think I would miss the breakfast and ice cream and I think the kids would miss making friends and the mini disco. But it would be nice not to have to stress about finding a sunbed!

[Circusoflove]

I do both types of holiday. Love villas because of the space and privacy, and the option to eat out at different restaurants and have more of a local experience. What I do not like is going to the supermarket every bloody day which seems to be almost inevitable. Hotel holidays give more time to just be on holiday in my opinion. There always seems to be something to do in a villa much like at home even if it’s just loading the dishwasher or going to buy loo roll.

[movingonup20]

Hate them! I like a hotel with restaurant for breakfast then go out for dinner (b&b) I cook at home. Exception is France where I don't mind self catering as long as it's a short walk to the bakers and restaurants in walking distance but I love their markets so don't mind cooking once or twice

[movingonup20]

Ps also have holiday blues, idling looking at hotels in Germany currently for next summer

[GlowingOrb]

I’m fine with a villa holiday as most meals are eaten out or are takeaway. I hate cooking on holiday. The most I want to do is pour a bowl of cereal or make a simple sandwich.

[longnavyskirt]

Are you finding that prices are very high too, moving?

[TheWelshposter]

I'm torn because I love the freedom and privacy of a villa but I don't like the trips to Aldi, washing up and sweeping floors as if I was back home.
I like the buzz of a hotel minidisco, the breakfasts, and coming back to a cool cleaned bedroom in the evening!

[ILoveYoga]

We’ve been away where it’s been such a treat staying in a villa if they’re well equipped and everyone helps out or we eat out frequently.

Otherwise if I’m left to do the shopping, cooking, washing up and tidying then it’s no break.

[LolaSmiles]

Whether it is holiday or same shit different place will probably depend on your DP and how you do the holiday.

A villa or self.catering where you eat out lots, and DP does his share, you all go to the shops etc is probably quite fun.

A villa holiday where DP does fuck all because he's on holiday and mum ends up doing everything is same shit different place.

[PontiacBandit]

I love a villa holiday but we hate socialising with others on holiday. We usually eat out once a day, either a big lunch or dinner. I like the freedom of doing whatever and having our own pool. A big nope to organised fun so no cruises or hotels. It does make it more expensive so we go away less often than the hotel deals.

[longnavyskirt]

I'm not one for organised fun either. DH does his share and also hates the heat so I think it would suit him well to have more inside space.

Stupid question- how do you check they are well equipped? Reviews etc?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Eating breakfast on the veranda in your own time is bliss though.

[june2007]

I think it depends on what you want from a holiday. Some people wanta complete break from coooking/ housework. But I dn,t mind doing that eat in a few nights eat out a few works for me. But can you at the moment.?