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Original poster

'that £340 is too expensive for a staycation ?

162 replies

Isitameproblem · 06/03/2025 10:05

My friend decided that she wants to have one night in a nice spa hotel for one night. So far so good. They can leave their kids at home, but we can't, so hers is only £225 whereas ours is £340, no spa treatment, just bed and breakfast.

Isn't that a bit too steep?

OP posts:
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Biffbaff · 07/03/2025 13:12

Staycation/holiday is a false binary though.

A staycation is by definition a holiday (vacation) where you are to some extent staying put. Either in your home, home region or home country. The exact degree of "staying" is what's being debated, not the holiday aspect.

LoAndBeholden · 06/03/2025 17:24

Velmy · 06/03/2025 15:09

Because you're 'staying' in the UK, rather than 'going' somewhere else?

I can go to Scotland/Wales/Lake District/Cotswolds/whatever any weekend of the year. I'd call that a staycation, break or a weekend away, not a holiday.

"In the UK, the term has increasingly come to refer to domestic tourism: taking a holiday in one's own country as opposed to traveling abroad, as well as to staying home and participating in leisure activities within day trip distance of home and not requiring overnight accommodation."

I can't remember hearing the term pre-covid to be honest, when people were going on breaks within the UK because they couldn't fly anywhere else. That's the only context I've ever used it in.

If you're going somewhere near home and coming back to sleep in your own bed, that's just a day out.

To me a holiday is traveling to a different climate/language/culture for an extended period, not a couple of hours up the road.

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To me a holiday is traveling to a different climate/language/culture for an extended period, not a couple of hours up the road.

I live in London and would love a trip to the highlands of Scotland for a week. That would be a proper holiday to me. It would take me much longer to get there than Paris where I have been many times. It surprises me that people would not call that a holiday!

LoAndBeholden · 06/03/2025 17:21

For me a staycation is staying in my own home with days out. I have had UK trips that are more expensive and luxurious than a mini-break to Europe. Definitely a proper holiday!

LoAndBeholden · 06/03/2025 17:20

Motomum23 · 06/03/2025 16:33

I have 4 kids and have never had a babysitter or left them for evenings out - its not unfeasible for parents to not have a childcare system in place for pleasure.

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You have not had an evening meal out since having kids? Is that due to SEN?

Motomum23 · 06/03/2025 16:33

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 06/03/2025 14:43

Have you really got to a point where you have a 5 yr old and no reliable babysitter?
I get that you might not have someone you'd leave her overnight with but all the more reason to head home after dinner with your friends. Pay extra for the sitter to stay over so you can be as late as you like and you are up and doing the following morning irrespective of how hungover you are.

Then the costs should be vaguely sensible?

I have 4 kids and have never had a babysitter or left them for evenings out - its not unfeasible for parents to not have a childcare system in place for pleasure.

cardibach · 06/03/2025 15:21

Velmy · 06/03/2025 15:09

Because you're 'staying' in the UK, rather than 'going' somewhere else?

I can go to Scotland/Wales/Lake District/Cotswolds/whatever any weekend of the year. I'd call that a staycation, break or a weekend away, not a holiday.

"In the UK, the term has increasingly come to refer to domestic tourism: taking a holiday in one's own country as opposed to traveling abroad, as well as to staying home and participating in leisure activities within day trip distance of home and not requiring overnight accommodation."

I can't remember hearing the term pre-covid to be honest, when people were going on breaks within the UK because they couldn't fly anywhere else. That's the only context I've ever used it in.

If you're going somewhere near home and coming back to sleep in your own bed, that's just a day out.

To me a holiday is traveling to a different climate/language/culture for an extended period, not a couple of hours up the road.

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Your last sentence is my problem with it. Many, many people will not be able to travel abroad. Your word suggests their holiday in the Lakes or wherever isn’t a proper holiday. It’s comes across as a bit superior on your part.
If I travel to Edinburgh I’m not staying here. I’m travelling away from home for a break, otherwise known as a holiday.

Velmy · 06/03/2025 15:09

cardibach · 06/03/2025 14:31

I’d call it a holiday. Why does it need a word designed for a different situation? Why isn’t it a holiday?

Show quote history

Because you're 'staying' in the UK, rather than 'going' somewhere else?

I can go to Scotland/Wales/Lake District/Cotswolds/whatever any weekend of the year. I'd call that a staycation, break or a weekend away, not a holiday.

"In the UK, the term has increasingly come to refer to domestic tourism: taking a holiday in one's own country as opposed to traveling abroad, as well as to staying home and participating in leisure activities within day trip distance of home and not requiring overnight accommodation."

I can't remember hearing the term pre-covid to be honest, when people were going on breaks within the UK because they couldn't fly anywhere else. That's the only context I've ever used it in.

If you're going somewhere near home and coming back to sleep in your own bed, that's just a day out.

To me a holiday is traveling to a different climate/language/culture for an extended period, not a couple of hours up the road.

Original poster
Isitameproblem · 06/03/2025 14:53

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 06/03/2025 14:43

Have you really got to a point where you have a 5 yr old and no reliable babysitter?
I get that you might not have someone you'd leave her overnight with but all the more reason to head home after dinner with your friends. Pay extra for the sitter to stay over so you can be as late as you like and you are up and doing the following morning irrespective of how hungover you are.

Then the costs should be vaguely sensible?

Because we haven't needed one for years! We have the teenagers to look after him for the odd evening we go out, but would never leave the 5yo with them overnight.

We're going to suggest joining them for dinner as it seems like a halfway house.

OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 06/03/2025 14:43

Have you really got to a point where you have a 5 yr old and no reliable babysitter?
I get that you might not have someone you'd leave her overnight with but all the more reason to head home after dinner with your friends. Pay extra for the sitter to stay over so you can be as late as you like and you are up and doing the following morning irrespective of how hungover you are.

Then the costs should be vaguely sensible?

cardibach · 06/03/2025 14:31

Velmy · 06/03/2025 14:23

Yeah, that's what I'd call it. I'm in England...if I travel to Scotland, Wales or anywhere in England I call it a staycation.

Same language, don't have to change money etc.

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I’d call it a holiday. Why does it need a word designed for a different situation? Why isn’t it a holiday?

Isthiswhatmenthink · 06/03/2025 14:29

mondaytosunday · 06/03/2025 13:44

I wouldn't go to a spa hotel with kids. What's the point? Presumably you'll have to stay in the bedroom once your kids go to bed!

Quite. And if I was another resident of the hotel, the last thing I would want would be children around.

Velmy · 06/03/2025 14:23

cardibach · 06/03/2025 11:01

So if I go for two weeks holiday to the north of Scotland (from South awakes) it’s a staycation to you? Or would it have to be just 8n awakes? So if I went to Anglesey it wouldn’t be a holiday? I’d definitely call both holidays. All my childhood holidays were in the UK. Nobody would have thought we were ‘staying’ and I don’t now. The drift of ‘staycation’ to mean this sort of thing is really annoying and makes it seem like only travelling abroad is a proper break.

@Isitameproblem i would t do it with a small child whatever it cost. It won’t be fun to be at a spa with a small child. If it were further away, maybe, and treat it just as a weekend break, going out if the hotel to see and do things. As yours is so close to home there’s no point at all. Even if it cost pence.

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Yeah, that's what I'd call it. I'm in England...if I travel to Scotland, Wales or anywhere in England I call it a staycation.

Same language, don't have to change money etc.

mondaytosunday · 06/03/2025 13:44

I wouldn't go to a spa hotel with kids. What's the point? Presumably you'll have to stay in the bedroom once your kids go to bed!

Original poster
Isitameproblem · 06/03/2025 13:27

EternalSunshine19 · 06/03/2025 13:20

Its her 40th birthday and only invited you? She hasn't invited any other friends to this celebration?

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Yes only us two (DH and myself)

OP posts:
EternalSunshine19 · 06/03/2025 13:20

Isitameproblem · 06/03/2025 12:17

It's her 40th birthday celebration

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Its her 40th birthday and only invited you? She hasn't invited any other friends to this celebration?

Isthiswhatmenthink · 06/03/2025 13:08

What’s the point in going if you have to take your kid and can’t have any treatments? Sounds bloody awful.

ManchesterLu · 06/03/2025 13:07

It all depends on whether YOU think the money is worth it for you. If it's not, don't do it! Me and DP don't go away on big holidays, so we wouldn't mind spending this on a nice night away. But also other people absolutely wouldn't pay it.

LoAndBeholden · 06/03/2025 12:55

Isitameproblem · 06/03/2025 12:08

Yes At A LATER DATE - not this time with my friend.

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That was clear to me! The other poster going on about her hotel experience at the four seasons, was starting to drive me mad!

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 06/03/2025 12:45

I was replying to @Isitameproblem above .

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 06/03/2025 12:44

Yes, sorry, I hadn’t read the whole thread so hadn’t realised her husband was going too. Certainly wasn’t advocating paid child care for overnight. Just ignore my responses.

Biffbaff · 06/03/2025 12:40

Also I wouldn't spend that much money on a hotel night without spa!

Biffbaff · 06/03/2025 12:39

OED has both definitions of staycation. Pedants be gone!

YourHappyJadeEagle · 06/03/2025 12:37

No point in going to a fancy hotel with spa if you can’t use the facilities.

AthWat · 06/03/2025 12:37

Isitameproblem · 06/03/2025 12:17

It's her 40th birthday celebration

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Then she's old enough not to act like a child because it's her birthday.

Ellie1015 · 06/03/2025 12:33

It's her 40th birthday so I would be willing to spend a bit more than usual and follow her lead. However not like this. It is not worth it.

I would offer to celebrate with her another time and dh can babysit. Or do a family activity altogether with her child too. She can still have a spa break with her dh.