To think this is unfair? Holiday.

I'd imagine most caravan sites have set caravans that dogs aren't allowed in due to others having allergies, so there's a possibility that that could take the decision out of your hands.

Why don't you arrive second, after her? That way she will get the first one?

God I think you're being utterly pathetic. They're both saver caravans, they'll be largely the same. You're being so incredibly petty. Her idea is sensible.

When you’re going to live on the extra paid activities / live in the club house and eat out most days you don’t care so much what your accommodation is like as your barely in it.

Wheres when I’m paying saying 2k a week for a sea view lodge I’m eating in there and watching the sea of an evening playing games with the children. Enjoying breakfast on the decking. So they get maybe a meal and the arcade out of me but I’ve coughed up to start with.

Just say the agreement was it's my turn to choose this time. So let's stick to that. Don't make arrangements for any more holidays with her.

Just choose the one with the best location as they’re both the spectre of caravan they’ll be the same inside.

even if the other one is nice inside, you’ll still have the nicer location. If the nicer location isn’t available when you arrive, just say no worries and take the dogs for a walk

Stop going on holiday with your selfish mother, for chrissake.

She’s your mum. I’m afraid mums always get the better room/caravan/seat or whatever it is. That’s how it works.

This is interesting- I’d never have known that!

Interesting that those who are prepared to/ can afford to spend less on the accommodation itself then spend more on site.

I don’t think I’d go with her tbh!

But I’d be thinking the second caravan is better for someone with dogs because

a.
right next to the path for walking them
b. They won’t disturb neighbours so much.

Is it because you thought she couldn't afford it that you paid and gave her the nicer caravan all this time, OP? It feels like there might be more going on in the background.

Either way, take the chance to decide if this is really how you want things to be going forward after this holiday. Just because you've done something for years, doesn't mean you have to keep doing it if it isn't making you happy.

Not really clear why youd book two such vastly different standard of rooms. And if she always gets the better room why suddenly you need the better room this time?

After reading all of the updates I just don’t see the problem.

You have continuously chosen to pay for the better caravan for her, I don’t get why. Clearly she doesn’t care because she has booked the cheaper one herself this time.

The standard of caravan is the same, so the only difference is in the location, you know the location in advance so why are you even discussing the whole situation of getting settled then checking etc…it’s pointless.

Tell her you would like the other caravan before you go, and explain that the location is better for the dogs. If she declines then there is nothing you can do about it because she has paid this time.

Next time when you pay just stop getting her the better one or get her to pay for herself. Issue is of your own making here

I agree with this actually.

I’m wondering if your mum has actually paid for an upgraded caravan but hasn’t told you, which is why she’s adamant that you check in first.

Can you call the park and just say you are arriving together so both are available? Or, if you drive together, time it so they are available by the time you get there?

I'd be inclined to cancel my booking and let Mum and partner go themselves tbh. It doesn't sound relaxing for you!

Do you even like your mother? She's does sound selfish but what a waste of time and emotions.

I understand the set up now regarding the different caravans and the history of who pays and that your mum is paying this time, but what I absolutely cannot understand is why you are skirting round the topic by saying “let’s check in to the first one and then we’ll see etc etc”
You know which one is the nicest one. The one by the sea / sand dunes. So you need to be upfront and spell it out.
“Mum, I know you’ve paid for this year as I was short on cash but I’d really love to have the 2nd caravan. I always let you choose which room / caravan you have and am usually happy to go with whatever, but it would mean a lot to me and be a real treat if I could have first choice this time.”

Why are we pussy footing around? You’ve paid for 10+ years of the previous breaks & always given her the best one!?

Are you actually sure both are saver bronze?

Although they dot them around site the location from the sound of it for the second caravan sounds like a premium location which they can command a higher price for.

They like to keep savers and bronzes close to the pub/club/arcades as people who pay less for their accommodation tend to spend more on site where where as people who pay for the prime locations tend to spend more time at their caravan/off site and spending less money on the site.

Same as the sun holidays they try to stick them as close to the clubhouse as possible so drain as much cash out of them that way.

They're both saver caravans I can't imagine there is much difference in them on the inside. Take the one with the better location.

Then stop going on holiday with your mum, it sounds like you don't enjoy it.

Don't you just get the key at the check out unit and say 'oh we've booked 2' go drive to both and see what one you want if your going that much ealier to get dogs settled

However

Just because you've always paid for better ones for her does not mean she does the same back, clearly - so it's not a hill i would die on if shes finally paid for you both for once.

How many people are going to need 2 caravans?

How far is the walk to the sea/trail you'd like?

So, normally you pay, and you choose to book better accommodation for your mother than yourself.

This year she's paying, and this is the year that you decide it's unfair if she gets the better accommodation. That seems a bit perverse.

I wonder if you've got a bit of built-up resentment that you've been paying all these years because you thought she couldn't afford it otherwise, and now it turns out that if you don't pay, she can.

Perhaps in the future you should just agree a week and each pay for (and choose) your own caravan.

Most people do bring their kids or pets on holiday. You don't have to have kids or pets, but if you do, you probably want to spend some of your limited non-working days together. And all they need to get is food and water, it's not as if you have to unpack for them.
OP, you say accommodation, guessing it's just rooms, you're not each having a cottage or something, are you? So you just put the pets in room one with bowls, then move them. If your friend doesn't like the idea of the pets being in your room, she shouldn't be going with you. She sounds cheeky.

Are you sure both allow pets?

Surely if you know exactly which caravan it is and the associated checking in time - then you know which one is the first and which one is the second?

If the nicer one is the second then perhaps say you can’t get there until that time.

It is lovely that you have paid for your mum for years - but ultimately that doesn’t matter because she is the one who has paid and booked for it this time and so unfortunately she does override you.

just make sure you arrive at the rooms at the later check in time. Have a drink at the bar on the way, or a coffee at the station etc

This is my reading.

However as other poster have said wouldn't names no of guest and which are pet allowed all be set when booking not once get there.

I'd also suggest you either stop hoilday together or make sure you book seperately and you book the accomodation you want.