Touring caravan or self catering cottages etc

[Twospaniels]

We’re trying to decide whether to buy a caravan or not. We had one years ago when the kids were younger and really enjoyed it. But then we got busy with other activities and had less time to use it so sold it and had a week abroad, a week in the UK and a couple of weekends in self catering cottages.
Now the kids are adults and we are thinking about getting another caravan. For the budget we have though we could have maybe two weeks abroad each year, plus numerous weekends in the UK.
Not sure what to do.
We have a dog so are sometimes restricted on what cottages we can book, and obviously have to put him in kennels when we go abroad.
If we get a caravan providing the site is dog friendly he’ll always be able to come with us.
What would you do?

I never thought I would own a caravan but we bought one in 2018 - in Sep and have had lovely hols. There are growing numbers of adult only touring parks so nice and quiet. Some have facilities better than four star hotels. Our van is a two birth and roomy. We may upgrade to a fixed bed. Advantages are having your stuff - veg knife, chopping boards, pans, bedding and during the season can keep stuff ready. We have got hitching up to a fine art now. Downsides are obvs towing, ensuring you have a suitable tug, not being able to so easily stop at services, etc, teeny lanes! Upkeep - paying for storage and not keeping stuff in over winter ( damp), paying for servicing and also other bits to buy.

All that being said, I do really like it and we have had five long stays and two weekends away since we bought it. I am stuck with school hols so cottages for us are always expensive so it is much cheaper and we eat out more now.

I bought my little touring caravan a couple of years ago, and have used it more than I thought I would. I love that I can take my dog with me, and I’ve made a whole new group of friends through our little vans.

I'd go for another caravan. We are in a similar position to you in that we sold our caravan after 25 years of caravanning when our two were more interested in other types of holidays. We hope to buy another 'cheapish' caravan for short breaks mainly and of course we can take the dog.
Always loved having my own things around me and never had to wonder what standard of accommodation we were going to, however that said I have never all that keen on all the cleaning and tidying and packing up. However since there are only going to be the two of us I'm hoping it won't be so much.