Am I being a holiday snob?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Looking to book a cottage/apartmenr (uk) for a weeks break at some point over the summer. There are, thankfully; still places to choose from. We have two DC 7 and 10.

Dh keeps sending me links to places that just dont look comfortable at all. He is a fan of a particular holiday let website that only ever seems to upload one or two pics of each place, and 100% of the properties on there look like they've not had so much as a lick of paint or a new mattress since the 1940s.

I honestly am not a snob. But I feel like I'm being made out to be one when it comes to these places.

They are all off the beaten track, no beaches near or attractions to visit near.

They (in the main) do cost less than going to more touristy areas but what's the point in saving 100/200 if there is literally nothing to do?

2019 he chose somewhere off this site that was similar to all the other ones - shabby and v v old, location was truly awful, I did the whole "it will be what we make of it" and we both found the trip so crap that we did the same (one) attraction with the kids twice in one week, and left a day early. It was so disappointing.

I just think the ages they are I would like

1. To see more of the place I'm staying, not 1/2 pics
2. To have days out available (kids at an age where they are ready to do a theme park, or failing that good beaches)
3. I'd like the place to look and feel comfortable. We spend evenings in the property as our kids crash out by 8pm. I want it to be at least as comfy as sitting on my sofa at home!

YANBU at all. Don’t agree to one of those places they sound crap. If DH wants to save money then Airbnb could be an option.

We are currently et ‘the bay’ in Filey. Ticks a lot of your criteria. Aria resorts is the owner site but loads of air B and B which is who we booked through

We arent even in a situation where going cheap means a holiday is possible. We can stretch a bit more to get something better.

I acknowledge that the funds saved on the property can then be used on days out but only if there is stuff to do.

One of the places he has linked is an 8hr drive away, and he has no idea what the area has to offer. It just seems a bonkers way to book a trip.

100% with you.

DH and I have a rule that anywhere we go on holiday has to be 'better' than where we live (which is a lovely holiday destination in itself) So either the property has to be really luxurious or the location has to be incredible with lots to do or something truly amazing to see.

Travelling with young kids is hard work as it is, there's no point paying to go somewhere to be miserable, uncomfortable or bored!

YANBU, I need a virtual tour at least and I have actually rejected holiday lets because I didn't like the furniture.
Location is really important, and I always research the are and make sure there's stuff for everyone to do.
I think you'll have to put your foot down.

I dont even share links to places if, when I Google the area (1hr drive around it), I cant find at least 3 places of interest to visit (even beaches/good play parks count).

What to do when we get there is important to me.

I feel like for the last few years sorting this has given me a smidge of anxiety.

I am totally with you. I like to have a list of possible outings ready before we go. Nothing worse than sitting there trying to work out what to do/where to go every day.
Plus you'll be spending a lot of time in the car. What's his thinking behind all this?

Are we married to the same man?

My OH always books crappy old houses near very little. His interests are cooking and occasionally fishing or walking which can be done in any remote place near a beach or river so I suppose it suits him. I would like to go out somewhere nice for dinner, browse some lovely shops, go sightseeing etc. I cannot WAIT for DD to be big enough to express a preference

YANBU.

Shit locations on holiday are not only a waste of money and time but you’ll return feeling stressed from your ‘holiday’ which is never a good thing.

I'd rather choose what to do first then look for somewhere to stay that facilitates that.

I stayed in a place in Liskeard last year. We stayed in a converted Nissan hut.

There on a farm so kids can see the animals and there's a local wood you can walk in.

Shirt car drive to attractions or beaches.

The prices were great. And you can take dogs if you have them.

www.dogs-holiday.co.uk/tariff-all.asp

Thanks I'll take a look. Cornwall isnt even the place we are aiming for - it's just one of the locations he has thrown up from this God awful site.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz YANBU at all 😊 My DH is exactly the same! Although, mine just doesn’t pay the slightest bit of attention!

“this one is right on the beach - would be amazing for DS! I’ll book it”
I click the link to look at a shabby little cottage and read the info to find it’s a 20 minute drive from the beach but is titled as a ‘beach cottage’ 🙄
We LIVE a 2 minute walk from the beach 🙄🤣

He’s the same when we go abroad though - “we won’t spend much time in the hotel so it doesn’t really matter” - as he’s sending me links to some random little hotel down a dodgy back street with a postage stamp sized swimming pool 😅🤣
Completely agree with @PrimeraVez - where you’re going has to be better than where you’re coming from 😊 whether that’s a luxury property, or exciting things to see and do etc.

I am snobby about holidays and I don’t mind admitting it 😊 we don’t get to go on a huge number due to work commitments so when we do go then I like it to be as luxurious as we can afford 😊

If you're leaving somewhere a day early the saving made is being thrown away. I'm somewhere in between you as I like remote and a bargain but I'm 100% with you on comfort. If you google the name of the places he is suggesting you might find more pictures. People often market their property over more than one platform.

The place we left early, the only beach worth visiting (ie not grey swamp river bed edge) was underneath a nuclear power plant. It was like an scene from A Series of Unfortunate Events.

And the only day out was a farm park (we have two identical ones near our house).

Walks were pretty much a no go as the cottage was in the middle of a run down industrial estate (small run of tiny cottages in the middle most of which had scrap vehicles parked around them).

We managed a drive into the nearest town thinking at least there would be a playpark - swings had been cut down).

No, I don't think you're being a snob at all. If the place you'd be staying is not as comfortable as your home and not near anything fun to do, why even go. And I agree that you can't tell much about a place from only one or two photos too. If he feels that a bit plushier, more fun place is outside the budget, I'd rather cut a couple of days off the trip and use that money to stay somewhere better.

Yes that’s crap. We have a holiday let. It has at least 20+ pictures of all main things people would want to know on places like booking or air B and B , and has its own full website with extra pictures, detailed info and places to go.

If you look on booking.com you can filter by price, location but also distance from x or features included ie an outdoor space

If the place looks less comfortable than your own home, then it really needs to have something else that appeals - e.g. being in the middle of a very interesting city, walking distance to a nice beach, onsite facilities that you will enjoy using etc

If it's just a shitty shack near nothing good, then what's the point?

If that's being a holiday snob I'm a hundred percent with you OP!

I am so happy you are all in agreement. I'll have a chat with dh tonight and we can go from there.

Holidays should be a pleasing break. I don't think holiday accommodation should be better than one's home but it should be immaculate, well planned and well furnished.

I told dh very early on that I didn't do less than 4* and I do not camp - ever.

We always rent a cottage smaller than our own house (the kids share a room on holiday). Sometimes it's done out nicer than ours, sometimes not. The key thing for me is location.

What does he think of your choices? Are they a lot more expensive than his?

Why don’t you book something this year for a change?
I wouldn’t want to stay in places that I don’t actually like or find comfortable.

Looking this late for a summer holiday means that the good stuff is likely to be gone or they have hiked their prices up. So if you want somewhere nice it is likely to be more expensive than the current price range you are looking in (which is why you are seeing stuff that is in the middle of nowhere and tatty). If your DH is doing the searches he is probably setting a maximum price per week and that is why you are seeing all the rubbish. And, I don't think you are being a 'snob' for wanting somewhere comfortable with good amenities nearby. It probably means you need to spend more though.

YANBU. Like you say, the place has to be lux or offer something we don’t have (grounds/views) or the location has to be brilliant for sightseeing.