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. I like to see many photographs, check the area on Google maps, look up information and pictures of the local town, attractions etc.

We often stay in National Trust holiday cottages and they have always been lovely.

Glad you have decided to have a conversation. Agree about the lack of local things to do should make a place a no-no, and you should know what you are getting for your money.

Yanbu. Might as well stay at home.

For us it has to be a house that looks nicer than the one we live in, or has something really interesting to bring to the holiday.

Don't let your DH do it, especially if you have a decent budget. But be aware this year is nuts, loads of properties are booked already and much more expensive than usual.

I normally present DH with some options. Too much choice takes ages with him!

YANBU.

I like self-catering holidays, we have booked one in Dorset for this summer. But I want to see lots of pictures, and stay in somewhere as nice as home. Sykes cottages has been good for us.

You need to cut him out of the booking process.

We were going to book a cottage this year but left it a bit late and whilst there's availability the prices have been inflated and i just can't justify it.

We are going camping instead. £200, 5 minute walk from the beach, lots of walks etc.

Some of the cottages were stunning but omg Add a zero to the cost of camping. Saying that, we have been camping for years and have all the gear which probably would cost more than the cottages to replace. It doest have to. We started with a tent and a couple of air beds.

We gave D D the choice, camping or cottage (shes 15) and it was camping hands down.

Some of these "cottages" were on bog standard housing estates , just like where i live. That is not going to feel like a holiday.

Tell him that after the 2019 debacle you've decided you're going to do the location/accommodation choosing. This isn't snobby, you'll do a better job so it's just sensible.

Fortunately DH doesn't choose crappy quality places but some of the locations are questionable, we had a similar conversation yesterday where I very clearly explained that I do not want 'quiet, peaceful, away from it all' we have 2x primary DC and nothing to do/see is not an option!

Im quite keen to know the name of the site...

It also seems an odd way to look for somewhere - we'll decide we want to go to Cumbria, or Dorset, or Anglesey or wherever and then look for a house based on that. Randomly booking a cottage with no clue about what there is to do seems a bit weird.

Www.cottageguide.co.uk

Some properties have links then onto the owners sites but the pics are just as bad.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

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).

Oh my goodness. Sorry that is so bad it’s funny! And he hasn’t learned from this?!

You are but a snob at all, you have very normal expectations!

Life is just too short. We really splash out on holidays and work hard every year to afford them. Would rather stay at home then go somewhere crap that isn’t the same or more luxurious then where we live.

We have stayed at the Burj al Arab in Dubai and the Nam Hai in Hoi Ann which are £££ but I am always looking for a bargain. I also rate Premier Inn’s for a stay if appropriate if say we need to break a journey or have a quick overnight stay before returning home. I find Trip Advisor very useful to help me plan. No way do I want to be in the middle of nowhere.

As PP say the best stuff has now gone and if your DH is setting a budget based on normal prices you are going to end up with this sort of thing.

The prices a lot of places are charging is another issue entirely. I know that they have been badly hit but they better live up to the prices they are charging this year. God help them if it rains...

I have a few UK breaks organised but am also planning a couple of abroad breaks at green list countries.

Choose the location first. Then see what accommodation is within your budget.

A stressful holiday is no holiday at all, I'd rather stay home and do days out/picnics in the garden than waste money on a holiday so awful we left early.

My first point would be why is your organising the holiday? You have some clear preferences so why don’t you look up where you want to stay?
Secondly, you are doing it the wrong way round. I book UK trips for the 5 of us all the time. The first thing I look for is what an area has to offer in terms of days out. That decides the area and then I look at properties.
Properties need to have several pictures. I then look at the exact location and how far it is away from everything. I then street google view to see if there are any obvious flaws ie next to a rail line or next to major road or junction. Google maps also gives me a better idea of property size and garden size and view from the garden.
I then google for reviewes from other websites and that had often turned my decision.
We spend a lot on a weeks UK property so It has to be perfect

I always start with what do we want to do and use trip advisor and Google maps to work out the best general areas.

We were discussing the Scottish highlands, and for me, that suited us. Plenty to do. Large area to look. I'd expect with the rise in prices this year to get a flat rather than a cottage but that's ok as long as we can walk to the playground.

My first point would be why is your organising the holiday?

He isnt. We share a holiday WhatsApp and send links to each other for the other to look at days out/accom etc. We will decide together. Just his suggestions are, in the main, awful.

You have some clear preferences so why don’t you look up where you want to stay?

I have. As I said above I only share links to places which have stuff to do nearby

Secondly, you are doing it the wrong way round. I book UK trips for the 5 of us all the time. The first thing I look for is what an area has to offer in terms of days out. That decides the area and then I look at properties

This is what I do! He isnt.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

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).

That sounds like it was near me!

Why is wanting a decent standard being snobby? I always booked holidays when dc were small, as the last thing I wanted in self catering was a badly equipped kitchen, crappy furniture and a shit location.

We book self catering a lot
In one now ..converted dairy ..it's awesome

I have a list of Must Haves
Generally it has to be as good as or better than my own home ..

Nooooooooo, you are doing this all wrong. Beat him at his own game. Find the shitiest holiday you can and send him a link
My first nomination is a holiday camp in camber sands

I am snobby. If it doesnt have white sheets, white walls, a new kitchen, ideally flag or wooden floors and clean modern bathroom then we don't book.

We live in a beautiful house in a beautiful place. Ditto what previous posters say above - if it isn't better than home, don't go.

Sounds like you need to take over the search OP!

God, that website is AWFUL! So antiquated looking! 😆