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!

If you already live in the sort of place that has play farms nearby, how about booking somewhere in a city. We had to stay in York a few years ago for a family thing, used Premier Inn. Loads to do for the kids there and near by whatever the weather.

Weellll - to be fair to the website, I quite like the look of some of those cottages, especially the ones in West Yorks.
But each to their own - I like old-fashioned/retains original features style of thing - some people don't.

But if it's not what you're after, and he's not doing the basics of checking amenities (the few I looked at made a point of saying what the place was near to, and how easy access it was) then again, you need to either give him a list of what you require, or book yourself. :)

YANBU at all. Relatively cheap places still cost ££££.

I don’t expect very ‘stylish’ or everything matchy-matchy, but I do expect non worn or tatty, and a similar level of comfort to what I have at home, and those people who breezily like to tell you that ‘roughing it is part of the fun’ can FOTTFSOF.

And location is always high on my list. Anywhere miles from everything is not what I ever want.

Some of the pictures of holiday cottages are proper grim. I refuse to even look at them. Every one l book gets a proper ‘Hotel Inspector’ once over by myself.

No patterned carpets
No 90’s decor
No storage heaters
No curtains that let in the light
No shit uncomfortable sofas
No bunk beds

I only ever consider modern with dishwasher and washing machine. No dog hairs either and l want a very high standard of cleanliness.

It has to be of equal or more comfort than my own house. If it isn’t my flesh kind of crawls if it isn’t right,

A city break would suit me to a tee! I found a lovely flat in London, maida vale, and having taken dc1 to London before am able to vouch for even the free/cheap kids stuff.

The parks alone would be reason enough for London. But apparently it "wouldnt feel like a holiday to him".

My main aim is to spend lots of lovely time with the DC doing the stuff we cant do day to day.

I could live with a basic cottage in an area with lots to do, or a very comfortable cottage in an area with less to do but not both!

If the cottage was out in the sticks, but had some luxuries, maybe a hot tub and a big garden, possibly near or on a farm so the kids could get out and see the animals every day. Fine.

But agree - stuff to do is key.

No, you are not a snob. I always look for a location first and then for accomodation. I am fairly snobby, I need a dishwasher, nice looking furniture, a kitchen with a good size hob.
We had once an absolute awful one, looking like the owner just moved their old furnitures over and it really spoilt the holiday.

We often just go for one week instead of two if the cottage is more expenisive but at least we have one week of a great holiday instead of two weeks of awul one.

OP, if you suggest a budget and dates, maybe some Mnetters who know the Scottish Highlands can suggest something good.

100% you are right. What's the point in going on holidays to somewhere with nothing to do and nowhere nice to relax? Especially with young children!

@HTH1

OP, if you suggest a budget and dates, maybe some Mnetters who know the Scottish Highlands can suggest something good.

I appreciate that. But we have a few places on the list - it's just that all of DHS suggestions are awful.

Mine are great!!

It’s not acceptable & you need to stand your ground. I don’t go anywhere without on site parking & a dishwasher, dryer and washing machine.

I’m a holiday snob

And proud of it

I go high end all the time. I read the camping threads utterly baffled

We are currently in a holiday cottage. Not a huge choice by time we booked which means we are staying about an hour away from home! But there’s lots to do (only some of which we have occasionally done a day trip to!) and the cottage is generally good - lovely little garden, modern clean well equipped kitchen/bathroom (high up my priority list), well decorated and whilst the furniture is not to my taste the chairs are comfy. It is amazing though to be somewhere other than home and out of the routine. So I agree your DH’s choices do not sound good, I’d also say don’t hold off for the perfect place as you may end up with nowhere and I’m finding this holiday really refreshing.

I'm not bothered about "perfect" especially as its August we will be booking for. Good enough will be good enough

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

A city break would suit me to a tee! I found a lovely flat in London, maida vale, and having taken dc1 to London before am able to vouch for even the free/cheap kids stuff.

The parks alone would be reason enough for London. But apparently it "wouldnt feel like a holiday to him".

My main aim is to spend lots of lovely time with the DC doing the stuff we cant do day to day.

It sounds more like your DH and you have fundamentally different tastes, which could be an issue. What sort of hols did you go on together pre-kids? I agree that a London break sounds fab and he sounds very inflexible. There are “countryside” days out that you could do from London as a compromise.

And how well does he know London, is he dismissing it out of hand based on cliché? I reckon this summer will be a much better time to visit than usual as there will be fewer foreign tourists than in other years.

Wanting to use your holiday money on a comfortable location that everyone will enjoy being in isn't snobbery. There are plenty of reputable holiday cottage agencies that take the trouble to show properly representative photos of the property and inform you of local amenities, why is your husband so wedded to the crap one?

Having read your updates
I just don’t think you and your dh are at all compatible when It comes to holidays

So maybe one holiday you organise
And one he organises

My sister does this. She finds one, totally unsuitable bleak looking house, about 45 mins from home, usually on a steep incline with 100 steps up from where you have to park and then strops when everyone doesn’t immediately agree to book it. I always look and choose now as her options are cheap but not so cheerful.

If you're looking at the Highlands you could base yourself in Aviemore. I always call the town itself (affectionately) 'Hastings in the mountains' as it has a kiss me quick kind of vibe to me. But I love the place. There's a huge Tesco, loads of places to eat or get a takeaway, lovely walks.

Then you have Loch Morlich a short car ride away (or bikes if you're up to it). There's a beach there, it's a fresh water lake. There is usually watersports (kayaking etc) but Covid may have changed some of that.

The reindeer centre is great if you have kids. You can book a walk onto the mountains to feed the reindeer, which follow you around like a lost dog! Fantastic day out. The walk is easy, our DS did it as a four year old and there was a lady with a walking stick in our party.

From there you can drive to Loch Ness - again Covid may have changed some of the boat trips etc.,

There are loads of great places to stay around there. We've stayed in a house only to wake up in the morning with a deer in the garden!

We've been up three times and never had a bad holiday there. Obviously that was pre-Covid.

But I'm like you. Find the place, then hunt out the accommodation using Trip Advisor to double check places.

Good luck! Holidays should be memorable for the right reasons.

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

Well it depends where that housing estate is, surely? A couple of years ago we had a half term break in a very modern new-build estate property in Seahouses on the Northumberland coast. The house was great, very comfortable, warm, modern, nicely furnished, allocated parking, really quiet location. 5 minutes walk from the beach. Suited us much better than a fisherman's cottage in the middle of the village with small rooms, no parking, and noise from pubs.

Don't leave it to him, find some accommodation you think is suitable for you and suggest them to him.

Why won't he just let you book what you've seen and like? Is it the cost?

Unfortunately this year and this time there will be no bargains, if it's cheap and available that'll be for a reason!

It depends on the age of the children too and what they enjoy.

We put filters on the searches, such as sea view, parking, walking distance to pub or restaurant, nearby amenities. Like others, I don’t want to stay anywhere that is less comfortable and with fewer amenities than my home.