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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want the bigger house for the hen party?

17 replies

movingalot · 04/05/2014 13:26

So I'm organising the accommodation for DSis's hen - what a load of stress! We're going to a lovely little holiday town by the sea, known for good food, drink and craic. I know she'll love it. She sent a list of 20 people to be invited, for 2 nights, but there have been a few 'no's' already, so I reckon about 14-15 will come, and not all for both Friday and Saturday night.

The other bridesmaid and I have agreed that self-catering is the way to go.
The options are:

  • for us all to stay in holiday cottages, which are quite basic, no luxuries, and there wouldn't be enough room for us to gather as a group there for drinkgs, games etc before we go out on Saturday night. There are double and single beds; and they are a 10 minute walk from the town; and we could get 3 or 4 houses depending on the final numbers;
  • a large fabulous house by water, with plenty of space for meals and hanging out as a group; we could have games and maybe get someone in to do a cocktail making class in the house before going out on the town. It is a few minutes drive from the town. There are 6 double beds and lots of floor space, so I thought we could bring air mattresses if the group exceeded 12 either of the nights.

The large house is a bit more expensive than the cottages, but not by much, and I think this would be offset by being able to eat in on Friday night when people will be arriving in dribs and drabs. A straw poll of my friends is split between the cottages and the large house. The other bridesmaid is set on the holiday cottages, which would be fine but am I crazy to push for the larger, more fabulous house? So much responsibility Confused

OP posts:
LoopyKitten · 04/05/2014 13:31

big one, definitely

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 04/05/2014 13:31

Having done weekend parties in "big" houses I'm on your side here but I suppose it depends on the price difference, also some people might not want to self cater and would prefer to eat out. I would ask the bride tbh.

Nomama · 04/05/2014 13:33

No, go for the ideal version! How often do you get to stay in a sod offly big house?

Just make sure you volunteer for an airmattress to muzzle any moaning minnies before they start Smile

MrsWinnibago · 04/05/2014 14:01

Large. Just book it...make an executive decision and tell anyone who complains that the owner of the cottages was a bit sniffy about Hen Parties and you didn't want any bother.

Lonecatwithkitten · 04/05/2014 14:14

Check the terms and conditions of the large property a lot of smart properties have financial penalties for exceed the number of guests accommodated by the number of beds as this tends to be the most common situation that leads to damage.

livingatheendofthewall · 04/05/2014 15:18

Oh yeah book the big house definitely!

MaryWestmacott · 04/05/2014 15:22

big house. Definately, being able to self cater will bring down the costs.

PrimalLass · 04/05/2014 15:29

Are you expecting people to share a double bed? I really wouldn't want to do that because I am not a great sleeper and wake really early.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/05/2014 15:58

Sharing beds? No way. Maybe people want their own bed and think they will get one of they book separate cottages.

Sparrowlegs248 · 04/05/2014 16:23

Large!! In my group of friend there are plenty who would happily bed share.

Its a once in a lifetime event!

erin99 · 04/05/2014 16:44

Are you sure you can't get 14-15 people in a holiday cottage for drinks? In our student days we did a christmas meal for 22 in our 3 bed semi, and we only had 1 reception room as the other was a bedroom.

Depends a lot on the guests. I can see why people wouldn't want to pay more and share a bed with strangers or sleep on the floor. But if they all know each other well and are used to it then no problem.

specialsubject · 04/05/2014 17:04

have you confirmed that a large single-sex group will be welcome at either?

Vinomcstephens · 04/05/2014 17:09

I'd personally go for the cottages. Appreciate I'm not invited on the hen do ?? but there's no way I'd spend my cash on a hen do where I was sharing a bed - absolutely no way! So I'd suggest getting enough cottages so everyone can have their own bed. Ultimately, both you and the other bridesmaid are both set on different things, one of you is going to have to give way and I really think the cottages would be more popular.

ForeskinHyena · 04/05/2014 17:16

I like a bit of space so the idea of the big house wouldn't appeal to me as much, especially if there were people I didn't know there.

Then when you said sharing beds or sleeping on air beds Shock No way I'd pay to stay in a lovely house and have to camp or share a bed with someone other than DP!

ForeskinHyena · 04/05/2014 17:17

As in 'personal space' not just lots of room.

WilsonFrickett · 04/05/2014 17:36

I've been chief BM twice and ended up seriously out of pocket both times thanks to cancellations, no shows and people 'forgetting' to pony up for their share of the catering, etc. I'd go cheap all the way.

Notfootball · 04/05/2014 17:41

I like the big house. I rented a house in Spain for 20 friends for my hen do and some beds were double, some were single and my friends had no problem sharing but then everyone knew well the person they were sharing with, and I also organised a hen pre-meet at my house so that everyone could get to know each other.

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