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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you rather...

43 replies

user1487941567 · 28/05/2017 20:11

This is for a wedding in 2018.

Would you rather stay in an airport travel lodge over two rooms - DP with the boys, me with our DD who will be under 1.

Or

Stay in a very plush caravan which has 2 bedrooms and a veranda. Boys get the small bedroom, baby girl in with us in a cot or in front room in a cot or in with me/DP while other adult on the front room sofa bed or me/DP with all the kids in the bed etc various options.

Both are the same price. (Caravan about £20 cheaper)
Both are same distance to the venue.
The caravan site has direct beach access, play area, restaurant and a pool.
The airport obvs has all the amenities an airport has.
Both have parking.
Both have a shower, neither has a bath.
DPs family all staying at the travel lodge but they don't really consider other options, they wouldn't have considered a caravan park even though this is a coastal location.
Caravan has its own kitchen so I can cook breakfast and get our shit together properly.

Aibu to prefer the caravan? I just like being able to close the bedroom doors and have some evening to myself. DP is keen on the hotel but we'd have to sit in the dark all night whispering while the kids slept!

OP posts:
3littlebadgers · 28/05/2017 20:12

I'd go caravan I think, plus it will be more exciting for the kids.

Chasingsquirrels · 28/05/2017 20:13

Caravan, if not between Oct & Apr

MusicToMyEars800 · 28/05/2017 20:14

I would choose the Caravan over the Travelodge anytime.

Elland · 28/05/2017 20:14

Caravan any day of the week!

Original poster
user1487941567 · 28/05/2017 20:15

He's worried about the cold but we've done a caravan when DS2 was smaller than our girl will be and this will be in the high summer!

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 28/05/2017 20:15

Caravan!

Funnyfive · 28/05/2017 20:16

Definitely the caravan!

OllyBJolly · 28/05/2017 20:17

Caravan. Airport likely to be a trek from hotel so probably not that handy. You might not even get rooms together at a Travelodge.

Be careful though. I hired a super de luxe caravan and paid extra for the cot.

The cot didn't fit in the bedroom. To put it in the living room meant that no one could sit in the seats as it took up the entire space. Having the one year old in a tiny double meant no sleep!

Is Air BnB an option?

Redglitter · 28/05/2017 20:18

Caravan no question about it.

DramaAlpaca · 28/05/2017 20:19

Absolutely the caravan.

ijustwannadance · 28/05/2017 20:20

Definately caravan. I'd even consider paying for an extra night to have a lovely beach day too.

Original poster
user1487941567 · 28/05/2017 20:21

Airbnb is ridiculous. Looking at about £500. DP and the kids will be wedding party but I'm not, and the bride won't be getting ready at the actual hotel the rest of the family are staying in anyway. They'll all make their way to her in the morning so we could do the same, just from our caravan instead.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 28/05/2017 20:23

My experience of the sofa beds are awful - 4' and roll together - this is in deluxe static homes and including them as sleeping 2 people. DH and I couldn't share it as he is so tall/big compared to me.

Original poster
user1487941567 · 28/05/2017 20:23

It is a massive caravan. The front room has a lot of space and we stayed in the same model one with a cot before. Although I can't remember how it worked, it must have been ok or I'd definitely remember ifyswim!

OP posts:
Trb17 · 28/05/2017 20:24

Caravan for sure. Much better.

ohfourfoxache · 28/05/2017 20:27

Caravan

It's a no brainer!

Motoko · 28/05/2017 20:32

Caravan, especially as you have kids.

HeavyMetalMummy · 28/05/2017 20:33

Caravan. But I wonder if your DP is looking at it from a' socialising with the family' perspective with them staying in the hotel. The fact that the caravan might be cold, is, as you say a bit daft. Do you think the hotel bar and not having to worry about cooking/washing up might be a factor in DP's thinking but he's just not saying it?

EssentialHummus · 28/05/2017 20:34

Caravan!

Janey50 · 28/05/2017 20:36

Caravan without a doubt.

Original poster
user1487941567 · 28/05/2017 20:38

That's what I think heavymetalmummy but my answers to him were ; they won't socialise in the actual rooms... they can't without waking up the kids. We however, in our own childless front room and veranda, can! Plus we can just drive to them wherever they are eating etc then leave when the kids need to sleep.

OP posts:
TheMasterNotMargarita · 28/05/2017 20:39

Joining the chorus to say caravan!
The only thing that would sway me to the hotel is if family were able to help get the children ready but my guess is they will be too busy organising themselves.

Original poster
user1487941567 · 28/05/2017 20:39

I don't drink either so that wouldn't be a problem.

OP posts:
harderandharder2breathe · 28/05/2017 20:40

Caravan for the extra facilities and your own space to make drinks and snacks for the kids, packed lunches for the journey home etc

AuditAngel · 28/05/2017 20:50

I would go for the caravan, hotels are so tricky for a family of 5 (we are 5 too)
Your rooms may not be together in the travelodge, and pretty boring for both of you camped out separately in the evenings. Plus if you stay in the hotel you will spend all your time worrying about upsetting the neighbours with the noise.

At the beginning of the month we stayed in a travelodge leaving DD2 with Granny (didn't think she would cope with a whole day at a competition). The older DC are 10 and 12 but still make some noise.....