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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Self catering isn't a holiday. It's the same rubbish in a different location.

574 replies

wintersdawn · 24/08/2017 19:40

We are currently 3 days into a 10 day self catering holiday and I'm sick of it already. My DH loves self catering holidays as they are a break from work and a different location and he can spend the whole time winding down from work and enjoying the break from the commuting routine.

But for me it's just the same shit in a different place, DD6 and DS4 still wake up early no matter how late we let them stay up. We either head off somewhere for the day which seems to always cost a fortune or involve lots of driving or stay in the house but without all their normal toys and entertainment options. We aren't near a beach this time which would normally give the children hours of entertainment, as we are staying in a relations house whilst they are away to save money. We don't have the budget to eat out each night and so the same cleaning, cooking, washing crap happens as it would at home.

I know we needed a cheap holiday this year as we've just had to replace the car and we did the kitchen at the start of the year but this is the 4th year in a row of self catering and I'm over them.

I can't be the only one who gets dragged down by self catering? Can I?

OP posts:
Prideinmyplace2 · 28/08/2017 13:44

You definitely need a holiday from the holiday! YANBU

KirstyLaura · 28/08/2017 14:22

I have really enjoyed self catering in the past! Obviously it's not the luxury of all inclusive, but it's also a fraction of the price. I'd rather have self catering than no holiday at all. If you don't enjoy driving places then you need to prioritise staying somewhere with nearby entertainment for your children or with a pool etc. That's never appealed to me in the slightest personally - why travel any distance at all to holiday destination if you feel that way? Not all days out have to cost the earth. Do you have NT or EH membership? Go for a walk, explore a town, go to the park. Use your clubcard vouchers to pay for days out. Bring a DVD player with you and have a movie night, bring board games etc. With meals yeah you still have to cook, but I wouldn't be cooking shepherds pie or roast dinner in the caravan or cottage. Buy a rotisserie chicken with salad and fresh bread, or make a ploughmans salad. I think it's all in the mindset to be honest.

BR62Y · 28/08/2017 14:26

I find self catering abroad is great if you have a Villa. If it's one of those pokey studio's with 2 electric job rings then shite.

At home I don't mind it so much in a cottage. I wouldn't caravan though. Not for me that.

Touchmybum · 28/08/2017 17:41

As someone else said, "I despise hotel holidays, hate being surrounded by people, hate the constant noise day & night, hate fixed mealtimes, hate any form of entertainment or organised trips. I'd rather not go on holiday if we couldn't go self catering. We're all different. If you hate self catering, why bother? "

I don't want to have to be up, showered and dressed by a certain time for breakfast. I would hate AI because I don't want to eat in the same place for the entire holiday. We like to go out and about and explore ur surroundings. If we eat in, it's simple, toast/fresh bread/fruit/pizza/pasta. Mostly we eat either lunch or dinner out wherever we are. It is what it is. Make the best of it. If you are in a different part of the country, then go and see what's out there.

Touchmybum · 28/08/2017 17:41

As someone else said, "I despise hotel holidays, hate being surrounded by people, hate the constant noise day & night, hate fixed mealtimes, hate any form of entertainment or organised trips. I'd rather not go on holiday if we couldn't go self catering. We're all different. If you hate self catering, why bother? "

I don't want to have to be up, showered and dressed by a certain time for breakfast. I would hate AI because I don't want to eat in the same place for the entire holiday. We like to go out and about and explore ur surroundings. If we eat in, it's simple, toast/fresh bread/fruit/pizza/pasta. Mostly we eat either lunch or dinner out wherever we are. It is what it is. Make the best of it. If you are in a different part of the country, then go and see what's out there.

StMargsGirl · 28/08/2017 17:42

Thinking about it, best hols we had with kids were YHA (Youth Hostel) ones. We chose ones that did breakfast and evening meal so no cooking ir washing up. Lots are in stunning locations and there were always plenty of other children for them to play with, space to run around and often a games room. Also they are miles cheaper than most alternatives. They were particularly good for short breaks because you can book just one night if you want. Particularly happy memories of Welsh Bicknor (27 acres of land around it and canoing on the river Wye) and St Briavals (an actual castle with arrow slits for windows).

Lovelymess · 28/08/2017 18:43

We always do self catering and really don't see the problem. We have breakfast in the caravan, have a few snacky bits for lunch then eat out for dinner. We love it

clarehhh · 29/08/2017 14:40

We had a rule you cook one night me the next worked even better when they were teens as only one day in 5 then! As we got richer we started eating out alternate nights.Are you making it too complex? Try cold meat , bread and cheese for lunch .Bought fresh pasta, sauce and veg followed by fruit or ice cream.Not hard think your OH should pull his weight.Make 4 year old lay table etc.

Mia1415 · 29/08/2017 14:43

I love SC! The only times I have ever been on holiday and stayed in a hotel is Disney World and Disneyland Paris.

strawberrygate · 29/08/2017 15:06

are people being serious when they say you have to get a pass to leave some AI places and at set times? and have bags searched? I'm assuming people are taking the piss but now I'm not sure?

LilyDisney · 29/08/2017 15:12

Doesn't sound like it's the self catering that's your problem, sounds like it's the location.

We have lots of self catering holidays - either to Center Parks or villas/apartments in sunny places - always lovely as we've got activities/pools/beaches to enjoy.

With a little one it's great to be able to do 1 or 2 meals a day ourselves as it's tedious eating out every meal.

We also have plenty of holidays just in hotels (generally at Disneyland or Disneyworld) they're fabulous too, but after days/weeks of not having a kitchen I am always glad to get home to 'real' food.

Korsanjo · 17/05/2018 21:11

Just back from self catering holiday on Rhodes. Last did this 15 years ago. Entered room and thought I had travelled back in time to 20 yrs ago. I am appalled that Tour Operators are not dragging the Greek tourist industry into the 21st century. I do not regard a 2 ring hob, a kettle and minimum pans, crockery and cutlery as adequate in this day and age. I do not want to sleep in single pine beds that are at least 20 yrs old with wafer thin mattresses; large gaps under doors; a primitive shower with a drain hole in the floor that turns the floor into a paddling pool and a dangerous one at that. Note: to me adverts or reviews that state " clean but basic" really means "clean but bloody awful inadequate crap"

ShotsFired · 17/05/2018 21:24

I completely agree @wintersdawn, they sound grim. I wouldn't do SC and I don't have children to worry about!

Even more unfathomable are people who do that, but on a campsite or mobile home park. Because then you have same shit, b

Just sounds like an awful busman's holiday for (invariably) the woman.

MiggeldyHiggins · 17/05/2018 21:41

Mine are fabulous holidays, yuo're just not doing it right!

NotCitrus · 17/05/2018 21:43

Shit hotels are no better than shit self-catering (and worse if you've wasted more money!)

I've never done AI as MrNC and I like going out and having dinner in restaurants, but we do like hotels with good breakfasts. With kids however, SC is much easier.
In the UK, have supermarket order turn up on first night for the basics (emergency rations in the car!). Do supermarket run when abroad. The kids want easy basic stuff like some plain pasta, fish fingers and chips, etc. Have take-away for a couple nights, meal out for a couple, other nights have local deli food or other stuff with no prep needed. Indulge in lots of local wine while kids fail to sleep in their rooms. Unlike hotels, you have a living room and dining room so space for board games, watching DVDs, and chilling out. Autistic children need lots of chilling out in their temporary home, us adults need naps, so we spend more on a luxurious apartment within walking distance of food, as we actually stay in it a lot! Though with lots of friends, a youth hostel works well too - take it in turns to help cook and empty dishwasher, kids can maraud around freely.

Metoodear · 17/05/2018 21:44

Cooking abroad

That’s what I call our holidays everyone else having oh so much fun me cooking packing keeping the tent clean awesome Hmm

Teeniemiff · 17/05/2018 21:49

If we’re abroad I love self catering. I love wondering along the main town looking for a nice place to eat. Only 1 time we went all inclusive we stayed more on site as we’d paid a lot of money & didn’t want to spend extra eating out. Obviously it costs money but it’s usually only once every few years for us.
But OP your situation, yes sounds pretty miserable xx

ToffeePennie · 17/05/2018 21:50

That sounds a bit crap.
Like you we are on a budget, but plump for a cheap sun holiday to haven every year. My son (4) and baby (6 months - his first holiday) will come with us as will my grandparents which is where “my” break comes in as we take turns to do the cooking, cleaning and washing up and my grandad is a proper grandad type who adores the boys and basically takes them out all over the shop and does the arcade, the kids shows etc

KnownUnknowns · 17/05/2018 21:51

I think you need to up the team work. We always do SC - hotels we associate with work, the space is too confined, the kids don't have enough space to be loud without it annoying us and eating out for every meal gets old really quickly.
Cooking on holidays is easy, you have time... drink wine chop some stuff , we all take turns and we order deliveries and eat out too.

iamyourequal · 17/05/2018 21:58

Korsanjo - why not just start a new thread instead of resurrecting a zombie!

expatmigrant · 17/05/2018 22:04

I like SC only for the reason of the extra space and being able to chill in the morning with just a coffee and some local bakery stuff. Apart from that we eat out.

givemesteel · 17/05/2018 22:06

FFS another zombie thread.

Please please please MNHQ can you create a zombie alert in the subject line so we don't waste our lives reading old threads because someone can't be bothered to start their own, or wants to sell something?

OlennasWimple · 17/05/2018 22:08

SC is worth it just to be able to have breakfast in PJs at a leisurely pace, rather than have to keep snacks in a hotel room, get kids dressed and be down at the dining room as soon as it opens to feed early rising DC

But only if you eat out a lot

OlennasWimple · 17/05/2018 22:10

Oh ZOMBIE THREAD FFS Hmm

Dontblameitontheboogie · 17/05/2018 22:12

Absolutely hate self catering and have sworn we won't do it again!