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

[wintersdawn]

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?

I much prefer self catering. We eat very simply on holiday and go out a few times.

coddi- There are 2 of us preparing and chatting drinking wine instead of one adult rushing in the evening to cook/homework/bath/iron clothes etc.., and 2 adults doing a bit of cleaning.

But that's just it. I don't want to be doing a "bit of cleaning " on my holiday.

I go on holiday partly to escape chores

A holiday is only a holiday if I don't make a bed or a meal the whole time we are away, IMO. Rather stay at home and save up than self cater.

My OH sugested this as well...he expected me to get excited about a kitchen i could make meals in for dd. I was beyond annoyed.

But that's just it. I don't want to be doing a "bit of cleaning " on my holiday.

I completely understand! With my kids, the alternative would be a stressed out diner, little ones tired after the day, everybody rushing through their meals, having to entertain them when I just want to relax, keeping them quiet in a grown-up restaurant or put up with the noise of a "child friendly place". For us, lunch out is enough.

Highly recommend a weekly cleaner on holiday however.

Once my kids are grown up enough to enjoy sitting somewhere for a couple of hours (or wander safely by themselves), we will go back to civilised restaurants and adult only holidays, but don't tell them that

With very young children I would much rather stay home.

the alternative would be a stressed out diner, little ones tired after the day, everybody rushing through their meals, having to entertain them when I just want to relax, keeping them quiet in a grown-up restaurant or put up with the noise of a "child friendly place"

Yes, and it's for those reasons AI works so well for us.Mealtimes relaxed- they go on for hours. Attend 3 times if you want, eat by the pool, eat in your apartment . LO didn't like his choice? No problem, get another, or leave and go back in a hour.
Food available all day, no need to keep LO in a formal dining environment when they are bored and not hungry.
When DD was small she always loved a hot cooked breakfast at 8am.
That's great, her and I would have that while the boys would sleep. Then we could take them food back to the apartment, or they could get brunch at 11am.
Total flexibility.

I wouldn't mind a hotel in the U.k with facilities like an indoor pool etc as you can use it in bad weather.

But I love self-catering abroad. Not in holiday package apartment type of place where you're crammed in on the same way as a hotel and you only have a teeny kitchenette. But a proper sized place, an independent place. So we are in France now in a gite. Full sized dishwasher and washing machine, proper kitchen, patio. Bedroom each. Shared pool (only 2 other small gites so never gets busy, can always get a sunbed and umbrella). Shares games room with table tennis and pool table etc (which you don't have to feed with coins). Beautiful countryside.

I love it, second time here. We either BBQ or eat out our throw a pizza in the oven. Can have beer or wine whenever we like and haven't paid a fortune for the privilege. Don't have to set an alarm so that we don't miss breakfast. (Woke up at 9.30 the other morning!). don't have to dodge the maid when we want a post-breakfast poo! Got our car so we sight see.

So so relaxing. Weather is beautiful. Admittedly kids are 11 and 13 so don't need watching. Still think self-catering in a decent place is easier with little kids. You can stick to their routine/food more and don't have to worry about them falling off a balcony!

DH doesn't sit on his arse. That's OP's problem.

Cailleach666 sounds great. Most of the places I have been to seemed to have had set hours for meals (Pre children, I remember having to wake up before 11am to have breakfast in one particular hotel! And not a cheap one either )

The whole point of a holiday should be what works best for your family anyway. I feel sorry for people who are made to think it's harder to be away with kids than at home, holidays are truly the best times of my year.

We always do self catering because we prefer the privacy and the freedom and also don't really like being surrounded by lots of other people in a resort or hotel.

However, DH always totally pulls his weight and always has so it's not an issue.

You have a DH problem

there must be a lot of waste in all-inclusive places if people's kids are leaving half their ice cream just because they are impatient to get back to the pool.

And they way some people describe it it sounds like it's one long to and fro from the food and drink places. "If kids are not hungry then and don't eat much, we just leave and come back for a second meal later". Sod that. Couldn't be arsed.

if proper food is available all day (not just snack bars) then won't there be a lot of waste, or food sitting out for a long time? Or is it cooked to Order when it's available all day? Haven't been to a package hotel abroad for about 20 years and there were set meal times (a few hours long, but once they were finished, it was the snack bar only for hot dogs or burger etc)

Depends on what you define as self catering. For me it's having our own space but being able to eat out or get a take away and have kitchen space if kids need a quick snack. I do like foreign supermarkets but wouldn't really cook on holiday.

To spend my entire holiday cooking would be a big NO.

We did All Inc for the first time this year and it was great as so many snacks and drinks and ice cream available all day which was great but the hotels rooms were quite small. Like to lounge around when kids r sleeping but couldn't do this. So will stick to hotel apartments for now which includes brekkie.

curly- no more waste than I see in any restaurant or cafe.

And of course there is more to AI holidays that the food- but that's what we are talking about on this thread.
The work on holiday is a result of keeping fed and watered.
That's why we are discussing the food issue in detail.

Cailleach: I'm not criticising, I'm just very interested in how it works as I am tempted to try a modern all inclusive but I'm quite fussy and have a limited budget. I have teen boys and think AI food would be amazing for them. But everywhere I've seen that looks nice is sooo expensive compared to a self-drive to France self-catering and eating out a lot.

I think budget comes into it, this whole thread. You can self cater and choose somewhere with nice weather, easy kitchen facilities, a BBQ, and nice places to eat out. But if you're stuck to a budget then you're stuck to tiny self-catering with no dishwasher, maybe in England so no "BBQ in a bikini with a beer" type of relaxed feeling, and unable to eat out.

If you're on a budget but don't want very cheap and make do self-catering then I personally would rather save up and go every other year.

Same shit, different view from the kitchen window.

Actually, I think it's worse as you don't even have the short cuts and conveniences of home.

CurlyhairedAssassin

AI doesn't necessarily mean food available all day, it can mean that your breakfast/lunch and diners are paid for in advance.

It can also mean that a restaurant is open all day - or restaurant 1 is open until 11am, then the other 3 open from 11 to 3, then restaurant 4 and 5 open from 4 to 11pm. Anyway, that food is available all day and you can get unlimited drinks and food.

Not more waste there than if had restricted hours. I have read reviews of some AI places, with photos, and some places are ghastly whilst others are amazing. All the ones I have stayed in were great/ Worth researching thoroughly, trip advisor is your friends.

coddi- exactly.
Just because there is hot breakfast/brunch/3 hour lunch/afternoon teacake/ poolside pizza/pide/dinner all evening/midnight soup available doesn't mean you have to eat it all or take advantage of every opportunity.
Many people may have some fruit for breakfast, salad or a light lunch then late dinner.

AI resorts try to cater for everyone- the late sleepers, the early birds, those that like a big early breakfast, maybe no lunch then coffee and cake at 4pm, tiny tummies who can't wait until dinner time and like a hot snack late afternoon, and everything in between.

No one is actually eating all day.
We found that amongst the family different members could eat when they were hungry.
We all ate dinner together in the evening, but OH isn't keen on lunch for instance, while DS could tuck into a hearty hot meal at 1pm.

As other PPs have said, it's horses for courses. It clearly helps if both partners chip in on a SC holiday - encourage your partner cooking, OP, and can he not take the children out for a couple of hours while you snooze or read or whatever? Get him to do a potato salad/new potatoes/baked potatoes and salad with cooked meats/fish? It's also a great example for your DC and the 6 year old could at least lay the table?

I hate being confined to hotel meal times/space available. Best holiday while DCs were young was an old village complex in the Mediterranean - swimming pools, ability to self-cater but a restaurant if you chose not to and a town not far away by bus with a stunning market and more restaurants. Second best was UK by the sea but DP did take DCs out and is great at foraging for simple meals in local markets.

As for the PP who spoke about difficulties at her magical place if you don't speak the language - kids under 8 in my experience get along playing sport/swimming/whatever and pick up a bit. Adults can get by with a smile and a dictionary or a phone with photos of things on it (thinking Far East) and learning basic phrases.

We had a fab time on a AI cruise this year, although the cabin for 4 was a bit cramped. We really, really enjoyed it - especially waking up somewhere new every day. But for me the best SC holidays are even better. I love having the space, pool to ourselves and eating out in lots of lovely different restaurants. When DC were younger, it meant they could go to bed in their own room at their usual time and we could sit outside in the terrace drinking wine and watching the sun set. I could never see how this would work in an hotel?

I could never see how this would work in an hotel?

Because many hotels are not high rise? Lots are villa style accommodation, or two stories, so downstairs has a large verandah, upstairs has a large balcony.

I hate self catering holidays. I'm a single parent and self catering means I'll just be doing the same cleaning and cooking that I do at home. Then I'll be sat by myself in the evening while DS is in bed.

I much prefer AI hotels. They're not prisons, we go on day trips and go out to eat sometimes. It just makes life so much easier and I like to completely relax on holiday.

Bitchqueen- we have enjoyed AI at hotels for the social aspect too.
My kids- especially my DD just loves meeting other kids and always meets some new playmates on holiday- it's lovely to see them make new friendships and have fun with others their same age.

I'm not surprised you are unhappy op based on your situation.

At the moment I'm well up for ai/hb etc, buffets are much easier with my toddler but dp is desperate for a sc villa next year and said he'd do all the cooking after I complained . Actually I don't mind the cooking, it's the cleaning I don't want to do. We definitely need somewhere with a dishwasher....

On a side note, people surely realise that you can book 1/2 bed apartments in hotels? Admittedly your choice is more limited but part of the reason I loved my AI last year was that we had 1 bed apartment and dd was asleep in one room whilst DP and I sat in the other room/balcony drinking the AI cocktails and watching films. Basically doing the same as we would have in the evening had we been sc.

Op - don't fall for the 'I don't know what I'm doing' malarkey. Buy some frozen pizzas and a bag of salad. He can cook that.

PissedOffNeighbour
Most of the AI hotels I have stayed in have separate rooms so DC have their own room to put them to bed.
All have had balcony at least and living room/small kitchen, lots have 'upstairs' bit so you get a veranda as well as balcony. Some have had their own private pool.

You can still eat out in lots of restaurants if you want.