To wonder who can afford this? What do you spend on your holidays?

[Bridgeofpies]

I was flicking through a travel magazine and having the usual envy of the people enjoying sun drenched beaches, bustling exotic markets and artistic sunsets etc. So I had a look through at all the places to stay.

Almost all the hotels and accommodation (or a large proportion) were from £400 per night for a double room! Some were up to £700. It got me wondering - who actually stays in these hotels? They look amazing and I can imagine doing it for a one- off special occasion like a big anniversary or birthday but are there people who spend this on their “normal” holidays?

We are definitely well-off by most standards but wouldn’t consider this for a holiday! (Especially with 2 kids, it would be insanely expensive). Our last big blow out holiday was around £3500 but that was 2 weeks, all-inclusive, with flights and for all 4 of us!

So, just got me wondering, is it just billionaires and business travellers on expenses who stay in these places?

I was away for the weekend with my girls. I paid 360 pounds per night per room. We had 2. It was about 100 pounds less per room per night than I'd normally pay because for someone unknown reason. In the region where we live you get a very nice hotel for that price but I wouldn't pay it in Europe as hotels are generally not that great. I prefer to stay in Premier Inns in the UK and Im never disappointed with them. They are what they say there are and they suit me fine. There's nothing to be disappointed with.

In mainland Europe I book Airbnb because hotels are very hit and miss.
Im happy to pay 400 pounds a night for a nice hotel but I won't pay 400 pounds a night for rubbish.

Don't pay for first class - was upgraded from business once and whilst very nice I couldn't justify the extra if paying myself.

And if you choose your airline carefully, full business today is better than First of even twenty years ago. Virgin Upper Class, Emirates Business on their A380s (the 777s are pretty grim): they are first in all but name. BA's business product seems to be deliberately hobbled to protect their small market for first (narrow seats, 50% of them rear facing, and comparing BA's business lounge in Heathrow T5 with Emirates' business lounges in Dubai isn't even funny) but even their business isn't too bad, if you get a decent crew.

I always think a holiday is not worth going on unless it's a real treat so we rarely spend less that £8k on a holiday for 4 of us. But my partner and i will usually have one holiday just us in a year that is well over £10k

What I'd absolutely love to know is what everyone does for jobs to have this much disposable income. "

Im separated from my husband, we have no plans to divorce and my finances haven't changed since we separated. The holidays we'd have had when we were together I still have so I spend about 20K per year on travel. Thats my rule of thumb for holidays - half of what it would have cost for both of us to go on holidays. We have our own business and we're both into our 60's

This thread is a horrible insight into how the other half live. Feeling rather enraged

Could I please have some leads to find a decent UK/Europe cruise - for a singleton?

NCL have studios for solo travellers on some of their ships. Its actually an area of the ship for solo travellers and there's a lounge where you can meet up.

if you go to the Cruise Critic website you can ask more about it there.

Or you could just call NCL.

I haven't stayed in the cabins by the way but I have spoke to people on board who've been staying in the cabins.

Why are you enraged breadwidow?

We are in a similar income bracket and probably spend about 15k on holidays. However that’s usually a ski trip, summer holiday and at least one or two other short breaks. I think it’s just what you choose to spend your spare cash on - I do two jobs and all of my income from one job is ring fenced for holidays. It’s literally why I do the job as it’s what I remember and represents quality time with my kids. If you can afford it, some of the pricey resorts etc actually represent v good value with food, entertainment and childcare. For example we often stay in Kinderhotels which are maybe £300+ a night. But for that you get an amazing amount and it’s better value for me than a £100 room at a bog std hotel.

We’re currently spending £21k per year on school fees. Believe me, in ten years time when there are no more fees to pay, we will be flying business/first and staying in expensive hotels!

I don't get it either. Last year we went to Australia and our flights were just under £2000 for the 4 of us (although one under 2) I think we spent £4-5000 altogether for an amazing time and 3 weeks away. That includes clothes, car hire, food and the lot although only needed accommodation for one week because of family.

No way I'm paying £2000 to go to Portugal, as much as I love it there. We're going to wales for a week to a lovely cottage for £550, we're going to go on walks, eat fish fingers and drink wine in the evenings. Maybe in a few more years we'll go further away to get that value for money again.

Our yearly holiday budget (for DH and I, no kids) is £10k. That generally includes:
1 summer holiday of 7-10 days
1 long weekend at CenterParcs with the in laws
1 European city break (long weekend)
1 or 2 UK weekend/overnight breaks
1 or 2 overnight stays at a spa hotel

Why are you enraged breadwidow. I work full time and pay my taxes so why shouldn't I spend my disposable income on things like holidays?

I work full time and pay my taxes and can only dream of some of the holidays on here!

boylovesmeerkats Where did you get your Australia flights so cheaply? When I went 10 years ago they cost £700 per person. Does it depend on the time of year you travel?

Why do you go to Centre Parks if youbdon't have children MsSquiz.

In a normal year, we do the following which is approx £8K for the year.
1 week skiing - Feb Half Term so we spend £5k - £6K all in.
1 week shorthaul Europe - £2K excluding food.
1 week UK/European citybreak - £1K.
I tend to stick to a £100 per week grocery budget (family of 4) which my best friend is incredulous at since she spends easily double that. I do point out that the £100 per week difference between our grocery shops is basically the cost of our ski holiday right there. We all have different priorities and I value travel more than say organic food.

Why do you go to Centre Parks if youbdon't have children MsSquiz.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2665246-Can-we-finally-park-the-anal-sex-at-center-parcs-hilarity

Raindrops, are people without children not allowed to Center parcs?

I am sad that dh and I have notntravelled a great deal together. DH does not particularly like the unfamiliar, hence the home in France. He and DS ski once a year - same resort. He travels for business usually US and Europe. He has no wish to go further afield although I am working on getting him to Virginia and the Southern states. He positively baulks at Florida.

I travelled more before I was married. He likes hols that are home from home. Sounds great but it gets a bit tedious.

Usually spend £15-20k on 2 x 1 week holiday for 2 people, plus 1 x break for 3.

Room only in Inverness in the summer is easily £300

I don't know why any childfree peeps would want to go to Center Parcs. I'm not entirely sure I see the appeal for those with kids tbh.

Of course people without DC are allowed to go. But why?

I hate CP but some people like it, that's why.

We normally go to a Eurocamp in the south of France which costs around £3500 and then spending money on top for all four of us.

We are going to go to Disney Land next year and that will cost us about £9000 for the holiday, and then I’m guessing about £3000 on top for spending money.

We also have a house in Ireland which we go to a couple a year but that costs us about £800 for a week. We actually did the £9.50 sun holiday last. Test too and went to Haven Scarborough which was a nice little weekend break. Did cost nearly £300 when everything was done though