Help me survive a travel lodge holiday, family room, holiday with toddler on a budget!

[ToddlerAdventure]

A few months ago we booked a few nights in a travel lodge type hotel, close to an attraction. Basic, with just tea and coffee facilities.

I don't want to waste money on expensive "you're a captive customer so we will rip you off" type food.
Issues:
•hotel is budget so the breakfast is a rip off.
• it's on the motorway so unlikely to be near much.
•obviously no fridge

I want to take as much supermarket food as I can but I am struggling with what to take that isn't complete crap.

There will be no fridge - solutions for storing milk etc? Run a bath of cold water? Would long life milk be ok?

No toaster- breakfast ideas? I could do pre wrapped croissants or bagels but would rather not...they don't fill me up for long enough and, quite frankly, bung me up.

Lunches- I will buy all the fruit and snack options but nowhere to store margarine...it would be ok in cold bath water wouldn't it?! I could make basic sandwiches? But, again, nowwhere to keep anything cool. Don't fancy warm, salad sandwiches.

Evening meal I accept will need to be eaten out.

Have you got any clever suggestions for food when you have limited options? And how to survive sharing a room with a 3 year old

[Gingerkittykat]

I've actually heard of people using the iron to make a toastie.

Wrap a cheese sandwich in foil and iron until done.

It might take several hours to make 3 toasties, but cheaper than a supermarket sandwich.

[JaceLancs]

I frequently stay in premier inn type hotels and always self cater partly due to allergies and rest to save money
Instant porridge or fruit and yoghurt for breakfast
Lunches individual portion cheeses, mini kebabs, salad pots, cold meat etc all will last a few days - there must be a shop somewhere
We always get takeaways to eat in room
Just take cutlery and some plastic plates
Pizza one night, Chinese or Indian takeaway, fish and chips etc

[Osirus]

Don’t buy margarine (you would be unreasonable for that!); instead buy a block of real butter which doesn’t need to go in the fridge. They do very well left out in the worktops; you can’t spread them otherwise. We never keep ours in the fridge. Much nicer than plastic margarine.

[44PumpLane]

You might score big and have a trouser press in your room, you could probably cook a steak in between the plates, dinner sorted!

Rashers of bacon for breakfast anyone?

[DogInATent]

You could grill slices of spam on the iron and toast marshmallows with the hair dryer.

[ToddlerAdventure]

you really aren't going to be far from a reasonable supermarket or cheap cafe.

Yeah but I'm up for the challenge now!

[ToddlerAdventure]

I'm seeing the fun side in order to survive

[pelirocco123]

Unless the attraction is in outer Mongolia , you really aren't going to be far from a reasonable supermarket or cheap cafe.

[TheQueef]

Agreed this sounds like an excellent trip!

[MummyInHeel]

OP one of the best holidays we had was with a toddler in a UK hotel - we had a bag full of wine and baby pouches and raided the supermarket deli counter for dinner. Have a super time.

[Meandwinealone]

Or light a fire in the middle of the room! And cook a pot roast

[Meandwinealone]

Madness
Just buy most things out. Get some porridge pots and fruit for breakfast
She’s not living their guys!!

[ToddlerAdventure]

I was thinking about collecting tea lights from all nearby restaurants and creating a camping stove? Perhaps they don't have a smoke alarm if we do that in the wardrobe? I'm sure that would warm through one of those tinned pies.

Stop- you're killing me

Well I can’t say I envy you, sounds like a hell trip with a toddler to be honest!

I definitely agree but this thread has really made me laugh

[MummyInHeel]

OP is eating dinner out. Porridge and some snacks for lunch is all that is required.

[Ohyesiam]

Use squeeze mayo for sandwiches, doesn’t need fridge.

[PinkHeart5914]

Well I can’t say I envy you, sounds like a hell trip with a toddler to be honest!

Take
Porridge pot (just add hot water) fruit and individual croissants for breakfast. Cartons of OJ

Lunch find a supermarket and ge a sandwich deal?

Dinner is going to be the hardest I think, I’ve no ideas put pot noodles. Or pots of that no drain tuna with hummus & pita bread?

Snacks pots of rice pudding, pots of jelly, nuts, crisps, Flapjacks ( Male at home and they will keep fine in an air tight box) chocolate it is a holiday after all

Take WINE & GIN because you my lovely are going to need it

[MummyInHeel]

I was thinking about collecting tea lights from all nearby restaurants and creating a camping stove? Perhaps they don't have a smoke alarm if we do that in the wardrobe? I'm sure that would warm through one of those tinned pies.

[ToddlerAdventure]

Thanks @masktaster - I did find it odd to be accused of snobbery when I started a thread about doing it all on a budget! Always one on here

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

Definitely find out the location of a supermarket or two between the hotel and attraction (or not too far off the route). We regularly freeze things to put in the cool box camping, so freezing little 1pts of milk might be helpful. Actual real butter would probably fair better out of a fridge than spread.

Buy on the day for the day, including lunch at the attraction. Take a picnic bag/rucksack etc and some plastic tubs too. Remember water bottles and buy squash.

You might find a supermarket with a cafe that does breakfast. You could stop there on the way to the attraction and at least have a cooked breakfast or similar to keep you going.

Trip Advisor to find cheaper places to eat in the evening, like cafes or independent restaurants. Or look for offers at the chains. Plan ahead so you have voucher codes and have checked the restrictions.

Headphones and a long charging lead for your phone (potentially also an extension lead), so you can sit/lie in bed and watch stuff on your phone (in the dark!!). Consider downloading TV in advance if you can to avoid data charges or slow hotel wifi. We share a room with our kids when staying away from home and it is difficult. The key is darkness, a bit of bribery if necessary and wear them out at the attraction

[masktaster]

It isn't snobby to assume that a hotel that limits its spending in order to make the rooms cheap won't provide daily cleaning. Makes financial sense to me.

Not naming names, but I know of more expensive hotels that don't clean every day. Just a spot check tidy, and a deeper clean if there's requests/complaints. Cheaper than aforementioned, but the Premier Inn I stayed in recently just changed the bins and cups. Not unreasonable to expect it'll be a bare minimum unless requested.

[ToddlerAdventure]

This sounds oddly appealing. OP can we all come and bring spam sandwiches?

Glad someone gets it! Yes, as long as you don't bbq them in the car park or cook them in the kettle

[singingismypassion]

Have you checked that you even have a bath? Most only have showers.
The breakfast really probably won't be that bad at all. I would suggest that you give it a chance. Good luck. I am sure you will have a great time xx

[ToddlerAdventure]

Why are you crying with laughter?? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that it will taint the taste of the water for the next person's coffee. Totally skanky to do it. You can't wash it properly afterwards. One of the reasons I'd never use a hotel kettle anyway - you hear of people washing their underwear in them too! (I'm cabin crew, I've heard it all).

Oh dear, sorry to cause offence. Of course i completely agree it won't do to cook in the kettle...I'm still laughing at some of these ideas. They are so absurd I just cannot help it. Your response just made me laugh, even if you don't see the funny side

[Adsss]

We rarely refrigerate butter. We that's what butter dishes are for!

[MummyInHeel]

This sounds oddly appealing. OP can we all come and bring spam sandwiches?