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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Self Catering "holidays"

125 replies

Nohomemadecandles · 07/08/2021 19:42

Self Catering Holidays are Hard Work...

I just want a self indulgent whinge really. I'm sure it makes me entitled and I know lots of people are worse off but...

Self catering is not a holiday. It's just wife work in a different house!

One of us is always cooking, washing up, planning what to cook/eat, making beds, moving glasses, taking out the rubbish...

We're lucky (I know, very lucky) to have access to a family home on the south coast. We've been here three weeks. We've had various family members join us who also need feeding and clearing up after.

I'm shattered! I want my own bed and a week in a hotel abroad!

OP posts:

shinynewapple21 · 08/08/2021 00:28

We are all different . I like the extra space you get with self catering accommodation as opposed to a hotel and I don't see the attraction of all inclusive where you are eating all your meals in the same place .

We make sure we have very easy to prepare food for any meals we cook ourselves - breakfast just cereal / toast and then picnic / deli food for the second meal we have at our accommodation. Eat out or takeaway for one meal each day . Although TBF we couldn't do this if we holidayed for 3 weeks at a time !

Bythemillpond · 08/08/2021 00:38

Just because it is self catering it doesn’t mean you have to eat in for any meals
We always now do Airbnb type holidays.

The space is so much better. Always have a private pool, dishwasher and WIFI.

We only ever do a brunch or croissants for breakfast/lunch at the most. Everyone helps with the clearing. We always eat out in the evening.

timeisnotaline · 08/08/2021 00:43

We nearly always do it. Dh is great. We don’t make beds! We did one a few weeks ago- We do lazy mornings with the dc playing Lego, I’m pregnant and not eating much so dh does dinner but I encourage frozen pizza and takeaway and we went to the pub one night. Went for great walks, some he took them for while I stayed home for a nap. Cleaned up the last day and off we went!

It’s the only way to have space to relax and be lazy in, and be able to eat quick simple food.

saraclara · 08/08/2021 01:02

We always self-catered. It's so much more comfortable than a hotel room (not that we could have afforded the latter).

But no way did we cook in the same way that we did at home. Nor was there as much general housework/maintenance to do (I'm not ironing on holiday). I'm always bemused by people saying 'same shit, different place' because I never once thought that.

eekbumbler · 08/08/2021 01:07

Didn't even bother reading after DH. Try driving 4 hours to the coast then put a tent up by yourself plus airbeds unpacking etc etc for you and 2 children... Brilliant times, the best of. Wouldn't change a thing. Maybe ditch your DH if you cannot communicate to him that you're not happy.

SwedishEdith · 08/08/2021 01:11

We're lucky (I know, very lucky) to have access to a family home on the south coast. We've been here three weeks. We've had various family members join us who also need feeding and clearing up after.

Well, then, you've just swapped one house for another so not really a holiday at all. And that's not to do with the self-catering side, it's other people turning up and treating you as a host in you (other??) home.

rottd · 08/08/2021 01:11

are you paying for the accommodation? Just eat out/order takeaway. We do this on sc holidays anyway

Spidey66 · 08/08/2021 03:12

I love self catering holidays, much prefer them, as normally your accommodation is larger, plus you get more freedom. We usually eat out a fair bit or just have salads etc

If we're abroad I like aparthotels as you get the best of both worlds ie the freedom to eat whenever or someone wherever but someone doing the cleaning, the use of hotel facilities eg a pool and a restaurant on site if you want it.

Onlinedilema · 08/08/2021 05:49

I’m with you op.
Just returned from 2 nights away in a hotel. Has breakfast and dinner. All waiter service. Fabulous, expensive but you get what you pay for.
I don’t go on holiday to cook and clean, I’d rather stay at home.
I holiday less frequently but I want luxury if I go away.
Your relatives sound lazy by the way.

User7458 · 08/08/2021 06:20

We go away in our caravan and its fine, no children though and DH washes up and does most of the caravan stuff like refilling the water, waste and toilet emptying. we share the cooking and usually eat out quite a bit but since covid did eat more in the caravan because of having to prebook at eateries.

User7458 · 08/08/2021 06:24

When we go abroad though we usually do something like hire a motorhome to tour round as I don't really like staying in hotels so prefer self catering

mogsrus · 08/08/2021 07:10

why pay for a holiday then do the same thing!may as well stay home,that to me is definitely no holiday

Neverrains · 08/08/2021 08:01

The point about self catering is that you don’t actually have to eat at the place you’re staying! We rarely do, we eat out at different places most evenings. It means you get to choose different places to eat instead of being at your hotel/resort every night. I wouldn’t go on holiday to cook every night, but the bonus of self catering is that you usually have more space, better facilities and can choose different places to eat.

Plumtree391 · 08/08/2021 08:02

I preferred self catering, it meant more space and privacy.

You can eat out, not everywhere is expensive.

If people cannot afford to eat out they generally can't afford a hotel so are glad to rent a house or flat. Most have dishwashers. When our son was two we had a week in a lovely little place in Wales and we cooked because we couldn't afford much else but we kept it simple, did it between us; it wasn't a big deal. I always look back on that holiday with great affection because we had such a lovely time.

Surely any 'chores' are shared on holiday.

User7458 · 08/08/2021 08:04

Self catering is definitely better in places like Greece and Spain as you can go to a different restaurant each evening and try different things rather than just stay in the same hotel if you go all inclusive.

Plumtree391 · 08/08/2021 08:04

@SwedishEdith

Why don't the family members do some cooking or take you out for a meal? I would if I came to stay with you (can I come? Could do with a change of scene and am house trained

DGFB · 08/08/2021 08:05

Yanbu, we stay in hotels and have breakfast as a minimum. And eat out. That’s a holiday

GoAwayCat · 08/08/2021 08:08

We much prefer self catering. Privacy, space, access to tea/coffee/snacks/fridge etc. It's so much better with children.

I hate that feeling in a hotel of being reliant upon the staff for anything, having to go down to a restaurant or cafe for food or drinks etc. And having to vacate the room for housekeeping. Fine for a night or two but not relaxing.

I don't think you're alone though OP as I know a few people in real life and lots on MN who would agree that the general principle of SC is not a holiday.

OverByYer · 08/08/2021 08:08

Struggling to feel much sympathy OP

We always self catered as preferred the space but would eat out or cook simple meals

Maybe draw up a rota or stop being a doormat

BarbaraofSeville · 08/08/2021 08:09

We always choose somewhere with restaurants and at least a decent sized convenience store in walking distance, so we can go out to eat, but also have easy access to stock up on booze and easy food for relaxed meals and grazing in the accommodation.

Minimal cooking and the only 'housework' is keeping the kitchen useable, which is easy when you're only eating pizza, salads, barbecue etc. If you're doing more than that, then I don't know why.

tickingthebox73 · 08/08/2021 08:13

I made this mistake once.... Next time I booked meals out one night in 3 (actually booked them, not just planned!) Then lunches became bought pre-made food, sandwiches etc. Lastly I made sure whenever I cooked I did enough for double the people, then you have another meal ready to heat for the following evening!

Suddenly the holiday was a joy....

senoritarita · 08/08/2021 08:18

I agree. Also the food shopping 🥴

user1493494961 · 08/08/2021 08:18

Also struggling to find any sympathy, some people would give their right arm for a week away let alone three.

Arthurianna · 08/08/2021 08:19

We often self cater, but tend to have a meal out most days.

Do all the meal planning and shopping before you go.

Frozen croissants for breakfast and a variety pack of cereals so it seems like a hotel.

Picnics for lunch. Meals out in the evening. Or if you have small children, meal out for lunch, picnic for their tea, cheese and wine and whatever nice extras you find in the local deli for you.

grafittiartist · 08/08/2021 08:27

I prefer self catering- found it stressful having little children in a hotel- having to wait for late dinner times etc.
At least you can eat when you want etc in your own place.
And I find it easier to tidy up in another house without all our crap every where!!

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