AIBU to think a cottage is not a holiday?

[Jogonpolly]

Looking to go away in half term (DH and 2DC age 7&10).

I'd ideally like a short haul all inclusive somewhere - good weather and easy for them kids to be occupied. But with the jet fuel issue I don't feel confident booking incase we lose our money.

I suggested going somewhere in Europe by train. A hotel, pool and play area some places to visit, maybe a city or something.

DH has suggested a cottage in the UK, Devon or somewhere. Problem is, I just don't see a cottage as a holiday - in a hotel someone makes your bed and cleans the bathroom. You can choose to eat out or in the hotel restaurant, you don't need to drive anywhere, decisions are easy, everything is easy. My experiences of cottages in the UK are of same shit, different (and more difficult)place. There will still be cleaning to do, breakfast to sort even if we do go out for lunch and dinner, there's more planning and organising. I think I'd just rather not go.

AIBU and a misery?

And before people say it, yes, DH will do some of the organising and cleaning but still, it's just like being at home!

I'd also be happy with a city break, sightseeing etc. doesn't need to be an all inclusive place!

It may not be the holiday you would want to have but it is still a holiday!

Same shit, different venue.

Being independent and deciding where to visit in the UK is also a holiday. Not sure what the cottage has to do with it, it is a whole house you have to yourselves

It is a holiday, it is just not a hotel holiday and not a holiday you enjoy so you are not U to refuse, but it is U to say it is not a holiday. Many people prefer it.

Yabu to say it's not a holiday as if you're away from home of course it is. Personally I prefer a cottage or apartment rather than a hotel room if it's more than a couple of days as I think there's more space & there's a proper kitchen & lounge. But if you just feel you'll be doing exactly the same ie housework then it's not much of a break for you

There are hotels in the UK…?

I refuse to do any form of self catering, as it’s not a holiday if I am planning, shopping for, cooking and washing up meals every day.

We always go self catering abroad as we can never afford to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner out but if we could, I would! So your point is very valid. Staying in a hotel is lovely.

I’d rather stay home than go on a cottage or Airbnb holiday, especially in the UK.

The cleaning/bin emptying/take your own bedding/cooking etc don’t feel like a holiday at all. It’s just housework in a different location.

I want a hotel where someone else cleans and tidied and replaces your towels.

I’ve stayed in holiday cottages and not made as much as a slice of toast.
There's no cleaning to do, just pull the duvet straight in the morning.

I agree, I don’t dee it as a holiday either, I’d rather stay at home

The cottage is the relevant bit - self catering, having to clean/ tidy/ wash up etc even if eating out. No on-site activities is also part of it.

We'd only ever done city breaks or cottage holidays before last year. I love a city break and have never been fussed about cottage type holidays as it does just seem like same shit, different place.

This. They say a change is as good as a holiday.

A holiday cottage still feels like a break, just a different sort to an all inclusive break abroad. I have it down to a tee now .. in advance I book a home delivery for shopping to arrive as soon as we've checked in, with all the holiday treats... It is definitely not the same as staying at home. It's lovely and clean on arrival and there is barely any cleaning to do, no maintenance, no jobs... You can just cosy up and chill out, or go and visit places. Plus, no people... Tranquility at its best!!!!

Abroad is this also.

Same old rubbish wherever you go. And worse if someone is ill etc.

DH has suggested a cottage in the UK, Devon or somewhere. Problem is, I just don't see a cottage as a holiday

These are the only holidays that I had, as a child.

We do cottage stays because we have a self catering health need. I grew up by swimming pool in a hot climate, it is not my thing anymore....
how much cleaning you really do?? We have simple home made meals , tbh the meals are the same all the time due to the health need I mentioned...so me and my husband both know them by heart. After using the showers or baths is there a lot of cleaning to do? Perhaps just put the towels on the rail to dry? Is this cleaning? Do you make the beds? I don't, just roll the duvet back and sit on it with my laptop browsing stuff. A swimming pool, we use the nearest spa swimming pool. Throwing the bins in the cottage? - that hard?

Unless you habe staff, surely there’s as much cleaning as at home. From dishes and glasses etc to cleaning the loo etc on the way out/

Cottage holiday, different house, same housework plus "never the kit you want to cook what you could do easily at home."

All inclusive. Where is the pool.

Completely different holidays.

All the ones we've been looking at say we need to strip the beds, wash up, and take the bins out.

Plus the kids need breakfast so there will definitely be some washing up and food organisation required.

I always prefer self catering to hotels, but then we dont eat in

I dont do any cleaning while in a cottage/airbnb. Only give a wipe round when we're leaving and make sure the bins are emptied. Doesnt seem very onerous.

Only if it's self catering!

Obviously going to a cottage is a holiday.

It's entirely up to you! If you don't think it would feel like a holiday, then to you it wouldn't be a holiday!

Personally, I would hate the kind of "holiday" that you would like, ie being stuck in a hotel, potentially with hundreds of other people. To me, that wouldn't feel like a holiday at all and I'd probably prefer not to go.

Each to their own.

It's a holiday for the kids, but not for the parent(s) doing all the work. Still, I did it for years as it was the only holiday the kids would get during that period of our lives.

I don't think 'toast' or 'croissant' counts as organisation.

What cottages have you hired? Most cottage holidays include all linen, bedding, towels... And you're not crammed into a hotel room as a family of 4, you have a whole entire property, with garden, bbq... You can get beautiful, rural holiday cottages with no neighbours etc! Quiet and peaceful ❤️