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!

Isn't a holiday what you make it? I couldn't think of anything worse than all in inclusive sat on a Sunday lounge for a week, even if we have a one city break to me it is a holiday

This I’m afraid. I’d rather be at home. Why would cooking and cleaning be any kind of holiday?

If it’s a cottage with a lovely view, hot tub and / or swimming pool it feels more like a holiday to me. They also have hotels in this country!

I wouldn’t be planning an abroad holidays right now with uncertainty about oil prices and the daft border checks they’ve introduced.

wow, I last went on holiday in 2021

wow, I last went on holiday in 2021

wow, I last went on holiday in 2021

Get a cottage in the UK but eat dinner at a restaurant each day?

We have a tourer and go away often. I still have to cook, clean, make beds etc but we are still away from home! I guess its what you enjoy personally.

We go to Haven sites often where theres plenty of stuff for children to do! Wouldn't have it any other way ☺️

Most hotels I’ve stayed in over the past few years don’t include breakfast anyway and it’s usually stupidly expensive for something quite disappointing. You usually get a much nicer breakfast for less ££ by just going out. You can do the same in a cottage!

Bizarre thread.

Holiday you don’t like personally means it isn’t a holiday? 🤔

I’d hate to go to some tiny pacific island and stay in an all inclusive for 2 weeks, I’d have proper cabin fever. But it’s still a holiday that others enjoy.

We were never able to afford All inclusive with our kids. We often rented a cottage, and brought fancy ready meals for first night, then pack sandwiches, juice, treats and chocolate for lunch, then get fish and chips or pizza or meal out in the evening. Minimal cooking, washing up the breakfast stuff and making the beds takes 10 minutes.

we did always enjoy it, but I guess AI must be amazing, but I am always amazed that people can afford that for a family of four 🙂

but if you do not like it and it makes you feel miserable then definitely do not do it!

YANBU

If you define a holiday as a break and a rest, a cottage (or rented house, flat etc) isn’t a holiday.

It’s just a change of scenery.

I like a cottage. It does have a home from home feel to it and like another poster said, more space than a hotel. I also quite like doing a shop run and stocking the place up - even a big bottle of milk for endless cups of tea over tiny hotel ones where you're limited to one cup 😅 and I like a hotel but for a family, I think it is nice to have the extra space and facilities.
Of course the downside is I haven't been to one with daily housekeeping. That would be bliss.

A holiday isn’t necessarily a rest though is it? It might be about sightseeing, doing an activity, connecting with nature. Maybe it is to you, but everyone’s different.

I’m with you, when I go on holiday I do not want to think about cleaning or food - let be it only a breakfast. I want a break and having everything provided for me.

We often go on self-catering holidays (due to cost) and I agree with you. I still enjoy being away, but it’s a lot of work in terms of cooking, shopping etc. And you never know what you’re going to get in an Airbnb, in terms of kitchen basics. Eg no salt or sugar! It’s ridiculous. It’s still a holiday but it’s not very relaxing imo.

I leave the place neat and tidy but I’m not going to strip the beds or hoover.

I think it depends on your family.
I was very anti-Air B&B because I always wanted the luxury and ease of a hotel. Anyway, the price was so good I agreed as it was the only way we could afford to go away with the children. We had the BEST time, but my husband is very much an equal partner and took the lion’s share of the cooking and cleaning so I could relax. We also ate out a lot. If my partner was lazy, selfish or avoidant then it would’ve been a nightmare.

I actually prefer a cottage or apartment although I know they are increasingly unpopular with locals which is fair enough. I like having my own privacy and space and the ability to prepare some food myself.

It really depends how you do it. Whenever we take a UK cottage type holiday it’s one with a hot tub. More luxurious than home. Usually nearby to nice places to eat and drink so we never really eat at the cottage. We do all the things we’d do on an abroad holiday to make it still feel like an escape.

We started cottage holidays after acquiring a dog. 24 years later we are still loving them. The only cleaning I do is wiping the kitchen benches/table, and sweeping the kitchen floor.

Cottages are fine for me - I've almost always holidayed in self catering because it's cheaper than a hotel we like having space to ourselves and it's easier when you have small children because you can at least sit outside with a glass of wine when they have to go to bed etc. Also a necessity now because DH snores and you can at least often find a place with a sofabed so you're not splashing out for extra bedrooms.

Hotels feel like work to me as I work away a couple of times a year, stay in hotels and hate going. But generally I hate the prescriptive breakfast times, having to be dressed for breakfast, no private but communal spaces for your group, cleaners coming in and messing with your stuff. I love a cottage or Airbnb, everyone is different!

I agree OP.

I feel the same when we go away in our camper van - there’s still cooking, washing up and cleaning today….and it’s made harder by the lack of space!

Agree!! I was also surprised to read this. What is one doing to that toilet if it needs cleaning after a week when it was already cleaned when you arrived! 😱

Or perhaps it is some next level MN duckery "doesnt everyone clean the fridge/toilet/skirting boards/oven/decking, repressurise the boiler, jet wash the patio, descale the dishwasher and repoint the bathroom frouting before checking out of their holiday let??" 😂

What about going to a Centre Parcs place?