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!

Of course it's a holiday it's just not the holiday you want. Yabu but saying it's not a holiday. Tbh it sounds amazing holiday lucky you

Thank you for your reply but people go all the way to all inclusive hotels in Spain, Greece, Portugal or whereever to feed themselves and their children themed food instead of going to actual Spanish, Greek, Portugese resturants in the countries they want to be in? so all their children see of a culture is a pool an a themed resturant?

Self catering anything is same shit different location. In no way is it a holiday for you

I see activities and sightseeing as a rest. It's getting away from the daily grind of household management and housework that is restful for me.

We do lots of sightseeing on AI holidays.

It's clear we're all different and that lots of people have no idea what hotels abroad are like!

One of our AI holidays we got a small bungalow - 2 bedrooms and a lounge and our own garden. Never have I stayed anywhere where we've all been in a single small room with no outside space. It's not a Travelodge abroad.

It is for the vast majority of people. But that comment explains a lot.

Not at all.

In Menorca we spent a day in Cuitadella in art galleries and museums, looking at the churches and little market streets, it was lovely. We went on about trip to one of the smaller islands and did a cookery class and a walk through the forest.

In Egypt we went to the museum and pyramids etc and ate loads of delicious Egyptian food, including a lamb cooked on an old bonnet over a fire.

In Italy we went to Florence, Lucca and Pisa, to art galleries and museums.

It’s personal isn’t it. If we do the cottage thing I don’t tend to think of that as a ‘holiday’ it would never be our main holiday, I’d call it a break. Semantics really, but that’s how it works in my head! We went to CP recently and I viewed that as more of a break as opposed to a holiday.

so all their children see of a culture is a pool an a themed resturant?

You're allowed to leave the hotel, even if AI. But we used AI mainly when children were small and not really that interested in archeological sites and other cultural experiences.

Tbf I have never done AI abroad with DC. But my comment earlier about one room or two adjoining rooms was from friends and colleagues who have done it and that has been the scenario. Maybe they were paying less but I never heard of anyone getting a whole bungalow. And I think some people here have experienced the hotel rooms thing so it definitely happens.

I have enjoyed lots of self catering holidays in mobile homes and cottages in the UK and abroad. I have never been on an AI holiday, but understand why some people enjoy them - different strokes for different folks.
I will however admit that I like going abroad (at least in part) to enjoy the pool and or the beach in the sunshine. When myself and DP were young we sometimes went to Greece etc. not to look at the sites, but to swim in a warm sea and enjoy meals and drinks outside in pleasant weather. Sometimes we would wander between our apartment, a couple of tavernas & the beach etc. without ever looking at a historical site or exploring any towns etc. (shocking I know). I do enjoy a UK beach trip, but as DP sometimes says 'it is nice to enjoy a bit of sun'. Althougth often looked down on on MN I think a lot of people feel that way. We cant often afford a 'bit of sun' in the school holudays these days, and luckily enjoy other stuff as well, but I think it is a totally valid holiday option 🙂🌞

Me I have never eaten breakfast in my night clothes- I am 50.

Go on, try it, live dangerously!

I love the cottage and it is defo a holiday for me. I can also undertand hoe it won't feel like a holiday for everyone

When we self cater, we cant afford to eat out all the time. It would be a couple of meals usually. I just dont find the shopping and clearing up arduous. We all chip in. Placing some crossiants/bread/cheese/crisps /salad etc. on a table & then doing a cursory wipe around after is no issue for me. Tea would be a bbq or salad or if in the UK maybe a pizza bunged in the oven. I love it if there is a dishwasher, but a bit of washing up doesn't spoil things for me. I quite like going round a foreign supermarket if abroad (sad).

I have low standards & apart from wiping up after meals do no other cleaning. Im not sure what this would be? I admit after a long journey making up beds in a mobile isnt my favourite thing, but it is often the standard we can afford and takes 10 minutes or so. Not the end of the world. Im happy to be on holiday doing and seeing stuff with my family away from the everyday grind of work & school. A few little jobs dont take away from that.

However, no judgement if it isnt your thing. If it spoils things for you that is fair enough. There are lots of holidays I wouldn't like (cruises, family camping). I know other people do though. They are holidays - just ones I dont enjoy.

Why do you think you won’t get your money back
if you book a decent package trip if they cancel

Sorry not RTFT but to me a cottage / villa family “holiday” is just cooking in someone else’s kitchen (etc).
So not a holiday

oooh I love my PJs and am often in them at 8pm. Actually I often have breakfast at work and I an dressed then so PJ breakfast at the weekend (or on holiday) is nice.

The distinction is the accommodation not the country. Get a hotel in the uk.

Country will make a difference for sure as well, much more likely to have decent weather if you stay in a villa in Greece than cottage in the UK

I don’t do the cooking, so they suit me fine.

I would much rather stay in a cottage than an all inclusive hotel which I hate.
I'm also not keen on hotels in general being in one room makes me feel claustrophobic. Especially as we don't like going out to bars in the evening. Also I don't like breakfast but my partner does so a cottage is much more flexible and relaxing having the space to sit outside if we want, and relax in the evenings

That depends on the person, a holiday cottage does not feel like a break to me at all with the family!

If it my just my partner and I having a weekend in a cosy cabin with a hot tub yes I am on board. I can sit and read, enjoy time in the hot tub and relax.

A trip to a cabin/cottage/house/caravan with the kids, no thank you. That is not my idea of relaxing and for me a holiday is relaxing and switching off.

A holiday with the kids involves lots of sun, all inclusive food and drink, evening entertainment and a swimming pool for the kids to spend the day at.

Definitely same shit but much harder. Still worth it. We need cottages due to autistic kids.

Different people like different things. I prefer a cottage to a hotel as you get more space, you don't have cleaners coming in at awkward times and you can get breakfast in your pajamas etc without having to be up and dressed at a certain time. If you don't want to make lunch/dinner etc you can just eat out, and keeping it reasonably clean and tidy is just a case of 5 minutes every day.