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!

Totally not a holiday op

we dis it for years when the kids were younger and it’s just the same shit in a different place.

we now go abroad and book nice hotels where breakfast or dinner bed and breakfast is included.

no dishes,no prepping or cooking or tidying up after,no making or changing beds or towels,no house responsibilities other than time with the kids and being waited on

tell
him if he wants to book a cottage he’s in charge of organising all the food,cleaning up washing etc and see what he says

I love a self-catering holiday - but that doesn’t make OP’s point irrelevant!

If I had the same view, I would be advising DH that we will be staying in an hotel or not going. It’s not unreasonable to want a break from all the housework if you don’t enjoy it!

If an hotel is unaffordable (or the alternatives you have suggested are also unaffordable) then you’ll just have to forego this year’s holiday and put the money towards a better one next year…

You pays your money and you takes your choice, as they say…

I am actually shocked at this comment.

Never? Not even once?

This certainly proves that we are all different...

AIBU to think a cottage is not a holiday?

YABU, it's a holiday many people love. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's not a holiday.

I've had all those holidays you describe in Egypt and Spain, water villa in the Maldives, beach villa in the Seychelles, trekking in Yosemite and dozens more but a UK cottage holiday definitely has its charm.

The main draw for me is the location, a few minutes walk from a beach or in woodland is a novelty for me I'm in built up London.

We’ve done all sorts of holidays all over the world but enjoy cottage holidays too. We’ve stayed in some lovely ones especially in Scotland and Pembrokeshire.

I think this comment explains why you are getting a lot of the responses you are.
That basically sounds like a "cottage" with meals and facilities on site; which is not what most people were picturing (a whole family in a cramped hotel room).

As an aside, where are you booking this accommodation? I've never been able to find similar.

What's the AIBU? If you don't want to go then tell your DH.

Eek, whereas that just sounds busy, noisy, overstimulating, and not at all relaxing for me. I guess that's what's interesting about us humans... Some recharge by one means and others recharge by a different means.

We’ve had some of our best holidays in cottages and Airbnbs! We have a two year old, 9 month old and a dog so we realised that these were the more practical breaks for now, when we’re away we do meals out, lovely walks, day trips etc and it really does feel like a holiday, sometimes the change of scenery in itself helps!

We recently did an Airbnb that had a private pool, hottub, outdoor bar, children’s toy shed, trampoline, outdoor swings and slides, pool table, and dart board… that one definitely felt like a holiday!

Agreed, the mere words "evening entertainment" feel like the start of a horror film to me. Can't think of anything I would like less. No judgement, just absolutely not what I think if when I picture a holiday I will enjoy

We've seen all manner of entertainment on holiday over the years and it's hit & miss but it is a good way of socialising with other people instead of only being with your family. I particularly like the daytime activities on some package holidays. I was away with my dd last week & got chatting to loads of different people including a mother & daughter who we teamed up with for a quiz. Helps kids to make friends too

That's fine. We each enjoy different things. I'm not fussed by meeting new people I have a big social life at home and just like spending time with family when we are away- we have 4 kids. Each to their own .

It’s not the same as home as you only have to tidy up after yourself which is easy with minimal possessions in with a starting point of spotlessly clean and uncluttered. You don’t have to actually clean, scrub the bath etc. it’s handy being able to wash your clothes however I’d prefer to go abroad where possible so you’re not bun for wanting to

Yes, totally agree: who wants to go to the supermarket on holiday

cottage fine for a long weekend but it’s not relaxing….not for you anyway

I've done both. I prefer cottage holidays.

We are all different, it's true.

Have you considered something like a holiday park? Some of the static caravans are huge and quite luxury and they have all the things you're looking for (pools, games rooms, kids entertainment).

The other thing is that on a UK cottage break you can take stuff with you. Take the entertainment, take their tablets, books, colouring, Lego, whatever they're into. They can get by with less than usual for a week. In fact you'd be amazed how little they need...

My parents had a touring caravan so all I ever knew were self catering holidays! As an adult I spend my working week surrounded by children and many hours travelling to spend those weeks with children so the only thing I want to do on holiday is curl up in a secluded cabin and rest! The thought of a hotel and having to eat in a crowded dining room fills me with dread!!
So each to their own!!

Going to the supermarket on holiday (particularly in a different country, so different types of food) and buying treat food is entirely different to normal, routine shopping.

Although we tend to take basics with us and eat out.

See, we go on holiday to get away from people. Spend a lot of time with people having huge families, busy jobs, small child with a busy social life etc. So evening entertainment which is almost always something we wouldn't choose and almost forced socialising is hell for us.

Remote cottage on the coast where we eat very simple meals to save on washing up (and ours usually have a dish washer) and chuck the washing back in a suitcase, bliss.

Previous bad experiences, though admittedly we've already been at the holiday destination when disaster struck! (Volcanic ash cloud and airline going bust).

We never go to the evening entertainment, we sit on the balcony/ terrace etc reading and drinking wine. I don't go in for the entertainment at all. May stay for the kids disco if the kids spot it's on.

Have you thought about a cruise? Round trip from Southampton so no need to worry about fuel.

I’m in a couple of minds about this. I think it depends on what the cottage might be. I associate a “cottage” with being inconvenient to get to and having various things broken in it. However, it is entirely possible that not every cottage is like this.

AirBnB have spoiled quite a lot of cottage-style holidays because of their rules on cleaning and disposal of rubbish. There was a thread a while ago where the OP had to strip all beds, leave no washing up, leave the dishwasher clean and empty and take all rubbish with her (presumably because the owners don’t want to pay for rubbish collection). There was also a fairly hefty cleaning fee.

If the OP doesn’t want to stay in a cottage that is okay. I’d book the AI in that case.

Not the point of the thread but that sounds lovely! where did you go?
I like a cottage holiday but we agree it has to be at least as nice as our house and in a stunning location! DD and DH hate hot weather so fly and flop holidays are limited sadly.

One year we went to the HD Parque Cristobel, Gran Canaria which was little bungalow apartments. I wouldn't generally recommend Gran Canaria though as it was a little void of things to do.

One of my favourites was the Rocrita hotel in Crete, but I love Greek food and history. We did some sightseeing to an island and some ruins which was nice. We had a one bed suite which had a separate lounge area and a terrace. The buildings are low rise, not a massive tower block.

Particularly considering the ages of your two DCs (7 & 10), and if you can and are willing to drive abroad, I'd suggest looking at Eurocamp (or other similar companies) in France. If you are in the SE then Dover or Newhaven is not too far away to drive, then, after the ferry-crossing, you can reach the Brittany coast in about 3-4hours. Yes, it's self-catering, but each emplacement has it's own BBQ (& kitchen w fridge, proper beds, dining furniture, sun-loungers), which always tempted my DH to do most of the cooking while I just assembled salads & made salad dressing. If you don't want canvas, there are chalets and caravans. Shopping at French supermarkets is a joy, the quality and range of food is a revelation. Many sites have their own restaurants and they all have mini-supermarkets. There are pools and playgrounds, there are holiday friends for your children to play with. You can, quite safely, turn the kids loose within the very safe environs of the site & tell them to be back for lunch or tea. There are lovely beaches and rockpools to visit. Carnac and Trinité-sur-Mer are places to look at.