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!

Look at SeaSpace in Newquay, it’s a mixture of both things potentially?

I love a UK cottage holiday. Never do much cooking!

It's stil a cottage but how about a European centre parcs? There are lots if insite restraunts.

Well it’s obviously a holiday but that aside, if it’s not the type of holiday you are after, do something different. You don’t need MN to agree with you, just find a holiday both you and your DH want to go on.

I’m with you on this. Going away in the uk isn’t a holiday

I have a Sainsbury delivery within an hour of arrival. The bedding is all duvets. There’s a dishwasher. Walk to the bakery for a breakfast bun, have hot dogs for lunch and throw in a BBQ or pub for dinner.

I’ve never cleaned a holiday cottage in my life, beyond wiping down a kitchen surface.

On the last day you just throw the towels in the bath, chuck the bin out and start the dishwasher as you leave.

People like different things & that is fine. I like self catering, but others dont. You dont have to justify yourself.

You could take the risk of flying, go self catering or to a hotel in the UK or stay at home. In the end you have to weigh up the risk versus potential enjoyment and price. If you dont want the UK or to risk a flight maybe driving to a eurocamp type place in France, Belgium or the Netherlands. Yes it would still be the self catering you dont like, but you would have the pool and site seeing. Maybe a possible comprimise?

It might not be your sort of holiday (which is fair!) but it definitely IS a holiday. I’m not sure what else you’d call it.

I wouldn't class it as a holiday either. Re the jet fuel issue, if your holiday is cancelled, you will be refunded. I'd book a package holiday to be fully covered then.

Our holiday was cancelled a few years ago due to a terrorist attack. We were refunded in full ☺️

I really enjoy both hotels and cottages, in fact I'll take any type of holiday 😂. I don't clean in cottages other than obviously wipe up obvious mess etc. DD always insists on stripping the beds as she says the cleaners appreciate it more than anything else but I wouldn't bother unless specifically asked. This year we're doing a UK cottage as can't go abroad for various reasons. Shopping will be ordered to be delivered the night we arrive. Breakfast will just be stuff bunged on the table and help yourself, lunch and dinner eaten out mostly or just help yourself if we happen to be in. There is also a BBQ and pizza oven in the garden we plan to use. Cottage has a dishwasher anyway. Definitely less hassle than at home and a new area to explore!

I am completely with you, OP. A cottage is not my idea of a holiday. A holiday for me is total relaxation (abroad - iseally somewhere hot in a nice hotel) and no chores or having to think about making any meals, etc. I would be worried about the weather here too as well.

I've had some great family cottage holidays, but yes you do have to do everything yourself. I kind of prefer self catering because you have more freedom, but a cottage in a nice tourist village or seaside town etc can be close to lots of cafes/takeaways and things to do. The best ones IMO are when you go with another family so the kids can play together, and there are more adults to share the cooking.

But to be fair all holidays with small children are a lot of work and not really a break. Hotels are too, just a slightly different kind of stress IME.

With a 7 year old I tend to agree with you, OP. We found from 10 ish onwards the flexibility and extra space of self catering could really pay off for an active holiday (though still like a bit of luxury somewhere catered some of the time). But at under 10, having a restaurant (and ideally a spa) on site, someone to clean rooms, etc. was a big deal and really made the difference to whether it felt like a holiday for me or just like a new place to look after the kids.

I don't find self-catering a lot of work. You can be out all day every day sightseeing, at a beach or pool if you want. Eat what and where you want as easily as a hotel. The best thing is that you can have a proper cup of tea whenever you want.

I thought the same until I tried it. I had a great time. A lot less cleaning than I'd do at home, less cooking because I was eating out or buying simple meals. Busy days out exploring then chilled evenings in the cosy cottage.

Make it clear everyone needs to pull their weight, your children are old enough to get their own breakfast and eat your main meal out. I love the flexibility of a cottage, a hotel
room your too cramped, have to get out for the cleaner and stick to set mealtimes.

When you go self catering in the UK, you don't go for the accommodation, you go because its a place to stay in an area nicer than home. So I'd only go if the location itself had an attraction for me. And tbf, there are some lovely options, though typically weather dependent.
There are of course hotels in the UK, so that could be a compromise?

I love this type of holiday with our toddler. Hardly any travel (we live in Devon and Cornwall only short drive), beautiful cottage, lovely scenery, nice places to eat, maybe a swimming pool and some animals for the little one. Definitely a holiday to me (though I also enjoy a 5 star spa hotel or exotic getaway, just different types of holiday to me)

I bloody love a cottage holiday. Seemsl ike from this thread I'm in a minority. I think it might be because other people get on my nerves so I like a cottage because it's just my family. I like being able to make a cuppa and just flop. Can just eat out--don't need to cook. I've never had to make beds etc in a cottage. However I am going to France this year and they do expect you to bring your own bedding which is a bit off-putting.

Cottage holidays are lovely! Don’t worry about “self catering”, eat out or get “posh” ready meals. (I never have ready meals usually but love a Charlie Bighams on holiday).

Find a cottage with a hot tub maybe, or a games room. Personally I love the freedom of a cottage in the UK. But each to their own (I went all inclusive to somewhere sunny once and hated it!).

It’s not an enjoyable holiday as you do all that at home

so you are paying to do it elsewhere so a double whammy

Everyone thinks differently. I prefer the cottage. I like cooking on holiday

We do both. AI in an amazing hotel abroad, but for most of our kids’ lives we actually prioritised cottage holidays in the UK (mainly the Peak District) and they’ve loved them.

We do a shopping delivery for when we get there for basics but we mostly eat out on an evening or get fish and chips or something. And there’s a dishwasher so it’s not like it’s difficult to clean up.

And we never do any actual cleaning, bar wiping the kitchen/bathroom down like you normally would and that’s not that often because we mostly eat out!

I'd book your all inclusive package if I were you. As long as it's a package you would get your money back/alternative holiday if the flights were disrupted.

You go out surely in the day, like you say you dont spend time in the room in a hotel, you dont spend time in the cottage during the day

We dont, we're up, leisurely tea or coffee, then go out for breakfast, then dont return until very late. Still time for cheese and biscuits obviously

I agree, it’s not in the same league as abroad. We generally do self catering in Spain but at least you’ve got the guaranteed weather/beach/nicer culture/better food etc. I don’t think you’d lose money to book abroad and go cheap if you book refundable accommodation cos any cancelled flights would obviously be refunded.