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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Weekends away aren't worth it or are they?

76 replies

Rayn22 · 26/04/2023 22:25

Been away for a weekend and realised they aren't worth it. Friday to Monday in a cottage. By the time I have unpacked it's time to go home again. Paid 350 for the cottage and spent around the same on eating out, fuel, attractions etc
That is 700 I could have put towards a holiday abroad. We normally have one or two a year weekends a year but decided not to bother.
Anyone else think it's just not worth all the hassle for a couple of days. Maybe if we didn't have kids. I just feel like I have blinked, missed it and back at work.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 27/04/2023 08:33

UsingChangeofName · 27/04/2023 00:04

I never thought it was worth it when the dc were little, but at the age your dc are, we thought it was.
I mean, this By the time I have unpacked it's time to go home again. makes no sense to me. I just lift my night things and wash bag out of my bag. Then clean underwear the next morning. I'm not really sure what you are "unpacking" that makes it an actual job.

Then, like a pp, I would never spend that much whilst away. I mean, if you have loads of spare money, I can see that you could, but as it is obviously eating into your budget, then there isn't any need to.

Me neither, but I'm wondering if the OP is the poster who spends all her holidays folding the throws and arranging the cushions, getting annoyed with her DH/DC because they don't do the same, then complain she's not had a holiday because she's 'still had to do all the cleaning'.

'm not sure I'd do much 'unpacking' tbh, just leave the case open if there's space or spend a few minutes unpacking. Everyone does their own, although I suppose a 7 YO may need a bit of help, but I hope you're not doing it all OP?

Surely it's what you make of it? If it's a Friday or Monday break, you can visit an attraction and get a nice lunch on the way, have a relaxed evening with a takeaway or easy supermarket food on Friday evening. Then have a couple of days out on the Saturday and Sunday, maybe eat out or more takeaway/easy food etc and then visit somewhere or do a walk etc on the way home. So 4 decent days out, a change of scene, nice food and drink and quality time together. Sounds great.

I

BagelAndMarmite · 27/04/2023 08:42

We always used to do weekends away, but hotel rooms and cottages and eating out are so expensive now and don't seem worth the money. And I think checking in at 4pm is a con.
So we've bought a campervan (another one - we've had one before) and a weekend break feels well worth it.

Yoyooo · 27/04/2023 08:43

My favourite holiday was a night away in a posh city hotel with DH! Beat any 2 week holiday by the beach.

Zipps · 27/04/2023 08:50

Another weekend away fan, I'm afraid. We often just go for one night if we're on our motorbikes. Part of the attraction is the ride though.
If we're going in our car we stick to within two hours away max. We're retired now so rather do Monday to Friday than weekend instead as it's usually the same price sometimes cheaper and you get an extra day. If we're self catering we book somewhere with dishwasher and only do breakfast ourselves. Don't get the fuss about cleaning at the end, it takes minutes - I wipe surfaces and dh empties the bins. I wouldn't book anything where you have to make beds up.

ganvough · 27/04/2023 08:53

Love a uk weekend away. No faff with airport or Eurostar. I tend to pick places with big walks/hikes so getting 2 days of doing that in the outdoors along with a nice dinner/drinks and breakfast in a b&b is perfect relaxation. Only expense is on the b&b and I never pick expensive ones. If I had kids I'd just book Airbnb. Travel with a backpack and live out of it. Only need my hiking clothes and one smart top for dinner.

WinchSparkle80 · 27/04/2023 09:02

The idea of one always sounds appealing but the reality is, normally expensive travelling to and from. My DS never sleeps the first night anywhere, so first proper day is always exhausting. Just getting into it by second night and then you have to check out at 10am!

SpringBunnies · 27/04/2023 10:01

I can see what the OP is saying. I'm happy to drive over an hour one way for a day trip. A trip to central london takes around 2 hours one way and I do it as a day trip too. I much prefer to stay in my own bed and for any distance this length, unless it's going to something very late and I can't get home at night, then I won't stay. If it's going for a weekend break, I don't know how far I'm willing to drive? Maybe 2-3 hours max. Anything longer I don't think it's worth the effort anymore.

BearKey · 27/04/2023 12:02

I love a weekend away! But mostly because I generally try and palm the kids off on the grandparents and go with just my husband, so it feels like an actual rest 😁

Lcb123 · 27/04/2023 12:03

I disagree, we’re rarely home at weekends! Just take a change of clothes, what else do you need.

Cupcakequeen75 · 27/04/2023 12:09

Haven't had a "holiday" in 30+ years but love a weekend (or extended weekend) away.
Of course, being recently (early) retired it means our weekends away are now actually mid-week which is even better.

jellycakeandicecream · 27/04/2023 12:17

Usernamen · 27/04/2023 08:09

I love weekends away in the UK or in Paris (via the Eurostar). But with the complete faff of airports and how long it takes to get to where you’re staying, I like to do a minimum of 3 nights abroad.

Favourite weekends away have been: Aldeburgh, Manchester, Edinburgh, St Ives, Bath.

Shhh, don't tell people about Aldeburgh.

usernother · 27/04/2023 12:22

Not in a cottage. But they are definitely worth it in a lovely hotel. Preferably with a spa.

Wenfy · 27/04/2023 12:29

We’ve done several long stays this year where DH and I work remotely for part of the day & send DC to local kids clubs that do fun outdoor activities. I distrust kids clubs abroad but in the UK most of the nicer ones are ofsted rated so can be just as good as school / nursery. Recently paid £500 for a very last minute 2-week stay in Cornwall. Prior to that £450 for a week in Centre Parcs. Didn’t think it was too bad.

BaronessBomburst · 27/04/2023 12:39

Weekends away need to be fairly close but if you can manage an extra day or two then you can go further afield.
We're currently on our way back from Berlin. Left on Sunday morning, 7 hour drive, spent the evening walking around. Three full days, then left this morning after a short walk to pick up some gifts and souvenirs. Three of us in a Novotel (we use Ibis a lot too), and buying wine and food for dinner from the nearby supermarket keeps costs down. Just a small bag with a change of clothes/ shoes keeps it simple.
We had a great time and are already planning the next one!
(Brussels, for a weekend because it's only a two hour drive).

fdgdfgdfgdfg · 27/04/2023 12:41

Just spent a long weekend in Oxford for my 40th. Loved it. Left Friday at lunchtime, came back after lunch on Monday. Basically worked out as 3 full days there. 3 nights out for meals with a few drinks. A day out with a nice walk and then pissing about on the electric scooters they've got with DP, then a day where I left her to go shopping and I looked round all the museums.

And most importantly 3 nights without a teenager in the next room who goes to bed later than us.

The trick is I think to pick somewhere that's not too far to travel. I'd never go abroad for a long weekend, or anywhere thats more than about 3 hours travel, it just eats into it too much.

Unbridezilla · 27/04/2023 12:43

Hotel yes, but in a holiday cottage it usually takes my until Saturday evening to feel settled and then we leave on Sunday!

Also all the faff or taking tea bags, milk, spare loo roll and all purpose cleaner in case there isn't any annoys me. But I'd rather take it than spend Saturday morning driving to to supermarket for milk

shivawn · 27/04/2023 12:43

I wouldn't normally be a weekend away person but we have booked 3 nights in Center Parcs with our toddler for next month. Figured we'd give it a go. Its in addition to holidays abroad though, I wouldn't do a weekend away instead of them. I won't be wasting time on packing and unpacking, I don't even do that for a 2 week trip!

Flyingsparks · 27/04/2023 12:50

Rayn22 · 26/04/2023 22:48

Kids are 15, 11 and 7 so all want to do different things. Its just not long enough to feel any benefit.

Think this your problem OP- kids suck the joy from everything 😂😂 ( only half joking)

think you should give weekends a miss with kids, and stick to longer breaks where you get a chance to chill in between packing

HamBone · 27/04/2023 12:52

As PP’s have said, it depends what you’re doing. DH and I had recently had a night away for his birthday. Nearby city 90 min drive away, but we’ve never been there as a couple, always doing family-friendly activities.

Finished work at 3 on Friday and drove up, checked into lovely hotel (they upgraded us as it was a birthday treat!) changed, had a walk around, then great dinner and evening out…walked back slightly merry. 😂

We’d booked timed tickets for an exhibition the next morning so had breakfast in a cafe and walked over to museum. Enjoyed that, ended up going to another museum, late lunch and we drove home.

it honestly felt as if we’d been away longer than 24 hours as it was so different and fun. So I think even v. mini breaks can be worth it!

Oblomov23 · 27/04/2023 12:52

Completely disagree, but I think it's your attitude that is the issue. Been on many over the last 10 years, with Dh, best friend, 2 closest female friends, mainly European cities, a few UK. Had the best time, EVER.

HamBone · 27/04/2023 12:58

Ah, I missed the update that you’d brought three children who all wanted to do different things. That’s the issue then, a 15-year-old has v. different interests to a 5-year-old.

Perhaps wait another year or so until your eldest can stay at home? My teenagers (17 and 14) have gone right off family trips, they’re pains to bring along atm.

cocksstrideintheevening · 27/04/2023 12:59

Love a weekend away, or a night. When DTs were very small yes it's a PITA with the crap that needs to go with them but once past that stage it's great.

We like to pick a random Premier Inn on a Thursday and go after school on the Friday. In half term I'm taking them to Dublin for a couple of nights.

MiddleParking · 27/04/2023 13:10

I love being on the weekend away but with two tiny kids in nursery and two full time jobs I feel like a weekend (well, particularly a Sunday) spent not preparing for the week ahead knocks everything out of kilter for about a fortnight. Drives me nuts.

LazyLeopard · 27/04/2023 13:16

Bloody love a weekend away, with and without the kids. We tend to do 2-3 nights on either Yorkshire or Norfolk coast (we are in the middle) I feel utterly relaxed the minute I get there, and recharged when I get back.

Slimjimtobe · 27/04/2023 13:18

We tend to just go away for one night (maybe twice a year - no kids - for less than 24 hours just dinner, stay over, breakfast and collect kids at noon) it costs 100 and we only bring a rucksack so no hassle (45 mins drive)