Would you stay with friends whilst on holiday?

[sybilmontague]

Friends of ours have offered for us to come and stay at their villa in Greece. It’s a small island. We can fly there but it’s expensive so cheaper to fly then ferry.

Friends will be there during when we visit. For context we see these friends for dinner every two months or so. I have known the wife from working together around 5 years ago. The husband and dh get along well too. We aren’t best friends but get along.

Just thinking that because it’s their villa, we won’t relax 100%. We prefer hotels. I guess there might be pressure to cook dinner? etc.

We probably wouldn’t visit the island if it wasn’t for free accommodation.

No I wouldn't. Maybe for a weekend.but not for a week. You ate both on different agendas they are living there you are on holiday

DH and I are often split on this subject. He has friends all over the place and loves staying with them! I prefer my own space on holiday! We have done both over the years.

You might enjoy it if you go.

No they don’t live there - it’s one of their holiday homes.

It’s about trying to weigh up the cost saving versus potential risk of not feeling fully relaxed

I wouldn't unless you know them well and are completely comfortable with it - which you obviously aren't.

A holiday home might be easier than sharing their family home, but sharing with anybody brings in extra factors and more so when it's their property.

Maybe if you were retired and had loads of holidays then it wouldn't matter if this one wasn't amazing.

You can rent apartments cheaply almost anywhere there days. I'd be happier with a basic place to stay and meet them for a meal out.

I wouldn’t personally. I love my own space and sticking to my own very loose agenda on holiday and really wouldn’t want to have to compromise and fit in with others.

A couple of days, yes. A holiday, no.

No, I wouldn't for more than 2-3 days. We did this a couple of times when combining a holiday with a visit to friends living in the area/being on holiday there.

It's a visit, not a holiday for me.

Nope. I even pick destinations based on NOT knowing anyone that we'll be expected to visit or spend time with.

Holidays are once a year & precious as it's our only time where we're free to do what we please, without compromise. Although, I'm always the one who never gets to do what they want to keep everyone else happy.

No
I like my own space when I am on holiday.

If you wouldn’t visit this island anyway and you see these people every couple of months in the UK then why bother spending ££££ on flights and expend unnecessary angst and headspace worrying and feeling uncomfortable by agreeing to go?

It seems a bit too intimate if it’s the 4 of you stuck in a villa for a week.

Would be different if you were going to a city or they were from the island and you would be busy being introduced to their culture rather than just being a tourist. Or if you just dropped by for a night or two tagging it in to your main holiday.

Seems like your gut is saying No. Always try to to choose the best emotional decision above financial decisions.

I wouldn't in that situation if there was any uncertainty about how well it would work. It's not worth risking a friendship IMO. I have stayed with friends and I have had friends stay with me but I've always known beforehand that it would be fine and also it wasn't trapped on an island so I could easily have altered my plans if it wasn't working out.

Could you stay on the closest main island for the holiday but maybe ferry over to their island for a night or two? I dont think id stay for the whole week with them personally. I love my own space too much on holiday

No, I wouldn't. I avoid staying in people's houses as a rule, because I know most people (including myself) think it's a pain to have house guests unless they're people you REALLY care for and get on with, like close family and friends. It's better to stay at a hotel - you can still meet with people, and visit them in their home. But you leave in the end of the night. I think that's the most optimal solution for everyone.

If you have limited time available for holidays, it's never worth going somewhere you don't really want to go just to save money.

It’s not really a money saving thing as you should pay for dinner a few times etc

why not go for a few days because they would show you round and it might be good fun? But then stay elsewhere for a more relaxing time

No, I wouldn’t recommend this. It could very well end your friendship. We once went to stay for a fortnight with a friend who had previously lived happily in our home as an international student for six months. It was a disaster as he was living with his girlfriend who appeared to be jealous of any time he spent with us. We couldn’t wait to get home and we never spoke to each other again.

I can imagine being very comfortable in this situation; however, if I was asking the question in the way you are now, I’d know it was a no. They would have to be extremely good friends for this to be fun.

A fortnight is a long time even with very close friends; no wonder it didn’t end well.

3 nights is the most we have done as as a family in friends houses. Even with extended family can be tricky,

It is always better if you are close but each have their own space to relax at night and when they want.