Do you ever book cheap accommodation when you can afford nicer?

[desap]

Planning a beach holiday for two of us. Options that I like are:

A) Mid-Lux Standard - Villa for £2,000
B) Mid Standard - Cottage for £700

I actually like cooking some days on holidays, especially if I can try cooking some local fish or other delicacy. Obviously in a hotel you can't cook.

We could potentially afford somewhere even more expensive than the £2k villa, but I kinda think "what's the point?" the cottage is very cute and then this way, we can splash the cash on dinners and excursions without really giving it much thought.

No. We never, ever go anywhere self-catering that is not at least as nice as our home. Hopefully considerably nicer. I have learned that we don’t enjoy a less than comfortable bed, cheap bed linen or a basic bathroom or kitchen.

When we book hotels, we always start with the bathroom. A luxurious bathroom means the room is good too.

Always.

We have money in the bank, because we choose 'value for money' over 'spending unnecessarily'.

Holidays in particular, my thinking is it is somewhere to 'lay my head' (as the song goes) for 7 nights, I don't need many facilities to sleep.

We would only book a more lux option if it had something special e.g on the beach with huge views, pool, hot tub, games room etc. Otherwise the cottage and use the money to eat out at least a few times.

Yes, I like to go on cruise holidays. I can afford to stay in a stateroom with a balcony but sometimes choose an inside cabin. I think we are only in the cabin to sleep and get dressed or changed the rest of the time we are on other decks in restaurants, watching entertainment, in a shop or the gym or spa. Also if we go with friends we often choose an inside cabin because that's what they have.

All the time! The cheaper the better. My family roll their eyes but we live in a nice house so don't need the escape of luxury.

I am with you, OP.

I will spend on the most reasonably priced option which meets my criteria (central location, tasteful and comfortable furnishings) and then rather spend the rest on nice meals and excursions.

I doubt I'd ever pay for an experience like Ikos. Don't think I can relax with all that luxury and attentive service.

It depends. I like having things like dishwasher, washing machine, very comfortable furniture and if it's a location where I am outside most of the time, I don't need a large space.

But if I am anywhere with chances of rain, cold weather then I want enough space for everyone to be on their own and not sitting on top of each other.

Pool or not is also a question.

We self-cater and see the accommodation as a base. I will pay more for a good location but I don't care about the quality of the accommodation itself as long as it's clean and has the essentials. I would rather spend money on eating out or excursions.

All the time. There's no point wasting money for the sake of it.

Most of the time when we go to cities we book a premier inn because they're comfortable beds and we don't spend much time in them apart from to sleep. Could afford a boutique hotel but what's the point?

This.

Yes have no interest in spas or fancy coffee machines or posh cushions

I could be a billionaire and pay for what I need only

I prefer self-catering and probably do a cost / value analysis. I like decent mod cons - e.g washing machine, ideally dishwasher, coffee machine etc and a decent bathroom / shower. I also look for a pleasant outside space as normally we spend more time outside. I would not spend a fortune per night on a hotel room no matter how lovely it was as I would consider that a waste of money.

When I go away I go cheaper.
As long as it's got what i need is in a safe area and is clean im OK with that.
When I go with Dh I spend a lot more as he likes nicer things. Im happy either way, although it's nice to splash out on something special now and then.

All the time, I much prefer practical accommodation to anything fussy and awkward, requiring dressing for meals. I want to be able to snack and lounge around. Much rather having spare cash for my next treat.

Yes and I think it's healthy. We are in a financially healthy position but don't waste money and do weigh up if we feel things are "worth it or not".

Go for the cottage!- you like it!- and that's another holiday you can have with the money saved!
I book cheaper accomodation if I'm going somewhere but not getting the use of what you're paying for.- eg, I wouldn't book a fancy resort hotel if I was going on a theme park holiday and going to be out all day. But, I would splurge on a nicer hotel if I was going on a real relaxing holiday and planned to spend alot of time at the hotel and really getting good use of the facilities.
The cottage sounds ideal for what you want.
Have a gorgeous time!

It depends on the situation. UK city break where you are just using the room to sleep I would probably choose something like a premier inn unless its for a special occasion. My precious one week a year abroad I would prefer to splurge - its a chance to switch off from reality and a luxury hotel is what is important to me. I think with self catering I would probably be more moderate though, part of what you are a paying for in a hotel is the service which doesn't apply to villas.

Holidays are my priority spend though, we are more sensible with our money in other areas and have savings to cover them. There would always be a level where we could perhaps afford it but couldn't justify the cost and would probably feel it wasn't worth it though.

Sometimes.

Location is critical for me, so I'd rather a 3/4* where I want to be, than a 5* further away from sights, restos, etc.

Villas etc are always far away from everything, & make a hire car essential, so not for us.

If it’s where the weather should be good it’s just a base. If its in the UK with our changeable weather then I get a place I don’t mind being stuck in if the weather is dreadful.

My 1 holiday per year is a chance to really relax and enjoy where I am. And that means I am not going below what I have at home and be angry because of a bad shower or not having enough kitchen equipment to even do a basic meal.

And for a hotel I don't want a bad breakfast or going out and look for a cafe, I want to go down after waking up and enjoy being served and have a good selection.

So, just going for a cheaper option to save money is not necessary healthy if you come home and are disappointed.

If the cottage has everything you need and is so much cheaper go for that. The savings will pay for, or towards, another holiday.

We prefer to self cater, that's an apartment on a city break and a villa/house elsewhere. We try to pick places with a reasonable kitchen with a dishwasher, oven etc especially on a longer trip. On long stays great outside space is important too.
We holiday quite a bit partly because self catering is so much cheaper it means we can afford more and often much longer stays.
When we stay in a hotel it's usually a Parador in Spain for 1 or 2 nights in a city or en route to the coast.
Currently sitting in a super villa in Lanzarote, the weather's not great today but at least I've plenty of private space I wouldn't have in a hotel.

Almost invariably. We often AirBnB when we could certainly afford nicer digs. Gives more money for dining, sightseeing and travelling around.

We're not people to stay in one place / sit on a beach - so accommodation is not a primary focus.

Always. I book a pretty basic apartment or hotel when I go aboard. As long as there’s a pool and a snack bar for convenience, all I want is somewhere to sleep and shower. I eat out every night and go for cocktails and like to do a few trips so paying big money for a room I’m hardly in is a waste of money.

Completely depends on why we are staying there. If it is to be a lazy break, when we won't be doing very much but relax. then I do enjoy having a view and a balcony from which to enjoy the view.

Other holidays, when I'm fully booked with activities and know that I really will only be in the room to wash , change and sleep then my only requirement is that it is clean, reasonably warm and that the shower is decent.

There is no one answer.

We don't usually spend much time in our accommodation. As long as it's fine for the 3 S's ( sleeping, showering and shitting) no need to spend more than necessary.