In popular parlance, the “staycation” involves choosing to holiday close to home, rather than venturing far afield. Increasing numbers of individuals and families of late are opting to spend their holidays close to home in the UK rather than trekking to Europe or elsewhere. The fact is that holidays taken in the UK are far more cost-effective than other alternatives and result in far less hassle as well. It is possible to skip the airport security checkpoints and instead gas up the car and get going.
This is not to say that the process is completely effortless, however, as choosing appropriate holiday accommodation in the UK does take some work. A place to stay is an expense that occupies a substantial part of anyone’s holiday budget, and it can have a massive impact on how much enjoyment is had overall. Generally speaking, there are two main categories of accommodation available, namely the hotel/resort properties or a holiday cottage rental. To my mind, holiday cottages represent an ideal option for a wide array of reasons. Five of the most significant justifications are outlined below.
Available Space
Though there are those who might believe that actual physical room is not terribly important for a holiday spot, this really is a fallacy. Families of four or more will find that renting a boathouse holiday cottage is affordable when divided fairly, and the comfort level provided by the extra space makes the expenditure worthwhile. Adults can have a bit of privacy, and children can have an area to play indoors in the event of inclement weather. By contrast, typical resort properties begin to feel very crowded after just a few days of togetherness.
Kitchen Facilities
The majority of hotel properties do not offer kitchen facilities, meaning that almost every meal will need to be purchased in a restaurant. This becomes a costly proposition in short order. A holiday cottage, of course, will come with its own fully-equipped kitchen. This makes preparing and serving meals will be convenient, given that all appliances, pots, pans, dishes and flatware will all be available. Because holidays are all about family, having a chance to cook and share meals together facilitates real bonding that everyone can appreciate. Furthermore, the food you eat will almost certainly be better in quality and suited to your family’s taste much more than restaurant fare would be. The financial savings can be used to splurge on a couple of fine dining experiences over the course of the holiday.
Modern Conveniences and Amenities
Most holiday cottage rentals provide clothes washers as well as dryers, making keeping everything clean easy and inexpensive. Hotel properties charge a premium for laundry services, and many people ultimately find themselves looking for laundromats and spending valuable holiday time on chores.
It is easy to find holiday cottages that are fitted with full kitchens, great living areas and comfortable bedroom spaces. There are also properties that feature log fires, swimming facilities, hot tubs and other fun amenities.
Entertainment Options
Resorts are known for the flashy entertainment options they provide, but not all offer the types of in-room fun on which youngsters rely. A holiday cottage will have televisions and cable programming as part of the overall price. Those interested in watching a film can simply pop in a DVD and not worry about the exorbitant costs of hotel pay-per-view movies. There are even holiday cottages that come with video game consoles that are sure to please kids of all ages.
Private Enclave
One of the most substantial drawbacks about hotels is their lack of privacy. Regardless of where you go in a hotel, there are certain to be other people there. Holidays are a time when many simply seek a bit of solitude and calm, and resorts are not necessarily conducive to either. Holiday cottages afford visitors the ultimate in privacy, and if neighbours exist, they will largely be out of sight.
Anyone who has spent even a single night in a hotel understands how frustrating noisy neighbours, slamming doors and echoing corridors can be. In your own self-catering cottage, you can rest assured that your holiday will be peaceful, private and all that you imagined.
