We can dream

I prefer the self catering as I do not like to work off others schedules. I do like to get away from time to time, and have my room and towels cleaned by others. But it is time for checkout, , drives me nuts I hate having to rush out or be reminded it is time to go.

I think I would prefer the cottage but I would bring in take-out food most of the time. Part of the fun of a vacation is not doing normal things like cooking. Then again, in a hotel I would have someone to change my linens and clean the room so maybe I would prefer the hotel. That's a tough choice! They each have their advantages. I would just like a vacation away from home, which I haven't had for about 10 years.

I guess it would depend on where, how long and how much... I would prefer to have a hotel where the food is good and no dishes to wash, but if I'm staying more than a week or 10 days, I'd probably be unable to afford to eat out and actually take care of things for myself. Now, while my house was being remodeled in 1999, I stayed for a month in one of those hotels with a little kitchen. Couldn't do anything complicated, but basic stuff could be cooked.

Staying in a hotel would be more of a vacation, I would think, than doing everything you do at home but doing it in another place that doesn't have everything you have at home...

Around here, the "self-cater" would be a cottage and I would LOVE to rent a cottage some time if I could just get Tom to agree. Usually, cottages and the like are often more secluded or located in a more picturesque location than are hotel rooms. There are so many up on Cape Cod. I would love to stay right on the water or next to a lake in the woods or in the mountains, but he hates trees and doesn't like driving into town. He'd rather walk from the room to whatever we go to see. *sigh* I'll get my way one of these days!!!

Hi P1key, I prefer hotels, but when I used to go with my sister, it was mostley self catering, well I mean I spend all my life catering at home I rather be waited on for a change, no cooking, yeah!! hugs. Tamara xxxx

I'd be happy to self cater. Sure, I'd have to do my own shopping and cooking but as it's a holiday I would allow for dining out. It would be cheaper and I might be able to take my doggys with me. Don't know what I would do with the cat though. :(

I adore traveling to different countries. If I had the choice of a hotel on full board or a self catering apartment I would choose the self catering apartment. I would be able to take some vegan food with me. I would go shopping at the supermarkets in my destination. It is lovely to have a fridge so it is possible to drink cold drinks and keep salad items cool. I dream about travel and achieve my desire. I tend to buy a return flight and then travel around a region on trains and buses, sometimes ferries. I stay in locally owned guest houses or private rooms in backpacker accommodation. Backpacker accommodation usually have a kitchen for guest use. That means that self catering is available. In 2010 I bought a flight to Vancouver and explored that region of Canada. Back in 2009 I bought a flight to South Africa. I was able to explore Cape Town and the Garden Route. I am be going somewhere else in 2011. I hope your travel dreams will come true.

hi pikefish As I would probably be on a very limited budget I would choose the cottages and eat wherever was thd cheapest but also the tastiest place to eat and also cook some meals myself. actually I have no funds to do either but its fun to dream a bit.So my choice woulf the cottages as I would like to cook occasionally.

Yes. Meaning if it's a vacation, I'm fine going either way...

If I wanted to self-cater, I'd stay home. What's the point of spending money to cook and clean in a different environment? Hotels for me, please.

Pike- One of the places I want to visit here in Minnesota is the Viking Inn here. http://www.vikinginn.com/ My husband is Norwegian on one side of his family and every year we go to the Ren Fest as Vikings, so this is our next step in family entertainment. Though, maybe the hubby and I will be able to go together on a sort of honeymoon without wee ones. Namaste-Anora

I think I would prefer to stay in a cottage. It is much nicer than having to be awaken to other showers going at five in the morning or hearing people running and carrying their luggage up and down the hall. Sure, you don't have easy access to the pool and other amenities, but the privacy is totally worth it...It is a vacation after all.

Hello, Pikey. Given the choice, it would be the hotel. We took a 4 day all-inclusive break with friends in Benidorm just before Christmas, and it was great to just turn up in time for meals and entertainment. It was a real chill-out time - although we needed drying-out time when we got back. The point is, we really felt we'd had a break. We got up when we felt like it, turned up for meals, went out when we felt like it, and generally recharged the batteries. I'd sooner do a self-catering holiday than nothing at all, but I do love to be pampered.