10 ADVANTANGES OF SELF-CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS
If
you’re planning a holiday, the chances are that you are looking for the best
value for your money.
A
common dilemma for holidaymakers is whether to choose a hotel or a
self-catering establishment.
At
the moment there is a growing world-wide popularity with self-catering units. But
what is making this type of accommodation so popular?
The
following are some of the advantages that make savvy holiday makers go for self-catering
basis.
- With good planning it can lower your costs significantly: Firstly, most self-catering units charge per unit rather than per person. This can lower your costs significantly if you are travelling as a group. Secondly, you can pack a few items from your own kitchen and therefore lower the cost of your shopping. Thirdly, it also allows you to do your own laundry and therefore you don’t need to pack an extra luggage of clothes. This can prove very advantageous for those with young children.
- You can control your food and drink costs: Whether you want to keep healthy snacks in the fridge for your kids, or like to have a glass of wine with your evening meal, travelling on a self-catering basis will allow you to buy all of your favorite items at the local supermarkets, and mostly for less than you would buy them in a hotel.
- Makes it easy for special dieters and and are more accessible by the in-firm: Self catering is a great choice if someone in your family or group has a special dietary requirement. And because most self-catering establishments are mostly actual homes that have been converted into holiday places, they are more accessible to the sick and the in-firm, and a home away from home.
- You’re not restricted by a timetable: Want to eat breakfast at midday? No problem. Or perhaps you want your dinner after the kids have gone to bed? No problem. Self-catering accommodation offers you the flexibility to come and go as you please and to set your own holiday timetable. This flexibility can also help you to budget as you can choose to go back to your holiday home for lunch after a morning of exploring or make a packed lunch before you set off.
- Personal entertainment: Most self-catering units enable you to bring your own movies and music hence allowing you to personalize your entertainment. This can be advantageous if you are travelling with children.
- Family and friends can stay together – and keep expenses down: If you’re travelling in a large group, self-catering units allow you to all stay together and split the costs of everything from accommodation to food, drink and other holiday essentials. And, if you are in a larger group, you can all put money into a holiday kitty and take it in turns to cook and do the food shopping.
- You’ll have the freedom to explore in your own style: Staying in a self-catering establishment often makes travellers more adventurous in getting to know their new surroundings because there no rigid programs as you will find in a hotel. Plus, as you control your food budget, you can make the decision about whether to eat in or out as you please. This allows you to investigate and experience the culture and people of the area you are visiting in a far richer way than if you were holed up in a hotel.
- More leg room: Most holiday makers prefer the extra space in a self-catering /villa gives. Most of these establishments come with comfortable lounges and a separate bedroom and kitchen. You don’t have to sit in your room!
- Dress down: You don’t have to dress up after a long day of exploring. Just dress down as you normally do at home and enjoy your evening in leisurely surroundings.
- Great for the kids: Most self-catering units are located in surroundings that invite children to play and explore. Check for the nearby camps, beaches, rivers and attractions. These can keep you well occupied for the whole holiday.
Some cons to think about: While
self-catering can work out as a great cost-effective option, if you know you’ll not use your kitchen because you prefer to eat out or hate cooking or kitchen shopping,
then you may need to compare hotel prices before committing to a self-catering establishment.
And if you are looking for a pampered weekend off, then
self-catering may not be suitable for you because it is more suited for
exploring and adventure.
Finally, there are those who hate cleaning up and washing
the dishes. This can be a put-off . This can however be mitigated if you book at
a serviced self-catering establishment. This means they have someone employed
to come into your room once you have gone exploring and make your bed, dust the
room and clean the dishes.
What is your experience?
Tell us what you fancy and why. A
hotel or a self-catering unit?
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