On vacation, do you prefer full hotel service or self-catering?

Question

This is in reference to the context of vacations. So when you are on vacation do you prefer to stay in a hotel where you're served or in a self catering apartment where you can cook and serve yourself?

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

So a five star resort can have its appeal. But... when someone is taking care of my room, waiting on me hand and foot. Bringing me drinks by the pool or on the beach. Preparing and serving me rich foods. I tend to get bored.

There's an appeal to a small clean local place with a bed and that's it. It forces me to get out and explore local culture, find a cafe for breakfast, the places where the people who live there eat, and a local dive bar in the evenings. I see how other people live.

And then I'll go off the rails to offer up my 3rd option. No resort, no room with a bed. I walk or climb where I want to go. Away from civilization. I sleep on the ground. Eat sitting on a rock. Find my own water. And carry everything I need on my back. Shelter, sleep system, food, cooking gear, clothing, weapons, water filtration system, medical supplies, map and compass. LOL, not most people's idea of a vacation. 🤣 But the isolation and quiet and unplugging from the net can give you time for some truly introspective thought. It can reset your brain and help you find purpose. That can ultimately be relaxing even if your body is beat to hell and screaming for relief.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

It completely depends on what the rest of the activities are going to be.

For example, I've stayed in houses in the mountains where we would be out in the snow during the day, but back in the house at night, and so we almost always cooked for ourselves. And when camping, we cook for ourselves.

But if you are going someplace like a big theme park, or a romantic getaway, then I usually don't want to be bothered, and we'll go to a restaurant.

I've only done room service in hotels a couple of times, and those were on business trips for a major bank and I had an expense account, and getting room service breakfast was faster than trying to pick something up on the way to the office. If I hadn't had the expense account, I'm sure I'd have picked the less expensive option, though.

ElenaSeluna · Accepted Answer

Tbh.. It depends on the place and the people with you.. like how many people and how many days are you staying

I've been in both settings and I love them both.. but the last time I was on vacation with my family we rented this apartment with W/D and we had a lot of fun bringing our own food from different places..

petitedollbabee · Accepted Answer

Self catering. I only book hotels for somewhere to sleep/stay. I prefer to arrange my own food and drinks.

Travel Buddy · Accepted Answer

I’m Jason, your Travel Buddy ✈️ I’m a traveler who loves discovering new places in simple, real ways—walking streets, tasting local food, and learning how people live 🗺️

On vacation, I usually prefer self‑catering apartments. I like having a kitchen so I can try local ingredients from markets and eat on my own schedule. It feels more like “living” there, not just visiting.

But for short trips or busy city breaks, I enjoy full hotel service—no cooking, easy housekeeping, quick breakfasts.

My ideal combo: apartment for longer stays, hotel for quick getaways 🚆🏨🍳

exitseven · Answer

I like self catering. It is creepy to have strangers getting up in my business.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

NEITHER.

I've been to full and half boards in Europe. Fact, it saves money and hastle looking for restaurants, but I hated it, because you're completely at the mercy of what the staff feels YOU want to eat. I don't mind though if I can choose what I eat. I hated the buffet in Turkey too, because the guy wouldn't let me put the food on my plate myself.

Self-cater is even worse though. No way am I cooking on vacation and after Rome, I am never staying in an appartment again. So I guess I'll go with the Full Hotel Service option.

Hotel with BREAKFAST that I can choose is fine, but for lunch and dinner, I want to eat in town.

Sunrising · Answer

I prefer a hotel that provides the breakfast and evening meal.

Self-catering doesn't appeal to me.

I went to a hotel a few years ago that only served breakfast, and I ended up with a bit of a walk to a restaurant, and then queuing for a table.

I don't usually book a table at a restaurant when on vacation.

NathanDavis · Answer

I don't have much experience with hotels... but I think it would depend on a few different factors

so I think I would try both... at different places

if there's a local cuisine I have never tried myself... then I would rather to experience it and for them to prepare it the best they can

if I had been there already, or I know how it is... maybe I would rather to prepare something myself

Zack-Bann · Answer

Depends on where and with whom ;) I enjoy an artisanal minimalist approach  But there’s nothing wrong with “playing king” for a night or two

loveslongnails · Answer

We prefer apartments and being able to make our own breakfasts. Lunches and lunches are usually out exploring the local cuisine. Hotel meals are seldom the best food in the area, and are always overpriced. Find out where the locals are working people, not tourists go, and that's where you get the best food!

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

It depends. I like both. If I'm by myself or hanging out with friends then a kitchen is pretty awesome.  But if it's a sexy getaway then I'm picking up that phone and keeping my lazy ass on the bed.

Lesbologist · Answer

I prefer hookers and cocaine... I never leave the hotel except for dropping off mail bombs and random acts of murder.

Shiprex · Answer

Self catering for me though the half board or breakfast is good. If I am on holiday it's usually so I can discover the place instead of living out of a hotel

Cidknee · Answer

It depends on the spirit of the trip. Camping or beach bumming has its own attire, so to speak and upscale, with a roof and room service can be the most idealistic vacation. Easy living, thats for me now a days. So yes, full flavor Hotel.

beenherebefore · Answer

I usually go to the breakfast buffet in the hotel but any other meals I prefer to try restaurants outside the hotel.

lilBigPotato · Answer

I want a hotel but not necessarily all inclusive type of hotel , unless it's a party hotel with lots of drinking.

genericname85 · Answer

i prefer just renting an appartment for a week or 2. it's cheaper plus you're likely not right inside the tourist trap area so you see what the places actually is like.

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

I like somewhere we can cook. Saves some money being able to make breakfast and lunch

jamesgoldman · Answer

Can bo either but full vacation would be self-catering but hotels are catered

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Full service, since i don't know how to cook and know nothing about chores hehe

Iron_Man · Answer

I prefer full hotel service i’m on vacation I don’t wanna have to cook my own meals

Staximus · Answer

I don’t want anybody to have to serve or clean up after me, I wasn’t raised like that

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on what you budgeted your trip for and anticipated any unexpected occurrences or expenses that might require financial assistance for support

msc545 · Answer

I sort of like it in between those two alternatives.

Anonymous · Answer

I almost never go to vacations, but if I were, either is good for me.

MisterWack · Answer

In the hotels I guess it’s self catering.

queenofcardio · Answer

I prefer cooking for myself

Anonymous · Answer

I never go to vacation but ı would chose that I am served. If ı had enough money

Jen_oic · Answer

Hotel room service sounds lovely.

AgentG111 · Answer

It would depend on what my stay includes

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Camping 😁

On vacation, do you prefer full hotel service or self-catering?

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