How do I enjoy holidays more?

Gloomendoom

sarah69696pink wrote: »

I've never had a bad holiday

Perversely, I find that things not going to plan often enriches a holiday. Out of necessity, I end up visiting places and meeting people and doing things that wouldn't otherwise have done.

Sometimes it hasn't been me that has the problem. For example, encountering a broken down vehicle in an out of the way place, unsuccessfully trying to fix it but then ferrying the passengers home before nightfall resulted in an invitation to dinner and a very enjoyable, if noisy, evening. Some cultures love their firearms.

Gloomendoom

happyandcontented wrote: »

I would rather search out the places where the locals eat.

Generally speaking, so do we... it's cheaper!

Doshwaster

John259 wrote: »

Sorry if this sounds very blunt, but maybe you should try something radically different so as to break away from your destructive and pointless obsession with five star hotels.

Some of the most boring hotels I have stopped in have been supposedly 5 stars while travelling on business. They may have swanky facilities (that you don't use) but they are usually very impersonal places where it is hard to relax

One of the best I have stopped in recently was a fairly simple £20 a night guest house in Dalat, Vietnam (PompeyPete will know the one I'm talking about - thanks for the tip) which was fairly basic but incredibly friendly.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

Some of the most boring hotels I have stopped in have been supposedly 5 stars while travelling on business. They may have swanky facilities (that you don't use) but they are usually very impersonal places where it is hard to relax

One of the best I have stopped in recently was a fairly simple £20 a night guest house in Dalat, Vietnam (PompeyPete will know the one I'm talking about - thanks for the tip) which was fairly basic but incredibly friendly.

Sounds like Dreams Hotel...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293922-d582986-Reviews-Dreams_Hotel-Da_Lat_Lam_Dong_Province.html

...loved it.:)

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

Sounds like Dreams Hotel...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293922-d582986-Reviews-Dreams_Hotel-Da_Lat_Lam_Dong_Province.html

...loved it.:)

That's the one. Incredible place and for once a hotel which lives up to its raving reviews. Which reminds me, I need to add one myself.

I had great hotels everywhere in Vietnam and never paid more than £25 a night.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

That's the one. Incredible place and for once a hotel which lives up to its raving reviews. Which reminds me, I need to add one myself.

I had great hotels everywhere in Vietnam and never paid more than £25 a night.

Same here, we wouldn't be able to travel so much if were silly with accommodation.

Recommendations and trusted reviews don't always work out though. We had a trusted recommendation when we visited Quy Nhon, a lovely up and coming resort on Vietnam's central South China Sea coast in February. A place called Ngoc Anh Hotel. £9 a night, and it was exceptional for the price. But right behind the building there was a mega 5* Accor Resort just in the foundations stage of construction. So for the next 2 years it'll be dawn to dusk noise, plus working through the night no doubt. One of the pitfalls of up and coming places.

When we were in Malta twice last year for 7 weeks, I couldn't believe the amount of construction going on. The Island is only the same size as the Isle of Wight, and in my eyes will be totally ruined soon. I call it Crane Island, but not after the birds with long beaks and bony legs.

andrewf75

Glad I'm not the only one who cannot comprehend the OP's idea of a holiday! Any all inclusive luxury hotel is surely by definition going to be soulless? If you want "soul" try cheap guesthouses and food at a local stall. Maybe try a new approach? Personally even if I had the money I'd avoid anything with more than 3 stars.

benjus

I agree with the recent posters - some of the best holidays I've had have been in quite simple accommodation.

Earlier this year in late June my wife and I had 2 weeks in Crete. We stayed in a few different parts of the island, but for me the best part was staying in a little taverna in the middle of nowhere on the south coast (almost due south of Rethimno). It was right on the sea, with the waves lapping at the terrace where they served food, the rooms were simple but tasteful, looking straight out to sea with a little balcony, the food was delicious and fresh, and the owners were really friendly. The surrounding area was beautiful and there were few people around. It was all incredibly relaxing.

Zola.

A hotel is a place to sleep and store your stuff while you are out having fun on your holiday. Anything on top is a bonus.

Katiehound

PompeyPete wrote: »

You're posh, we go for the cheapest Inside cabin, the ones that have a little curtain on the bulkhead just to fool you into thinking there's a porthole or skuttle behind it.;)

I have had inside cabins- twice for 3 weeks but I really don't like them- one I called a 'hutchlet' it was so flipping small... and I do spend some time in my cabin. However I am quite happy with the lowest deck and a porthole rather than a 'picture window' - added to which it does actually sway less in a force 8 or 9. Everything else on the cruise is the same: food, entertainment + activities and of course the ports.