Man, extended family can be *difficult.* We're going on vacation with Tim's family in 2 weeks; on the drive down, we always go partway and stay in a hotel overnight. We've always stayed in a nice, reasonably priced Holiday Inn, which is fine by me because we end up being there for maybe 16 hours tops. Plus they have a free breakfast dealie that is ridiculously lavish.
Sister-in-law (who I utterly adore; she is a fantastic person) has decided we need to stay in a fancy hotel on the way down, because "the first night of vacation needs to feel special." So the hotel is more expensive, has no breakfast, and -- in that odd way that fancy hotels often do -- charges guests for internet access.
Tim and I are driving down with his dad, and (because his dad is paying the entire amount for the rental houses at the beach) paying for his hotel room. So that means we pay for 2 expensive hotel rooms AND breakfast the next day (the breakfast thing really pisses me off -- and I know it's weird to let a minor detail kick me into raaaaaage), all because SiL wants the first night of vacation to "feel special."
Shit, man, it would bother me less if we were staying for more than 16 hours (8 of which we will be sleeping). But I can guarantee, based on every single time we've done this drive, that we won't even get to the hotel until 8 p.m. or later. And then we get up the next morning, scarf down (free) breakfast, and hit the road. It is, quite literally, just a place to stop, sleep, and eat before hitting the road.
But I have this feeling that SiL will be pissed if we don't stay at her super-special expensive hotel. And I also think Tim's dad will be difficult if we don't stay in the same hotel as the rest of the family. It feels like a total no-win situation for us: if we don't stay at the fancy hotel, people will be pissed at us, but if we *do* stay there, *I* am going to be resentful and surly, because spending a ton of money for a 16-hour hotel stay is NOT, actually, a good way to make vacation "feel special" for me.
I'm going to let Tim field this one, because it's *his* family. But it still feels like a no-win. Bah.
I am resentful and surly on your behalf. Breakfast early and free is one of our key requirements on the road trips because this is not a vacation destination and really a utilitarian pit stop.
this is not a vacation destination and really a utilitarian pit stop.
Right??? SiL is all excited because Fancy Hotel has a pool that's half indoor/half outdoor...but if we get there after 8 p.m., we are NOT SWIMMING. And apparently the restaurant has an omelette station with a chef in a chef's hat who will make omelettes to order right in front of you. BFD, man. Holiday Inn has oatmeal and scrambled eggs. I'm good.
And, arrgh, I'm *not* saying that it's wrong for her to want to stay in a fancy hotel; if that's what she wants to do, rock on. I am annoyed at the idea that if we don't all stay in the same place, vacation will start out with hurt feelings and great offense taken.
I hate when breakfast is not included. When we booked our UK trip I rejected several hotels that would not include breakfast in the price of our room.
in that odd way that fancy hotels often do -- charges guests for internet access.
This is so annoying, one of my pet peeves for sure.
Steph, I feel your rage! Free breakfast included is one of my few must-haves. There are so many hotels that do include it, I can't see any reason to stay at one that doesn't. And charging for internet access is a straight-up ripoff. I'd tell SIL she has to pay for breakfast.
Speaking of which, did you know Best Westerns all include breakfast, but Best Western Plus hotels include a HOT breakfast? Katie was telling me all about that on our Ireland trip. There are some cute B&Bs that have joined the BW franchise.
Zen, totally here for yo...ohwaitdidItellyouaboutmything?
Ha! Yep, that's how it is.
Teppy, I want you to know that we are all agreeing with you here because you are RIGHT because breakfast and wifi inclusion is right and proper, and not because it is your BIRTHDAY!
Also, happy birthday! I hope it is a complete delight.
Thanks, Laura! (I think I should get free breakfast on my birthday...but my conundrum is that I *also* think I should get to sleep until noon on my birthday, which puts breakfast out of the running. But there will be birthday tacos tonight in lieu of cake. [I didn't actually want cake. I may be a pod person.] Mmmm. Tacos.)
I am not a cake person either. Yum, tacos sounds like a good plan.
