United Kingdom
A third of Brits admit their partner’s holiday habits put them off taking future trips with them
Top turn offs for UK travellers include immediate unpacking, getting sunburn, leaving the room messy, refusing to eat in local hotspots, and secretly changing the hotel room temperature
Hotels.com finds hotel buffet breakfast, late check-out and unpacking services are relationships savers
With Valentine’ Day fast approaching, and many couples planning romantic stays, Hotels.com uncovers British ‘holiday habits’ and reveals that immediate unpacking in the hotel room is the most testing travel trait.
While many Brits see holiday habits as cute and endearing (44%1) and profess that travel has deepened their bond with their partner (63%), a quarter (25%) are clear that they find their loved ones’ behaviour embarrassing or annoying to the extent that it spoils the trip they’re on.
Given a further third (31%) confess their partner’s travel behaviour puts them off taking future trips with them, it’s no surprise that 40% of Brits have asked their other halves to change how they act on holiday. With these holiday habits causing 1 in 10 couples to argue when away – and 1 in 20 Brits going as far as to break up with a partner on a trip – some stays are memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Top travel turn offs for Brits include:
- Unpacking immediately in the hotel room
- Making the hotel room messy
- Changing the hotel room temperature without asking
- Getting sunburnt
- Refusing to eat in local restaurants
The good news is that hotel facilities mitigate the most annoying holiday habits: a third of Brits champion buffet breakfasts (32%) and late check outs (31%) as salves for strained stays with picky eaters and lie in lovers. Similarly, daily housekeeping (24%) and unpacking services (13%) have saved the day for many Brits sharing a room with a messy spouse.
“Nothing says ‘romantic weekend’ like stepping into your hotel room, planning to leave your bags and begin exploring… only to see your other half start unpacking. To nip frustrations in the bud, make the most of what your hotel offers, like choosing a room with an unpacking service to get you both out and about, or late check out if your loved one isn’t an early bird. Use the Hotels.com app’s comparison tool too, which lets you compare up to five hotels so both of you can find your perfect somewhere” said Melanie Fish, a Hotels.com spokesperson.
The Hotels.com app gives access to hundreds of thousands of amazing properties around the world so you can book your next perfect stay. Check out these hotels with holiday habit-busting facilities in the top UK cities 2 couples are looking at visiting this Valentine’s Day weekend:
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London – perfect for specialist sleepers
Those with specialist sleep needs should look no further than The Cadogan. Its “Sleep Concierge” program, developed in partnership with a sleep expert, offers soundproof rooms, pre-sleep meditations and a pillow menu, so the nighttime experience can be tailored for every guest. Sweet dreams.
The Balmoral, Edinburgh – perfect for avoiding unpacking drama
Just 15 minutes’ walk from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, The Balmoral is perfectly placed for exploring. Guests staying in its impressive suits can take advantage of an unpacking and packing service, and pressing of up to four garments, so there is no better excuse to leave your bags and get out and about.
The Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel, Manchester – perfect for spa escapes
Sanctuary for those who cannot agree on the hotel room temperature can be found at The Edwardian Manchester, where couples can indulge in massages, body wraps, and aromatherapy in its spa. Its indoor pool, sauna and fitness center mean couples can easily seek the same – or different – temperatures.
The Grand, York – perfect for breakfast lovers
Guests at The Grand can wake up and head straight to The Rise, one of its two restaurants, for a delicious breakfast. With vegan and vegetarian options available, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. And if you don’t get out of bed in time, there’s 24-hour room service too.
The Municipal Hotel Liverpool – MGallery. Liverpool – perfect for poolside lounging
Located near Royal Albert Dock, guests at this upmarket hotel can enjoy its romance packages, be it an afternoon tea in its Botanic Tea room or time luxuriating beside its elegant indoor pool and spa facility – and being indoors ensures no one gets sunburnt!
