Hotel Or Resort?

[EDDIE51]

The Jamaica thread prompts to to ask something I have been thinking about for a while.
Back in my youth , a holiday was all about the resort or city you were going to. The actual hotel was secondary. Now it all seems to be about which hotel you are going to. When I went on holiday the hotel was just a roof over your head while you explored the city or resort. Now the idea seems to be that you just stay in the Hotel apart from a day trip or two.
Years back I simply arranged a 3 day stop over in Cairo. I just got off the aircraft and took a taxi into the city. I asked the taxi driver to find me a cheap hotel.He said ''$10 OK?'' I thought $10 a night was cheap and agreed. When I came to pay the 3 nights bed and breakfast bill it was $10 for the entire 3 days.They just loved US$ it was hard to get anyone to take Egyptian £s. I did a tour to the Pyramids and Luxor, again they wanted $ not Egyptian £.
After the 3 days I got a flight to Kenya and just got a bus into Nairobi and walked around looking for a cheap hotel. Again I found one at a very good price and the price in $ was a lot less than in Kenyan Shillings.

[237SJ]

With the advent of sites like Tripadvisor, hotels have had to really up their game. The hotel experience is much more important than it used to be, even if it's just a base from which to go exploring.

[Tilly2]

Having said that, I would hate to have to stay in a compound complex type of place. I'm pretty sure I would be bored silly.

[naomi24]

//You are not getting confused with the Valley of the Kings are you Eddie? //

He couldn't have done that either.

[EDDIE51]

Ok it was over 30 years ago. I went along the Nile in a boat to a place with some temples and gardens. I was thinking it was Luxor but obviously not.

[naomi24]

Not a word ....

[Baldric]

Shush ;o)

[mikey4444]

The only time I have ever stayed in a really posh hotel, was when I first went to Phoenix. We stayed the Princess Hotel, in Scotsdale. It was wonderful but kind of spooky. If we left our hotel suite for more than 10 minutes, we would come back and find something had been changed...new towels, bed turned back, chocolates left on the pillow, new toilet rolls....the list was endless !

As this suite was situated in the grounds, the servants must have been hiding in the bushes, waiting for us to leave.

When I stayed in a nice hotel in Tunisia, I don't think I ever opened a door....there was always somebody that would spring out from behind a pillar to open it for us.

And I hate waiters hovering at your elbow, to top up you wine glass every time you took a sip !

[EDDIE51]

My point in asking this was to point out that nearly all holidays now seem to all about a specific Hotel and staying put. I do not want that,I want a hotel just as a bed for the night while I explore the local area.
If I went to a place like Jamaica I would want to be out looking round the places where the locals are, not sitting round a hotel swimming pool. That seems not to be an option for Jamaica at the moment.

[Islay]

Naomi he could have done if he never went to cairo in the first place!
Is that you being a little bit wrong again Eddie?

[nailit]

I havnt had a holiday for 7 years and even then it was only to Benidorm. (never been to Spain before or ...obviously...since) But to my way of thinking a holiday was to experience the place and see the sights an experience what it had to offer. Never understood the idea of lounging around a swimming pool all day and partying all night.
My idea of 'a break' was to pack as much in as possible and come home completely knackered.

[nailit]

Also booked the cheapest hotel, which turned out to be adequate anyway. Only wanted somewhere to sleep and shower.

[Islay]

Well everyone has different needs on holidays I like to have packed days where I am out and about and then quiet days by the pool or spa.

[-Talbot-]

Hotel Or Resort?

Neither ... I prefer a tent.
I agree with bednobs, family members like different things.

The missus likes a pool and a base for the week (or two) ... my idea of hell.
I like to get in the car and go ... go anywhere ...

[nailit]

Each to their own.

[tamborine]

Caribbean is dangerous with tourists being mugged & robbed. Hotel beaches are guard patrolled with ak47 against ‘sea bandits’ attacking from beach & marauding tourist rooms at night. Guests stay on hotel compounds for safety but organised tours by hotel are available. Safest island would be Granada.

[atalanta]

You mean Grenada

[Prudie]

That's very exaggerated and sweeping tambo. It's not like that everywhere by a long chalk.

[EDDIE51]

On a different line. I have always wondered how feasible it is to fly to the USA,buy a second hand camper van ,use it to sleep in while you travel round and then sell it again before you come home. Any ideas?
I was thinking it could be a cheap way of seeing a few places in the US.
Yes I know big the USA is,but possibly just one or two states?

[237SJ]

Insurance might be a problem. They might need an American address.

[ummmm]

My ex got a job in America delivering cars. Great way to get to see the country.

On resorts I tend to book small hotels. I want a pool, nice bar and nice restaurant and close to public transport so we can get out and about. Depending on where you go all inclusive can work out cheaper. On holiday last year we were AI but still went out each day. A coke or coffee in a cafe was more expensive than a glass of wine.