Traveller preferences change over time, and there is definitely a shift towards prioritising longer stays over the classic weekend getaway.
Going away for a weekend still holds a place in the grand scheme of things, but more and more people seem to prefer to save up so they can stay somewhere for a week or two – possibly even longer.
That’s not to say that a long stay is “better” than a weekend getaway; what’s more interesting is why they’re taking over.
Weekend Getaways Go by Too Quickly
For some, it’s hard to fully relax during a weekend trip. Time goes by so quickly, and by the time you’ve travelled to your destination, you’re almost planning your return journey. If you think about the average weekend getaway, the schedule looks a bit like this:
- Leave on the Friday after work
- Enjoy a full day in your chosen destination
- Check out on the Sunday morning
- Go back home
While these types of trips are great for seeing more of the world because you can plan loads of getaways throughout the year, they leave a lot on the table. The average working person might find it hard to shut down during a weekend trip because you’re constantly needing to do something to get the most out of your time away.
As a result, some travellers are beginning to feel that these short trips aren’t worth the cost. You spend a lot of money to get one full day of activities under your belt, and that’s at the expense of a weekend. Before you know it, it’s Monday again, and you don’t feel fully rested. From that perspective, it’s quite easy to see why people may prefer to save up a bit of money for a longer trip that affords them time to relax and slow down a bit.
Accommodation Has Become More Affordable
In the past, the idea of booking a hotel for 7+ nights was absolutely absurd as the room rates were ridiculous. You could argue that this is still the case for traditional hotels, but there are now more options for the average traveller to choose from. You’ve got long-stay aparthotels that tend to provide discounts if you stay for more nights, and then there are Airbnbs where you get great value for money.
People are now realising that they can take the whole family away for a couple of weeks without it being crazily expensive anymore – and that the long-stay accommodation options are much better than they used to be. You can enjoy more privacy and feel more relaxed instead of staying in a busy hotel for multiple nights.
So, part of the rise in long-stays is an accessibility thing. It’s easier for people to find and afford places to stay for many nights, whereas in the past this was more reserved for very rich people or families.
Long Stays Let You See More
A long stay holiday lets you see infinitely more of a place than a weekend getaway ever could. Let’s say you want to visit Italy – what would a weekend getaway look like compared to a longer holiday?
For people on a weekend getaway, you’re most likely to visit one Italian city or place and do as much there as you can. This could be a weekend in Rome where you try to cram in as many tourist attractions as possible. You’re hitting the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and so on. But if you’re on a longer trip, you could spend a day or two in one city, then explore somewhere else. It’s a day in Rome followed by a couple of nights in Naples, then a night or two on the Amalfi Coast.
Or, you have more time to properly explore one city, if that’s your preference. Instead of just doing all the usual tourist sights in Rome, you can find hidden gems, visit more independent restaurants, and do stuff that you’d never have time to do over a weekend.
For people who really care about travel and want to immerse themselves in different cultures, long stays are simply superior. It goes back to the idea of why bother booking a weekend getaway and rushing through everything when you can book a week or two away, take things at your own pace, and truly get to explore a country or city?
Luxury Experiences Are Easier to Come By
While long-stay travel has become more accessible and affordable, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Nor does it mean that you won’t find luxury travel experiences. If anything, you’ll find a whole lot more when you book a stay for multiple nights.
Those of you who enjoy luxury trips might not find that a weekend getaway really hits the spot. It is difficult to feel a sense of luxury when you’re only staying somewhere for a night or two – you don’t get a chance to soak up all the benefits of your luxury trip. Is there enough time to visit the luxury spa? Can you book a massage? Will you be able to enjoy dinner at the luxury restaurant?
Long stays give you more time to immerse yourself in a luxury travel experience, slow things down, and truly feel like you’re travelling in luxury. You’re also more inclined to book first-class tickets if you’re going away for a week or more vs. a weekend trip. And let’s not forget that some luxury travel experiences only work for long stays – like cruises!
Does all of this mean that weekend getaways aren’t worth it anymore? No! Some travellers still like the speedy getaways because that’s what they’re after. The point is that more and more travellers want to go away for longer because they see the value of a long stay overall. If you’re looking to relax, spend some time in a luxury resort, or want to actually explore more of where you’re staying, then longer holidays definitely come out on top. So, next time you’re planning a trip, consider if it’s worth holding off on that weekend getaway and booking a week or two instead.
