Planning a getaway for a big group can be a daunting task. Trying to find a date that everyone can do is a challenge on its own and that’s before you’ve settled on where to go and what to do whilst you’re away. And then, once you’ve agreed on all of that, you need to decide precisely what accommodation type is best for you and your loved ones.
Here at Coolstays we offer a vast range of fabulous group accommodation options, which can cater for big family reunions, holidays with friends, and everything in between. In today’s guide, we’ve put together some important things that you’ll want to take into consideration when planning your next big group getaway.
Choose the right destination for your group holiday
Is it easily accessible for all of your group?
If your group is travelling from all over the country, then it’s a good idea to find somewhere that is easy for everyone to reach. That means taking into account how far everyone is willing to travel and picking a destination that makes it fair for all. This will give you a rough idea of where you’ll be staying, which then allows you to look more specifically at what’s on offer within your designated area.
Five of our favourite destinations for a group getaway include:
•The Peak District National Park
•Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
•Cornwall
•North Wales
•Yorkshire Dales
Are the local attractions suitable for everyone?
Different groups of people often enjoy doing different things during their holiday. If all you want is some lovely countryside to explore and a few good local pubs where you can settle in for an afternoon pint, then you’re spoiled for choice in the UK. These isles are awash with rolling green hills, picturesque forests, and quaint village drinking spots. However, if members of your travelling party are after something different, then you’ll need to do some research.
If you’re travelling with children, you may want to opt for a stay that sits near certain child-friendly destinations, such as theme parks or water parks. Kids also love a day on the beach, so it might be wise to book a property that’s within walking distance of a beautiful sandy beach.
Other attractions or sought after destinations that may influence your decision include particular restaurants, sporting venues, music venues (if there’s a particular artist you would like to see), and good nightlife options.
it’s worth remembering that it’s not just your holiday – it’s everyone’s.
It’s always a good idea to plan an itinerary
Some people wouldn’t dream of going away with a big group without a pre-planned itinerary, whilst others just want to go with the flow and see where the wind takes them. But, if we’re being honest, the best way to ensure large group getaways are a real success, is by doing some initial planning. Even if your holiday ambitions are centred around doing absolutely nothing, a little planning goes a long way.
When organising a group getaway, it’s worth remembering that it’s not just your holiday – it’s everyone’s. Some in your group might be itching for a fun night out, hopping between bars, while others might prefer trekking through nature or diving headfirst into cultural excursions.
That’s why it’s worth remembering that it’s OK if your group spends a day or two apart (if you’re on a longer holiday). A touch of independence can do wonders for the group dynamic, but it’s worth weaving this into the itinerary from the outset or being flexible enough to adjust the plan as the mood changes.
It’s also a good idea to create more than one itinerary. A backup plan (or two) can be a lifesaver when the weather takes a turn, plans falter, or someone decides they’d rather swap museums for mojitos. And when there are children involved, preparation becomes paramount. A bit of forward-thinking – and a few surprise activities up your sleeve – can be the difference between a relaxing escape and a chorus of bored children moaning.
Choosing the right property for a big group
Bigger is often better
It may sound obvious, but if you’re organising a trip for a large group of people, you will want to be completely sure that there is enough space for everyone. It can be tempting to try and save a bit of money here and there by squeezing people in, but you will want to ensure that everyone is as comfortable as possible if they’re going to fully enjoy their stay. However, simply looking at the number of bedrooms can be a mistake. A property that sleeps 10 will have enough beds for 10 people, however, you’ll also want to make sure that the living spaces are big enough for your entire group. You don’t want to spend your days squeezing into a small lounge, or have to dine in shifts in order to get around the dinner table.
Look at the pictures and read the property description. If you’re going to spend a lot of time making use of the living room, is there space for everyone? If you’re going to be bringing children with you, is there an area where they can play away from the rest of the group? When it comes to meal times, is the dinner table big enough for everyone to gather together for social dinners? These are all questions that you will want to ask yourself before you book.
Popular property types for big group retreats include:
•Spacious cottages and farmhouses
•Converted barns
•Castles and chateaux
•Glamping sites
What specific facilities are important?
We touched on this in the previous section, but certain groups will require certain facilities. So it’s always a good idea to make a list of the desired features you want your property to offer, to make searching for your stay easier.
Here are some things to consider:
Travelling with children
If you’re travelling with little ones then you might want to look for a property that offers some child-friendly features. These can include:
•Swimming pool
•Games room
•A separate lounge area for kids
•A big garden with a lawn for games
•Playpark
•Selection of games consoles and games
After some luxury
If you’re looking for some luxury touches to make your stay extra special, then you could consider adding the following features to your wishlist:
•Hot tub
•Sauna
•Free-standing bathtubs
•Underfloor heating
Practical amenities
If you’re bringing dogs, looking to get out into the wilderness for some proper hiking, or aiming to spend days on the beach, then here are some features that you may wish to consider:
•A handy boot room
•Outdoor showers
•Bikes to borrow or bike storage
•Ample parking
Think about meal times
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all important, so it’s worth considering who will be doing the cooking and what facilities they may need. Here are some options available at different Coolstays that might just peak your interest:
•Modern, fully equipped kitchen
•BBQ
•Pizza oven
•Wine fridge
•Aga
•Outdoor kitchens for cooking alfresco
•Food packs, such as pre-made meals ready and waiting
•Private chefs to hire
•Shopping deliveries
Accessibility needs
If you’re travelling with people with specific accessibility needs then you will need to be 100% sure that the property in which you’re staying is able to cater to those needs. This may include:
•Ground floor bedrooms for people who cannot climb stairs
•An easy to access property that doesn’t require long walks across uneven ground
•Walk-in showers
How much privacy is on offer?
How much privacy everyone needs is very much dependent on the type of group you have. If you’re going on holiday with close family, then you won’t need as much privacy as if you’re travelling with people who don’t all know each other that well.
Family members won’t mind sharing bathrooms in the morning, but if there are people in your group who aren’t that close, then you may want to look for a property with ensuite bathrooms or even ones where people are provided their own separate living spaces.
Here at Coolstays we offer some group retreats that consist of a cluster of cottages all sharing the same patch of land. These are ideal for separate families, or groups that aren’t too well acquainted, as they allow you to head off to your own dwelling come the end of the night after a day spent socialising together.
However, to counter this, if you’re in a group that are all super-close, you will want to spend as much time together as possible, so ensuring that you all share one main living space is key.
Types of group accommodation to consider
At Coolstays we offer a vast and varied range of group accommodation options. So take a look below to see if any of these are suitable for your next group getaway.
Up and down the UK there are many amazing barn conversions and spacious cottages that are ideal for big groups. Nestled away amidst beautiful countryside, these accommodation options are often great for groups of friends and family that want to explore the UK’s rich natural scenery. These options often provide an authentic stay that harks back to years gone by, offering you the chance to soak up rustic, rural charm whilst you unwind in peace.
On one end of the spectrum you have converted barns and cottages that date back centuries, and on the other, you have super-modern homes that look like something from Grand Designs. These contemporary offerings are often a great choice for groups looking for something a bit more luxurious on their holiday. Think purpose-built saunas, heated swimming pools, and deluxe free-standing bathtubs sitting in minimalist bathrooms offering you the chance to enjoy an opulent soak in peace.
These modern homes will often have top-of-the-range entertainment systems, underfloor heating, and huge walls of glass framing amazing views, creating a fun atmosphere where you and your loved ones can hang out in style.
As we previously mentioned, we provide a number of stays that consist of separate dwellings sitting around a shared estate or courtyard. These are perfect for separate families travelling together or people who aren’t that close, ensuring you get a bit of privacy and peace away from the rest of the group.
Often these homes will sit on a shared plot of land with one of the homes having a large enough living space to accommodate the entire group. This allows you to socialise together during the day, before retiring back to your separate properties at night.
We’ve not touched on glamping much in this guide, but many glamp sites offer you the chance to exclusively hire out the entire site. This is amazing for back-to-nature stays that allow you and your loved ones to soak up the magic of nature, spending evenings warming toes by toasty fires as the sun comes out above. We have a variety of glamp sites on Coolstays, that offer up authentic yurts, quaint tipis, modern glamping pods, and fab safari tents. So take a look at our glamping collection today and see if anything in particular suits your group’s needs.
Converted barns or spacious cottages
Up and down the UK there are many amazing barn conversions and spacious cottages that are ideal for big groups. Nestled away amidst beautiful countryside, these accommodation options are often great for groups of friends and family that want to explore the UK’s rich natural scenery. These options often provide an authentic stay that harks back to years gone by, offering you the chance to soak up rustic, rural charm whilst you unwind in peace.
Big modern houses
On one end of the spectrum you have converted barns and cottages that date back centuries, and on the other, you have super-modern homes that look like something from Grand Designs. These contemporary offerings are often a great choice for groups looking for something a bit more luxurious on their holiday. Think purpose-built saunas, heated swimming pools, and deluxe free-standing bathtubs sitting in minimalist bathrooms offering you the chance to enjoy an opulent soak in peace.
These modern homes will often have top-of-the-range entertainment systems, underfloor heating, and huge walls of glass framing amazing views, creating a fun atmosphere where you and your loved ones can hang out in style.
Clusters of cottages or cabins
As we previously mentioned, we provide a number of stays that consist of separate dwellings sitting around a shared estate or courtyard. These are perfect for separate families travelling together or people who aren’t that close, ensuring you get a bit of privacy and peace away from the rest of the group.
Often these homes will sit on a shared plot of land with one of the homes having a large enough living space to accommodate the entire group. This allows you to socialise together during the day, before retiring back to your separate properties at night.
Glamping sites
We’ve not touched on glamping much in this guide, but many glamp sites offer you the chance to exclusively hire out the entire site. This is amazing for back-to-nature stays that allow you and your loved ones to soak up the magic of nature, spending evenings warming toes by toasty fires as the sun comes out above. We have a variety of glamp sites on Coolstays, that offer up authentic yurts, quaint tipis, modern glamping pods, and fab safari tents. So take a look at our glamping collection today and see if anything in particular suits your group’s needs.
Looking for a group getaway? Browse Coolstays today
If you’re on the hunt for the destination for your next group getaway then be sure to take a look at all of the properties on offer here at Coolstays. From luxurious countryside barns to coastal cottages with breathtaking views, our curated selection ensures a perfect setting for any occasion. Whether it’s a family reunion or a weekend escape with friends, Coolstays caters to diverse group sizes and interests, combining charm and comfort for memorable getaways.
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