One of my favorite things about opening the door to a holiday home is seeing crisp white bedlinen, waiting to welcome me for a good night’s sleep. But if I’m looking for ways to save cash on holiday, I’ve also been known to bring my own bedding – a hack that’s saved me hundreds over the years.
It’s often celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears who are papped with their luxury pillows clutched tightly underneath their arms as they are travelling. Living out my own celeb-inspired holiday, I’ve also been known to travel with my own bedding.
It’s quite common on the continent to pay a separate charge for bedlinen. But paying for a bedding bundle can add up to £50 to your booking, so it’s worth avoiding the charge where possible.
Last Easter, we stayed in a premium cottage at Center Parcs Zandvoort-aan-Zee in the Netherlands. Our bedding was included in our booking, but if we’d stayed in other accommodation, it would have cost €12 (£10.25) per bed. Similarly, at the chalet we stayed at near Great Yarmouth last year, it would have been £60 if I’d hired their linen rather than taking my own.
It’s not always convenient to pack up enough sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers for your time away, and it’s also not exactly the favorite job to have to start making beds the moment you arrive on holiday. But if you’re trying to find ways to shave a bit off the price of accommodation, bringing your own bedlinen could be the answer you’re looking for.
If you book direct with holiday parks like Haven, made-up beds are normally part of the overall cost. But if you take advantage of cheap deals through third parties, you can choose which extras, like entertainment passes and bedlinen, you want to add to your break.
Not only is bringing your own bedding a win for your wallet, but it’s also better for the planet. By knowing what sheets and towels your family have actually used, you can avoid unnecessary washing, unlike what cleaners have to do to get the accommodation ready for the next guests.
So why not get on board with bringing your own bedding and see if it could keep costs down for your summer break this year?
I’ve also revealed the five easy ways I get a free family holiday when cash is tight – and anyone can do it.