For most people when thinking of going on a holiday, they usually think of a hotel, motel or resort. However, in modern times more and more holidaymakers are opting for self-contained holiday houses and sometimes apartments. There are a number of reasons why this is so. Obviously cost is an important factor. Imagine the average 5 star hotel or resort costing somewhere between $200 to $500 per night for 2 people. 

I know many cottages, apartments and houses which will rent for that amount and can accommodate anywhere from 4 to 8 people per night. These properties are all self-contained, which means they all have bedrooms, bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. So, really it is just having your own home except that it is your home away from home and you are on holidays.

These self-contained homes are all over the world, of course. But for the purpose of this article I am going to focus on the type of holiday homes you can find, for instance in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia. 

Now that we have covered cost there is another major factor why people are preferring self-contained accommodation. Everyone can be together. Usually gathered around the logfires sipping their favourite cocktail. Here you can listen to the music of your choice, talk and laugh as loud as you like and stay up all night if you wish. It means you are free do to whatever you like, and don't have to worry about waking up the people sleeping in the room next door to yours.

Another very important point is that you can cook for your group. So instead of going out to eat, which can be quite expensive, you stay home and cook Some of these holiday homes have beautifully appointed kitchens. In fact most of the kitchens in the self-contained holiday homes in the Blue Mountains are fantastic.

One of my guests who booked into Lynwood House yesterday said to me this morning when I called about a late check-out. The plates and cutlery were so lovely I cooked dinner last night (his wife told me he never cooks). Another added facto into cost minimisation.

Because there is such a variety of homes to suit every taste and budget, the guests have more of a choice about what to chose and where they want to stay, for instance near the village with all its quaint shops or somewhere in the middle of the bushland away from everyone. The choices are endless.