Dirty weekends could save your relationship

31 July 2008

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We all know that money worries can put pressure on any relationship, but it shouldn’t mean you neglect spending quality time with your other half, so take a dirty weekend away and get the spark back!

As part of its 'Campaign for the Real Weekend' a survey commissioned by purplehotels has revealed fascinating statistics about 'weekend break ' habits amongst people in the UK.

Sex - or an increase in intimacy- was cited as a critical reason to take a weekend break by 38% of males and females questioned. Of which 44% of the 25/34-year age group strongly agreed a weekend away would improve the intimacy of their relationship with their partner.

Psychologist and "sex expert" Donna Dawson, says: "A complete change of scenery appears to be the remedy for 'revving up' our jaded or non-existent sex lives, by injecting novelty, adventure and much-needed privacy into the proceedings. 'Quality time' together in a new setting seems to lead to 'higher-quality sex', and is just what the sex therapist would order."

A ' loved-up' weekend away also has a marked effect on returning home. Some 45% of women and 39% of men claimed it made them 'feel more able to cope with life' but 37% of respondents 'immediately yearned for another break.'(For some, once wasn't enough!)

When asked 'How long after your return does the good feeling last?' 41% felt the 'benefits lasted a few days' whilst 20% of men declared ecstatically the 'good feeling lasted for at least a week'. Interestingly, 30% of men mentioned a great breakfast, the morning after, 'could be a deciding factor when choosing a hotel.'

Purplehotels questioned the need to escape from the stress of life to which the great majority of people (74%) revealed they hoped to grab a "chance to relax", 58% felt a break away would enable them "to feel better about work, life and family" whilst over a third (35%) of people wanted to "learn something new about a different part of Britain".

Donna Dawson explained: 'Weekend breaks' allow us to return to work and the daily grind in a better frame of mind - and for some of us, there is a longer-lasting benefit through a more positive change in our general outlook and attitudes."

Sadly many respondents could not find the time or inclination: 28% have rarely or never taken a weekend break in the UK, whilst 45% had only taken off once or twice a year/had it off about once or twice a year.

Understandably 76% of people cited 'value for money' as the most important factor when choosing a hotel; this was followed by 'convenience of location (52%) and friendly staff (38%) as the second and third important factors respectively.

35% of people plan to spend between £50 and £100 on accommodation for a weekend away, while 26% are prepared to spend over £100 and up to £150.

Purplehotels have launched a 'Campaign for the Real Weekend' to promote 'weekends not workends'. Mike Prager, CEO explains: "Who says the weekend should be limited to Saturday and Sunday? Have you counted the number of 12hour+ days you've put in recently? Show some dedication to your time, too.

At purplehotels we believe that the weekend is any time between Thursday & Monday & we price it that way too. My final tip is try calling in well to work. Most people at some time call in sick. Call in well and say 'I'm having a couple of days off and I feel great'. Then take off and visit this lovely island of ours!"