Why Americans Prefer a Hotel to a Relative's House During the Holidays

Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Wed December 23, 2015

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

The holidays may be a time for spending time with family, but the truth is, a majority of Americans aren't looking forward to spending the night at a relative's house this winter.

In fact, a recent survey commissioned by Hyatt Regency found that 61 percent of American adults would rather not stay at a relative's house overnight during the holiday season.

More than one-third (34 percent) are so turned off by the idea that they've admitted to making an excuse in order to get out of having to stay the night.

The survey found that a lack of freedom and privacy are the two biggest issues.

Approximately one in five men cited not being able to walk around naked as the biggest concern when it comes to spending the night with family, while one in six respondents overall pointed to the inability to be intimate with their significant other.

What's more, as many as 12 percent of Americans say a relative's pet has invaded their personal space during an overnight stay around the holidays.

These instances and others like them are likely to inspire many traveling Americans to book a hotel room instead. After all, Hyatt Regency said the "survey results highlight an insight it heard from travelers: staying at a hotel provides the freedom to break from routine and do things the way they want to do them."

The study results come on the heels of the launch of Hyatt Regency's "It's Good Not to Be Home" campaign, which highlights the benefits staying at a hotel.

"We heard loud and clear from travelers around the world that while it is good to be home, there is an inherent freedom in traveling and breaking from routine, making new connections and experiencing new things," Hyatt's Senior Vice President of Global Brands Sandra Cordova Micek said in a statement earlier this year. "This campaign lets travelers know that we not only understand, we agree. That's why we are celebrating the simple human truths about travel that sometimes being away from home can actually be good."

For those Americans dreading an overnight stay with family this holiday season, a hotel room is an excellent alternative.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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