Self catering accommodation in Cornwall is hotter than ever this year and cottages for summer 2011 are being snapped up fast by discerning staycationers. It’s a countrywide phenomenon, not just restricted to the sunny South West. And it’s excellent value for money. But will a DIY holiday really suit your family? Or will the whole episode turn into a total disaster? It depends on your temperament, tastes and needs.

If you’re the official cook at home, you need to think about whether you’re also happy to cook for the family when you’re meant to be on holiday. If you’d prefer a break from the humdrum of everyday cooking you can always put together a family rota, if your kids are old enough to be let loose in a kitchen, and cook for each other. Eat out at a good gastro pub. Get fish and chips. Or live on picnic food and barbecues instead of endlessly slaving over a hot stove.

If you’re hell bent on staying outdoors as much of the time as possible, just treating your holiday accommodation as a crash pad, there are cheaper options than Cornish holiday accommodation. But you won’t find a more comfortable option. Hardy types are fine in a tent or B&B. But if your idea of heaven is to sink into a scalding hot bath or a spotless, private, contemporary, fully-operational power shower after a hard day’s surfing or whatever, hire a holiday cottage.

And what about Fido? Some of us are perfectly happy leaving their dog in kennels while they’re away. But others prefer their furry friends to join in the fun. After all, they’re part of the family. And it’s impossible to explain to a dog that you’re not deserting them, and you’ll be back. These days, as long as your dog isn’t prone to eating furniture or attacking everyone in sight, you should find cottages in Cornwall, dog friendly, happy to allow your pet to stay with you. There’s sometimes a small extra charge for extra cleaning, but nothing that’ll break the bank.

If you like to spend time chilling together as a family, a hotel room doesn’t really cut the mustard. It’s not very sociable. A holiday cottage, on the other hand, is a home from home with all the requisite home comforts. And if you value privacy a cottage of your own, with its own outdoor space, is very hard to beat.