Let’s be honest: planning a summer holiday that keeps everyone happy is getting harder. Between coordinating school holiday schedules, finding a place that genuinely welcomes dogs, and managing a vacation budget, the stress can mount before you’ve even packed a single suitcase.
That is why a major new travel trend is taking off this summer: The Multi-Family “Buddy-Up” Staycation.
Instead of booking three separate, cramped hotel rooms or generic holiday cottages, smart friend groups and extended families are pooling their budgets to take over premium, large-capacity properties. When you split the cost of a luxury 5-bedroom lodge three ways, you suddenly unlock an estate-level holiday for a fraction of the price.
If you and your favorite families are ready to escape together without ever feeling like you are living on top of each other, The East Wing at Rufford Park Lodge is engineered for the ultimate shared getaway.
The Secret to Sharing Space: Zero Compromise
The biggest worry when booking a holiday house with other families is space friction. Someone always worries they will get stuck on a pull-out sofa bed, or that the kids will be constantly underfoot while the adults try to unwind.
Originally built in 1834 on the historic edge of Sherwood Forest, The East Wing completely eliminates that friction with a layout explicitly designed for large groups:
- Five Private Bedrooms, Seven Individual Beds: No awkward sleeping arrangements. With three double rooms and two twin rooms, up to three separate couples or family arms can maintain their total privacy.
- The 10-Seat Banquet Table: The heart of the lodge is a massive solid oak dining table where all three families can gather for breakfast, map out the day’s adventures, or sit down for an epic board game night together.
- Space to Breathe: With a huge, separate 7-seater corner lounge, the kids can take over a movie night on the smart TV while the adults enjoy a quiet glass of wine in the kitchen or the private, walled courtyard.
The Ultimate Parent Luxury: A Private Chef Experience
The hardest part of a multi-family holiday is the endless cooking and washing up. When you are catering for a group of nine or ten, someone always ends up trapped in the kitchen.
To give the parents a genuine break, we have partnered with elite local private chefs to bring fine dining directly to your oak banquet table.
Imagine spending the day exploring the trails of Sherwood Forest or relaxing in our premium 6-person illuminated hot tub while a professional chef prepares a bespoke, multi-course menu in your kitchen. They handle the cooking, the presentation, and—best of all—the cleanup. It gives you the luxury of a 5-star restaurant with the absolute comfort of staying in your tracksuits.
A Safe Haven for Kids and Dogs
A shared family holiday shouldn’t mean keeping pets locked away or constantly watching toddlers near a road. Around 30% of our guests travel with their dogs, which is why our fully enclosed, secure private courtyard is a core feature. Your children and up to two dogs can safely roam and play in the fresh air while the adults relax completely stress-free.
Lock in Your 2-Night or Extended Summer Escape
With our flexible 2-night minimum weekend stays and open full-week slots still available for this summer, gathering your favorite families has never been easier.
By bypassing third-party booking apps and reserving your stay directly through our website, you instantly unlock our best direct rates, skip platform fees, and receive a complimentary premium local welcome hamper to toast the start of your joint adventure.
Gather your party, pick your dates, and book direct today to secure your ultimate summer staycation.
BOOK DIRECT and save on admin, commissions and processing fees!
