Cheese on Toast Better Than Partners

It’s not the dog or even a partner travellers miss most when they are away from home it’s simple home cooking.

A nationwide survey conducted by Jurys Inn* made some interesting discoveries from travellers staying at their hotels.

The survey revealed that 8 out of 10 of those living in London and the South East miss the comfort of home cooked food more than their families when they are staying in a hotel.

For them simply cooked meals ‘like mother makes’ has the definitive miss you most appeal. Topping the list of most yearned for home food was cheese on toast, bangers and mash and bacon sarnies. In the North it was pie and peas and onion gravy. Marmite on toast was another special home favourite.

As one business traveller explained: “It’s easy to suffer restaurant fatigue. While it might appear a gastronomic treat to be faced with chef inspired dishes night after night in fact all you want is something simple and familiar. You can’t beat home cooking.”

Aggrieved partners in the South East can take comfort from the fact that the survey showed that while they came second to home cooking they were generally missed more than the Playstation, computer console and Fido, although 30 per cent of interviewees said they would miss the children more than the spouse.

Those in the South West were likely to miss their pets, especially their dog, more than the kids.

Asked what home comfort they always take away with them most (nearly 70 per cent of those interviewed) said slippers. Three teddies, a cuddly toy and a rubber duck also find their way into suitcases every time their owners leave home.

Age dictates what we pack. Of the over 40s questioned six out of ten said that if they remembered and if they were travelling by car they would take their own pillow.

It’s less of an age thing and more of a male/female difference when it comes to taking a favourite brand of tea and coffee. Eighteen per cent of women said they took their own fruit flavoured tea.

Everyone has their own way of relaxing before bedtime and ensuring a good night’s sleep when away from home and staying in a hotel. Londoners rely on watching TV for helping them unwind, in the South West a good book scored highly (24%), the North West love their hot drinks (27%) while 32% of those in the North East like nothing better than to soak in a bubble bath.

Come the morning, the whole nation is in agreement on the best way to begin the day. Nearly 95% revealed that a shower and a good breakfast was the perfect start. The rest chose a wake-up call - but specified a quiet, calm alarm call is the way to wake up.

In the questionnaire travellers were asked which homely addition they would like to see in their hotel room. From North to South, the findings were the same: men want books and DVDs, women fresh flowers or a plant. While they may miss the taste of home cooking nobody in the survey chose to have familiar smells in their room even if that included burnt toast.

So what is the first thing you do after a trip? Eight out of ten put the kettle on.

Jurys Inns aim to provide a comfortable ‘home from home’ environment and their menu features favourites like bangers and mash and the famous Jurys Inn Burger. As a result of the survey they plan to serve cheese on toast and beans on toast one request, and Marmite will be put with the jams and marmalades at breakfast. They are planning to trial the addition of books and DVDs for laptops at selected properties.

17 June 2007