When it comes to holidays and occasional travel, the City Lodge Group not only compete with other hotel chains and Airbnb – they compete with the homes

of friends and family.

The truth is, in tight-fisted economic times, many of us end up choosing the “free” option.

But how free is it really? Finances aside, there are some undeniable emotional and (sometimes) physical costs to staying with the people you love. Looking after your aging, haggard childhood pets, the constant, unrequited company – too much information about your parents’ sexual renaissance.

When you weigh up the real cost of staying with the family, staying at a City Lodge hotel is better than free, actually.

The WhatsUp. WhatsApp is the messaging platform of choice in South Africa and while our parents do try to keep up technologically, one or two hilarious malapropisms do arise. asda

VO 1: You’re visiting your family for the long weekend. Finally, you get to sleep in.

Chorus: And it’s free!

VO 1: Sleep in on the lumpy, stained futon you once thought made you look ‘zen’.

Also, why is it damp?

Chorus: It’s swampy, but it’s free!

VO 1: You get to wake up to the familial sounds of your childhood.

Like your dad’s thick, guttural morning snorts.

Chorus: (Cough) Free!

VO 1: Now that you’re up, why not just indulge in a long, hot bath?

Chorus: Free!

VO 1: A bath interrupted by your mother asking how to take a photo from the ‘Whatsup’ and put it on the Facebook.

Chorus: Who gave her that smartphone for free?!

VO 1: Maybe a quick walk round the block with your gran?

Chorus: Free!

VO 1: Yes, your gran. And her osteoporosis support group.

Chorus: Zimmer frame shuffle, for free!

VO 1: Just stay at Town Lodge. Your own room, with a comfy, happy mattress, from only 680 per night. It’s better than free, actually.

Chorus: Less dodgy, more lodgy!