How to have a hassle-free holiday with friends

HOLIDAYS with mates offer a range of benefits, but make sure everyone follows the rules, says Brian Crisp.

living room

I SURVIVED a friend-cation.

Perhaps survived isn't the right word. It wasn't at all traumatic. In fact, like Katy Perry, I liked it. I do have one guilty confession to make - but I will leave that for the end of the story.

A friend-cation, according to the world of marketing, is when a group of friends goes on holiday together.

A love of food, and the Noosa International Food & Wine Festival, was the impetus for bringing Cath, Marty, Chris, DK, Jaala and the Crisps together under one roof.

The six and a quarter of us (Jaala is a baby) stayed in a 300sq m apartment at the Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort and Spa at Noosa, Queensland, for two nights.

Sharing an apartment is a great way to save money. Booking three separate double rooms is much more expensive than booking a three-bedroom penthouse that sleeps the same number of people and has a massive lounge, kitchen, dining room and balcony to share.

It was the perfect base for our weekend as there was plenty of common space, while the bedrooms were private sanctuaries.

You also save money on other things, such as splitting the cost of late-night pizzas.

There are certain rules you need to follow when planning a friend-cation.

The first, and most important, is choose your friends wisely. You will be spending a lot of time with them.

The second is that, despite being on holiday together, you don't have to spend all your time together. Staying at the Outrigger, there are plenty of options for "me time" and my favourite is Stephanies Ocean Spa.

Communication among your friends is also the key. Make sure everyone knows what kind of holiday they are getting themselves into. There's no point one couple thinking the trip is a chance to chill out and read, while the other couples think they're heading to party central.

DK says she made sure we were all aware she was bringing the baby.

"To be honest, there were a few moments of hesitation before committing to go because I come along as a 2.25 package, which comprises a husband and a very active and loud 15-month-old. But my mind was put at ease once I received the all-clear from our holidaying housemates," she says.

"Upon arriving at the Outrigger, I realised that I shouldn't have worried. To say our villa was big was an understatement. It was vast. The bedrooms were more like three separate living spaces and thankfully our room was politely situated at the other end of the villa so our beloved 5am alarm in the form of a toddler impatiently wanting breakfast didn't intrude on the slumber of our friends.

"In fact, we were able to feed her, shower and leave the villa for a morning of beachcombing before anyone else even woke. Relief."

Rule No.4: Don't bring your problems with you. Make sure all the work stuff is out of the way and try to play nicely with everyone.

DK adds another one: "If you do the crime, do the time. In other words, clean up after yourself."

Marty's rule is simple: Make sure there's enough to drink.

Colin Bowman, from Flight Centre, says he's seen a lot of interest from groups of friends wanting a short break or extended weekend together.

"Close-to-home breaks are popular because they are easy to arrange and often a lot cheaper," Bowman says.

"These breaks are often planned around food and wine, such as escapes in the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley and Margaret River, as well as shopping, attending events or participating in favourite sports, like golf," he says.

"New Zealand is also increasingly popular. The country serves up a mix of culture and adventure to suit travellers of any age - and the flights are very affordable at the moment."

So now it is confession time. When we arrived, Jaala's cot was in the room next to me. I know I'm bad but I moved it to the other end of the villa. Truthfully, I didn't want to keep her up with my snoring. That's what friends are for.

Brian Crisp is News Limited's National Travel Editor.

Go2 - NOOSA

Staying there

Popular for travelling couples and friend-cations, Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort and Spa offers packages starting at $669 a night in a three-bedroom penthouse for up to six guests, subject to availability (minimum two-night stay).

See outrigger.com.au or ph [phone].

Spa

Book a pedicure date for you and a friend at Stephanies Ocean Spa, Noosa, during July and August and receive some toe-tingling extras. Enjoy a 90-minute Sole Rejuvenation treatment, including a rose-petal foot soak, exotic foot exfoliation, heated stone massage, warm paraffin infusion and an expert shape and paint for $155 a person, and you'll also receive a free Butter LONDON polish valued at $22, as well as a complimentary petite manicure. Offer available for pedicure parties of two or more.

See stephanies.com.au or ph [phone].