This has made me chuckle, we bought our house 3 years ago, it needed (needs!!!) alot of modernisation and we agreed to not do our usual holidays until it was sorted. Needless to say we have managed to visit the parents in Spain 2 or 3 times a year and also fit in the essential Florida break or two......since Hubby insists on doing the DIY unfortunately this means I am still living in a half decorated house....I am getting used to the unusual 60's decor now though!!!!

Back to the questions villa v hotel....no contest, villa everytime, for a large group like you are talking about I would think not everyone will want to do the same things. Your own home means some of you can chill by the pool whilst others hit the parks. I would think for a large group you wouldnt find anything more cost effective than hiring a villa...stock up the fridge with food and drink and you save the expense eating out all the time too. I could go on but I think the other responses here really cover it. [8D]