Leonardo Hotels reveals holiday planning can put pressure on relationships, while relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan shares how the right city break can help couples reconnect, recharge and return home feeling closer than ever.
· Almost two-thirds (63%) of Brits have argued with their partner while planning a city break.
· Nearly one in three (31%) say holiday-related arguments have caused strain in their relationship.
· More than half (53%) have gone on a trip simply to keep their partner happy.
· Over half of Brits (59%) have considered taking a holiday, city break or staycation alone, and 96% believe spending time apart can be healthy for a relationship.
· 66% of respondents say sharing a bed negatively affects their sleep while travelling, and 94% admit they sleep better without their partners when they have the bed to themselves.
Holidays are often seen as the perfect opportunity for couples to reconnect, and new research commissioned by Leonardo Hotels shows that while planning a trip can sometimes create tension, getting away together remains one of the most valuable ways for couples to strengthen their relationship and create shared memories.
A survey of 2,000 UK adults found disagreements over budgets, destinations, activities and travel plans are common, with almost six in 10 (59%) saying they’ve considered travelling solo as a result. While these causes of tension are common, the findings highlight the importance of choosing a break that allows couples to balance shared experiences with personal downtime, helping reduce stress and enjoy more meaningful time together.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly two-thirds (63%) say they argue while planning a holiday or city break. Just under a third (31%) say holiday planning puts a strain on their relationship, while more than half (53%) admit they've gone on a trip simply to please their partner rather than because it was their first choice.
Looking at generational differences, Gen Z (79%) and Millennials (76%) are the most likely generation to argue over holiday plans, while Londoners (63%) are the most likely to consider travelling alone.
Women being more likely to have considered travelling alone than men (61% vs 56%). However, among those who have thought about taking a solo trip, many say they've been put off by concerns about their partner's reaction (35%) or the cost (33%).
In fact, almost all respondents (96%) believe spending time independently can be healthy for a relationship, with independence (59%), freedom (47%) and self-care (38%) topping the list of qualities people most associate with solo travel.
The findings suggest that successful trips are not necessarily about spending every moment together, but about creating the right balance of connection and independence, something many couples increasingly value when choosing where to stay.
However, the research also highlights the importance of relaxation and quality sleep during a break, two factors that can have a significant impact on how connected and refreshed couples feel while travelling.
Two-thirds (66%) of respondents say sharing a bed with a partner or friend negatively affects how well they sleep while away, with snoring (60%), restlessness (43%), different room temperature preferences (33%), duvet hogging (31%) and mismatched bedtimes (28%) emerging as the biggest sleep disruptors.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an overwhelming 94% admit they sleep better when they have the bed to themselves – reinforcing the value of comfortable accommodation and restful environments that help guests recharge, making it easier to enjoy quality time together during their stay.
In response to the findings, Leonardo Hotels has partnered with relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan, a professional international matchmaker and qualified psychotherapist specialising in romantic relationships, to explore how couples can remove common holiday stressors and make the most of their time away together.
Sarah says: "Travelling together offers couples so much more than simply getting away. Shared experiences help create lasting memories and strengthen emotional connection, but holidays can also magnify differences in communication, expectations and routines if those conversations haven't happened beforehand."
"Healthy relationships don't require couples to spend every minute together. Building in independent time, whether that's visiting a spa, relaxing by the pool or exploring separately for a few hours, allows both people to recharge before reconnecting. Likewise, prioritising good sleep can make a huge difference to how patient, connected and relaxed couples feel throughout their break."
To help couples make the most of their next city-break, Sarah Louise Ryan shares five top tips for strengthening connections while travelling together:
1. Treat planning as a fun project: Many couples fall into conflict because they approach planning as a negotiation. Instead of, ‘Where do I want to go?’, ask, ‘What kind of experience do we want to create together and how can we accommodate both our needs?'.
2. Talk about money before you travel: Having open conversations about budgets and spending priorities before booking can help avoid unnecessary tension and ensure you’re on the same page.
3. Embrace your different travel styles: Whether one of you loves detailed itineraries and the other prefers spontaneity, making room for both approaches can create a more enjoyable experience.
4. Make time for yourselves: Building in independent time to relax, recharge or pursue your own interests can help couples reconnect with fresh energy. When we have our own passions and interests, it creates mental stimulation and even a sense of eroticism as we become curious about each other again.
5. Aim for connection, not perfection: The most memorable holidays are rarely the perfect ones. Focusing on quality time, shared experiences and flexibility can help couples return home feeling closer than when they left.
With 60 centrally located hotels across the UK and over 300 across Europe, Leonardo Hotels believes the right hotel can play an important role in helping couples escape everyday pressures and reconnect. By combining comfortable rooms, flexible leisure facilities and convenient city-centre locations, Leonardo Hotels makes it easier for guests to focus less on logistics and more on spending quality time together.
Whether that's unwinding with a spa treatment, enjoying a leisurely breakfast, relaxing at the in-house Rena Spa*, exploring a city at their own pace or settling into a restful night's sleep in Leonardo Hotels' bespoke DREAM Beds, guests can create a break that balances togetherness with personal downtime.
Suzanne Cannon, Marketing Director for Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland, said: “A holiday should be an opportunity to switch off, reconnect and make lasting memories together. Our research shows that while planning a trip can sometimes be a source of stress, it also highlights how important time away can be for relationships. At Leonardo Hotels, we're committed to creating welcoming spaces where guests can truly relax and return home feeling refreshed and reconnected."
Sarah Louise Ryan adds: "The best holidays aren't measured by perfect itineraries or flawless weather. They're measured by how connected you feel when you return home. When couples let go of perfection and focus instead on rest, communication and shared experiences, they're far more likely to come back with stronger memories, and a stronger relationship."
For more information or to book your summer staycation, please visit www.leonardohotels.co.uk
ENDS
*in select locations
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2001 UK Respondents (Respondents in couple who have travelled or been on holiday together, 18+). The data was collected between 18.06.2026 – 22.06.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles
About Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland
Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland is a leading hotel group that operates 60 centrally located hotels and over 11,000 rooms. As one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in Europe, it has
five brands - Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, Master, Leonardo Limited Edition Hotels and NYX Hotels across a growing portfolio.
All hotels offer a unique experience and are recognised for their prime city centre locations, dedicated and welcoming staff and their comfortable and contemporary rooms, as it looks to create a world leading superior hotel group across corporate, leisure and M&E. Its vision is to deliver exceptional customer experiences through the support of over 4,000 colleagues.
Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland is part of Fattal Hotels, a dynamic and rapidly growing international hotel group that owns and operates 315 hotels across more than 135 destinations worldwide, encompassing over 55,000 rooms. With a strong presence in 21 countries, including Germany, the UK & Ireland, Poland, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and France, the group continues to expand its global footprint across fantastic locations.
