These are the top 20 most satisfying holiday sounds

The most satisfying holiday sounds include unzipping the luggage, pouring a drink into an empty glass of ice – and suitcase wheels rolling along the floor.

A poll of 2,000 holidaymakers found the turning of a book page, crashing waves, and the noise of a cork popping also ranked high in the top 20 list.

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Others immediately think of a trip away when they hear the sizzle of breakfast cooking, a buzzy atmosphere, or the splash of a swimming pool.

While the sound of cocktails being made and the ding of a lift also made the cut, with 51 per cent associating specific noises with a holiday.

Tony Roberts, chief commercial officer for Warner Hotels, which commissioned the research to launch its holiday sounds ASMR video (meaning the sensation people get when listening to certain audio stimuli), said: “Whether it’s the sound of a suitcase unzipping, the sound of birds singing, or the bubble of a hot tub, you just can’t beat the sounds of a holiday.

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“Making the video was a lot of fun and by capturing some holiday joy, we hope people can begin to get excited about their upcoming travels – or perhaps give them the motivation they need to get their much-needed getaway booked.”

The average traveller will plan a holiday five months in advance with the stresses of everyday life (51 per cent), feeling ‘stuck in a rut’ (38 per cent), and needing a new adventure (26 per cent) among the reasons to go away.

Anticipating the 'holiday glow'

Cost, location and scenic walks were cited as some the most important factors when booking a trip away.

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And 38 per cent of respondents have already planned their holidays for this year, with the average holidaymaker anticipating three trips in total.

But 39 per cent are more likely to take shorter breaks little and often to help switch off, rather than having longer holidays less frequently. It also emerged that while a third feel relaxed as soon as they arrive at their destination, 25 per cent experience this only after they have checked into their room.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, found the best bits of a holiday were found to be completely switching off from everyday life, eating and drinking what you want, and not having to clean.

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Seeing local landmarks and exploring the area is what 56 per cent most look forward to on their holiday, while 39 per cent get excited by trying new foods. But while 26 per cent of those polled enjoy spending quality time with loved ones, 22 per cent go specifically to unwind.

Almost a sixth (15 per cent) always get that ‘holiday glow’ with 28 per cent claiming the joy of being somewhere other than home is one of the things they miss the most when returning to reality.

Tony Roberts added: “Holiday season is on the horizon, so we hope the sounds of the video immerses people and helps them get excited for that special holiday feeling they can hopefully enjoy for real soon.”

The top 20 holiday sounds

  1. Waves crashing
  2. Birds singing
  3. The splash of a swimming pool
  4. The sizzle of breakfast cooking
  5. Evening entertainment
  6. Pouring a drink into an empty glass of ice
  7. Buzzing atmosphere
  8. Turning the page of a book
  9. Unzipping a suitcase
  10. Throwing open the curtains
  11. The sound of cocktails being made
  12. Sound of a cork popping
  13. Bubbling hot tub
  14. Prosecco being poured
  15. Social spaces
  16. Suitcase wheels rolling along the floor
  17. The sound of tea being poured
  18. Opening of theatre curtains
  19. The ding of a lift
  20. Golf club teeing off

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