Sophie stared at her phone, blinked twice, then zoomed in on the screenshot. The group chat was buzzing: heart emojis from Jordan, voice notes from Arthur, Sophie frantically checking flight confirmations. Somewhere between the planning chaos, late-night scrolling and too many tabs open, their “Let’s go to Budapest!” trip had taken a tiny… geographical detour. That’s the kind of chaos captured in ibis’ new miniseries, The Go Getters — five friends scattered across Europe, trying to reunite for a weekend away. From missed flights to overpacked suitcases, the series turns real travel mishaps into stories you’ll laugh about long after the trip.

Different travel styles, budgets, interests and personalities can turn a simple weekend away into a full-scale logistics operation. One wrong link, one sleepy alarm, one “I thought you booked it!” — and suddenly the group chat is on fire.

But here’s the good news: those “oh no” moments are often where the best memories start. And ibis is here to help you turn mishaps into shareable stories — and keep things a lot more under control than Keenan’s Bucharest moment when you book those tickets.

Episode 1 of ibis’ miniseries The Go Getters shows what happens when a group trip goes hilariously wrong. If that piques your interest, we’ve rounded up some classic mishaps that make travel unforgettable, and how, with ibis, you can turn them into stories worth sharing.

Picture this: you’re at the gate, iced coffee in hand, feeling very “main character on holiday”… when you glance at the departures board and realise your flight isn’t to Budapest. It’s to Bucharest.

Your brain does the maths: wrong country, wrong hotel, wrong everything. Group chat: exploding. Someone’s frantically searching “Is Bucharest nice though??”, someone else is trying to remember if they bought travel insurance, and everyone’s secretly hoping this will be funny later.

With friends scattered across different airports and time zones, one typo or mis-click on a booking site is all it takes for the “dream trip” to become ultimate chaos.

Avoid mix-ups by booking your stay with ibis using our simple, stress-free booking filters. Enter your chosen destination, travel dates and group size, and you’ll see all the ibis hotels ready to welcome your crew. Not sure if you got the right place this time? Use our interactive map to double-check the actual city you’re heading to — no geography quiz required.

And if things do go sideways? Don’t panic. Wherever life (or Keenan’s booking skills) takes you, ibis is already there. Just search for the nearest ibis and we’ll help get your trip back on track, whether you’ve landed in the right city… or the sequel.

Every friend group has them:

• The 'Master Planner' like Sophie
• The 'Chill Improviser' like Keenan
• The 'Social Explorer' like Ioana
• The 'Optimistic Traveller' like Arthur, or
• The "Overpacker" like Jordan

Put them all in the same group chat and suddenly planning a trip becomes — complicated. Everyone’s eager to explore, but with so many opinions and ideas, agreeing on where to go first isn’t always easy. So where do you start?

You don’t need ten planners when you’ve got a hotel team that knows the city inside out. Our friendly staff are always on hand, day or night, to offer local tips, must-see attractions, and restaurant recommendations. No more arguments over what’s worth seeing — we’ve got the insider knowledge to keep everyone happy. We can even help you book restaurants and activities, so your group can focus on the fun instead of the spreadsheets.

One of the trickier aspects of travelling with friends is getting everyone’s budgets and expectations to line up. Some want to splurge, others want to save — and suddenly, the dinner bill feels like a maths exam. With everyone prioritising different things — from cocktails to culture — it’s no surprise a few tense moments can pop up when you’re splitting expenses.

To take the tension out of travel spending, you can rely on ibis to deliver reliable comfort at a rate that leaves plenty of room in the budget for adventure. Expect everything you need, at the price you want. We've got great value stays that keep everyone’s wallet happy, plus lots of tips for travelling on a budget, so you can plan a holiday that's affordable for everyone in your group.

You know that feeling when you wake up, look at the time, and your soul briefly leaves your body? Jordan does. And usually it involves an early flight, a very comfy bed, and the words “we have to leave in twenty minutes”.

Between confusing transport routes, early departures, and that “just one more drink” the night before, it’s surprisingly easy to miss a connection. Either way, there's nothing more stressful than missing a flight when you're travelling as a group. Finding replacement tickets for everyone can be a nightmare — not to mention the extra time, money, and group stress it can cause.

With ibis, there's no need for last-minute panic. Our hotels are conveniently located close to transport hubs, so you can make your flight, train or bus with plenty of time to spare. Need help getting there? Just ask one of our friendly staff at the 24/7 reception — our team can recommend the quickest route or help you book a taxi.

The group chat said: “We’ll land mid-afternoon, drop bags, then go explore!”

Reality says: delayed flights, missed connections, and a layover that lasted just a bit too long. By the time you arrive, it’s late, everyone’s tired, tempers are fraying, and all you want is a smooth check-in, a comfy bed, maybe a snack and definitely no extra admin.

The last thing you want is to be greeted by a locked door and a “reception closes at 10pm” sign.

At ibis, we’ve got you covered with late check-in and 24/7 reception. No matter what time you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a friendly face. Feel hungry or thirsty after your journey? Our bar is open 24/7 too, so you can refuel, rehydrate, and relax.

Every friend group’s got them — the early birds who are up at sunrise and the night owls who come alive after dark. Some want to explore before breakfast, while others think holidays are for lie-ins. Then, when evening hits, half the group’s off to the bars while the rest just want a quiet night in. Keeping everyone in the same rhythm? Easier said than done.

Our delicious breakfast buffet means everyone can start the day their own way. Early explorers can grab something quick before heading out, while the slow risers can enjoy a hearty buffet before exploring.

And when it’s time to rest, everyone can count on a dreamy night’s sleep in a Sweet Bed™ by ibis — complete with fluffy pillows, a soft duvet, and a mattress and topper made for deep relaxation.

When you're spending every moment together, even the best of friends need a little breathing space. After days of non-stop togetherness, it’s easy for tiny disagreements to bubble up. Without a bit of breathing room, those little travel tiffs can linger long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.

At ibis, every hotel has a welcoming 24-hour social space — perfect for reconnecting with your friends over a drink, meeting fellow travellers, or taking some time to recharge solo. Because great trips are about making memories, not holding grudges.

From booking the right city (looking at you, Keenan) to making it through flight delays, budget chats and “who stole my charger?” debates, ibis is here to turn your group travel dramas into episodes you’ll actually want to replay.

With simple booking, reliable comfort, great locations and exceptional round-the-clock care, we help you focus on what really matters: being together, making memories and laughing about the chaos later — just like The Go Getters crew trying to reunite in Budapest. For the ultimate group trip, check out the ibis Friend Trip Offer.

There are so many good reasons to choose ibis for your next friends' trip. Plan your next trip minus the drama — and book your next stay with ibis.