The UAE is a country of “fantasy weekenders”, more prone to staying at home and making exaggerated claims later, according to research released by Hilton.

The research revealed that more than half of the 1,013 UAE residents polled admitted to staying at home all weekend at least twice a month, with almost a quarter (24 percent) not leaving their home almost every weekend.

At the same time, the research revealed that many UAE residents polish the truth when it comes to sharing details of their weekend activities - with more than half (57 percent) admitting they have exaggerated what they have done at the weekend when asked by friends or work colleagues.

A fifth of respondents are left feeling fed-up when reflecting on their weekend activities come Sunday morning, with around a quarter (24 percent) of those aged 18-24 feeling unsatisfied with the way they spend their weekends.

These findings might have something to do with the fact that the study also suggests that UAE residents are spending less quality time with friends and family.

Of those surveyed, eight per cent admitted to not seeing friends at the weekend and five per cent said the same for family, yet more than a quarter (26 percent) admit to spending at least four hours watching television every weekend.

The research also highlighted how UAE residents spend money on weekends they end up regretting. Impulse buying (47 percent) was cited as the main money-waster followed by takeaway food (31 percent) and meals out (34 percent).

And when it comes to do at the weekend, there seems to be little agreement between couples, with almost half polled (46 percent) admitting to arguing with their partner over plans at least once a month.

Weekends away scored highly as a preference for how to get the most out of your weekend. Forty percent of people questioned believed a trip can put the spark back into a relationship – while 28 percent believe it can save a doomed couple.

Yet despite the popularity of the idea of a weekend getaway, almost one in ten respondents (9 percent) never enjoy a short break away, with 40 percent only getting away one to five times a year.

Hilton said it is encouraging people to be a weekender and reclaim their days off. The research marks the launch of Hilton’s annual winter sale, with up to 33 percent off bookings made before 31 January 2015 at more than 300 hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.