'that £340 is too expensive for a staycation ?

I think the best option if you really want to do this is for you to go, while your kid and partner stay at home.

I don't think £340 is too much for a hotel stay with a spa, I don't see the point of you going with a five year old. It's not clear whether you are going as couples though. Is there an option for just you and your friend go together?

Imo it's not about whether it's affordable or not. When we see holidays/ breaks etc when we thinking something is too expensive we just walk away and say "it's too expensive" and it's got nothing to do with affordability.

Seriously, if you look around £300+ per night is a pro rata daily price for a top AI abroad incl flights....and that includes the caribbean/ mexico.

It’s not a staycation in a luxury spa hotel. And it’s utterly bonkers to take a 5yo to a luxury spa hotel. And if you don’t want to spend £340 on a night, don’t.

I wouldn’t take a child to a spa hotel if I was planning to enjoy the facilities, so no I wouldn’t want to pay for that. Would happily pay without a child in tow.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable - we’d spend similar, but, like others, I’m not sure I’d want to with a 5 year old in tow!

@AnnaQuayInTheUk @TooBored1 from the OED and Cambridge Dictionaries. Is there any need to be such dicks (incorrectly) pointing out something which is completely irrelevant?

edited - also @SnoozingFox

I don't think the price is unreasonable, but what is a five year old going to do at a spa hotel which is (presumably) geared up for adults?

Surely your friends will want to be relaxing/enjoying treatments kid free, while you'll be running around after a child?

Is there no other night they can do when you can arrange childcare?

You can't take a five year old on a spa break, surely? What will you do with them when you're relaxing by the pool or getting a massage? Even the most chill five year old will want to play in the pool and be entertained to some degree.

I have stayed in one expensive hotel as a birthday treat, and while it was lovely I didn't think it was really worth it. Maybe if you get free treatments, dinner etc so you're actually getting something for your stay rather than a very expensive bedroom it would be better value.

It really depends on it it is affordable or not. It is however NOT a staycation. A staycation is where you stay at home and do day trips etc, it isn't a night/ weekend away.

I wouldn't spend that for one night in a hotel with my child. It's not a break pr relaxing (and I adore taking my kids away) but not to a spa hotel.
It's only worth it if you gain a great experience otherwise it's just sleeping in a different location.

I'd pass on this one. It's not fair on your friend to bring a child along. I'm the one that's never childfree and I skip a lot of things because it's not fair to take kids along when others have arranged a childfree night.

I take it you’re not sleeping with her, so why don’t you go for the day/evening and drive home after dinner? She’s not going to miss you in her hotel room.

That's not a "staycation" - a staycation means staying at home and doing things as if you were away on holiday.

What your friend is planning is a night away in a hotel which is entirely different. "Too expensive" is subjective. What is too expensive for you might not be too expensive for others, some people think a £1000 handbag is a bargain, others would never spend more than a tenner.

Taking a child to a spa hotel completely changes the dynamic of the trip.

Your friend(s) who aren’t bringing children will want to be relaxing, getting treatments and chilling out whilst you’ll be running round after a child. It doesn’t really add up.

It depends how much you earn. People pay double thst for high end hotels. I'd love to but can't afford it.

I would imagine a spa break with a 5 year old in tow won't be much fun for any of you.

It would not be worth it for me.

Not for one night
Not with all the extra spa and dinner costs
Not with a 5 yo
Not 20 mins away from home, so not seeing anywhere new
Not within my budget anyway.

No, personally Wouldn't spend that if I was taking a child with me.

Most children wouldnt exactly enjoy going to a spa hotel, and I would much rather pay for a more family friendly experience.

My 8 year old enjoys going away for his birthday. A pool is a non-negotiable for him. I refuse to spend above £200 per night. We have went to fairly budget hotels and my child has loved it and it didnt break the bank (it wasnt exactly a peaceful experience for me, so I didnt want to spend crazy money or go to a "spa")

Nope, still a night away in an hotel. If it's so close, why not turn it into a true staycation....stay at home (staycation) and get a day spa ticket. Way cheaper.

Silly money imo, and not suitable at all for a 5 yr old.

That kind of money would pay for a Fri-Mon caravan break/ Butlins/ 2-3 nights in a hotel somewhere nice and the kids would enjoy it a lot more.

I'm going to to a caravan park on the south coast over easter wkend, I think it's about £200 for Fri-Mon.

We did do that once at a gorgeous luxury hotel in Cambridge with breakfast included. Spent £350 for one night (me, DH, ddog and baby) after upgrading to a premium room. We still talk about it, it was an amazing experience for very average working class people like us! But it was a very nice hotel and very much a special treat. It depends on if you want to do it or if you have to do it (which it sounds like you do, less appealing).

£340 for one night is bonkers!