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Would you believe this? Husband and hotel

281 replies

atatotallosss · 09/08/2025 22:39

Will try to keep this short. Currently 35 weeks pregnant with a 20-month-old DD.

Today, I found an email in my husband's email account for a hotel room for two adults dated two weeks ago. Instantly, I felt sick, and I couldn’t hold it in to confront him. Initially, he said it was for a friend, then said he booked it as he had planned to leave me and changed his mind. He doesn't know why the room is listed for two adults and is clamining he just booked the room that showed available.

I have proof that the room was unused with a no-show charge on the invoice, but I honestly don’t know what to think or believe. He’s full of remorse, citing mental health and depression (new to me).

Things have been stressful with work (self-employed) and we have been going through a rocky patch for the past few months (arguments, me struggling in pregnancy and him saying he feels no love from me) however on the day he planned this, that morning I had woken up to blood on my underwear and had to call triage- he plans this?! He says it was a moment of madness and overwhelm, the day the booking was made for, we had zero arguments and it was a normal day except for him being more stressed than usual with work etc. And the scare with the baby. He came home from work and we had normal conversations etc.

He's not been out etc recently so if it was an affair it would have been at work, or online I’m assuming. He is self-employed so god knows what he’s been doing during the day.

He wants us to try and move past this, however, I don’t know if I’m just postponing the inevitable and he will leave one week postpartum etc.

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 10/08/2025 09:42

He booked a single night several days in advance of the date in question. Why would he only have booked a single night if he was planning to leave the OP? Surely he'd have booked a week or so to give himself time to sort something out longer term? Moving out to a hotel for a single night when 'leaving' is a spur of the moment decision because you've been chucked out or you've had a massive argument. Not something you do a few days in advance.

wombat1a · 10/08/2025 09:41

I'd be getting everything in line here OP, this sounds like a potential suicide attempt, huge stress at work, things not working out at home and booked themself a single night in a hotel.

Beachtastic · 10/08/2025 09:35

I can totally understand the need for a night in a hotel room, neutral territory, away from the home, to pause and take a deep breath.

There is nothing to indicate an affair and I think it's rather cruel of PPs to warn you that this is certainly happening.

It sounds as though that day was particularly massive stress for him.

I think you just need to sit down and talk with him, OP. Express how worried you are that he's not committed to the future, or feels overwhelmed by it, and listen.

Kassamungo · 10/08/2025 09:34

EyeLevelStick · 10/08/2025 07:29

you MUST enter the names of both people

This is simply not true.

You definitely do NOT have to enter all guests’ names. I have just this week booked 9 hotels for our holiday and only had to enter the Lead Guest’s name and contact details. No other guest details required on a single one of those bookings.

SnackAckerTack · 10/08/2025 09:33

TrickorTreacle · 09/08/2025 22:45

I use hotels quite often (for work), and even as 1 guest, the room is always listed as for 2 people. I've never seen a single hotel room ever.

Obviously though, fingers crossed that he isn't cheating.

I've never had this, every time I have a room booked, its for 1 person.

Work or personal is the same.

NapoleonsToe · 10/08/2025 09:31

thisistoofunny · 10/08/2025 06:34

Well, obviously he's lying. I mean, you know that.

As for the "2 person default" - no. Yes it will default to 2 people but when you get to the next stage you MUST enter the names of both people, so at that point he would have had to enter the name of the woman he's sleeping with or go back and change it to one occupant.

The capitalising of 'MUST' doesn't make this true. It's complete nonsense.

OP please make your decision regarding the future based on real life support, talk to people who know you. There's some really wise advice on this thread, but there's other advice pushing you into what might turn out to be a rash decision you'd come to regret.

TheStateofRoads · 10/08/2025 09:30

atatotallosss · 09/08/2025 23:26

Things have been fine, he's claiming he can't really remember the week that he planned this and needs to go to the Dr as he's clearly not been handing things well.

He's been really supportive, loving, etc. Saying how lucky he is, how he would hate for us to seperate etc and for the kids to have separate Christmases etc. When we've spoke about friends separating etc.

Haven't been fine at all.

You know he's looked at leaving so how do you want to spend the rest of your life? Waiting for him to go again?
Is there any trust between you left?

Seelybee · 10/08/2025 09:29

@atatotallosss coming at this from a different angle - as a couple you’ve taken on a massive amount. An infant and another pregnancy, opening and closing self employed businesses with major financial outlay, pregnancy related challenges etc etc. Although I’m sick to death of the mental health card being pulled for every (usually minor) life challenge, in this case I can see that your DH might have felt a sudden overwhelm and need to get away which he then thought better of. You’re understandably exhausted, tired, in pain, and very confused which colours everything. Whatever the truth is, you’ll have another baby soon and he will still be the father to both children.
Might the compromise be to park the current situation, focus on family for the next few months and see how that goes? If he’s ill, he needs to sort it. If he’s up to no good the signs will be there and you can make your long term decisions once you’re back to full strength.

Sunshineandoranges · 10/08/2025 09:27

What he did is wrong but running your own business can be extremely stressful and it sounds like his businesses have been very tough lately. Add to that mix your toddler and you being pregnant and I am guessing he might feel he is failing you and the family. Some men, when they feel completely overwhelmed take drastic action. It is not about their lack of love for their partner but their feelings that they, as a man and partner, are useless. Not all men are bastards. They are human like us.

sunshine244 · 10/08/2025 09:24

Is there more to the backstory here? Why were you checking his deleted emails box?

What sort of hotel room was it? Fancy or basic? Family friendly? Central or dodgy sidestreet in a red-light area... Hotel choice could tell you all lot. Also - if it's somewhere like travelogue or holiday inn its harder to accidently add a second adult if you're paying for things like 2x breakfast. What was the exact timing in relation to your bleed (you'll be able to see the timing)?

Will he be willing to show you his search history?

TennisLady · 10/08/2025 09:23

Verydemure · 10/08/2025 07:41

I agree with this.

everyone man I’ve known to have been having an affair has pulled the mental health card at some point. The poor partner has been bending over backwards to support them.

partly because it is stressful leading a double life, but I also think it’s because most of us want to believe we are the ‘the good guy’ but shagging someone else behind your wife’s back ( even worse while pregnant) is pretty damning evidence that you are the ‘bad’ one.

and more cynically, it may also just be good cover for bad behaviour. It also throws your partner off balance- they want to help you, rather than checking your pockets/ emails for receipts

Yes, exactly this what I just posted. I experienced the same, was so worried about my exDH because he was so stressed with work and turned out it was all just because he was having an affair with woman at work.
Someone very close to me her partner was then “depressed” but turned out it was because he was having an affair with a woman at work. I’ve seen it on here several times too.

AnotherGreyMorning · 10/08/2025 09:23

Men don’t leave to be alone.

TennisLady · 10/08/2025 09:20

Hmmmm it’s a tough one with nothing else to go on.

It’s quite common for men to have been saying they’re “stressed with work” or “depressed” when an affair is discovered. The hotel room for 1 night on its own though is odd, and if there’s no other signs on his emails or phone, and you haven’t noticed any other odd behaviours recently then you can only take it on what he’s saying for now.

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 10/08/2025 09:18

TrickorTreacle · 09/08/2025 22:45

I use hotels quite often (for work), and even as 1 guest, the room is always listed as for 2 people. I've never seen a single hotel room ever.

Obviously though, fingers crossed that he isn't cheating.

So do I. You have to select the number of adults when booking, and for my bookings, confirmation emails always show the number of adults as 1, whatever the capacity of the room. I’ve just checked through my most recent as I’ve had a lot of overnights in the last few months, and they all show occupancy as booked. If they state 2, it’s because I’ve booked it for 2 people.

He’s lying OP.

LushLemonTart · 10/08/2025 09:17

When snooping you need to check deleted and sent folders.

AnAudacityofinlaws · 10/08/2025 09:14

atatotallosss · 09/08/2025 22:57

The bookings were in his deleted folder, only two emails in there and both related to the hotel booking.

Why were you looking in his deleted emails folder? What prompted that?

Weepixie · 10/08/2025 09:11

Op, I’m a solo traveller and I can’t count the amount of times I’ve overlooked booking a hotel and changing 2 adults on the booking form to 1, then when I check in I’m asked where the other guest is.

I believe it’s entirely possible that he had booked the hotel for himself but the important thing here is not to be consoled by this, the fact you’re in this situation is a clear indication that all is not well in your marriage and you have some tough times ahead whatever way this goes.

All the best to you Op and please try to take heart from the women you have here who are willing you on and sending you strength. 💐

Sevenamcoffee · 10/08/2025 09:10

OP have you asked him directly if he was intending to end his life? As pp have said people often do this in hotel rooms. He might have been planning to meet someone but the above is also a possibility given all you said. Regardless, encourage him to the GP asap and to be open with them. I’m really sorry you’re having to go through all of this and hope you have some support around you.

Imisscoffee2021 · 10/08/2025 09:09

It's so shit that when it's a hard and stressful season of life (small kids etc) some mens instinct is to remove themselves, temporarily or otherwise.

It's a season, it passes. The level of attention you can give your spouse when habing a small baby and young children changes dramatically. But it doesn't last forever! Makes me so mad that some men react like that.

My own father was like this, told my mum who was 7 months pregnant he didn't know if he wanted a kid... bit late! Then had an affair when I was 11 months old. Garbage.

The two people thing is usually default in a hotel booking if it's a double room, but you need to really talk with your husband as this has been a wake up call for both of you, he needs to understand his needs are important but not the most important and to use his words next time.

Tofudinosaur · 10/08/2025 09:02

Op could your daughter go stay with parents for a couple nights so you and DH can talk properly?
On face value the facts are he booked a hotel room on the day that he didn’t attend. There is no evidence of OW. Yes I’d suspect too. But the facts are not OW. He is claiming MH and citing stress with business which you say is a fact - he is under stress.
I think you need to talk to him and find out what he wants. You need to think what you want.
Personally if it was me I would be wanting my OH to stay and help with toddler and baby as that is a LOT on your own! But on the understanding that you both need to try work on the relationship and he can’t run away and needs to talk to you when he’s stressed.
If after the first 6 months you can’t make it work then you both tried.
If he does it again and runs away or evidence of OW then he’d be out.
But this is just what I would do! On the basis of facts there is no evidence he has cheated. There is evidence he isn’t coping and tried to run away - which could be MH and stress and doesn’t make him an unworthy life partner or something that can’t be fixed if its an isolated incident
ps he has offered to go gp and I think he should. An antidepressant might help him cope or counselling and you’d actually then have your old DH back.

belgiumchocolates · 10/08/2025 08:57

he's now saying he was struggling to cope with everything

So instead of trying to work things through, he thought he'd take himself off to a hotel and leave OP who is also struggling to get on with it, with a toddler and in last trimester.

Weak man indeed

MarshaMarshaMarsha · 10/08/2025 08:57

What sort of hotel was it? I would be inclined to be more suspicious if it was a nicer hotel as surely if it was just a bed to sleep in by himself he would go for a cheapy travelodge.

Blueskiesandrainbows · 10/08/2025 08:55

Busbygirl · 10/08/2025 07:20

Quite frankly I think you’re over reacting based on what some randomers on mumsnet are saying.
If your DH is innocent I feel sorry for him.

Exactly this, everyone piles in, it really is possible he is having a mental health crisis and is totally innocent in all this. Ending a marriage because everyone on mumsnet is guessing what’s happened is frankly utterly ridiculous!

Mama2many73 · 10/08/2025 08:52

atatotallosss · 09/08/2025 23:11

Up until May time it was a happy relationship, then life, work, toddler and pregnancy struggles all came to a head at once.

I'm not condoning his behaviour at all, he is being a shitty husband, but if you felt everything was ok in May , is it just panic because of work and the new baby??
Is he worried he's not coping with anything? Work, relationship. Parenthood ? And panic has well and truly set in?
Obviously not the way to go about dealing with it, Im sure many mothers would like to step away for a bit and clear their heads, its often suggested on here to book a hotel for a night, BUT that takes communication and him blocking everything /everyoneout is not the way.
I would try and have an honest conversation about how he's coping and feeling, let him know if you have similar worries, and how/if you can move forward from this. His actions have been deplorable and you might choose to say enough is enough.

On a personal note my DSis and BiL were trying for a baby, so excited when it happened. At the scan they found out it was twins and BiL went on a steep spiral as to how would they manage, emotionally, financially, and practically. He didn't want to ipset her by telling her how he

was feeling but DSis was exhausted and worried about his behaviour. They talked about it, where both were honest and open about how scary it felt . As a couple they supported each other and 4yrs down the road they are great parents with a third as well!

Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and hope he steps up big time x

DCC2025 · 10/08/2025 08:46

LucyMonth · 10/08/2025 08:00

So you think he should have lied and said he just needed a good nights sleep?

No I’m not saying he should have lied, my point was that I don’t actually believe that he wanted to leave OP, I think he blurted it out in panic, in which case he could have blurted out something less hurtful to try and mitigate the pain caused.

My opinion is that actually, he was probably cheating (or intending to cheat)

but let’s just say that he was telling the truth and wanted to leave. Then he can’t just u turn and brush it all under the carpet like nothing has happened. Oh let’s just move on, nothing to see here etc! Which is what he now appears to be doing.