not to want to pay for night at a hotel

[jugofwildflowers]

My youngest dd aged 12 asked me if I could take her and 2 friends to stay at a 4 * hotel somewhere as they had not stayed at one before, paying for it themselves, as a treat.

I will be driving them there and back, looking after them etc. I was asked to go rather than the other mums as am thought to be a fun mum. However, I am busy, work w/es but I was honoured to be asked.

Would you say the cost should be split fourways? Or AIBU to have wanted the cost split three ways (excluding me as driver/'baby'sitter) for the room?!

So glad everyone had a good time! Well done that manager!

There are many holidays that don't include hotels so not sure that comment adds up tbh.

Cottages/villas
B and B
Camping
Caravan

All non hotel holidays. We rarely stay in hotels as part of our main holidays tbh - prefer the space and flexibility of self catering.

frugal I like the sound of your DD. The Picasso museum is fab - I spent hours there and also went to Amsterdam hoping to visit the Van Gogh museum (my favourite painter) but it was being refurbished and had to make do with a mini exhibition in another gallery - still great to see the original Sunflowers though.

I took DS and friend to a show they wanted to see and did not expect the other parents to contribute even though they did of their own accord. I would have been happy to chaperone for free/pay for meals etc. just so the boys could enjoy themselves and they did! They grow up fast so to me it was worth it and just part of being a parent.

I think the hotel trip was a great idea - a fancy sleepover with a pool as well - lots of fun and no clearing up, cooking for mum to do ;)

Well yes hulababy but it's not "very, very, very odd" or "crackers" that a 12 year old might have awareness of one and want to stay one is it? Most children will surely know what a hotel is I would have thought.

creamy, yes she loved the experience! There were many highlights but I think the best bits were simple confidence building ones like ringing the reception to ask for a toothbrush after she had forgotten hers, being able to choose food she had never tried before from a buffet, being able to practice diving together...simple things we take for granted but which provided an endless source of joy

Glad to hear they all had a lovely time and that you got your own room too.

I would split it and pay four ways if it were me. Hope you all have a lovely time.

Oops, I didn't read the whole thread before posting. Pleased to hear it went well.

Until I got your update op, I was thinking yes, it sounds a great idea but I would want an adjoining room.

Having just spent 2 nights in a hotel room with DH, ds and dd, I think you deserve a medal for contemplating the idea in the first place.

Glad the girls has a great time. My 6-year-old niece asks regularly if she can stay in a hotel so there is certainly nothing odd about 12-year-old girls wanting to do this as a group of friends as a treat. Respect to them for saving up for it, and well done for helping them make it happen, OP.

Bear No. I agree.

I would absolutely hate to be in the next room/table/pool to this little lot if I was having a night away with DH or family. It's all a bit 'princess party' isn't it?

But then I haven't got a 12 year old DD.

oops. I didn't read all of the thread. Sorry.

The smell of cheap 'body spray' will probably render you immobile!

PeriodFeatureswhat a snide comment.

Just can't get excited about sleeping in a strange bed in an anonymous room without the outside environment being hugely different too...

I get that for an adult, but they are 12! It will be exciting for them.

jugofwildflowers - been following this thread with interest. Sorry if it's been mentioned but how did the paying for the stay for the 3 girls plus your daughter and your work out?

Yes a little group of happy, well behaved 12 year olds would be a sore trial indeed period .

jugofwildflowers Glad they all had a good time & that you got some sleep!

Whity74 to be honest, I would rather my daughter's wanted & paid for that experience rather then the usual getting nails painted, crap magazines, pedicures. Sounds like they all had fun, and they spent time with each other doing what they wanted to do. Pretty special I'd say!

It's all a bit 'princess party' isn't it? Actually it's not, not in my experience of what op has written. Far from it. Which is fabulous! Oh & my worst hotel neighbours were not children. Why do you assume that a group of 12 yrs olds are going to be any worse than any other guest? I think that is very rude & unfair. I am going to store this in my 'different stuff to do this year' folder for one of my girls. dd1 would love it!

Careful DNFT, she might want to go to PARIS when she's 14!

I will take dd away too this year and I am taking my ds on either the Caledonian or Penzance sleeper train for his next birthday. He will be 12 too.

Old English Inns were doing a deal of £12 per night bed and breakfast in various locations, though we ruled that one out because of the lack of a facilities and a minimum 2 night stay.

There are often good deals out there though and we have found that often as a family, staying at a hotel has worked out cheaper than a night in a youth hostel.

Self catering often requires a minimum week period plus cooking and cleaning, camping would not be ideal in the winter and so all in all, one night 2 days away as a mini break works out rather well!

Sparklysilversequins

If she wanted to go to Paris I would fully support that I don't see what would be wrong with it!

Well me neither but an earlier poster put forward the "what next! Paris at 14?!" scenario like it was a BAD thing .

I saw, I didn't realise that teaching kids about culture & travel was such a rotten thing to do.

theplanets: it was split 4 ways before we left but I am not quibbling about it, I can see both sides.

I am embarrassed by the miscommunication though and although I have explained to the dads of these girls face to face I have yet to see either of the mums.

Had text contact with them while we were away and they were supportive, I also sent another text to them both after speaking to the dad who said 'that's what you get when an 11 y.o organises a holiday!' saying that the miscommuncation was regrettable but that they had a fab time.

DD probably had said to them 'oh my mum can take us!' but she had always and happily intended on paying her way as that was our agreement, and I know that the other girls had been busy saving up for it.

I would NOT have been happy splitting it four ways had I not been given the adjoining room! May be the lovely manager WAS a Mumsnetter after all !

jugofwildflowers - am in agreement with some other Members, yep your own adjoining room is brilliant, what a nice manager. Did the girls have a twin and single bed in theirs? I am glad it worked out.