Who is BU re splashing out on a fancy hotel?

[Vilanellexc]

DH & I have decided to have a weekend break away in London in December, shortly before Christmas. The plan is that we will be spending out on this experience as an alternative to spending a lot of money on Christmas gifts for one another as we usually do.

We plan to spend one night in a hotel, watch a west end show, look around at the festive things, followed by drinks and fine dining in the evening. I should point out that DH & I have no DC and have a very good combined income. Despite this, we have always stayed in cheaper hotels when on holidays and short trips away (think Premier Inn) and have always ended up walking past the lovely fancy hotels and feeling a bit jealous!

I told DH as it’s a special Christmas treat, I’d like to book somewhere luxurious and high end this time. Having spent the weekend traveling through trip advisor, I’ve found some lovely luxury hotels around the £450-£700 per night mark, all of which look fantastic and are very highly reviewed. DH initially agreed but has since started looking at all of the cheaper hotels available and says it seems silly spending out on a place to rest our heads when we could put the money towards actually doing nice things in London instead. He doesn’t seem to get the fact that staying in a nice hotel is all part of the experience.

AIBU in wanting to spend out on some luxury for once and thinking it is worth it and will really make our trip special? It’s really not as if we can’t afford it. DH thinks I’m being ridiculous.

We love Hotel 41 above the Rubens at the Palace - it's tiny, but feels like staying at your very rich friend's London home. It's cosy, the beds are the most comfortable I have ever slept in, the whole place is super luxurious but not pretentious, if you know what I mean? And the service is SUPERB. www.41hotel.com

Personally, as many others have said, I would go mid way with the hotel budget but then splash the cash on the best seats at the theatre.

Hilton Bankside is a great hotel for the price, I prefer it to the Conrad St James which they also own. The Bankside suite is amazing and well worth the money.

What I want to know OP @Vilanellexc is if you've decided where to eat? I wish I could eat out every day of my life, I love it so much 🤣 So, if you don't mind, I'd quite like to love vicariously through you 😁

I've always wondered about Hazlitts. It looks like somewhere one would either love or hate.

I can imagine being a bit underwhelmed by Hazlitt's if spas and so on are your thing, but I can't imagine hating it. It felt quite understated to me. But that was 7 years ago (spas are my thing btw but not in central London).

We are going to London in February to see a concert. I wanted to book a Premier Inn or travelodge. My fiance looked at deals etc and found a room at a Hilton for £125. I was a bit fed up as I rather spend less but he insisted and I guess it's just the one night!

I was struck by your DH's comment:

we could put the money towards actually doing nice things in London instead

For you, staying in a nice hotel IS doing nice things! So compromise. Find somewhere nice that is a little more upmarket, but not quite in that mega price range. Maybe in a better location than a Premier Inn, or in a historic building etc. Whatever YOU think is upmarket.

For me, the alternative to a Premier Inn (which are fine btw), would be a middle priced non-chain hotel. You're more likely to get the little extras and/or personal service.

If you can afford it-do it. My husband surprised me with 2 nights in the Shangra-La at the Shard for a milestone birthday. It was ££££ but we couldn’t fault it. We went to a West End show. It was a memorable weekend.

We brought our own champagne and drank in the room while I had at least 3 baths with amazing views. We ate 3 times at the Borough market next door on the Saturday, the food was fantastic there.

If it’s a once off, go for it.

Yes we could have gotten a week holiday elsewhere but for our time availability we felt it was worth it. We have never stayed and probably will never stay somewhere as fancy again.

I've stayed in loads of lovely fancy London hotels for £250 per night mark. I wouldnt spend £700 even though could afford it, you won't be in the hotel enough to enjoy it as you have loads of stuff planned!

@basicbitch16 oh I feel the same
We are trying out The Ledbury
www.theledbury.com/
Can’t wait!

I think on your budget I would rather have 2 nights in a reasonable central hotel than one in an expensive one. As others have said you won't be getting the greatest use out of more expensive facilities if you are going to see a show and get out and about in London. Also if you do one night you are packing up the next morning, leaving your case hopefully in a safe area in the hotel, going out and about all day then coming back to collect luggage and going home. I think that's not the most fun way to 'do' London. If you stay for 2 nights you get there and unpacked, maybe leisurely drinks and early dinner somewhere then do a show. Next morning, no packing and moving luggage out, nice lazy breakfast, all day to do your thing in London without dashing back for luggage and late drive/train home. You have whole lovely relaxed day from stepping out of your central hotel, collapse exhausted in great room for a while then maybe drinks and dinner again and all for no more to stay than the one night somewhere more expensive. Yours [and his] choice though. Have fun whatever you decide.

Very sensible advice from you all, I’m glad I asked!

Try the Clayton Chiswick. 500m or so from Gunnersbury tube....district line. Fab hotel with reasonable prices
Felt luxurious even if it wasn't

I'm glad you have sorted it. I've stayed in fancy pants hotels (by accident we must have picked a lucky weekend ) when on city breaks and it was a shame not to be able to enjoy the room more due to being out and about. Hope you have a lovely trip

I’d agree with your dh for a London trip. You will spend barely any time in the room. Could you compromise and find somewhere in between price wise?

If I go to London I think a premiere inn is pushing the boat out and stay in a travelodge. Somewhere where I will spend more time in the hotel imwill happily spend £200 plus.

Surprised at more than one person suggesting the Rubens at the Palace - DH and I stayed there on an incredibly rare night without the kids when we went to see Hamilton and were very disappointed. The room was tiny which I wouldn't have minded had it been beautiful but it was so ugly and had a garish red plastic chandelier Fortunately we laughed about it and Hamilton was so amazing it more than made up for the room. Maybe we were unlucky but I guess my point is that if you are going to spend that much make sure you do your research so you don't end up disappointed!

@SecretMillionaire I stayed in the Doubletree on Southampton Row with work a few weeks ago and loved the look of the Kimpton Fitzroy, it's such a beautiful building completely misses point of thread

Oops. A rare moment of neglecting to RTFT. I can see the decision has been made

Yes I agree make a compromise- a bit more upmarket than Premier Inn but yes you won't be at the hotel for long.

I clicked on this thread initially because I am considering suggesting DH and I go to an expensive hotel for a couple of days after Christmas and I can imagine him asking what's wrong with Premier Inn! But different from you the place I'm considering is coast / country and has a spa and pool which would be good if weather bad. Also lovely views !

Hi. We stayed at The Ned recently. We like trendy places so it’s not for everyone. Have a wonderful time.

The Ledbury is lovely. Great food and a relaxed atmosphere.

Agree with the majority. We once booked the Pullman at St Pancras (which was more than adequately posh!) and booked a basic room for £200. When we arrived, we were offered and upgrade for £50. So we got a massive room with superb views worth £450 for £250!

There's obviously the risk that they won't have any available rooms for the upgrade, but might be worth bearing in mind.

Another recommendation for Hoxton hotels. The one in Holborn is great if you're seeing a show. The rooms are really well designed, a little quirky, super comfy beds and definitely big step above a plain chain hotel without busting your wallet. Nice bar for a nightcap too. Enjoy!

Surprised at more than one person suggesting the Rubens at the Palace
Fortunately we laughed about it and Hamilton was so amazing it more than made up for the room

Each to their own. I've stayed at The Rubens several times and liked it but then I'd sooner poke a pencil through my eardrums than sit through Hamilton.