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.

I've never spent more than £250 for 2 nights in London and had some cracking hotels.

Only ever issue was with the shoe box of a room near Tower Bridge. But it was only a bed for 2 nights.

Why go to London to stay in a room.

Read the reviews and shop around. If it's close to a tube/DLR, then it's feasible.

I wouldn’t go too cheap in London some of them are awful and noisy.

I’ve not read the full thread, but look at south place hotel in Liverpool Street. It’s a very fancy 5* but cos it’s mainly business mon-fri, it’s much cheaper on weekend. About 250 I think. Sometimes they do packages with dinner at the angler (Michelin star fish restaurant). It is gorgeous.

If you win the argument stay in the roof-top suite at Zetter townhouse - Lear's Loft! xx

@Vilanellexc Oh wowsers!! Please post back after & let us know how it was! Menu looks UNREAL 😍😍😍

I agree with your DP. On a city break trip, if I had the choice between the Ritz @ £700 per night or a Premier Inn at good location @£100 per night, PI would win every time.

If, however, I was so rich that £700 was a trivial amount of money, equivalent to the price of a coffee to a normal person, of course I would book the Ritz.

I have to agree with your DH.
Anything over £250 per night seems like a ridiculous amount to spend.
I would be interested to know what your planning to do in London too.
By the sounds if it you are looking to spend a few thousand pounds on what will basically a 24 hour period.

Love this thread!

I stay in the Premier Inn at King's Cross every year in December for my work Christmas event, rooms there at that time of year push two hundred quid a night.

The rooms have all been upgraded to boutique standard and the public areas are similarly trendy looking and lively. It's not 'just a Premier Inn'!

I've stayed at some amazing hotels over the years. I would never spend that much money in London. You get so much more for your money when it doesn't have the London price inflation. You'd get a lovely hotel in london for your money but you'd get an AMAZING hotel for the same money elsewhere. A much more impressive place.

I'm on the fence, if you were going to spend more time in the hotel then yes I'd spend the money, but if all your going to do is come back and go to sleep then i dont really see the point

Haven't read the full thread but I say go for it! Late DH and I loved staying in fancy hotels. The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh was one of our favourites. Happy memories ❤️

I’m with you. Maybe not £700 but the £450 mark seems reasonable. You pay a London tax so shit hotels can be around £150. If your DH wins don’t go too cheap. But if you can afford it go for it, it’s all part of the experience.

You’ll always remember it. Whereas that night at the Premier Inn?

Book the Atheneum in Mayfair. Beautiful, friendly hotel and it really feels like a home away from home. Some bargains can be had through last minute etc....

I love the look of the Ham Yard Hotel and have read good things about it. Though think that’s top end of your budget.

Laughing at the idea that 'real well off' people book cheap places and only people trying too hard book the nice places . That's brilliant.

Where in London ?

Location is the key

Do it, you only live once and if it's a great hotel you'll be able to use the really lovely spa facilities, hotel bar before theatre, amazing breakfast etc.

I agree with your husband here.

My oh splashed out on an expensive room for my birthday and the room itself was quite pokey and tbh I thought a waste of money.... the cocktail bar in the lounge was nice though

Compromise and go for around £300 or a high end B&B as someone else suggested.

I can see both sides but really OP you could have a long weekend in Prague/Krakow/Bruge for that.

In saying that, if I had your money I would totally stay at the Ritz.

We stayed at The Savoy for £800 about 4 years ago - it was AMAZING!! Very very special and we live Lobdon. Go for it.

I’ve stayed at many of the top hotels, as I used to review them in my previous life. If you are thinking of the high end Claridges type, you’ll only get a basic room for £700 and it’s really not all that. Stay at somewhere a bit cheaper and get a suite. Then it would feel really special.

Great that you are able to afford such a treat, but not really the most tactful forum to be asking such a, question. Most of us on here are parents struggling to pay the bills and keep our broods fed, clothed and happy. No offence, but we don't need to hear about non parents squabbling over how to spend their spare £100's. Just saying!

Paid £280 for one night in a rather dated room in Grand Hotel in Brighton, off season, and with view of the kitchens. So lord knows how you find a good one in London at Xmas for similar price.