To think I'll look odd on my own in a posh hotel?

[RainbowBriteUk]

I want to do something special for my birthday.

For the past 7 years before the pandemic, I've always gone away for my birthday with my now ex to a huge, beautiful mansion of a hotel. It houses hundreds of guests. I really want to go but I would have to go alone. I'm fine with that but would I look odd in the dining room eating on my own? I'm overweight so that makes me self-conscious anyway. I'm also in my late thirties and the guests always tend to be on the older end which would make me stand out even more.

No problem with what you want to do but don't go back to where you went with your ex!! There are hundreds of amazing hotels all round the UK and the world. Please go somewhere new! Assuming from your mention of age its a Warner Hotel or similar? You're so young go somewhere more for your age group.

Go and treat yourself.

Not sure what time of year your birthday is but why don't you bugger off to Rome or somewhere and find a nice hotel with a roof top restaurant and enjoy an uber meal with sunset views.

Fuck what others think.

You could be a famous actor staying for a meeting, an author on a tour, CEO of a company looking to buy the hotel… it’s noones business. Go and have a lovely time

Its up to you but I woukd go to a dpa anfpd tgtgpher

Don't know what happened there. Sorry. Meant to say I would go to a spa as there will be other folk there on their own.

I travel alone all the time. Others won't notice or care, and even if they do, so don't have to see those people ever again. I find it a very liberating thought.

I eat alone a lot, and always have a private fantasy going that I am a wealthy heiress in a vintage detective story (not the one who ends up being bumped off in chapter 3!). Plan ahead what you're going to eat and drink and make sure there's champagne.

Go for it. We were on a cruise the year before covid and there were a few single people sitting on their own (small) tables in the dining rooms. Didn't look odd at all. And that's a place where people usually go for the social life and meeting new people in the dining rooms. Just need to hope the maitre'd or dining room receptionist is helpful enough to find a single table for you (single people look more odd when they're on a table for 4 or 6, or even worse if you don't get your own table and end up sat with others!).

Nope. I travel (or used to anyway) for business, usually stay at lovely hotels and always dine on my own. Nobody has ever batted an eyelid. I usually have my kindle to occupy myself between courses but sometimes I just people watch. Enjoy!

I did it once as a post-birthday treat for myself. Loved it. Took a book down to dinner, didn't pay any attention to anyone else there, and as far as I can tell, they ignored me. Bliss.

Can you eat in your room? I’m not saying you should but I’d quite like to have room service in a lovely robe and watch a nice film alone.

Don't do this you may as well be at home.

Go out enjoy and own it no one will care.

@Newgirls

You could be a famous actor staying for a meeting, an author on a tour, CEO of a company looking to buy the hotel… it’s noones business. Go and have a lovely time

I once dined alone at a Michelin starred work whilst away on business, and got asked by a fellow diner if I was a food critic!

You won’t look odd and I guarantee that no-one else will care. Go and enjoy yourself!

Wiggle - perfect! OP be a good critic and look sagely around the room every now and then and write notes on your phone (check mumsnet)

If anyone thinks it's odd (and that's a big if. I bet most people won't even notice. How much attention do you pay to the other diners when you are eating out) - does it even matter?

You probably don't know them, and you may well never see them again. And even if they think it's odd, and speak about it, by the day after they will have forgotten all about it - unless they are really odd.

Go.. Enjoy yourself, and don't worry about what anyone else might think.

(You will be having half of mumnetters asking to come with you -hope you have a BIG table! )
Seriously have fun - I have been to good restaurants by myself Before DH & loved it & I didn't take a book, I am dead nosy)

God it sounds wonderful.

I have spent alot of time in good hotels on my own due to a job that used to take me around the world. No-one blinked twice and i loved having a big room and the remote control (and mini bar) all to myself.

Just enjoy it, you deserve it!

I used to work in a posh hotel (silver service) and you won't look odd dining solo. We had quite a few people staying and/or dining on their own and believe me we don't think anything at all of it. Its nice. You are there for the atmosphere, the luxurious surroundings, the lovely food and nice wine. We had a lot of regulars eating on their own in the restaurant and it was very normal.

Enjoy. Truly.