To spend this amount of money

[Mindycindy]

Basically I've had the year from Hell. My dog passed away, I had a major health scare and was admitted to hospital, I was diagnosed with a chronic serious illness and then most recently my dad passed away.

I want to do something special this Christmas.

I have been left a small amount by my dad, a few thousand.

I have found a 3 night stay in a really luxury place that includes all food (three courses etc) for Christmas eve Christmas day and boxing day. It really is a special place.

It costs 1800. Is that just a total waste of money? It's over half of what my dad left me and I'd hate to think I'm wasting it. I know its all relative but do you think that's what you'd expect that to cost for 2 people at Christmas time in a luxury place with all food included for 3 nights?

@Mindycindy - I should also have said in my previous post, that we went to this hotel for the first Christmas after my Mother died because I too had had a dreadful year, and not just with my Mum dying. It was absolute bliss and just what I needed to refresh my batteries and just chillout. Gone back several times since, because we had such a lovely time

Just do it and enjoy a very special time. You will remember the good times with your father and have a wonderful break. It is not really a lot of money for 3 full days and you know that you love the hotel. It is far better than spending the money in dribs and drabs .

If the alternative is it gets frittered away on mundane shit then even more Go To The Hotel. No one lay on their death bed reminiscing about the washing machine they bought.

I also am concerned, as 3 nights in a really luxury place, using the ops words,and 1800 do not correlate. luxury places will be double that, real luxury triple , unless she is in a very cheap part of the country. As such it could be a disappointment.

In these circumstances I would probably do it life's got to have some enjoyment in it if I had the money and it wasn't needed for something else I would just go for it it's a treat for you and over Christmas sounds great

I have been before so am not concerned at the quality, its certainly luxury enough for my tastes 😂 its more the setting that is the real draw than the accommodations themselves. I don't want to name it, but it regularly appears in the top 10 hotels in the country list, but it's not like the four seasons or anything

What are you on about? How is £600 a night not luxury? Here is a link to the 5 star Celtic Manor Resort in Wales that offers a £1000 for two nights over Christmas including meals package. 5* resort not luxury enough for you?! https://www.celtic-manor.com/offers/hotel-break-signature-festive-stay/

That should say 5*

Absolutely go. Yes, you could go abroad, or hire a cottage, and it would all be cheaper and/or you’d get an extra few days break. There’s a time and a place for that, but this time put yourself first. Do what you really want to do, not what would be the right, or sensible, or practical thing to do. Do what you would love to do without compromise, because life is one long chain of compromises. Rest, relax, be treated beautifully, enjoy lovely food and delicious wine knowing that you didn’t have to cook it and you won’t have to clean up. £1800 is £300 per person per day and includes meals and entertainment and (I’m guessing) a beautiful environment and beautiful setting. That doesn’t seem so much for a full recharge, does it?

Go OP.

You've had a terrible year. You'll look forward to this and it will be a change and a lovely break.

Make the decision and don't fret over the money - it's a great way to spend it.

"it can't be worse than spending Christmas without my dad when we have hosted him the the last 5 years or at my in-laws trying to put on a brave face."

I knew it would be about that first Christmas without your Dad and doing something different when it still feels so raw. Go to the hotel. It sounds like it has happy memories for you anyway.

The first Christmas after my exH and I had split up (he cheated and left me for OW) I went away abroad, spent a fortune. I didn't want to be a spare wheel at someone else's Christmas, being felt sorry for, feeling miserable and trying to smile & pretend. It was great and just what I needed.

Go for it. It'll be the first Christmas without your dad and dog, so it'll do you good to be somewhere away from all the memories. It sounds fantastic. I had a bad year a couple of years ago, so in the December dh and I went to a very quiet seaside hotel and had dbb for two nights. It was wonderful, it wasn't particularly luxurious by some standards but it was to me. No cooking, no caring for others, just a couple of days total relaxation. We aren't well off but I cut back on other things to afford it as I felt it was so important for both my mental and physical wellbeing. If your dad hadn't died you wouldn't have the money anyway, so whatever else you think you should use it for, you wouldn't have been able to. You are still saving half the inheritance so it's not like you won't be left with anything. I hope you go and have a wonderful time.

I think you'll regret not going. It sounds really lovely. We did something really extravagant with the family a few years ago and have no regrets at all. It was an experience of a lifetime (for us) and we all still talk about it.

I agree with you - I posted a list of what I am getting for less money at a Hotel in Scotland. But people's view of 'luxury' varies and the OP has made an update since you posted and confirms that she knows the place and it is luxury enough for her tastes. Also the surrounding area is part of the draw (same as for us at the place we go)

Do it

Absolutely do it! I would
When my dad died, I was left just under a grand. I went on holiday for a week with my DH and kids and had a lovely time.

You've had an awful year. Make this Christmas a special and memorable one

Absolutely do it, it'll feel like a lovely treat from your Dad, and it'll save you being at home on Christmas Day thinking about previous Christmas's with him there.

I'm so sorry you've had such an awful year. The Christmas trip will be an absolute tonic and is 100% what I would do in your shoes. All the best, have a lovely Christmas.

Your dad would love for you to go and have a wonderful relaxing time after all you've been through. As we are all too aware, life is very short. You'll not find yourself on your deathbed wishing you hadn't gone and had a wonderful relaxing break! Raise a glass to him on Christmas day and do it! 🙂

Definitely do it @Mindycindy . The reasons in your updates are really good reasons. Have the best time xx

Go to the hotel - it will be perfect and the absolute best way to remember your dad.

Take a few home comforts/ treats with you and it will be gorgeous.

btw I spend almost double that on a two night stay every January - as a well done/thank you to myself for all the organisation and arranging of Christmas 😊 I never regret it.

I would book it, you only live once. It's a treat after a difficult time, will give you something to look forward to and will be special to you, hopefully leaving you with some lovely memories to look back on.

I'm all for splurging and you sound as though you could use a break.

But I'd worry you would regret this. It seems that you could get a longer holiday for the same price. Or a three-day hotel/spa experience for a lot less.

Maybe take 25 percent of what your dad left for your self-care getaway, and keep 75 percent?

If it’s the one I’m thinking of, sadly it’s now a holiday rental. We had our wedding there.

A longer break isn't necessarily a better one. Three days of concentrated luxury sounds wonderful!