'that £340 is too expensive for a staycation ?

[Isitameproblem]

My friend decided that she wants to have one night in a nice spa hotel for one night. So far so good. They can leave their kids at home, but we can't, so hers is only £225 whereas ours is £340, no spa treatment, just bed and breakfast.

Isn't that a bit too steep?

Because her husband is going, they've already booked as a couple, and I'm no third wheeler

Why do you have to go anyway? Is it a birthday? You haven't said why you have to go in the original post but If my friend said 'i want to stay in a nice hotel for a night' I'd say - great, have a nice time! Seriously though, if you need / want to go can you not just go alone or just attend the dinner part and leave DC with DH? Or get a babysitter just for the eve?

I think that's a ridiculous amount of money for one night and I'd never pay that much. I'm going to Madrid next week and it's costing less than that for 3 nights, including flights.

Each to their own though and I know that some people love treating themselves to a luxury spa experience. But if you can't afford it or think it's too expensive just say sorry, friend, it's too expensive for us because we have to factor in our child too and it won't be a relaxing experience for us because we'll be having to make sure the 5 year old is entertained all day.

Oh FFS just tell her NO, it doesn't work for you! Because it doesn't.

Why are you agonising over this when it's clear her suggestion is just plain bonkers? WHY?

It's her 40th birthday celebration

I wouldn't spend that much on an overnight stay 20 mins from home. That's insanity.

I also wouldn't be taking DC with me to any spa break.

Is your friend bringing her other half? Can you leave yours at home with your dc?

You still don't have to go.
She's proposed something for her birthday which is very expensive and ridiculous for you because you have a five year old in two.
You really don't have to go. Tell her you'll take her out for a nice meal the week after to celebrate.

I'm confused now. You originally posted as though this was a couples weekend plus your five year old, now you're saying she's going with her husband and offered to babysit your DC.
So who was going in the first place?

I do think that’s a bit different. But I agree it’s a lot for one night! Is there any chance you could just go for the evening bit and get a babysitter or failing that I’d go alone and try and share with another person attending to halve the cost.

Get a day ticket for the spa, meet your friends for dinner at the hotel resale and take a taxi home.

She offered to take turns in babysitting (as I said we couldn't go because of the 5yo).

She went ahead and booked the hotel room after I said I wouldn't come.

If it's so close to you, could you sleep at home but get a babysitter and join her for the day spa, dinner and a treatment?

It's her 40th birthday so I would be willing to spend a bit more than usual and follow her lead. However not like this. It is not worth it.

I would offer to celebrate with her another time and dh can babysit. Or do a family activity altogether with her child too. She can still have a spa break with her dh.

Then she's old enough not to act like a child because it's her birthday.

No point in going to a fancy hotel with spa if you can’t use the facilities.

OED has both definitions of staycation. Pedants be gone!

Also I wouldn't spend that much money on a hotel night without spa!

Yes, sorry, I hadn’t read the whole thread so hadn’t realised her husband was going too. Certainly wasn’t advocating paid child care for overnight. Just ignore my responses.

I was replying to @Isitameproblem above .

That was clear to me! The other poster going on about her hotel experience at the four seasons, was starting to drive me mad!

It all depends on whether YOU think the money is worth it for you. If it's not, don't do it! Me and DP don't go away on big holidays, so we wouldn't mind spending this on a nice night away. But also other people absolutely wouldn't pay it.

What’s the point in going if you have to take your kid and can’t have any treatments? Sounds bloody awful.

Its her 40th birthday and only invited you? She hasn't invited any other friends to this celebration?

Yes only us two (DH and myself)

I wouldn't go to a spa hotel with kids. What's the point? Presumably you'll have to stay in the bedroom once your kids go to bed!