Anyone ever spent actual Christmas on their own in a hotel?

[AloneRapunzel]

Just that really - this may be more a question for the 'alone in life' with no relatives than just the pure 'childfree'.

Suffered some bereavements so didn't want to do this for the first few years as worried I would be too emotionally vulnerable. Time has moved on so was thinking of doing this. I like the idea of being catered for, having a bit of luxury, probably would be looking at a luxury country house hotel type place with roaring log fires and opportunity for a walk in some woods.

What bothers me though is actually how many people do this? If you have ever spend Christmas (meaning including the actual day/night 25 Dec) in a hotel, how many people did you see who were alone or was it all big families having a day out?

I don't mean from a point of view of other solo dinners/travellers to interact with btw - just the prescence of other solo people at lunch/ in the dinning room so I don't feel like a freak or worse stand out so much that I have big groups feeling sorry for me and asking me to join them...

if you've done it, did you have a good time? would you do it again? any advice?

It depends which house you go to. The more mountainous the younger the age group I do two or three a year and have never been the only single person so I think you were unlucky.

I have. Last year was my first Christmas with no immediate family left and so I went to Las Vegas for the duration.

This year I’m loooking to do similar just not chosen where yet.

I am divorced and alternate having my kids as Christmas. I don’t visit family if I’m on my own due to difficulties with that and location. This year I’m going to champmeys on my own from 24th-26th. I did it before a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There were couples but mainly single people. We sat on a mixed table for the meals but then I did my own thing in the spa. After that I’m going away for a few days on my own for a solitary hobby and will stay in a hotel on my own. I am looking forward to all of it!

I haven’t but would. South Lodge near Horsham have a very popular Christmas package, eye watering expensive but it’s all whistles and bells

I am childfree by choice and my family are a handful. I despise Christmas and all the stress of it. If it’s what is calling to you then absolutely go for it, sounds like heaven!

Which group/company was this?

Sounds like a great plan! I saw an email today from The Mitre Hotel Hampton Court that sounds exactly what you might be looking for. Wake up by the river, walks to Bushy Park and Hampton Court Palace.

Home Alone? Not anymore…
Join us for a movie-magic celebration! With heart-warming hospitality, feel-good films and plenty of surprises along the way. Roaring fires, festive fizz, and all your favourite Christmas classics playing on repeat – the kind of holiday magic you’ll want to make a tradition.

Wherever you go, I hope you have a lovely Christmas.

Please can I come? That sounds amazing (except for the Christmas cake part 🤢).

My single colleague vastly prefers a Christmas in a hotel to visiting relatives. She says they just talk about ailments with the exception of the younger ones. She's into the children in her family and their company much more than the adults.

Yes, I've done it quite a few times in different places - several times in Amsterdam.

I think I’d get more depressed seeing families celebrating around me while being alone. In fact I know I’d just disappear to my room and cry. However if I had to do a Christmas alone and want to be spoilt I’d probably go overseas to an adult all inclusive with a pool and beach with lots going on where you will have some guests who don’t celebrate Christmas for religious reasons.

Ive been away a number of times over christmas but always to a non christian country like Morcco, Egypt of Nepal where it was just another day, Maybe a few low key decorations in the foyer. I prefer to forget about the whole tacky business.

I've done it two or three times. I went to non-Christian countries (Morocco and Turkey) and more or less just treated it as any other day of the holiday. I decided that it would feel more odd to be on my own while everyone around me was very obviously celebrating Christmas, so I haven't done it in the UK.

I either book a cozy airbnb somewhere and take nice food etc or I have gone on a solo travellers holiday over Christmas. Both worked out brilliantly. I wouldn't go to a hotel on my own. I think it would be groups there for Christmas lunch etc so would feel uncomfortable.

My nan went on a week long coach trip to Switzerland over Christmas a few year's ago & loved it & said she had company as & when she wanted. She also did a few cruises (saga as she was in her 70's).

I loved your hotel idea, but I actually love the idea of booking a hotel with a Christmas themed murder mystery event even more now you've mentioned this.

Massive whodunnit fan though so not everybody's cup of tea, but it would certainly be a very social event.

Ooh sorry to jump on the thread (I am childless), I'm going to Lanzarote next week on a solo all inclusive week -you have got me wondering about whether to do something like this I.e. put a shout out to anyone else travelling solo to see if they'd like to meet for a dinner. Was there a particular Facebook group or just one of the solo female travellers ones?

I would definitely go to an all inclusive adults only in the Canaries if I was on my phone en for Christmas. Failing that, Ragdale Hall. It’s a 5* hotel with spa. And they have a table where people on their own can sit with others.

Wow! Go for it if you can afford it

I think i did one time. I worked a job in which i moved around alot. It was contracted. I cannot remember when i was there, but it wasnt long.

Following - I'd wondered about this too: I've been widowed nearly 5 years and have no immediate family.

Yes! Several times. Always fantastic.

I mean I was out and about rather than indoors in my hotel all day, but I was solo.

I’ve done Christmas Day in Byron Bay, Lanzarote, Brighton and New York.

I was also going to recommend Ragdale Hall Spa, I go every December and once was there for Christmas itself and it was fab. Really luxurious and you can talk to others or not as you choose (I’m not a mixer so this suited me well!) This year I’m going early December as I do have plans for Christmas but if I didn’t I wouldn’t hesitate to book

I’ve done this many times. I honestly didn’t notice how many people were on their own. The only time it felt odd was in (I think) Cyprus where most of the people there were spending three MONTHS in the hotel and I was staying ten days.

I like the idea of it, but think it would be lonely, and I love time on my own.

I think the meal would be mediocre and very expensive, you'd be surrounded by couples, the decorations would probably be a let down, the staff wouldnt want to be there, and you wouldnt have any of your creature comforts around you.

If I was worried about being alone at Christmas, I'd rather either volunteer somewhere, or forget it was happening altogether and get an Indian takeaway and have a very non-christmasy film marathon.