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?

I don’t think I’d feel comfortable in a hotel solo I think it’d be isolating , coming down for breakfast not knowing anyone , if it’s pouring with rain you’d probably go back to your room until dinner if there’s no-one about or they have plans with who they’ve gone with . I’d much prefer a hot holiday because no-one feels awkward by the pool with a cocktail and good book . Try and meet others for an evening meal or drinks sounds perfect and natural not oh I’m shouting my aloneness by being in a hotel on my own .

I’m alone this Christmas and thought about doing this but was then put off partly by the same thoughts and partly by just how expensive it was.

I was going to go abroad with a group tour experience but then decided I really wanted to be with my dog so I’ve gone for booking a little cottage in Dorset to live ‘The Holiday’ dreams.

I’ve booked dinner on the 24th at a dog friendly gastropub and then will get a roaring fire going for Xmas Day, Waitrose easy shove in the oven food, plenty of goodies and I’m preparing a great viewing schedule of streamed movies.

Boxing Day will be bracing walks and fossil hunting on the beach (weather permitting).

I’m actually really looking forward to it but having my dog makes a massive difference, it’s like having my BFF their (but much more amenable to just going along with whatever my plans are and thinking they are brilliant).

If I didn’t have my dog then I’d go abroad with a group.

Not in a hotel but have spent a few Christmases alone when I was a teenager/early twenties.They were the best ones.

My parents would go away for Christmas and everyone always felt so guilty that I was alone but I absolutely loved it, watched films and ate what I liked. I have children now so it’s not likely to ever happen again but it’s one completely hyped and overrated day and has lost all meaning with the over the top stuff that goes on. Do whatever you like on the day and enjoy it x

@wheresmymojo

sounds perfect .

My family are deceased and I am single and I do this every year for the past decade.

I occasionally used to be the guest star at others but as I became older I found the constant questions by friend's families of 'why' and the patronising pity draining. I have never felt the need to constantly socialise with other people, especially those I personally haven't chosen to, and found it made me unhappy so stopped going.

Christmas is whatever you make it personally. Some years I pass it like you have in a lavish affair. Others it's been just another day I don't mark. I think it's a very tense time personally so go with what suits you best.

If you do go to a hotel, you have the options to be with others or alone as you see fit. I wouldn't worry about being the odd one out as there are a lot of people like us who are often shamed when you mention it publicly so don't mention it at all. Make sure you book your meals in advance though as nothing worse then not having anything to eat in the day!

If you’re not sure about a actually going away, you could book to go somewhere special for your Christmas dinner?

If you're used to holidaying alone, and eating out alone, then go for it.

If you have never done that, then I'd suggest Christmas day at a posh hotel would be a hard place to do so for your first time.

Have done lots of HF holidays and lot’s of singles. If you enjoy walking they would be ideal nice country house hotels.

It sounds fabulous. When you see all those 'happy' families and cooing couples remind yourself that many will be as happy as they look and many will be nothing of the sort. They don't matter. You matter to you. Wear something lovely, buy yourself some treats and enjoy the absolute peace of being able to do exactly what you want , when you want .
My friend and her husband went on holiday to Center parcs. If you had seen them cycling around in their lovely new clothes with their shiny new bikes and their very pretty ( and lovely mother) you'd have thought they were the most perfect family in the world. The father in this perfect family knew that their 16 year old babysitter was pregnant with HIS baby and was frantically phoning him from her 'girls' holiday in Spain . What you see is not always the truth.

Don't forget that in most places in Europe christmas isn't the OTT extravagansa we have here. Certainly in Austria there is events in the afternoon of 24th, public transport may stop early. Big celebration meal on christmas eve. Then on 25th public transport all runs, many shops/museums/activities etc are open.

To answer a few questions or respond to some comments

I am very used to travelling alone and eating alone in restaurants. I've done it a lot both for work reasons and pleasure. Normally it doesn't bother me at all.

I am not someone who would be interested in a 'group table'. I've been to places that have one like some of the spas mentioned and I prefer to eat alone. I can be sociable and find it easy to talk to strangers but for me it's a very selective activity! Probably because I have a soft but grumpy centre covered with a protective hard shell and assume everyone else is a bore and want to be left alone.

My post and questions were due to the particular sensitivity of Christmas day and its association with family when due to deaths there is no one there. I'm not in deep grief anymore as it's been a good few years so in that regard I'm open to giving a hotel a try. My worry was that 'sticking out like a sore thumb' issue which could cause me difficulty on this particular day...I was in the past very aware it might not be a good choice for me because of the sadness that might be caused by happy families all around. I don't feel like that now but still don't want to be the only solo person somewhere.

I've never been on a cruise and I think it would be a bit too risky to test that out for the first time over Christmas. I've logged the idea though as a solo travel option in future.

I am a proper couch potato and walking holidays are not my cup of tea sadly as I can see that with a bit of social interaction could be a good idea.

@SpicyRedRobin

Your post was very helpful - thank u. Especially this which I would't have thought of

Make sure you book your meals in advance though as nothing worse then not having anything to eat in the day!

@TheCorrsDidDreamsBetter

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.

LOL. That sounds like a good laugh but I'd be surprised if you could find a Christmas day one in the UK. I'm off to google. I've never done one but I'd suspect those kind of murder mystery events are very hit and miss in a Meet Father Christmas Chrismas Grotto way - could be brilliant depending on the company and the actors but could be horrific in a what have I paid money for way?

Its encouraging to know more and more companies are catering for solo Christmas travellers

Being ‘catered for’ is the last thing I’d want. I’m not a child. If I pay for a room in a hotel I expect to be left alone to do whatever I choose …

It's not about what you'd want though, is it @AstaEscapes ?

Sounds like you're heading to a decision @AloneRapunzel 🎉

Oh, did I misunderstand the final paragraph of the OP? I thought @AloneRapunzel was keen to hear of other people’s experiences and opinions …

Yes. I have a partner and was welcome to spend Christmas with him and his family but I hate Christmas so I chose to go solo travelling for the entirety of December instead. Christmas Day I was in a guest house in tropical south east Asia and I spent the day volunteering at an animal shelter. It was just a normal day with no recognition of it being Christmas (which is what I wanted) and lots of other solo travellers. I wish I could afford to do this every year!

I haven't yet but would love to in the not too distant future.

I’ve never done Christmas but I’ve been on a number of Intrepid Travel holidays over the years. One family tour of Turkey with kids which was brilliant but in later years joined groups in my own to tour Thailand and Bali and Lombok. Always mostly single people are really interesting and fun. Off the beaten track experiences with an English speaking local guide but no pressure to do everything (apart from move to the next location due to travel and hotel bookings)

Solo traveller Lanzarote
FB group, very inclusive without being overbearing.
Planned walks/excursions, but lots of 'I'm eating at .... tonight if anyone fancies' type of posts.
Suited me down to the ground😁

I've read that three times, it sounds idyllic 😂. I'm going to DFs and he has a dog so will be along these lines.

My now deceased ex step-MIL (!) did this. She went to a hotel on the coast I think, not a singles thing, but a venue that specifically advertised for solo Christmas guests. I wonder if it still exists, ’ll see if I can find it. She had a great time (although died soon after but don’t let that put you off-it wasn’t connected…)

I haven't, but I think I would! Agree though, I wouldn't want to be the lone one amongst a load of couples. I imagine a bit of research should help you find out if there's likely to be other singles, or maybe a place that's aimed at siingles?
Think I'll be investigating that myself!

I think the OP meant ‘catered for’ in the literal sense, i.e. someone else cooks your meals!

I’m not in the same situation, OP, but fwiw I think it sounds idyllic. I love my own company, but I think I would find a Christmas completely alone (eg in an AirBnB, as some have suggested) a bit lonely. But being ‘alone in a crowd’ in a luxury hotel, people around but no obligation to talk to anyone, delicious meals with a good book and lots of wine… bliss.

I'll also add if you are a drinker, bring/order your own alcohol to your room. I personally worry too much being drunk alone in public but would happily enjoy a few drinks in my room where I can lock the door and not feel like I am going to be preyed upon.

That sounds perfect, and possible easier going than a specific singles holiday?