if you were spending it intentionally alone

[OsloGin]

I am stuck in with poorly DCs and chatting to MIL on phone today she said that her lovely neighbour who has divorced this year, rather late in life, has decided to find somewhere to spend Christmas on her own. She has had lots of offers but wants to be self indulgent. Perhaps a hotel with excellent room service or an easily accessible holiday cottage as she can no longer drive. If money was no object what would you do? I am off to google Claridges. The idea is suddenly appealing to me.

I'd head for a "romantic" luxury cottage in the Lakes. Go for a nice walk then back for a simple but excellent quality home cooked meal and then wallow in all the luxury all by myself.

I know a man in his 50s who'll be alone for Christmas. He'd be very welcome to come here but I'm not sure if he'd rather be alone. Personally I think being by myself would be preferable to having someone else's family Christmas forced on you but I don't want him to be alone if he'd rather not be IYSWIM. He's not good at saying no. I think if I asked, he'd come whether he really wanted to or not.

I spend Christmas alone. I quite like being at home and watching rubbish telly, but would love to go and stay somewhere like Cornwall in a house with a log fire.

Ooh yes Cornwall. I wonder if there are any cornish christmas traditions. I love cold windy coasts. I have never been to a London hotel so I wondered about something like that. I think MIL's neighbour has catered Christmas all her married life so this is her chance to do things her way.

This, I think Morritt Arms. It's in lovely countryside and the spa is a delight.

I'd love to spend the time alone at home or in a remote cottage but we have also had various waifs and strays for Christmas dinner over the years.
My favourite was introducing an American bloke to the joy of roast potatoes, roast parsnips and Yorkshire puddings.
Not at christmas but we also introduced a Czech exchange student to the joy of Yorkshire puddings. He tried one and loved them so much that he polished off 5 in all.

Morritt Arms looks amazing.
MrsPnut I had some of my relatives experience their first British Christmas with us and caught one of them trying to spread Brandy butter on their Christmas morning toast! Roast potatoes and parsnips are the stuff of dreams

I have been to the Morrit Arms and utterly LOVED IT

Its a glorius place but I wouldn't travel a huge distance to get there for xmas.

I think London if she is near, then she can walk and look at the lovely xmas windows. I think somewhere like claridges, be by self, but also option of delicious people watching...

I think a big London hotel would be great as it would mean that she wouldn't necessarily be forced into a big communal meal. She could get room service etc. And of course window shopping and people watching!

Wish husband and I could run away for Christmas, just the two of us!

It will just be DD 16, and I this Christmas. I know it's not the same as being alone but we are really looking forward to it.

How about The Savoy?

I'm not sure this is what you are looking or whether they are open on Christmas Day but I would go here

www.redlionfreehouse.com/pages/rooms

sounds heavenly to me.