Family Christmas at a hotel - a good idea or crazy?!

[mummysandwich]

My family (me, DH, DD 8 and DDs 5) are on our own for Christmas Day this year (no fallings our etc, just the way it has worked out this year!).

Last time this happened, the day didn't feel very special - almost like an ordinary day but with the added excitement/pressure of presents for the DCs added in!

We are thinking we may try to book into a hotel for 2-3 nights over Christmas to make it a bit more special, and get away from the domestic drudgery too.

My reason for posting is to find our if anyone has ever done this with 3 kids??
Was it worth the expense?? We can afford it, but it will be an expensive way to spend a couple of days which I feel cautious about...
Any recommendations on where is good and family friendly??

Christmas in a hotel can be wonderful. Probably not an every year thing, but is a real treat if planned well. 😊

Choose one carefully that is aimed at families, and get a family suite/interconnecting rooms so that you and your DH have your own space, and the girls have their own space.

Make sure you book all your meals, including an afternoon tea (if you want it), and be really nice to the reservations team member you are talking to, as he/she will have huge influence over your dining time and how good your table is. Have a room service breakfast on one morning - it is a real treat for children, they love it.

Request a copy of the entertainments/activity schedule, so that you can plan out your days - you don’t want to miss out on Father Christmas/carol singing/champagne tasting/kids swimming times etc!

If the hotel has a spa, pre book a treatment if you want one - will be very busy.

The places we used to go to we’re far from sitting bored in a hotel room - my memories are of sat playing board games with drinks and nibbles next to an open fire, kids making friends and showing each other what Father Christmas has brought us. I also think the novel environment takes the pressure off presents as there’s lots to keep you occupied (and it’s hard to transport loads of gifts!).

But I’m possibly reminiscing about a kind of hotel Christmas that is hard to find these days!

As an alternative idea, as a child we did a couple of Christmases away in cottages, log fires, close to the sea, traditional old fishermen harbours. I remember them very fondly and would absolutely love to do it with my children one year. Yeah you still have to do the food, but the family relaxed, interacted a lot more and the local area had lots of different traditions that we joined in with!

I started out thinking this didn't sound appealing, but recent posts have changed my mind!

Friends of ours meet up with their extended family on Christmas morning at the local woods/beach. Everyone brings hot chocolate, coffee & tea in flasks and a picnic brunch to eat after walking the dog's. It started off small with 2/3 families and now it's become a tradition with over 10 families & friends. Everyone meets up in the morning to walk their dogs & then return to their own homes for lunch. Could you do something thing similar?

Maybe invite someone who might be on their own for lunch?

Have your main celebratory meal Christmas Eve & spend Christmas day playing with your children, unwrapping gifts, eating chocolate & watching films.

Thanks so much for all your replies! Mostly very helpful. Baffled about being baffling though

We are making a decision today so I'll update later on with what we go for, in case anyone is interested.

I'd be nervous about being cooped up in a hotel for a few days with 3 dc to be honest. If I was was going away I'd want a lodge or cottage so we had some space.

We've done Christmas at home a couple of times. Some kind of activity Christmas Eve followed by Christmas buffet/movie night. On the day, lots of cheats to ensure minimum time in the kitchen and spreading eating throughout the day (starter at lunchtime, main course around 5, dessert around 7) and in between board games (everyone gets a new board game for Christmas) Christmas Day walk etc. Cheese and wine in the evening when D.C. in bed!

Have fun whatever you decide!

We only have one child but we did it three times, twice abroad, once in the U.K., all three were fantastic.

But you need to pick the right hotel. I'm not a holiday park type person so would not do centre parks or butlins, but the U.K. hotel we did, had a huge fire work display in Xmas eve and all guests got hit chestnuts and mulled wine, Santa and his real reindeer came and gave presents to the kids, Christmas lunch was fab.

However, and this is a big however, we were with friends, so we were never stuck in the room. You need to make sure that you've enough to do to get you out the room, and you're not all stuck in one room going stir crazy. And also having to go to bed early because your kids get knackered and can't change their routine.

It's one thing for them to be in bed at eight or whatever at home. It's a totally other thing for them to be bed at eight in a hotel and you've to sit there trying to be quiet in the same room, bored shitless.

Every year I beg dh to let us do this and every year he and the dc refuse.

We had wonderful hotel Christmases or lunches when I was growing up. Hotel with a Christmas 'package', pool, lots to do.

However the four dc have their own traditions and things here:

1. Stockings on our bed (oldest is 21!)
2. Buck's Fizz or hot chocolate or elderflower and breakfast then a film
3. New board game
4. Secret Santa amongst the four of them (they LOVE this and plan it ages in advance)
5. Lunch at 2
6. Granny pops down after lunch and we open all the presents while I frantically keep a list while sozzled and remind them of the dreaded thank you s