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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Child-free Christamas shopping weekend - where can you recommend?

59 replies

IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:01

My delightful parents have offered to look after the sproglets on Sat 24th Nov so DH and I will be having our first child-free night away for over 3 years!

We are looking for:-

  • a good shopping location
  • accommodation near to centre of city/town so we can have a drink and walk back
  • restaurant recommendations
  • somewhere where we might be able to get (whispers in disbelief) 8 hours sleep - so comfy beds and a quiet location ESSENTIAL (this should have been top of the list, sod the shopping)
  • a vaguely romantic setting - we may muster the energy from somewhere...
  • within a couple of hours' drive from Birmingham, preferably.

Thanking you kindly for the deluge of hepful recommendations I am about to receive [fingers crossed emoticon]. Actually, make that [Hallowe'en amputated fingers crossed emoticon]

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Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:46

sr - Apparently Norwich is 3h 49m drive! I was surprised by that, always thought it was closer.
TC - Grosvenor looked lovely, but it's full on 24th.

This is why I started this thread, I've been looking for about 2 hours each night since Monday and things like all the nice hotels being fully-booked keep happening. We'll probably end up Dudley at this rate!

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Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:47

Ooh, Harrogate, not been there, what's the verdict AA Routeplanner?...

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WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:47

Good lord, don't go shopping!

What's your budget?
What do you like?
What about Oxford?

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:48

I think there's a Malmaison in Harrogate or a HDV, hang on

Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:48

2h 40m! Why do I live so far away from all the good places?

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WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:48

Hotel du vin Harrogate

Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:49

Sorry www. Oxford is a definite contender, I love it there. Can you recommend anywhere to stay?

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stressteddy · 27/10/2007 20:49

Don't panic -we WILL find you somewhere gorgeous!
[smile}
Now then, what about Lichfield?

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:49

Stratford v expensive for what it is because of Shakespeare (innit!)

Where are you? Birmingham?

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:50

I like the look of Oxford Malmaison, haven't stayed but not sure how quiet it is. Le Manoir if you have an enormous budget, definitely wouold be quiet enough!

Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:51

Budget is about £100 for room. We like modern or period. Saw some gorgeous hotels in Bath but everywhere was full, but I love that Georgian feel.

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DirtyGertiefromnumber30 · 27/10/2007 20:51

what about Bath? Or Cheltenham?

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:51

Crazy Bear Oxford

stressteddy · 27/10/2007 20:51

If you don't want to do any shopping at all try Hoar Cross at Yoxall
Health farm quite close to Birmingham

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:52

I reckon you're looking at Malmaison or hotel du vin then. I have only stayed at Bristol HDV which was fab and haven't stayed at any Mal although my sister has (Clerkenwell) and said it was fab. Should be withni your budget

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:53

Bath stupidly expensive, doubt you'd get anywhere nice at that price, esp as renowned for shopping although I suppose if you downgraded nice room ab it you'd get something.

inamuckingfuddle · 27/10/2007 20:54

hotel du vin harrogate - gorgeous hotel and fab shops (haven't read thread, apols if its already been said!)

WideWebWitch · 27/10/2007 20:54

hote l Kandinsky Cheltenham although you'll get the same thing, well known for shopping/spa town = v v expensive hotels

inamuckingfuddle · 27/10/2007 20:56

oops, have now checked, sorry www! HDV Harrogate was our first childless weekend away post-twins and I would recommend stumping up for a superior room as the standards are poxy, but superiors, I have since found, are luxurious

Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 20:59

EVERY HDV in the country is full on 24th! I checked them all because I love the one in Brum. Just about to check the Crazy Bear link, sounds intriguing.

Thanks again to you all for your help, I can't keep up, it's lovely.

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stressteddy · 27/10/2007 21:01

Whatever you decide and wherever you go - have a great time
Relax and enjoy

chocolateshoes · 27/10/2007 21:08

Nottingham?

Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 21:11

Can't check into Hotel Kandinsky on a Saturday, which is a shame as it looked great. Crazy Bear looks amazing...I'd LOVE an Infinity Suite! My DD and DS would have to forego Christmas presents for us to be able to afford that though! Just about to Google Malmaison to see where might be a good location...

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Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 21:20

Stressteddy - thanks for your suggestions. My parents live near Lichfield so we've been there lots and I hadn't thought of it, but now that you've mentioned it, it would be close, we'd save time on shopping as I know the shops (more time for sleeping!) and it is lovely near Christmas there. Ooh, now what accommodation can I find there?

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Original poster
IndulgeMePlease · 27/10/2007 21:42

Grrr, only 2 places in Lichfield are in our price-range and they aren't floating my boat. I feel like I'm being super-picky but I promise I'm not, I just want somewhere that befits how much anticipation I feel about some qualidee time with my hubby!

I'm going to try Stratford again I think.

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