Is £400 a night at a hotel too expensive?

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DH has had his 'head turned' by nice 4-5* hotel. It's an expensive island generally so £400 a night is mid range. We aren't rich. We could definitely 'afford' it for a few nights of the holiday.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g147244-d19503094-Reviews-Gunpowder_House_and_Suites-English_Harbour_Saint_Paul_Parish_Antigua_Antigua_and_Barb.html

The chief benefit you get from staying in a £400pn hotel is that the other guests are only those who can afford £400pn. The price is £400pn mainly because if they charged £300pn they would be running at 100% fully booked, and if they increase the price to £400pn and are 90% fully booked then they know they have the supply-demand balance exactly right, and their staff will have the flexibility to provide an exellent service. The £400pn is a gatekeeping charge, to keep the clientel exclusive, and ration the service. There's not much a £400pn hotel can do for you that isn't done at a £200pn hotel - the beds will be similarly comfortable, and the decor and cleanliness will be of a similar quality. If you stay in a £100pn hotel then there's a much wider range of demographics there, and there will be much more significant downgrades in the level of comfort, luxury and cleanliness but it will still basically be OK. Obviously you can go even cheaper. But whether £400pn is "too expensive" depends solely on how much you value that premium experience, and compare it with what you would get if you spent some of that money on something different

With £4000k a month after bills I'd be prioritising saving to buy a house. I understand some careers mean that's not always possible (DH and I moved around the country all through our 20s) but still sensible to save a big chunk of that for when the time comes.

But otherwise on what looks like a high income then yes, you probably can afford it. DH and I have had meals out that cost similar. But everyone has different limits they are prepared to pay for different things so you have to work out what is important to you.

Well you perhaps don’t earn that as clearly can’t read.

Well we could afford it but I wouldn't spend that on an hotel. I'd rather go away more often, it feels like a waste of money to me 🤷🏼‍♀️

I would spend that. A gorgeous hotel in a lovely location. We are big holiday spenders though, but have no mortgage and no debt so it’s not an either or decision.

She didn't say 'disposable' income. I presumed it was total income so 2k a month each on average. I wouldn't call that rich enough to be paying 4 times the normal price for a hotel night.

What is the other hotel like ? The one that you'll be staying in for the rest of the holiday. We can't afford to fly upper class for all flights so even though we could afford it for one holiday, I will never pay it because it would set an impossible bar if you see what I mean.

"bear in mind that food and drink in hotels can be expensive to match the room rate. "

Yes, was a problem for me when put up in posh hotels for work.

I wouldn't want one amazing hotel to detract from my enjoyment of the usual standard of hotels we stay in.

Jauki, thanks for that interesting perspective.

I would not pay 100 per night more for a premium service as I don't put much value on being fawned over. I also could not think of anything worse than rubbing shoulders with people who would like to be fawned over so I guess it works both ways.

The 100 premium weeds out riff raff like me who are perfectly happy to enjoy the location and facilities for 200-300 a night and share the space with less exalted company but liking the diversity and variety of guests for people watching fun.

Don’t feel guilty, spend your money, one life and all that.

I guess I always feel guilty about spending money.

That's realty weird and I guess their is a backstory which has led to you posting today?

Don't feel guilty or anything, do it if you can afford it. Why not? I'd just check as a pp said about atmosphere at certain times etc., but I am sure the service and quality is excellent.

As for me, I could pay that also but no way would I. My reasons are not frugality it's just that I dislike the idea of being "fawned" over and someone being at my elbow every five minutes checking if there is anything I need. They can be discreet I know, however I prefer mid range and anonymity!

We are all different and spend what we can afford on things that give us pleasure. My no. 1 priority with accommodation is access to everything on foot, i.e. right in the centre of the action, and a good breakfast included. I've often stayed in 2 and 3 star hotels just for this, and all were clean, functional, clones of other places. I can't see the point of paying thousands for a bed, bath, shower in a 5 star when I can get the same for less! We generally only sleep, shower and have breakfast in a hotel, the rest of the time is mostly spent exploring or sunbathing.

That's just my feeling on it anyway.

Are you going to stay 24 hours a day in a hotel room?

God, I hate posts like this!

If £400 as you says is mid range, then it's not too expensive. If you can afford to pay that, then it's not too expensive.

Oh mate.

I have a very low income but go to Turkey twice a year. I get bed and breakfast for under £20 per night.
My brother has a different level of income and recently paid £5000 per night for 2 nights for 14 adults and 4 children (all family) to stay in a boutique hotel for 2 nights.
Are either of us unreasonable - NO - we work within our income and make appropriate choices.

I don’t think 400 a night is going to get fawning level of service….I’m paying 300 for a premier inn next weekend, reluctantly…..it’s not that much.

That would be too much for me. I'd prefer to spend more at a restaurant.

Paid that for a night in a hotel in Liverpool.

What a bizarre question

I personally have not any holiday for past 11 years since kids and won't until youngest is in year 2/3

Recently had to stay in hotel for wedding and winced at premiere inn £100

I think people who show off what they have / where they are on Facebook are ghastly

Enjoy yourself

I would keep looking as there are nicer places in Antigua that are cheaper than that one.

Ok just read you have 4k a month after bills

Fuck me why is this even a debate ???

I have no disposable income and I've been teaching 25 years !

Future proof your life and enjoy yourselves ffs

Yep, you’re right I’m a twat. Honestly, your response killed it.

<off to twat school to deliver a lecture, OP is now attending>

OP one year in St Lucia I booked five nights in a really nice hotel and also five nights in a cheap town house. I did lots of excursions when I was in the town house which was in a great location and then chilled and made the most of the nice hotel.
Would this be an option for you?