Solo pampering break

dark crystal

Ladies, my partner and son are away for a week next week, so I've decided to treat myself to a night away at the Cliff House Hotel and have booked a massage and facial whilst there. It's a complete blowout treat for myself, which I'd never usually do and being totally honest, I'm a wee bit nervous about going away on my own for the first time!

Have any of you ever just gone away by themselves for a pampering break and did you feel judged in any way? God, I feel like a right fool even saying that, as I'd never judge anyone like that myself, but I'm a solo break virgin, so would love any feedback.

Hannibal_Smith

I've ever done it, but I like your style! Enjoy!

dark crystal

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

I've ever done it, but I like your style! Enjoy!

Thank you

I'll admit I had a bead of sweat atop my lip when confiriming my booking - all I could think was "That's more than two weeks shopping money right there!", but I did it anyway. Feck it - what better way to spend my hard earned savings? Guilt be damned :pac:

I got slightly cold feet and asked my sister to come along, but she can't get the time off work, so it's just me, myself and I. I relish the thought of sitting outside on the terrace outside the room drinking wine, taking an hour long bath with no kids banging on the door and sleeping like a starfish in the big bed all by myself with no snoring keeping me awake. Such bliss!

I still worry about the whole solo thing, though. It's pathetic in a way, but I've become conditioned seeing couples/ groups going away to these places and feel a little self concious about the whole thing. Just wanted to hear about other people's experiences going away by themselves really.

Hannibal_Smith

To be honest I'd be a bit uncertain about the going alone too. But I bet once you get there and you say you're on a break from the family, they will spoil you I would think people do it solo. I think it's a fab idea!

chuckles30

I haven't done the solo pampering thing, but I went on a solo sun holiday last year. First time doing it & I've been missing out on holidays the last few years as I didn't have anyone to go with. Like you I was a bit nervous, but it was great. Go for it and relax and enjoy it. It was great - 'you' can do what 'you' want when 'you' want.....no consulting with other people all the time.

Parchment

I travel a lot alone - i love it. You will have a great time, its so nice to just do your own thing. Enjoy every minute of it!!

People wont even notice you're alone and if they do they normally assume you are travelling for work or something.

notsoyoungwan

I've done this loads, both solo spa/pampering breaks and solo holidays. I started off going to various places in Ireland but then ventured further afield to Portugal and Italy for the spa breaks, as well as holidays all over Europe and twice to the states.

It's actually blissful. Total relaxation and activity as per your own itinery. The most daunting thing I found was heading into restaurants at night for dinner, but once armed with a kindle that didn't bother me anymore.

Go, enjoy and go again!

I've travelled alone a fair bit, went to nyc myself at one stage.

Treated myself to a stay at monart the year before last and it was amazing. Brought my kindle and did so much reading and relaxing.
It's very nice to just do whatever you want, whenever you want, without having to discuss and debate it all

Enjoy!!

dark crystal

Ah I think you're all brilliant!

I'm definitely more confident going now. Like one or two of you said, I think dining alone was my biggest fear, but thinking about it, I'd never actually notice anyone else dining alone, so why should I be nervous about doing it myself?

Really looking forward to some R&R now....badly needed! Thank you one and all

Hannibal_Smith

bluewolf wrote: »

I've travelled alone a fair bit, went to nyc myself at one stage.

Treated myself to a stay at monart the year before last and it was amazing. Brought my kindle and did so much reading and relaxing.
It's very nice to just do whatever you want, whenever you want, without having to discuss and debate it all

Enjoy!!

That sounds like a dream!

stop animal cruelty

I have worked in hotels before, seeing someone on there own never stood out! No one took any notice, never heard anyone male a comment. I think its great being able to do things on your own now and again, nothing wrong with liking your own company!

Loveinapril

dark crystal wrote: »

I'm definitely more confident going now. Like one or two of you said, I think dining alone was my biggest fear, but thinking about it, I'd never actually notice anyone else dining alone, so why should I be nervous about doing it myself?
)

If you are that conscious , you could order room service and have dinner in bed watching TV. Going on a spa break alone is still one of my dreams. I recently went on a kind of lone holiday as the friend I was with was working so we met up for an hour or two each day and it was bliss. Doing things at your own pace is so freeing. And sitting in the hotel restaurant with a book and a bottle of wine enjoying my own company was just perfect. It sounds like it may not happen again for a while so really enjoy every minute.

pinkypinky

Sounds brilliant: you've no reason to be concerned. People actually are more likely to chat to others on their own.

RhubarbCrumble

I've never done a solo spa break, but I'd absolutely love to. I'm one of those people who will quite happily sit in a restaurant on my own, which freaks all my friends out because none of them will do it.
Have a fab time OP

Addle

It won't be your last solo break.

There was a time if I wanted to go somewhere I actively wanted to go, I had to go alone. Now I choose to.

BetsyEllen

How did you get on OP?

dark crystal

BetsyEllen wrote: »

How did you get on OP?

I had such a lovely time!

The pampering was a rare treat and although I wasn't mad about the massage (it hurt!), the facial I had was amazing.

The hotel itself was just gorgeous, with a balcony looking straight onto the sea. I had a lovely bubble bath all to myself with candles and classical music playing (glass of champagne in hand too...). Pure bliss.

The restaurant itself was pretty full, so in the end I just decided to get dinner delivered to the room and eat out on the terrace. Same with breakfast, so I didn't interact with many people outside hotel staff tbh, but that was fine with me. I took a cliff walk, watched a movie, read a book and finally fell asleep in the huge bed shared by no one but me!

I came away feeling totally relaxed and pampered and I would reccommend it to anyone thinking of a taking a solo break. Treat yourselves! Just wish I could have stayed for two nights ...or a week