Winter wonderland: Enjoy champagne and treats at the magnificent Bodysgallen Hall in LlandudnoForget slaving in the kitchen. Book into a luxury hotel and have a proper break this Christmas...
THE SOUTH-WEST
Calcot Manor, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Fourteenth-century stone farmhouse with 220 acres of grounds, jazzy decor and soothing spa treatments. Prince Charles will be just down the road at Highgrove.
While you're bubbling in the outdoor hot-tub, there are Playstations, computers and even a hotel cinema to keep the children chirpy.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Laid-back luxury
WHAT'S THE PLAN? A string quartet accompanies dinner and choir carollers perform on the big day. Christmas Day champagne breakfast can be served either snuggled in bed or in the conservatory. Save space for Christmas lunch and, later, a candle-lit supper. Spend Boxing Day exploring at Scott's Wildfowl Trust, a short drive away - but return for the Black Tie Farewell dinner.
WHAT'S THE COST? Three-nights from £860pp dinner, bed and breakfast, including Christmas Day lunch. Child rates vary. 01666 890391, calcotmanor.co.uk.
THE SOUTH-EAST
Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham, Kent
A Former viscount's home kitted out with antique fireplaces, four-poster beds (in some rooms) and fine cuisine. The restaurant, Culpeper's, is top-notch.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Festive feasts.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? Nestle into an armchair with a glass of Kir Royale before dinner and enjoy a proper carol singing show.
The hotel will arrange a shuttle to midnight mass and dole out mulled wine and mince pies upon your return.
The four- course lunch is followed by a special airing of the Queen's speech and buffet dinner. Bring your woollies and a rod for Boxing Day fishing on the hotel's lake.
WHAT'S THE COST?
Two-night package from £320pp including dbb, Christmas lunch and entertainment. Three-night packages from £410pp. 0845 072 7426, handpickedhotels.co.uk.
EAST ANGLIA
Heacham Manor, King's Lynn, Norfolk
Small country hotel with 29 bedrooms plus cottages, kaleidoscopic- coloured gardens and an 18-hole golf course - and spa. Legend goes that Pocahontas planted the ancient mulberry tree in the hotel's grounds when she visited Heacham centuries ago.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Frosty golf courses and celestial spas.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? Nibble on Christmas biscuits and mince pies as you check-in on Christmas Eve, but save space for the champagne and candle-lit dinner overlooking the golf course. Cosy up in the bar with sizzling fires and tuck in to a Christmas Day morning 'Norfolk breakfast'.
Work up an appetite (for your four-course lunch) by watching the nippy charity swim at Hunstanton or the Royal Family attend Christmas Day service at Sandringham. Evening buffet is washed down with sherry (and chocolates).
WHAT'S THE COST? Three-night breaks from £375pp including dbb and entertainment. 01485 536030, heacham-manor.co.uk.
Winter warmer: Chilston Park Hotel in Kent features antique fireplaces, four-poster beds and fine cuisineTHE SOUTH
Hotel du Vin, Winchester, Hampshire
Red-brick hotel, a short 300-yard meander to Winchester Cathedral for midnight mass and Christmas Day services. Yes, we know it's a chain, but you won't get many bargains as good as this in such a lovely setting.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Jingly church bells and carols.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? Begin with Christmas Eve lunch (£40pp). Complimentary mulled wine before the bistro dinner and afterwards, carol singers perform. Sleepy Christmas Day celebrations revolve around threecourse lunch (£75pp), afternoon tea - and a brisk walk along the lit-up High Street to the cathedral.
WHAT'S THE COST? Double rooms from £150. meals as above, with free mulled wine. 01962 841414, hotelduvin.com.
WALES
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa, Llandudno, Conwy
Grade-I listed stately home overlooking Conwy Castle and Snowdonia, decorated with ancestral portraits and wide fireplaces. No children under six.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Downton Abbey.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? The house party (or Hall party) begins with a champagne reception, dinner followed by dinner, shuttles to local midnight mass (optional), with port and mince pies afterwards. Christmas Day revolves around ginormous lunch (naturally) and buffet supper. On Boxing Day, there's a gala dinner with Welsh harp music.
WHAT'S THE COST? From £270pp per night, based on a three night stay from December 24. Price includes dbb, Christmas lunch and entertainment. Packages excluding meals also available. 01492 584466, bodysgallen.com.
City-slick: St Paul's Hotel and Spa offers a stylish spa break slap bang in the centre of SheffieldTHE NORTH-WEST
The Wordsworth Hotel, Grasmere, Cumbria
Smart Lake District hotel with a spa, conservatory and log fires. U. S. president Woodrow Wilson once stayed here.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Traditional all-the-trimmings Christmas.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? Tuck into an enormous five- course dinner (Dec 23) to start festivities. Brace yourself for a cracker of a Christmas Eve with guided nature walks, afternoon tea, champagne reception and a pianist playing carols at dinner.
Head to nearby St Oswald's Church for a midnight carol service (optional).
After a Christmas Day six-course lunch (ouch!) curl up with the Queen's speech and 'guess the weight of the Christmas Cake ' competition.
WHAT'S THE COST? 'Four nights for the price of three' package, from £585pp including dbb, Christmas lunch and entertainment. Two-night packages available from £465pp. 01539 435592 , thewordsworthhotel.co.uk, fihotels.com.
THE NORTH
St Paul's Hotel and Spa, Sheffield, S. Yorks
Glossy, glassy hotel slap bang in the centre of Sheffield. Good nesting spot if you're visiting relatives up north, or just want to avoid the festive overload in favour of a swish spa weekend.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? City-slick spa break.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? The beauty of St Paul's is that there isn't a plan. Dress up in your gladrags for a glitzy Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch - but after that, the weekend is your oyster. Amble to Sheffield Cathedral, swing by the swimming pool or book a pedicure or mud-wrap at the spa on Christmas Day morning (open 8am to 12pm).
WHAT'S THE COST? Two nights from £170pp bb, including dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas lunch. 0114 278 2000, mercure.com.
Sophisticated: The Royal Horseguards Hotel is close to the Thames and ideal for Christmas morning services at Westminster AbbeySCOTLAND
Rosslea Hall Hotel, Rhu Nr Loch Lomond
This 19th-century country house recently underwent a £1 million revamp. Expect sea views and modernist decor, all a short drive from Glasgow.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Home- from-home.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? Arrive at 3pm sharp for afternoon tea, scones and Christmassy chitchat in the conservatory. On Christmas Day, rise and shine for a Buck's Fizz breakfast, a visit from Father Christmas himself and afternoon of Queen's speech screenings and parlour games. Pack your woollies for a free Boxing Day to explore the Loch - and an evening of dining and entertainment.
WHAT'S THE COST? Discounted three-night package from £185pp including dbb and entertainment, (originally from £215pp). Two-night package also available from £145pp. 01436 439955, mckeverhotels.co.uk.
LONDON
The Royal Horseguards Hotel, Westminster
Glitzy Central London hotel, close to the Thames; ideal for Christmas morning services at Westminster Abbey. Named London Hotel of the Year (AA Hospitality Awards), in September.
WHAT'S THE VIBE? Sophistication in the City.
WHAT'S THE PLAN? Warm your toes on Christmas Eve with hot mulled wine and mince pies on check-in. Curl up after four-course Christmas Day lunch for a special screening of the Queen's Speech.
As for Boxing Day, after breakfast, be on the starting line for the opening of the sales - and if at all gets a bit feisty, dash back for a toasty afternoon tea.
WHAT'S THE COST? From £225 per room per night (based on two people sharing), including breakfast, dinner on the first night and afternoon tea. Not including Christmas Day lunch, priced at £75pp. 020 7451 0388, guoman.com.
source: dailymail
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