Imagine waking up on 25 December knowing you don't have to peel a spud, boil a sprout, baste a bird, pour a snowball or spend Boxing Day staring at a sink full of dirty dishes. Why? Because you'll be sipping Champagne with your feet up in a luxury hotel instead, while professionals do all the hard work for you. According to VisitBritain, around 11.6million of us plan stay – or should that be sleigh- cations over Christmas and New Year – up by a third since 2024 – with many booking last-minute escapes when they realise they can’t face the ‘big shop’, hosting a party or the seasonal to-do list.
From grand country houses to cosy coastal retreats and city centre boltholes, here’s where to enjoy a lie-in on Egyptian cotton sheets over Christmas or New Year. Booking one is the best present you can buy.
1.A FAMILY-FRIENDLY COUNTRY ESCAPE
WHERE Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire.
THE VIBE Country trad with all the trimmings. Kids, dogs and long-lost aunts are all welcome at this elegant, family-friendly Georgian Manor set in 500 acres of picturesque English countryside. Catherine of Aragon is said to have met King Henry VIII for the first time in the grounds here, in 1501, and every guest is given a royal welcome. Dozens of twinkling trees decorate the public rooms and suites, including a 15ft fir by the grand staircase and, new for this year, a fairytale copse of pine and spruce in the spa courtyard. There’s rolling parkland, a fishing lake, walled garden and woodlands for walks and bike rides.
FESTIVE UPGRADES A seasonal fruit hamper in every room – think figs, plums, pears and apples (some grown in the hotel’s orchard) – plus red, green and gold chocolate bauble piñatas and a stocking outside the door on Christmas Eve. Break those festive favours open and you’ll find cinnamon-dusted nuts, chocolate drops and dried cranberries inside. Father Christmas pops in at 11am on the big day – he’s arrived by horse and carriage, helicopter and on a vintage bus in the past, so expect something spectacular – and there’s a toast to the King’s speech and a panto for the kids. The fun doesn’t stop there; on Boxing Day, you can enjoy a spot of archery, clay pigeon shooting, horse rising, falconry or, if you don’t get what you want, axe throwing.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY I had a sneak preview of executive chef Talha Barkin’s Four Seasons Christmas lunch and it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Think English sparkling wine paired with tiger prawns to start, then perfectly cooked turkey with triple-cooked roasties, home-made bread sauce and braised red cabbage, and a chocolate and caramel tart for dessert. Cocktails include the Merry Survivalist, a twist on an espresso martini, and the Mistletoe Meltdown (just what you’d probably be having if you’d stayed at home). On Christmas Eve, there’s a fish buffet in the Wild Carrot restaurant and Swiss moitié-moitiéfondue in the alpine-inspired Off-Piste pop-up chalet. Order a lobster omelette for breakfast on Christmas day (room service of course) and enjoy brunch and a late check-out on Boxing Day.
HANGOVER CURES A swim in the hotel's heated indoor pool or soak in the outdoor vitality tub will blow away the cobwebs. The spa offers 111SKIN and Ilā treatments and there are a four-metre slide, rotating umbrella fountain and bubble jets in Sharkie’s Reef to keep the kids happy.
CHECK IN The two-night, all-inclusive Quintessential Countryside Christmas package from December 24-26 starts from £4,095 for two.
2. AN ADULT-ONLY CELEBRATION
WHERE Any of the three Reserve by Warner Hotels – Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire; Heythrop Park, the Cotswolds; and The Runnymede on Thames, Surrey.
THE VIBE No kids, no cooking and a blissfully grown-up break. Choose from Thoresby Hall, an elegant 19th-century Grade I-listed country house on the edge of Sherwood Forest; Heythrop Park, which sits in 440 acres of Cotswolds parkland; and The Runnymede on Thames, a riverside retreat near Windsor.
FESTIVE UPGRADES There are live shows every night, so you won’t have to rely on the telly or another round of Monopoly to keep you entertained. Pre-season festive retreats include Christmas by candlelight performances and party weekends for groups of friends. Over Christmas itself, a 20-piece orchestra and two vocalists will perform festive classics at Thoresby Hall; The Runnymede on Thames has Coldplay and Shania Twain tribute nights and there’s a Legends In Symphony concert celebrating Queen, ABBA and Elton John at Heythrop Park. You can also get involved in carol singing, quizzes and a cocktail making experience. On Christmas Day, there’s a buck’s fizz reception, presents from Santa (you’re never too old) and fireworks at Thoresby Hall and Heythrop Park.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY Breakfast and three-course evening meals are included every day, with a four-course lunch and an evening finger buffet on Christmas Day. You can add wine pairings and indulge in seasonal afternoon teas, too.
HANGOVER CURES All three hotels have spas with indoor pools and thermal suites as well as indulgent treatments to put on your pressie list.
CHECK IN Four-night festive breaks from 23-27 December start from £1,199pp at Thoresby Hall, £1,249pp at Heythrop Park and £1,399pp at The Runnymede on Thames.
3. CHRISTMAS IN THE CAPITAL
WHERE Montcalm Royal London House.
THE VIBE Urban chic with panoramic rooftop views. A new addition to Marriott International’s Autograph Collection Hotels, Royal London House was once the headquarters of the Royal Mail – and in December it will have a letter-writing station, cards and wax seals in the foyer for guests to use when composing their wish list for Santa (a stay here, please!). There’s also a postbox to send them to the North Pole. Its 253 spacious rooms have been recently refurbished and as this Grade II-listed building on Finsbury Square is in the heart of the city, attending Christmas services at St Paul’s Cathedral is easy – it’s a 20-minute walk away.
FESTIVE UPGRADES There’s the hotel’s very own Long Arm pub for a pint, and last-minute present shopping in modern Broadgate Central or the historic Leadenhall Market, a Victorian arcade that’s illuminated over the festive season. The iconic windows of Hamleys, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges are just a tube ride away, along with London’s sparkling West End lights and festive shows. The hotel’s rooftop bar has an alpine feel, with cosy throws so guests can keep warm while admiring the 360-degree skyline views, and there’s a Grey Goose partnership, ensuring the martinis are on point.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY The first thing you see walking into Aviary, the Montcalm’s rooftop restaurant, might be a stuffed peacock, but there’s plenty of turkey in its Sky-High Festive Feast, as well as a delicious duck liver parfait. It’s not all birds, though – there’s Christmas pudding with brandy custard for afters, as well as the obligatory cheeseboard.
HANGOVER CURES Restorative treatments in the Yātrā Signature Spa include longevity facials, muscle-melt massages and a mini ‘Five-Element Eye Lift’ if you’ve stayed up too late. There’s a steam room, infrared sauna and gym for sweating out the seasonal calories, too.
CHECK IN Double rooms from £375 per night including breakfast.
4. VERY MERRY STAYS
WHERE Oliver’s Travels has 355 luxury properties to rent all over Britain, perfect for gathering friends and family in a bigger home than your own – think all the comfort with none of the stress. Choose from rural cottages, large country estates, modern city penthouses and Traitors-style castles.
THE VIBE Like staying at home but better. Many homes come pre-decorated with a sparkly tree so you don’t have to dig out the baubles you bought back in 1974 or replace broken fairy lights. Bigger properties for inter-generational celebrations, such as Cairngorms Castle in the Scottish Highlands, which sleeps 18, are fully serviced with a private chef, butler and daily housekeeping (we approve!). Lostwithiel Manor, which also sleeps 18, is a beautiful Grade II-listed country house in Cornwall, which comes with staff, while Highbrook Court in Herefordshire sleeps up to 28 and even offers babysitting.
FESTIVE UPGRADES The concierge team will take care of all your Christmas admin, organising everything from a private chef to ordering your favourite turkey.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY The best thing about renting a self-catered property is you can still cook if you like – albeit in a bigger kitchen with all the mod cons. You can even swerve the shopping by getting the fridge filled with everything you need before you arrive.
HANGOVER CURES Christmas somewhere new = hauling yourself off the sofa to explore the local area. There really is no excuse.
CHECK IN Cairngorms Castle from £8,063 a night, Lostwithiel Manor from £1,301 a night; Highbrook Court from £2,231 a night.
5. SEA VIEWS AND SANTA
WHERE Thurlestone Hotel, South Devon.
THE VIBE Agatha Christie’s The Adventure Of The Christmas Pudding with cream teas, tinsel and tides. This family-owned hotel (it’s been in the Grose family for more than 130 years), overlooks the golden sands of Thurlestone beach, has the friendliest staff and is perfectly placed for walks along the South West Coast Path. Twitchers should head to South Milton Ley to spot chiffchaffs and red-breasted robins, while Bantham on the Avon Estuary has stunning views of Burgh Island. The sailing town of Salcombe is 20 minutes by car, Dartmoor National Park is a 40-minute drive and you can walk to the nearby village church if you want to attend the Christmas services.
FESTIVE UPGRADES A cream tea on arrival followed by Champagne cocktails, carols by the fire and dinner on 23 December. On Christmas Eve there’s mulled wine and mince pies in The Village Inn, a pub that’s handily part of the hotel. Pack a glamorous dress for the four-course black-tie Christmas lunch with live music and a ‘guess the weight of the Christmas cake’ competition. On Boxing Day, the hotel will take you by luxury coach to see Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY Choose between roast West Country turkey breast with all the trimmings, monkfish loin, roast ribeye of beef on the bone or a butternut squash and lentil nut roast including a choice of starters, buck's fizz granita, cheese, traditional Christmas pudding, coffee and petit fours. All as good as (if not better than) if you’d cooked them yourself.
HANGOVER CURES Brace yourself for a swim in the English Channel. You can walk to the beach from the hotel, but be warned: it’s a steep climb back. Take part in Thurlestone’s annual Boxing Day golf competition (there’s a golf course in the grounds) and you’ll find mulled wine and mince pies served by the first tee.
CHECK IN A four-night festive stay from 23-26 December starts from £3,176pp.
6. WALK YOUR WAY THROUGH TWIXMAS
WHERE Make the most of the limbo between Christmas and New Year by joining HF Holidays on a guided walking break in southern Snowdonia, the North York Moors or Cornwall.
THE VIBE Hats, scarves, cagoules and walking boots. Instead of spending twixmas lounging on the sofa with your hand in a tin of Quality Streets, get outside and do some exercise – these group walking breaks are great whether you’ve had enough of the family and want to go solo, are happy to drag them along with you or want to get away with a friend. In southern Snowdonia, crisp winter trails, frost-dusted peaks and peaceful valleys provide the backdrop for four-night solo escapes at Dolserau Hall, a Victorian Welsh manor house in the heart of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. To explore the wintry landscapes of the North York Moors, you’ll stay at Larpool Hall in the seaside town of Whitby, or on self-guided walks through the rugged cliffs and windswept beaches of Cornwall, your base will be St Ives.
FESTIVE UPGRADES You’ll be joined by experienced HF Holidays leaders or go on self-guided trails, stay in cosy country houses and walk off the festive excess at your own pace, with a choice of clearly graded levels depending on route, gradient and distance.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY It’s twixmas, so there’ll still be a wintry touch to all meals (as well as packed lunches). You’ll be welcomed with a cream tea and the hotels remain decorated until they close on 3 January.
HANGOVER CURES Nothing beats fresh air and a long walk.
CHECK IN The four-night Southern Snowdonia New Year Guided Walking for Solos holiday at Dolserau Hall starts from £1,139pp, a four-night North York Moors New Year Gentle Guided Walking break costs from £1,059pp, and a three-night Cornwall Festive Self-Guided Walking holiday from £559pp.
7. A TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH HOGMANAY
WHERE JA Mar Hall, just 10 minutes’ drive from Glasgow airport.
THE VIBE Nowhere does New Year’s Eve better than Scotland, and at JA Mar Hall, it’s a multi-day celebration you haven’t had to lift a finger to organise. Hogmanay is marked the traditional way at this grand country house hotel, set in 240 acres of ancient woodland overlooking the River Clyde and Kilpatrick Hills. There’s festive feasting, live entertainment and a black-tie ball with pipers, dancing, Auld Lang Syne and fireworks at midnight.
FESTIVE UPGRADES JA Mar Hall’s two- or three-night Hogmanay escapes begin on 31 December with Champagne on arrival before the glamorous Gala Ball, with a four-course dinner including black pudding for starters, Newtonmore venison tartare, Orkney scallops or aged beef fillet for the mains and Black Forest gateau for dessert. New Year’s Day is more relaxed, with a traditional Scottish breakfast, festive films in the screening room and a traditional afternoon tea.
TELL ME ABOUT THE TURKEY Executive chef Brian Scanlan has created a celebratory menu centred around Scottish provenance, using herbs grown in the hotel’s garden. Families or groups can book a new Host the Roast experience in a private dining room, where one of the guests gets the honour of carving the turkey while the Mar Hall team pour the wine or whisky.
HANGOVER CURES Go 4x4 off-roading in the Scottish Lowlands with 4x4 Adventures Scotland, take a whisky walking tour with Scottish Rogue or hike in the Kilpatrick Hills and around Loch Lomond. If pampering is more your thing, there’s a spa with an indoor pool, steam room and sauna.
CHECK IN Two-night Hogmanay stays start from £1,399 for a Classic King bedroom; three nights from £1,935; £200 each for children under 12.
MORE SPARKLING GETAWAYS
8. Spend Christmas as Lord and Lady of Lympstone Manor in Devon, with Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines doing the cooking. This cosy Georgian country house also offers transport to Midnight Mass at Exeter Cathedral. Christmas breaks from £1,289 per room a night, with a three-night minimum stay.
9. Down Hall Hotel in Essex has an ‘Under Wraps’ break until 23 December, with a dedicated wrapping station in your room as well as a bottle of English sparkling wine and a grazing board. From £155pp a night.
10. A three-night festive stay at The Club Hotel & Spa in Jersey includes lunch at Michelin- starred Bohemia Restaurant, a spa treatment and the chance to do your shopping VAT-free. From £494pp for three nights excluding flights.
11. Three-night stays at Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa in the New Forest include afternoon tea accompanied by a live harpist on Christmas Eve, lunch and an evening buffet on 25 December, then wine and cheese tastings on Boxing Day. From £696 per room per night.
12. Enjoy a Great Christmas Getaway in Young’s rooms, which you’ll find tucked away above and beside Young’s pubs across England. Get a glass of Nyetimber, nibbles, a food hamper and gift, breakfast and a Christmas Day feast from £575 for two.
