No two Christmases are the same
For some the festive season is a whirlwind of shopping, parties and get-togethers, while others prefer long cosy nights in front of the log fire with their nearest and dearest (and maybe a mince pie or two).
Whatever your perfect Christmas, we have a brilliantly different hotel to suit your festive stay - from cosy manor houses surrounded by wintery walking routes to chic city centre boutique hotels within walking distance of the best shops and restaurants.
Why not embrace the Christmas spirit and book your festive break today?
The best spot for finding the perfect stocking fillers
Looking for a gift for someone hard to please? Newcastle is a treasure trove of independent boutiques, high street shops and designer stores. With the Sure Hotel by Best Western Newcastle nearby, make the most of your festive shopping trip. Heading to Scotland? There’s nowhere quite like Edinburgh at Christmas – and their Christmas market is a must visit for countless quirky gifts. Stay at the Best Western Kings Manor Hotel – perfectly placed in a quiet spot just outside the city.
The largest German Christmas Market in the UK
Birmingham will be transformed into a traditional German city this December, with Bratwurst, gluhwein, a traditional carousel and plenty of stalls selling great festive gifts. Make the most of your visit - the Best Western Westley Hotel is within easy reach, or the Best Western Plus Birmingham NEC Meriden Manor Hotel is just a short drive away from the festivities.
Enjoy a winter wonderland with a difference
Head for Nottingham’s amazing ice festival and enjoy a stay at the Best Western Plus Nottingham City Centre Hotel. After twirling round the impressive 18m Christmas tree, cool down in the UK’s largest ice bar. Visiting the capital? Hyde Park Wonderland opens until 1 January 2018. Make the most of your trip with a stay at the stylish Best Western The Cromwell.
Tuck into a mince pie with a twist
You haven’t tried a mince pie until you’ve sampled one of Chorlton-based Barbakan Delicatessen’s Viennese versions. There’ll be around 10,000 baked there this Christmas and if you’re staying at the Best Western Manchester Altrincham Cresta Court Hotel, or the Best Western Plus Manchester Airport Wilmslow Pinewood Hotel, they’re both just a short drive away.
Experience a Victorian Christmas, Dickens style
Don’t just watch ‘A Christmas Carol’ or read the book, experience the classic festive tale on a whole new level at the Charles Dickens Museum in London where all-star casts perform readings by candlelight. Make the most of your visit to the capital and stay at the Best Western Corona or theBest Western The Cromwell both within a short distance of all the festivities.
Savour the atmosphere in Glasgow
To kick things off, hit Glasgow’s Style Mile with its hundreds of independent boutiques and specialist stores. Then to refuel, delve into the bustling German Market in St Enoch Square and indulge in a Gluhwein and a hot dog. Finally, head to George Square and its ice rink for a sparkling end to the day.
Pirouette over to Cardiff for ballet season
Following last year’s hugely successful ballet season, St David’s Hall in Cardiff is putting on a sensational line up of shows for Christmas 2015 – Snow Maiden, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake – starring The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia. Tickets are available now for various dates from 19th December to 3rd January.
Savour the atmosphere in Manchester
After a day hunting down gifts galore at the festively decked out Trafford Centre, head to Albert Square and lose yourself in the city’s legendary German Markets. Gluhvein, hot dogs and unusual European trinkets await. Keep an eye out for famous footballers, the cast of Corrie and BBC presenters.
Stay at: The Ainscow Hotel Manchester, BW Premier Collection
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Glide ever so graciously round Bath
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Royal Victoria Park and close to Bath’s famous Royal Crescent, ice skating makes for a great day out for families, friends and couples alike. Make a day or evening of it, maybe with a mug of festive mulled wine, throughout December from 10am to 9pm (daily).
Stay at: Best Western Limpley Stoke Hotel in Bath.
Bournemouth: Be enlightened
In Lower Gardens, 10 beach huts have been turned into illuminated pods with themed light, sound and video installations by award-winning lighting designer Michael Grubb. There is also a giant lava lamp display, a modern grotto in the bandstand and an ice rink.
Stay at: Norfolk Royale Hotel, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, Bournemouth
Delve into an underground grotto
Underground magic at Clearwell Caves, near the Forest of Dean, where festive play takes place in the ancient iron mines. Families walk from cave to cave following the story, and there’s a Christmas market and cafe. Open from 29th November to 23rd December, £9, 10am-5pm, later on Friday.
Stay at: Best Western Bristol North The Gables Hotel, Falfield
Get into the spirit at Biddenden Vineyard
How about a little local provenance for those hard-to-buy fors? Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard in Biddenden is a great place for Christmas shopping with personalised hampers and a selection of local jams, chutneys, beers, honey, cheeses, liqueurs, wines to choose from. From 7th November to 24th December (closes at noon).
Stay at: Best Western Manor Hotel, Gravesend
Be amazed by real advent calendar windows
Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire has adopted Sweden's brilliant idea of a living Christmas advent calendar. Throughout advent, a different town building will open a door or window each evening to reveal a fantastic 30-minute performance. Every day at 6.15pm from 1st to 24th December.
Stay at: Best Western Calcot Hotel, Reading
The official start of the Christmas season
The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is an annual favourite. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free and has festive delights such as fairground rides, a child-friendly Santa Land and Santa's grotto and Christmas markets for you to enjoy.
Stay at: Best Western Mornington Hotel London Hyde Park
Have a blazing time in Brighton
Stand back and watch as hundreds of beautiful lanterns made from paper and willow are produced by Brighton and Hove folk in preparation for the annual ‘Burning of the Clocks’ celebration on 21st December, the shortest day of the year.
Stay More You at: Best Western Princes Marine Hotel, Hove
A Christmas conundrum
Enjoy festive fun with a free, family walking trail (with a prize at the end!). This year will be based around the concept of time, magically tying in the two fantastic theatre productions: CinderELLA at the NST and Peter Pan at the Mayflower. Find out where to get the trail map.
Get into the spirit of things at vineyards around Bath
Why not indulge in a stay at Best Western Leigh Park Country House Hotel and Vineyard, Bradford-on-Avon to get into the festive spirit? Begin with a stroll around the hotel's walled garden where they grow grapes and make their own label house wine. Then take a short drive to Mumford's Vineyard and enjoy a free tour and wine tasting! Next, make a small detour to Neston Park Farm Shop with its range of tempting treats and finish off the day with a dinner at the hotel made with Neston Park’s own produce.
An enchanting ice skate
The enchanting Natural History Museum Ice Rink is back again. Skate around against an iconic backdrop of one of London's most beautiful buildings before exploring the street food offerings and cosying up with hot drink.
Feel perfectly pampered
Once an historic watermill, Quy Mill Hotel & Spa is a secluded haven for escaping the hustle and bustle at this time of year. Enjoy some dedicated relaxation time and a winter spa treatment or work off those mince pies in the Health Club. Either way, enjoy a much needed break from the hectic Christmas calendar.
Stay at: Quy Mill Hotel & Spa, Cambridge, BW Premier Collection
Escape from the hectic high street
Prefer cosying up by the fire to shuffling through the hustle and bustle of the high street? We don’t blame you. Relax in the beautiful tranquil setting of a rural retreat. The Beamish Hall Hotel, BW Premier Collection, Beamish is a perfect choice - explore the micro brewery and sample the locally made beer. Or why not treat yourself to a spa break? The Best Western Heronston Hotel & Spa, Bridgend is a great pick.
Swap carols for an operas chorus
Fancy doing something different this Christmas? Why not stay in the magnificent former country residence of Sir William Gilbert? Set in over 40 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands, you could join a Gilbert & Sullivan dinner performance or just hum that you are ‘the very model of a modern major general’ in this most authentic backdrop.
Stay at: Best Western Plus Grim’s Dyke Hotel in Harrow Weald.
Potter around the Potteries
Try your hand at throwing a pot or treat someone to a lovely teapot for Christmas during a chilled out trip to the Potteries. You can even stay in what used to be known as Ertruria Hall, the former family home of Josiah Wedgwood, which is now a Best Western hotel.
Stay at: Best Western Plus Stoke on Trent Moat House in Stoke on Trent.
Swap carols for peace and quiet in Pembroke
If your taste is more genteel than glitz, why not enjoy a hideaway at Best Western Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa in Pembroke? Switch off. Get away from it all. Start the day with a bracing walk along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path then thaw out cold noses inside the hotel’s spa. The herbal sauna and aromatic steam room will soon have you warmed up again. Complete a few lengths of the pool and indulge in a spa treatment to rejuvenate tired legs and leave the hubbub behind.