22 new ‘Garden Rooms’ and The Conservatory

Over the coming months we will be investing £2 million on new and upgraded bedrooms along with a multi-function Conservatory for dining and events at our Oxford Thames Hotel. Due to open in May 2013, the new bedrooms will increase the capacity to 84 rooms and The Conservatory will add 135m² of space to their current choice of 9 rooms for private events.

The 22 new ‘Garden Rooms’ will have views of the beautiful gardens with many benefiting from views of the River Thames, and will feature a contemporary style to complement the rest of the hotel. Additionally, 22 bedrooms in Sandford House have recently been refurbished with new décor, seating and furniture, drapery, soft furnishings and bathroom upgrades to give them a fresh new look.

At the same time, we are converting the existing courtyard area adjacent to the River Room Restaurant into a bright and airy Conservatory for Sunday lunch, afternoon tea and other dining, as well as private events. New car parking will be added to support the new facilities.

There will be minimal inconvenience to guests during the work and the majority of the bedrooms and public areas of the hotel, will be unaffected.

For bookings and further details visit www.four-pillars.co.uk/thames or call 01865 334444

The post Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel to add rooms and facilities appeared first on Four Pillars Hotels Blog.

As the leaves start to fall and the great British summer of celebration draws to a close, our thoughts turn to the festive season.    Why not do something different this year and avoid the stress by letting independent hotel group, Four Pillars Hotels, wrap up your Christmas or New Year holiday and make it a time to remember?  And with New Year packages from just £175 per person**** and Christmas breaks from £295* per person – as well as all-inclusive options – you don’t need to break the bank to celebrate in style.

Whether you are looking for a traditional family celebration, a peaceful break from the everyday hustle and bustle or a lively party atmosphere with a group of friends, Four Pillars Hotels have something for every taste – just pick the hotel and package that suits you best.    And their six delightful properties in some of the most beautiful parts of Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire are the perfect place for a seasonal escape.

Traditional family Christmases are the order of the day at some of the properties, with reduced prices for children under 16 and kids under 4 staying free of charge**.  No family Christmas would be complete without mince pies, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa Claus along with delicious festive fare with all the trimmings.  And, depending on the hotel, other options on the Christmas menu include decorating your Christmas stocking, an indoor “day at the races” and an illusionist show!

For those who would prefer a child-free festive break, Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel or Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel are the place for you.  From guided Oxford walks to champagne receptions and live music you can be as active or as decadent as you like!

If you want to indulge yourself knowing that the cost of everything has been taken care of, head to Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel or Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel.  These properties are offering fantastic value all-inclusive packages, with all drinks, as well as meals and entertainment included.   A three night package starts at just £385 per person***.

And the party doesn’t stop at Christmas.  If you’re undecided where to welcome in the New Year, Four Pillars Hotels has a range of New Year Eve packages to keep up the party spirit and ensure the celebrations go with a bang!  One, two and three night packages are available with prices from just £175 per person**** including bubbles on arrival, a gala dinner and a night of fun filled dancing with the resident DJ’s or live bands.

Whichever hotel or package you choose, you can look forward to warm and friendly hospitality, comfortable accommodation and comprehensive facilities for a home away from home.   And with the Four Pillars properties set in some of the loveliest areas of the country, you’ll see the festive season at its most beautiful.   From frosty country or lakeside walks, to strolls around the historic streets of Oxford or picturesque villages, you’ll enjoy a Christmas or New Year to remember.

To book or request a copy of the festive packages brochure call: 0800 374 692 or visit www.festivepackages.co.uk.

* Based on a two night Christmas break at Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel.

** Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel only takes children from the age of 12 years and Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel and Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel do not take children under the age of 16 years during the festive period.

*** Three night all-inclusive package at Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel based on two people sharing including daily breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner (except Christmas Day – which is a three course lunch, followed by evening buffet),  drinks and entertainment from 3pm on 24^th December to 12 noon on 27^th December.  Exclusions apply on drinks (full bar list available on request). 

**** Based on one night New Year break at Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel.

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The last three months could be the most vital when organising your wedding.  Make the most of it and enjoy it, that’s the most important thing! Yes there are many things to do, but relax and make it fun! This should be an enjoyable time and as long as you have followed the advice from the last few blogs the remaining months should be a breeze!

First off, it’s time to make that all important final guest list and send out invitations including maps to the church/venue and accommodation details. Ask at your reception venue for brochures and maps I am sure they would be more than happy to supply them for you.

It’s also an idea to pop in a gift list too, if you don’t want too many toasters. More and more couples are choosing more ethical wedding gift lists or choosing charities close to their hearts that guests may wish to donate. Here at Four Pillars Hotels our chosen charity for the year is Vale House and we would be happy send you further details should you wish to support their valued work or give you more ideas for various charities to support home or abroad.

Your venue may also be requiring a 2^nd to final at payment three months. This could be a great time to discuss further details with your wedding co-ordinator confirming numbers, meal options and dietary requirements for your guests. Our Chefs are very flexible when it comes to special dietary needs. Make sure your guests let you know whether they are vegan, lactose intolerant or celiac as it’s difficult for changes to be made on the day.

If you are unsure of what to eat and you are overwhelmed by so much choice many of the Four Pillars wedding packages include a free taster meal! Make sure you get this booked and take advantage of the opportunity to taste the main course, desserts and wines!

Three months out is a good time to choose wedding rings and thank you gifts and time to organise hen and stags dos! For the ladies you may wish to visit our sister properties the Cotswold Water Park and Tortworth Court who have great spa packages perfect for a girls night in!

At six weeks check all outstanding replies and update your wedding co-ordinator with the necessary details and then final payments can be made based on these numbers. At four weeks check travel arrangements for your honeymoon, confirm bedroom bookings for wedding night and organise final fittings for dresses and suits. Don’t forget to collect the wedding rings and start to make notes for speeches.

In that final week… it’s time to relax! Remember to pick up all wedding outfits, check final arrangements with all suppliers and deliver table plans, printed menus and place cards to the hotel along with cakes and favours the night before.

With all that planning the day will run smoothly and be one to remember for you and all your family and friends who share it with you.

If you are looking to book an Oxford wedding venue why not pop by and visit us here at Oxford Thames Four Pillars and see the newly refurbished College Barge, the ornate walled garden and new for Autumn 2012 our outside gazebo!

The post Planning your wedding day I Part 4 I The last 3 months appeared first on Four Pillars Hotels Blog.

The final six months before your wedding is no time to sit on your laurels this is the time to think about the nitty gritty. It’s time to get deposits paid and contracts signed for bookings and confirming terms and conditions signed for all suppliers.

Remember to order invitations, menu cards, name cards and guest books all in keeping with that theme you’ve been thinking about for the last couple of months.  Why not visit a couple of wedding fairs to help with ideas. At the Oxford Thames we have a couple of open evenings lined up on the Thursday 11^th of October and Thursday 8^th of November 2012. This is where we open up our function rooms and get them decorated to give future brides the chance to see what the function suites look like all dressed up.

On Sunday 23^rd of September we have joined up with Jack FM and we are hosting their popular wedding fair where a host of suppliers will be displaying their wares to future brides and grooms to choose favours, cakes, chair covers, tiaras and gowns!

It’s also a good time to think about your honeymoon and the type of break you need to relax after all the planning, fussing and excitement. Whether it’s a short romantic city break, a relaxing week in the sun or a cultural adventure in an exotic country there’s lots to choose from. If you do go for the latter you’ll need to get vaccines sorted which will vary to where you go and what you’re doing. Some will be done in one go but other over a series of months.

Brides, don’t forget to sort your passports out before you travel and if you do (or don’t) make sure your tickets are booked in the same name otherwise you won’t be able to travel.

If you are inviting family from far and wide it might be a good idea to get accommodation booked up for those guests travelling before hotels get fully booked on key dates! In most cases hotels offer a special rate for guests attending weddings and even better offers if you stay for extra nights. It might also be a good idea to book a room for bridesmaids the night before so the bride has somewhere to change and have hair and make-up done. Remember it’s unlucky to see the Groom before the big day although this old wives tale seems to be disappearing with other age old traditions.

As the wedding days draws closer in our next blog post we’ll look at what you need to think about in the final three months.

If you are looking to book an Oxford wedding venue why not pop by and visit us here at Oxford Thames Four Pillars and see the newly refurbished College Barge, the ornate walled garden and new for Autumn 2012 our outside gazebo!

The post Planning your wedding day I Part 3 I The final 6 months appeared first on Four Pillars Hotels Blog.

Following on from our last blog post we thought we would explore the next stage of planning a wedding now you’ve thought about the venue, the theme and the numbers! About ten months before the big day it’s time to get creative and think about what you would like to wear and those all-important accessories to go with that dream wedding dress! We’re thinking veils, tiaras, jewellery and shoes!

…and don’t just think white, a few weeks ago here at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel the bride wore bright burnt orange satin high heels underneath a long classic white dress and they looked great!

It’s also time to choose bridesmaids and ushers and their outfits! You can be traditional or bold – the choice is yours, but thinking about it now will save time and effort as the big day will come round sooner than you think. Think about themes and colours that suit you not just your shading but your personality. Why not have a girlie get together with your bridesmaids and start planning! It’s not only a good excuse for a catch up but a shopping trip too!

If you’ve found a designer somewhere else in the world or seen a perfect dress online remember it can take time to get things shipped across to the UK and don’t forget to factor in fittings into your time schedule. Sizes do vary around the world so a size 14 here could be subsequently smaller if you buy a dress from Asia so chances are adjustments will have to be made. When ordering anything online remember to double check there is a secure payment system and you trust the site.

At this stage it may also be a good time to book some key people for the event as the best get booked up early. We’re talking florists, hairdressers, beauty therapists, photographers, cake makes and wedding cars! Oxfordshire is full of good wedding suppliers and if you’re stuck for contacts our wedding lounge at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel has a host of supplier numbers so please free to pop in and browse.

It maybe that these suppliers can also help with some of your decisions for example a florist can advise best what flowers are in season and then in turn help with colour choices on the day. The wedding car maybe a sleek bright red sports car, an old black cab or a traditional Rolls Royce all these quirks and characters start to build the theme of the day! Our chair cover supplier even recommends to colour co-ordinate with the curtains in our Oxford Suite if you really want to be perfectly matched.

As the count- down begins next time we’ll look at the six monthly checks to ensure you’re on schedule for your perfect dream wedding day!

If you are looking to book an Oxford wedding venue why not pop by and visit us here at Oxford Thames Four Pillars and see the newly refurbished College Barge, the ornate walled garden and new for Autumn 2012 our outside gazebo!

The post Planning your wedding day I Part 2 I Dress & Suppliers appeared first on Four Pillars Hotels Blog.

When it comes to planning a wedding there is nothing our Wedding Co-Ordinators don’t know! One of them, Sharon King has been planning weddings at our Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel for the past 14 years and must’ve helped over 1000 brides plan their special day over the years.

There are a few special things to remember before approaching a venue about your special day.

1) Where would you like to get married? In a church, in a meadow or in a licensed premises like a hotel?

2) Who would you like to invite? An estimate number of guests is key to selecting the right venue as rooms will vary in size.

3) What style event are you envisaging? This will help set the scene for the venue! Are you dreaming of a religious ceremony with a traditional wedding breakfast? Or an open ceremony in the outdoors or looking for the ultimate wedding venue in an old castle or medieval barn?

It’s always a good idea to get out and about and see venues first hand to get a real feel for a place, the ambiance, the staff, the service and the welcome!

Most importantly, remember the day is your day and try and reflect yours and your partner’s personality into the proceedings and don’t be influenced by other family members who may have other ideas.

You will see from our testimonial page how Sharon has played a key part in making our past wedding couples a day to remember and we’ve even got a few baby tales to tell too.

Over the next few months you’ll be able to read about how to plan your big day and special things to think about on the Four Pillars Hotels blog!

In the meantime, if you are looking for a picturesque Oxfordshire wedding venue why not pop by and visit us here at Oxford Thames Four Pillars and see the newly refurbished College Barge, the ornate walled garden and new for Autumn 2012 our outside gazebo!

For anymore help and advice on planning your special please do give Sharon a call. She’ll be more than happy to help!

The post Planning your wedding day I Part 1 I The Venue appeared first on Four Pillars Hotels Blog.