Four Pillars Hotels is offering guests an amazing 15 per cent off Christmas and New Year breaks when booking before 31st May 2013*.  With stays starting from £97.75 per person**, now is the time to book something to look forward to – a stress free escape with all the fun of the festive season. 

Four Pillars’ six hotels are situated in some of the prettiest parts of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds and each hotel will be offering a different festive package – including everything from carol singing choirs and Champagne receptions to special Christmas afternoon teas and a visit from Father Christmas – so that all tastes and ages are catered for.  And for even greater value, children up to four years old stay and eat for free***.

Choose from a stay in a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian mansion, Tortworth Court, where you can enjoy crisp winter walks and an atmosphere of grandeur for a traditional Christmas; a relaxing and indulgent break at the lakeside Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel enjoying the facilities of Spa 6 or explore the dreaming spires and great sales shopping from one of Four Pillars’ four properties in and around Oxford.  

All inclusive Christmas and New Year packages are available at both Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel and Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel from just £320 per person based on a two night stay with all meals and drinks included – everything from bucks fizz breakfasts and full afternoon teas to seven course gala dinners and mince pies with mulled wine.

Guests who prefer a little more privacy can choose to stay at one of the luxury self-catering apartments at Cotswold Water Park. Combining the flexibility of a self-catering holiday with the convenience of the hotel’s facilities on site, these stylish self-catering apartments are perfect for families, groups and couples.  It can also be arranged for a Christmas Day lunch to be delivered to your apartment on the day.****.

For full details and conditions on Four Pillars Hotels’ Festive Breaks, or to book, please visit: www.festivepackages.co.uk or call 0800 374 692.

* To qualify for this offer you must book by 31st May 2013.  At the time of booking a non-refundable/non-transferable deposit of £75.00 per person will be required. The final balance, which is also non-refundable, is due four weeks prior to arrival. Offer is only available to new bookings and is subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

**Price is based on a one night New Year break at Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel and includes the 15 per cent discount.

***Children aged 0-4 can stay and eat for free at the following hotels: Cotswold Water Park; Oxford Thames and Tortworth Court.

****Separate terms apply for self-catering breaks

See www.festivepackages.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

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As Christmas approaches once again, people are gripped by the usual mixture of warm anticipation and sheer panic. Christmas Day itself is always a time for celebration and family get-togethers and the subsequent days leading up to New Year’s Eve are an opportunity for restful recovery and socialising with friends and relatives. The problem is in getting from here to there without getting too stressed out. This is particularly applicable to the fairer sex as they seem to be the ones lumbered with most of the work.

Considerate husbands and partners can help by either doing more of the work themselves and / or arranging a short break away from it all in either November or early in December. The beauty of the latter is that this time of year is classed as low season and there are some really tempting deals on offer from well- appointed hotels which have every facility on hand including swimming pools and relaxing spa treatment rooms.

Having someone else take care of the cooking, cleaning and bed-making somehow makes Christmas shopping less of a strain and can actually make the exercise an enjoyable experience. Those taking such a pre-Xmas break in the Oxford area will find all the big name shops that they are likely to need together with the unique seasonal ambiance of the City of Spires.

The Christmas atmosphere in Oxford is brought vividly to life in the city on Friday November 23^rd when the Christmas Light Night is staged. Centred on the famous lantern procession this evening event features light, dance, art, live music and performance, all thrown together with a generous helping of festive cheer. Oxford’s museums, Castle Quarter, Town Hall and Museum of Oxford, theatres and galleries throw open their doors to the public for one-off late night viewings of their exhibitions and displays enhanced by special performances.

This kicks off the build-up to Christmas in style and sets the tone for what visitors can expect during the run-up to the big day itself. 2012’s events include the ever popular Christmas choral concert at Christchurch Cathedral on Friday 14^th and Thursday 20^th of December at 8pm. Recent readers of Christmas writing at this perennial favourite include Jeremy Irons and Robert Hardy and it is a closely guarded secret which star is booked for this year.

For a complete contrast, it is well worth making the short journey to Blenheim Palace, arguably Britain’s finest.  This year from 10^th November – 14^th December (Wednesday to Sunday inclusive) the Palace will be decorated in a very special theme telling the Christmas story of the Three Kings.

Visitors to the Palace will be able to follow the journey of the Three Kings through the State Rooms decorated in glittering gold and festooned in silk. Two magnificent Christmas trees will stand in splendour in the Great Hall, surrounded by palm trees in pots bejewelled in the colours of the Far East. From the balcony above the Great Hall, the Star of Bethlehem will shine out to guide the Three Kings on their way. Baubles and crystals on lush ribbons, shining golden leaves, clusters of peacock feathers and striking turquoise and emerald green marabou fans will provide an exotic welcome to the Palace.

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It’s getting to that time of the year when Christmas decorations are popping up all over our supermarkets and town centres so it is safe to say that Christmas is nearly here. This also means that the organising of Christmas parties is well and truly on the cards. Here are just a few tips to help you put together the perfect Christmas party.

Budget

You need to sort out what you want to achieve and the budget for the event. This may sound obvious but it is very important to clearly establish the money available before you start planning and also what is going to be included in that budget.

Venue

You need to organise where the party is going to take place. You have to make the decision on whether you want to completely takeover a venue for a private party or go to a shared party. To make your job easier, choose a venue that can also provide entertainment. The venue ideally needs to be in a central location for everyone and also close to the local transport links. Failing that, organise transport back to the office or book taxis to transport people home.

Date

You need to set a date quickly as Friday’s and Saturday’s are very popular as people don’t need to work the next day. Ask your colleagues when is best for them and select the best possible date.

Book early

Book your Christmas party early as many of the good venues fill up quickly. The earlier you start looking for a venue the greater chance you have of securing your preferred choice.

Food

This part of the process doesn’t have to be expensive; the majority of venues can cater for all sorts of budgets and can also provide a set Christmas menu.  Also, sit-down meals are often better when inviting partners, so that they at least have somebody to talk with.

Overnight accommodation

The key question here is whether or not your company is paying for the accommodation as well as the venue and food.

Take a look at some of our beautiful locations for your Christmas party; our hotels in Oxford are also a great place to accommodate your group when the party’s over!

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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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All you have to do is book and pay your deposit for a Christmas or New Year package by 30^th June 2012 and you can enjoy a 15% discount.  Prices start from just £148.75 per person and all of the hotels offer different packages, so whether you’re looking for a traditional celebration, a lively party atmosphere or an opportunity to relax, Four Pillars Hotels has a festive break to suit everyone.  Now, how’s that for a ray of sunshine on a rainy day?

For full T&Cs or to book, call 0800 374 692 or visit www.festivepackages.co.uk

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