Christmas splendour and house parties to remember, at Elite Hotels’ spectacular properties…

Christmas splendour and house parties to remember, at Elite Hotels’ spectacular properties…

L-R: Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa; The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne; Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club; Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens

Celebrate the festive season with Elite Hotels, a privately-owned collection of four luxury hotels in first-class locations across the South-East. Elite Hotels’ Christmas House Party experiences offer the perfect ‘home away from home’ this festive season, taking away all the usual stresses of preparing for Christmas – cooking, cleaning, and hosting family and friends in ‘cosy’ living quarters – and leaving simply the hugely enjoyable opportunity to eat, drink, relax and make memories with loved ones in gorgeous, spacious and luxurious surroundings.

Explore the full range of House Parties taking place this Christmas at Elite Hotels’ four charming properties – Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club in East Sussex, The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens in Hampshire, and Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa in Bedfordshire.

Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, East Sussex
Set within 186 acres of grounds boasting lakes, secret gardens and woodland trails, Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is a 19th century mansion in the heart of Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for A. A. Milne’s delightful Winnie-the-Pooh stories. There is a peaceful walled garden with herbaceous borders, an 18-hole golf course, and, within the impressive hotel itself, 106 bedrooms and suites – each named after a tree species found in the grounds. The hotel’s Country Club includes a Fitness Studio, an indoor pool and six treatment rooms; all in all, it’s a perfect base to relax and unwind during the festive season.

Ashdown Park’s Christmas House Party highlights…
The warm, welcoming and hugely fun Christmas House Party kicks off with an elegant festive Afternoon Tea on arrival, with an evening Champagne reception accompanied by traditional Christmas carols, followed by a sumptuous dinner. On Christmas Eve, guests can either choose to watch a televised Midnight Mass from Westminster, along with hot toddies and mince pies, or to attend the Midnight Mass at Holy Trinity in the nearby village, Forest Row. Christmas Day sees a smorgasbord luncheon in the Harry Clarke Suite, with festive jazz, and children can expect a visit from Father Christmas as well as a treasure hunt across the charming country estate. This is followed by Champagne, canapés and a four-course dinner in the excellent Anderida Restaurant. A relaxing Boxing Day features a variety of country pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting and archery, an afternoon quiz with tea and crumpets, and a final magical Cabaret Dinner, with dancing to show tunes from West End and Broadway performances.

Prices from £1,050 pp (two adults sharing a Deluxe bedroom) for three nights’ full board accommodation. Children from £188 per child when sharing their parents’ room. The three-night or four-night House Party commences on 23rd or 24th December. To book, or to explore the Christmas House Party experience in more detail, visit www.ashdownpark.co.uk or call 01342 824988.

Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens, Hampshire
Sitting in 66 acres of countryside near Hook, Hampshire, Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens is a grand Victorian Grade II listed country house with the longest uninterrupted view in Hampshire, lined by giant Redwoods. An outstanding example of a luxury country house hotel, the Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens are a real highlight, with striking water features and lakes, an Italian Garden and a wild orchid meadow. The hotel has 113 individually-designed bedrooms and suites, with some dog-friendly rooms also available. The hotel’s Health Suite features an indoor pool, five treatment rooms with a Manicure & Pedicure studio, plus a gym.

Tylney Hall’s Christmas House Party highlights…
In the grand setting of this stunning period property, Tylney Hall’s three-night House Party begins on Christmas Eve with a welcome Afternoon Tea by a cosy fireplace, then cocktails and canapés in the Italian lounge with traditional festive music. Dinner in the Oak Room Restaurant is a relaxed affair, and is followed by a televised Midnight Mass from Westminster, along with hot toddies and mince pies. On Christmas Day morning, guests can expect Father Christmas to drop by, before enjoying a piano-accompanied luncheon. Mulled wine is served in the afternoon and there is an option to explore the grounds while enjoying a treasure hunt. An indulgent Christmas dinner is served in the Oak Room Restaurant, followed by after-dinner drinks with the accompaniment of a saxophonist. Pursuits such as archery and laser clay pigeon shooting are available on Boxing Day, with a light luncheon (accompanied by a harpist) served in the Tylney Suite, and a five-course Black Tie Dinner with live jazz.

Prices from £1,095 pp (two adults sharing a Deluxe bedroom) for three nights’ full board, from 24th to 27th December. Children from £273.75 per child when sharing their parents’ room. To book or to explore the full festive offering, visit www.tylneyhall.co.uk or call 01256 764881.

The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne
One of the few five-star seafront hotels in the UK, The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne is affectionately known by locals as ‘The White Palace’. The hotel has 152 bedrooms and suites, all luxuriously furnished, many with sweeping sea views, balconies, or private patios. Others have adjoining rooms which work well for family stays. The hotel also boasts The Grand’s Health Club with indoor pool, whirlpool spa, gym, health spa and treatment rooms. The hotel has a rich musical history and has hosted countless classical and jazz musicians and bands over the years, and its House Party offers a wonderful chance to experience a distinctly musical Christmas. The Grand is located just moments away from the start of the South Downs Way and close to Birling Gap and Beachy Head and, of course, it is directly opposite the seafront promenade, with plenty of opportunities for refreshing coastal walks.

The Grand Hotel’s Christmas House Party highlights…
Enjoy a completely extravagant four-night festive experience with a welcome Afternoon Tea on arrival on 23rd December, and entertainment provided by Shelley van Loen and the Palm Court Strings. Commence your first evening with Champagne and a welcome dinner served in the Garden Restaurant, followed by the sounds of the Simon Goodwin Band. With a real sense of occasion, next day, Christmas Eve, promises a tutored Port tasting with the hotel’s Cellar Master and a Scandinavian-themed luncheon, and evening entertainment begins with choir music in the lounges. The festivities reach a crescendo on the evening of Christmas Day, with Champagne in the Drawing Room followed by a very traditional black-tie Christmas Dinner in the Garden Restaurant. Boxing Day has a leisurely start, with a Best of British Luncheon served in the Garden Restaurant, later followed by caricature portraits and indoor crazy golf for the adults. There is also the choice of a visit to the Health Club, or perhaps a walk along the promenade to experience the bracing sea air. In the evening, enjoy a glass of Champagne with canapés, followed by a Gala Dinner in the Garden Restaurant. Then you’ll enjoy live entertainment from ‘Co-Stars’ in the Chatsworth Room.

Prices from £1,210 pp (two adults sharing a Deluxe bedroom) for four nights’ full board. Children from £380 per child when sharing their parents’ room. To book or to explore the full festive offering, visit www.grandeastbourne.co.uk or call 01323 412345.

Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, Bedfordshire
Less than an hour north of London, Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa is a Grade I-listed mansion house hotel where HM The Queen and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon. Sitting within 1,000 acres of countryside, including Capability Brown-designed grounds, the opulent property features 144 beautifully furnished bedrooms and suites, some with four-poster beds, as well as tennis courts, a 50-acre lake, an 18-hole championship golf course and an excellent spa housed in a restored stable building. Such is the size of the estate that guests are ferried around on request (FOC) by the hotel’s own fleet of dark-green vintage London taxis. Christmas is a magical experience here, with plenty to do for families.

Luton Hoo’s Christmas House Party highlights…
This extravagant Christmas House Party (three or four nights) starts with a Champagne Afternoon Tea in the Mansion House Lounges, then a history tour to learn about the exciting heritage of this beautiful Mansion House and Estate. Enjoy a gin tasting experience and a sumptuous dinner served in either the Wernher Restaurant or Adam’s Brasserie. Start the festivities for Christmas Day with a hearty breakfast, before Father Christmas visits with gifts for all. A traditional Christmas Luncheon with all the trimmings is then served in the Wernher Restaurant or Adam’s Brasserie, before a family quiz. A light Christmas supper follows, either in the lounges or in Adam’s Brasserie. Boxing Day is a day of rest and leisure, with a host of traditional sports such as clay pigeon shooting, crossbow and archery on the Lion’s Lawn, followed by a light-hearted food and wine quiz, including a wine tasting in the afternoon. Children can also enjoy a treasure hunt, movies, and family time in the pool. A delicious dinner will be served in either the Wernher Restaurant or Adam’s Brasserie.

Prices from £995 pp (two adults sharing a Deluxe bedroom) for three nights’ full board accommodation. Children from £75 per night when sharing their parents’ room. The three-night or four-night House Party commences on 23rd or 24th December. To book, or to explore the full festive offering, visit www.lutonhoo.co.uk or call 01582 734437.