With the cost of living continuing to increase and Christmas just around the corner, a Cotswold hotel is seeking to save the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ for families affected most by the current economic crisis with a free three-day stay.
Targeting families who are unable to fulfil their Christmas plans due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, Stonehouse Court, in Gloucestershire, is offering a three-day ‘saving Christmas’ package worth £2,670 for a family of up to six to enjoy across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day – completely free of charge.
Stonehouse Court is based in Stroud, just on the northern edge of the Cotswolds – an 800 sq mi region of quintessentially English countryside, postcard picture villages and vibrant market towns – and was named the best place to live in the UK by The Times in 2021. With family-friendly packages a key part of its approach, the hotel was keen to explore a way it can offer struggling families a solution for those engulfed in financial turmoil this winter.
Around 9 in 10 (89%) adults in the UK continue to report that their cost of living has increased, equal to around 46 million people. A large proportion of adults are also finding it difficult to afford their energy bills, rent or mortgage payments – with almost half of adults (45%) who paid energy bills (40% in March to June 2022) and 30% paying rent or mortgages reporting these being difficult to afford (26% March to June 2022). On top of that, in the run-up to Christmas, spending habits increase by as much as 29% – averaging almost more than £740 in December.
The launch of the winter package comes off the back of a similar initiative the hotel launched in the summer to ‘save’ family vacations due to the flight cancellations. Its ‘carbon saving cancellation’ package offered discounted home-grown holiday options for those faced with cancelled flights – while also rewarding guests with ‘carbon credits’ to spend at the hotel depending on how much carbon their cancelled flight would save.
Now the hotel is looking to save Christmas for one family by encouraging those who have had their plans affected by uncontrollable factors, such as job losses, cost increases and family crisis to apply for the complementary three-day stay.
To get involved, families can write directly to the hotel team via its website, summarising why they believe they deserve to spend Christmas in the Cotswolds at Stonehouse Court – with a chosen family selected to enjoy a three-day Christmas stay at the 17th Century Manor House worth £2,670.
Commenting on the package, Maz Jurko, General Manager of Stonehouse Court, said: “I think everyone has been impacted in some format following the economic downturn. However, it’s inconceivable to think that the increased cost of living is forcing some families to consider cancelling their Christmas plans. Such a prospect just didn’t sit well with our team and we wanted to make it feasible to save someone’s Christmas. Sadly, we can’t help everyone affected in these tumultuous times, though, showcasing goodwill to one selected family can hopefully go a long way in encouraging others to go that extra mile, too. It is the time for giving, after all.”
He added: “Here at Stonehouse Court, we’re all about family values, which we feel is reflected throughout the Five Valleys community. There’s a reason the Cotswolds is one of the most popular destinations in the UK and we want one lucky family to experience the magic it has to offer during the most important time of the year for families.”
The ‘Saving Christmas’ package is open from Monday, 7th November until Thursday, November 24th.
To apply for the opportunity to win a three-day Christmas package at Stonehouse Court worth £2,670, please visit this web page.
For more information about the hotel, please visit https://www.stonehousecourt.co.uk/ or call 01453 794950 to book.