Festive fun in Bristol - Stay at The Bristol Hotel
Bristol always pulls out all the stops to attract visitors over the festive period and this year's no exception, making it a perfect pre-Christmas weekend break destination, particularly as it's easily accessible from every corner of the country, either by road, rail or flight.
This year, there will be two Christmas markets, both located along the pedestrianised streets of the Bristol Shopping Quarter, so that visitors can complete all their Christmas shopping in one fell swoop. The markets open on 9 November and close on 22 December.
One will be a traditional German market selling authentic tree decorations, lights, nativity scenes and gifts, including wooden toys, baskets, soaps, lamps and amber jewellery, as well as mouth-watering German food and drinks such as gluhwein, bratwurst, waffles and more. There will also be a children's carousel and an advent calendar with free presents for all kiddies.
The other Christmas market will feature local craftspeople and producers who will be selling a tempting selection of hand-made jewellery, glassware, photographs, fairy lights, jewellery, garlands and Christmas decorations, as well as food for the Christmas table, like local cider, beers, cakes, cheese, chutneys, biscuits and chestnuts.
And then there's the panto - what would Christmas be without panto?! This year, the Bristol Hippodrome, located just a few minutes' walk from The Bristol Hotel, is staging Cinderella from 6 December to 3 January 2014. Star of the show will be TV personality Louie Spence (ITV's Dancing on Ice, Sky TV's Pineapple Dance Studio and Louie Spence's Showbusiness), with Andy Ford as Buttons. To book tickets, click here.
If you're visiting Bristol for the weekend with a lover (before de-camping to do the family reunion over Christmas itself), you might want to book the Passion Package, which includes a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe room overlooking Bristol's historic Harbourside, with bathrobes, slippers, mineral water and a Nespresso machine, a bottle of Champagne, a selection of chocolate dipped fruits, a Passion Kit, breakfast for two at The River Grille (or relax & sleep-in and have room service) and late check-out until 3pm, plus complimentary Wi Fi access throughout the hotel and complimentary car parking from day of check in to day of check out; all from £145 per room, per night.
Or if you're simply checking in with a friend or family member for a weekend of good old-fashioned fun, you might want to book a simple bed and breakfast package, with prices starting from £105 per room per night.
To mark the end of the year and the start of 2014, The Bristol Hotel has created a New Year's Eve Dinner Dance package to suit both those coming into Bristol to celebrate and those who live in Bristol who don't want to fight for a taxi when their celebrations come to an end in the early hours!
The New Year's Eve Dinner Dance package includes pre-dinner cocktails, before a sumptuous four-course gala dinner and tea/coffee plus petit fours are served Bristol's finest ballroom. Entertainment will be provided by The Fabulous Lounge Swingers!, who present a "Rat Pack" style show with a modern twist that includes big band sounds and urban wit, before a DJ takes over and keeps spinning crowd pleasers till 2am. Then there's overnight accommodation in a double-bedded room, a full English breakfast served till noon on New Year's Day, late checkout till 3pm, complimentary WiFi, car parking and VAT, all for £214 per couple sharing.
To book any of the packages above, visit doylecollection.com/bristol
