Over 24 to 26 December most hotels sell a stay rather than a room: a minimum of two or three nights, dinner on the 25th, sometimes a buffet on the 24th and a late checkout on the 26th.

Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Hotels at Christmas: what's open, what's included, what to ask”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/festive/christmas-hotels/

Three kinds of Christmas rate

  • Room only, no dinner: common in cities and at airport hotels. Cheapest, and you eat out or order in.
  • Half board over the holiday: the classic resort arrangement, with dinner included and a set menu on the 25th.
  • The Christmas package: two or three nights, all meals, sometimes entertainment. Compare the total, not the nightly figure.

The six questions worth asking

  1. Is dinner on 25 December included, and is it a set menu or a buffet?
  2. Is there a minimum stay between 24 and 26 December?
  3. What are reception hours on the 25th, and can I check in after 6pm?
  4. Is the restaurant open to non-residents, and do I need to book a table?
  5. Are the spa, pool or kids' club open over the holiday, and at what hours?
  6. What is the cancellation deadline, and does it change over Christmas?

Self-catering and apartments

An apartment solves dinner, breakfast and the 6am wake-up, and it is usually the cheaper option for four or more people. The trade-off is that nobody makes your bed and the supermarket closes early on the 24th, so plan the first shop before you arrive.

City hotels versus resort hotels

City hotels stay open and go quiet: business guests disappear and rates soften, but restaurants may close. Resort hotels do the opposite, filling with families on packages and charging for the privilege. If you want a city at Christmas, book the room and eat out; if you want a resort, book the package and check what is included.

Airport hotels on the 24th and 25th

An airport hotel the night before an early flight is worth it at Christmas, when the first train may not run. Book the room and the parking together, and confirm the shuttle runs on the 25th.

What we do

We compare hotels through partners and take a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. We do not set or hold prices: the rate and the conditions on the partner's page are the ones that apply.

Frequently asked questions

Do hotels serve Christmas lunch to non-guests?

Many do, and it is worth booking weeks ahead. Ask for the sitting times and whether children are charged the same as adults.

Is it cheaper to stay in a hotel over Christmas?

In cities, often yes, because business demand disappears. At resorts, no: Christmas week is peak season and packages carry a premium.

Can I check in on Christmas Day?

Usually, but reception hours shrink. Confirm your arrival time in writing and ask how to get keys if you arrive after the desk closes.

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