Once upon a time the week between Christmas and New Year was all about lying back, rubbing your tummy and wondering if you could face another round of Monopoly. Not any more. Now a major entry in the minibreak calendar, Twixmas is the time for getting away from the extended family, getting away from the leftovers, and eking a last drop out of the season of feasting before January becomes a cold hard fact. It’s also a time when you get better value from your hotel stay than the bracketing dates of Christmas and New Year. From city breaks to rural retreats, here are some options.
Still want to shop?
If you're one of those who can't wait for the sales, or maybe even like to get your Christmas 2022 shopping in early, Brooks Hotel has guest discounts with many of its Drury Street neighbours' lovely boutiques. Dinner, B&B for two includes a bottle of wine and discounted parking between December 26th and 30th, from €280 for two, brookshotel.ie. More shopping is on offer at Killashee in Co Kildare, where the Shop & Stay with Dinner Twixmas package gives you dinner, B&B and a 10 per cent discount card for Kildare Village and Newbridge Silverware. From €220 total stay. killasheehotel.com
Go west
Even the gulf stream might not be enough to get Glengarriff up to T-shirt temperatures, but this west Cork spot still has a lovely climate all of its own, and the Eccles is perfectly positioned to enjoy it. Twixmas breaks start at €160 for two B&B. Dinner is extra, but award-winning chef Eddie Attwell makes it all worthwhile. Walk it all off the next morning in the gorgeous Glengariff Woods Nature Reserve, where the views from Lady Bantry's Lookout are simply delicious. eccleshotel.com
Boutique bliss
Clontarf Castle has been busily thinking of everything. While a walk in the winter gardens at nearby St Anne's Park might make you feel all healthy, it's also bound to work up an appetite, so go for their Queen of the Boutiques package, for B&B, with chocolates and prosecco in-room, plus lunch and a cocktail at Zampa's Bar and Restaurant at the Hard Rock in Dublin's city centre. They'll even include €20 credit on your bill to go towards your taxi back to the hotel. clontarfcastle.ie
Go large
If your New Year resolutions involve doing very well for yourself and treating yourself accordingly, Ballyfin and The Merrion's Two Great Houses package gives you dinner, B&B at the Merrion with champagne in-room, followed by another night of opulent luxury just over an hour away at Ballyfin in Co Laois, where you'll swoon in wonder at the sheer gorgeousness of it all, drink more champagne, and have the chance to cycle around the estate, or even take a boat out. Probably better to save the bubbles till afterwards… Dinner, B&B at Ballyfin also included, and the whole thing comes in at €945pps for two nights. merrionhotel.com/ ballyfin.com
G is for Galway
There's something about the G that makes me think of girlie sleepovers, but all comers are welcome. It has updated its groovy rooms, and its Wild Atlantic Getaway is valid for stays on December 28th and 29th, giving you dinner, B&B from €379 for two. Spa treatments are extra, but sure you're worth it. theghotel.com
Estate escape
Winter walks on the 220-acre estate, opulent halls (decked with holly, obviously), a dip in the pool, and generally laid back loveliness are on offer at Co Cork's Castlemartyr where a five-course fine dining dinner – if you can manage it – plus B&B comes in at €349 for two which, considering its Christmas sleepover costs from €995 per night, admittedly with lots of trimmings, is a considerable saving indeed. castlemartyrresort.ie
Five star family fun
Dublin's Intercontinental's Family Winter Stay and Save Package, available between Christmas and New Year, offers champagne (for the grown-ups) and treats (for the kids), B&B, free parking, and €50 towards your hotel drinks and snacks. Rooms have two queen-sized beds, so can accommodate two adults and two children under 12. From €545 per room. intercontinentaldublin.ie. Want more space? Book two rooms and save €50 on the second interconnecting one – available by contacting the hotel directly.
