When Does Christmas Arrive at The Royal George?

For some, it's the moment the decorations go up and the fireplace is lit. For others, it's when the first conversations about Christmas menus begin.

One of our team shares:

"The first sign that Christmas has arrived at The Royal George is when everything is decorated and festive, and the fireplace is on. We love dressing the rooms with festive finishing touches to make our guests' stays feel extra special."

For our food-loving team, however, the excitement starts a little earlier:

"The first sign for me is the menu preparation. As soon as we start talking about dishes and flavours for the Christmas menu, it's really exciting. As soon as you see red braised cabbage on the menu, you know Christmas is here!"

Cosy Corners, Mulled Wine & Festive Moments

When it comes to enjoying the festive season, it's often the simplest moments that make the biggest impression.

Whether it's settling beside the fireplace with a glass of wine, enjoying a mince pie or catching up with friends over a warming festive drink, The Royal George has plenty of cosy corners to make yourself at home.

One team member tells us:

"My favourite spot is by the fireplace. It's beautiful when it's lit, and having a glass of wine with a mince pie is just the perfect way to spend an afternoon."

And when it comes to festive drinks, there's plenty to look forward to this year:

"We're excited to share our mulled wine and mulled cider. I would also recommend the Burnt Cinnamon Old Fashioned. We look forward to welcoming you here to The Royal George."

A Winter Escape in the Wye Valley

Winter is a particularly special time to experience Tintern and the surrounding Wye Valley. Frosty countryside walks, beautiful winter scenery and the warmth of a welcoming hotel make it an ideal destination for a seasonal escape.

As one of our team explains:

"Winter is a really special time here at The Royal George. Guests can enjoy frosty walks and then come back to us, where we have the perfect spaces to host festive get-togethers. We also welcome carol singers, which adds an extra festive touch to the season."

The Flavours of Christmas

For our kitchen team, Christmas is all about bringing together wonderful ingredients, traditional flavours and dishes that guests look forward to year after year.

And there's one particular dessert that's already stealing the spotlight.

"This year's favourite dish for me is the Christmas pudding. It brings together so many wonderful ingredients and has been a great success. With brandy, sherry and sweet raisin flavours, it's served with brandy butter ice cream. The rich flavours are cooked together for eight hours, creating something really special."

The Christmas pudding will be available on Christmas Day, as well as a festive special in both the Lower Deck and Upper Deck.

Making Christmas Special for Everyone

Beyond the food, decorations and celebrations, Christmas is ultimately about spending time with the people who matter most.

For one of our team, this year's celebrations will be particularly special:

"My favourite part of the season is being with family and loved ones. This year, I'll be celebrating at the hotel, and it's going to be wonderful to help make Christmas special for other people. It's all about being around the people you love."

It's a sentiment that captures the spirit of The Royal George perfectly. Whether you're joining us with family, celebrating with friends or making new memories during a winter stay, we're here to make every visit feel special.

Celebrate the Festive Season at The Royal George

With so much to look forward to, our team is already counting down to the celebrations.

"We're looking forward to opening for the festive season with so many wonderful treats! We have a lavish and decadent afternoon tea, a festive menu in the Lower Deck, and a wonderful Christmas lunch and cocktail menu available throughout the Upper Deck."

And the celebrations don't stop on Christmas Day.

"Make sure to join us for New Year's Eve, for fun and plenty of champagne! We look forward to meeting and greeting you all."

From festive afternoon teas and indulgent seasonal dining to warming winter drinks and celebrations that carry us into the New Year, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

This Christmas, make The Royal George part of your festive traditions. We look forward to welcoming you to Tintern and sharing a little Christmas magic with you.