The hotel chosen was one we used some 11 years ago when we took the family with us and although not four star rated it provided evening entertainment which was enjoyable so we thought we would be OK for Christmas.
Without going into the full details our bedroom was very cold as were other guests whom we spoke to, the staff in reception informed my wife that the heating is turned off at 17.00hrs then back on at 22.00hrs as the hotel is too big to heat all the time, the heating was kept on slightly longer after a number of coaches arrived with more guests, the main reception area where there are couches to sit was extremely cold and quite a few guests took to wearing coats, in the bedroom the double glazing leaked with the wind blowing through, other guests also complained of this.
The food, well the choice was terrible, soup to start with and was watery and far too salty, main course was either chicken, beef which appeared as though it was last weeks dinner reheated and fish with only a few choices of veg. The sweet were a choice of....wait for it......cold slices of gateaux and ice cream if you felt that way inclined.
Now comes Christmas Day Lunch, we all assembled in the large entertainment room where all the tables were laid out which seated eight people in a circle, the starter arrived and yes.....watery tomato soup which was to me undrinkable!!
The main course came next, at this point I must stress that I do not like Brussels sprouts and never have done, when the main course was served they had put all the veg on the plate and there was an awful stink of Brussels Sprouts to the point that I was nearly barfing, (Babs likes Brussels Sprouts and the smell of them when she cooks or has them on her plate does not affect me) also the turkey was not as expected, no lean turkey breast but instead.............a turkey roll with stuffing inside it..........you can guess the next reaction.......I do not like STUFFING!!
Babs took one mouthful as I again nearly barfed on the table, took one look at my now green face and led me out of the dinning room. Don't know what they had done to those Brussels Sprouts to smell so badly as they did but it was really unbearable. The end to this so called Christmas break came as we packed our bags and left on Boxing Day, I have since e-mailed the hotel group and await a reply though don't for one minute expect I will get anything from them.
A lot of money for a crap Christmas, next year we will stay at home.
I have not mentioned the name or location of the hotel as my complaint is on-going and I will be taking it a stage further should I not receive a satisfactory response.
Regards
Nigel
One reason why the general public pi$$es me off 
If no one checked your table.. they have only themselves to blame.
sadly at the time I did not, the meals were not served to you at the table (apart from the soup when the waiter came and asked if you would like some, if not then you had to go without a starter)