"A Special Christmas Getaway: The "Kelly" Review
Date of Stay: December 14th - 16th, 2025
Guests: Diane & Chris
Planner: Kelly
🏨 The Hotel: Barton Manor Hotel & Spa (Preston)
Booking Strategy:
I initially booked a standard double room for Mum and Chris via Hotels.com. Knowing this was their first big trip together after 12 years of being single, I wanted to make it special. I used my status as a Level 4 Google Local Guide (with 15,000+ views!) to send a "cheeky" request email to the hotel manager, Kajal.
The Result (My "Win"):
The hotel was incredible!
• Upgrade: They upgraded them from a Standard Room to a Classic King Room with a Garden View for FREE.
• Romantic Touches: They agreed to arrange rose petals on the bed in a heart shape with "D & C" in the middle (Complimentary!).
• Leisure Access: They threw in free access to the Pool & Leisure Club for both days (normally a paid extra).
• Check-in: They added a note to allow Chris to check in early if he arrived first.
Verdict: The hotel staff went above and beyond. The "cheeky email" strategy worked perfectly, saving money on the upgrade and spa access while adding huge value.
❄️ The Activity: Preston on Ice
The Plan:
For Monday evening (15th Dec), I booked them a session at the "Preston on Ice" skating rink in the city centre.
• Booking: 18:00 Off-Peak Session.
• Smart Saving: I booked a standard ticket for one and used the "Carer goes Free" option for the second ticket, saving £18! I also found a student discount code (STU"