Corinthia Hotels: at the heart of the best Christmas markets

October 2018

The atmospheric cities of Prague, Budapest and St Petersburg stage arguably the best Christmas markets in their main town squares, and each is a walk away from a luxurious Corinthia Hotel. The town squares are filled from November with stalls selling hand-made Christmas presents, Christmas tree decorations and local food and wine. You may even catch a glimpse of the Big Man himself and be able to ice skate in some cities. Corinthia is joining in the festive spirit by offering its own Christmas cheer:

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

The Hungarian capital comes alive from November when the main Christmas market on Vorosmarty Square opens with over 100 wooden stalls and two outdoor stages for live entertainment (9th November 2018 – 1st January 2019). Corinthia Hotel Budapest is offering The Great Festive Getaway Package from €145/£127.50 per night (two sharing) which includes accommodation, breakfast, free room upgrade (subject to availability), entrance to the Royal Spa, free wifi and bottle of local champagne. Available for minimum two-night stays between 1st December 2018 to 31st January 2019. Rates are exclusive of VAT & City Tax.

Contact Corinthia.com/budapest or call +36 1 479 4000 for more information.

Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg

St Petersburg is a fairytale Russian city, with its dusting of snow covering the city's wide boulevards and beautiful buildings each winter. From the end of December 2018 to the beginning of January 2019, Moskovskaya Square is one of several squares in St Petersburg that stages a colourful Christmas market. Children can meet Santa Claus (Ded Moroz), marvel at ice sculptures and gingerbread houses, listen to Christmas carols and buy any number of gifts, sweets and toys from the stalls. The biggest market in the city kicks off earlier (19th December – 11th January) in Pionerskaya Square, with ice rink, live performances, plus candles, ceramics, handicrafts, tree decorations, hand-made chocolates and festive fare to buy.

In addition, the hotel stages its own Christmas market, in the lobby, selling home-made delicatessen and sweet treats amid an atmosphere of festive sounds, aromas and decorations.

Christmas in St Petersburg, valid 21st December 2018 to 8th January 2019, is priced from €95/£84 per night (two sharing), including a three-night stay in double room at the Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg (minimum three-night stay), Christmas welcome drink upon arrival, buffet breakfast in the Imperial restaurant, complimentary 24-hour access to the gym with sauna and cardio equipment and free wifi.

Contact Corinthia.com/stpetersburg or call +7 812 380 2001 for more information.

Corinthia Hotel Prague

Corinthia Hotel Prague is close to the historical city centre where the main Christmas markets are held between 1st December 2018 and 6th January 2019. Find them at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, five minutes from each other. A large, brightly-lit Christmas tree dominates both spaces, surrounded by coloured wooden huts selling traditional handicrafts, glassware, jewellery, embroidered lace, wooden toys, metalware, ceramics, scented candles, Christmas tree ornaments, hats, gloves and scarves, puppets and dolls.

Visitors can watch traditional foods being made and sample them too, such as ham roasted on spits, barbecued sausages, cakes and pastries, plus locally-brewed Pilsner and Budvar Czech beer to wash it down with. The Old Town Square market has the additional magnet of an animal stable where children can stroke sheep, goats and a donkey. The city runs a festive programme of opera, ballet and concerts through December, including Swan Lake at the Hybernia Theatre, The Four Seasons at St Clement's Cathedral and The Magic Flute at Estates Theatre.

Corinthia Hotel Prague offers a luxurious haven of relaxation in the shape of the Apollo Day Spa for when guests need to unwind from the bustle of the city. An overnight stay at Corinthia Hotel Prague costs from €110/£97 per room per night (two sharing) including breakfast.

The hotel also has a Christmas Market Package from €140/£123 per night including accommodation, breakfast, daily tickets for Prague's transport system, map of Prague's Christmas markets, traditional Czech treats, traditional Czech Christmas punch and access to the spa. Available 1st-28th December (minimum two-night stay)

Contact Corinthia.com/prague or call +420 261 191 111 for more information.

ENDS

Media only – for further information contact:

Camilla Colley (Camilla.colley@corinthia.com) or tel +44 (0) 20 7321 3018.

About Corinthia Hotels

Corinthia is a global collection of luxury five-star hotels founded by the Pisani family of Malta in 1962. Since 2000, Corinthia has evolved into a multifaceted public company, trading as International Hotel Investments (IHI) plc, which is the owner, developer and operator of Corinthia Hotels and commercial real estate worldwide. Guided by family values and inspired by the core principles underpinning the Spirit of Corinthia – authenticity, passion, precision and understanding – our focus is on ensuring craftsmanship in the hospitality world and delivering honest, discreet service. Each of Corinthia's hotels and resorts, in some of the most exciting cities in the world, are a tribute to architectural grandeur and cultural traditions. The Corinthia portfolio features the flagship Corinthia Hotel & Residences in London, as well as award-winning Corinthia Hotels in Budapest, Malta, St Petersburg, Prague, Lisbon, Khartoum and Tripoli. Corinthia recently also announced the acquisition and redevelopment of the landmark Grand Hotel Astoria in Brussels, to be relaunched as a Corinthia Hotel (and opening 2021), as well a new luxury beach resort under construction by the Meydan Group in Dubai, to be known as the Corinthia at Meydan Beach and opening in 2020. For more information, visit corinthia.com or visit Twitter @CorinthiaHotels or Instagram @corinthiahotels