Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog » Christmas

Health and Fitness for the New Year

Vicky — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:16:16 +0000

We don’t really want to think about it now, with 2 weeks of eating, drinking and making merry to look forward to, but you may just like to spare a thought for that pale, bloated figure in the mirror on the 1st January. Yes that could be you! But don’t despair, help is at hand – by the end of January the mirror (and scales!) could tell a different story.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations have always been about letting your hair down and enjoying feasting on the best the season has to offer. Whether you view it as an entirely religious celebration or a more pagan one to cheer and feed ourselves up during a long hard winter, celebrating is the name of the game and come early January many of us are feeling the pinch, both physically and financially!

The best way to approach any diet or fitness programme is slowly. There’s no point in starving yourself and running miles on a treadmill only to pile the pounds back on when you’re bored, hungry or even injured. Swimming is a great, gentle way to start and if you combine it with a sensible healthy eating diet, you will begin to see the results in just a few weeks.

Whether it’s a New Year’s Resolution or simply a desire to stay in shape, Aztec Club has a great January offer to kick start your fitness plans. If you join as a new member at any time throughout January 2011, you only have to pay a £25 joining fee – that’s half price! You’ll also be entitled to a New Member pack, worth over £100, including an exercise programme tailored to weight loss, toning or general fitness. There’s never been a better time to join a health and fitness club.

Health and Fitness for the New Year is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Countdown to Christmas

Julia — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:05:40 +0000

Our very own TLH Christmas Elves!

It’s the 1st December and the countdown to the Christmas and New Year holidays has begin in earnest. I guess there are some cynics among us who would say that the countdown starts in September as soon as Christmas gift boxes appear on the supermarket shelves, replacing sun tan lotion and mechanical Santas start ho-ho-ho-ing in the aisles of the local garden centre. Personally I try to wear blinkers for as long as possible to save up the excitement. This year I found it particularly weird back in the early Autumn when Chris Evans started his breakfast show half an hour earlier at 6.30am, opening on a daily basis with Andy Williams singing my favourite Christmas song ”It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” All that aside - as soon as I open that first door on my advent calendar – that’s when it all starts for me.

Of course, here at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay, the festive season begins with our first Turkey and Tinsel Breaks at the beginning of November, when groups of friends join in a weekend or mid-week break to party together. It really is a great feeling to see people enjoying themselves and having a good time – and let’s face it – we all deserve some fun in our lives these days. These breaks adopt the popular theme of celebrating all of the main days of the festive season in one fun packed break. “Christmas Eve” includes carols and mulled wine, on “Christmas Day” there’s a visit from Santa before guests enjoy traditional Christmas fayre in the restaurant,” Boxing Day” sees our talented Entertainment Team performing their special Christmas show and “New Year’s Eve” is celebrated in style with a gala dinner followed by party night with Kevin of KB Sounds.

The Toorak chef's with a festive buffet

This, of course, is only a potted version of the main Christmas and New Year celebrations here at TLH. The days and nights are packed with a sparkling variety of activities and entertainment, not forgetting all the delicious food and drinks our chefs prepare. Everyone has a fantastic time, and we’ve just got a few rooms left for anyone who hasn’t made any plans yet, so come and join in the party. Call 01803 400500 to book.

Countdown to Christmas is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Christmas Party Pampering

Vicky — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:32:29 +0000

AG Photographer

As a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and colleague, many women today have a lot of demands on their time, especially at this festive time of year. Time spent on yourself is time (and money) well spent. You will feel better able to tackle everything that Christmas throws at you over the next few weeks.

The Aztec Spa knows this to be true! They have come up with two scrumptious party season packages to help recharge your batteries. Depending on your available time and budget you can either plump for the Christmas Sparkle at just £34 or the Ultimate Christmas Cracker at £69. Both packages represent a significant saving on having the treatments individually, so are definitely good value for money. They are a perfect way to feel special before a big night out or as a pick-me-up after a hectic day Christmas shopping.

Even better, why not just treat yourself, for no other reason than you deserve it!

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Party Pampering is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

New Year’s Eve Thoughts

Vicky — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:26:53 +0000

How will you be spending New Year’s Eve this year?

It’s the one celebration which seems to throw the most hardened partygoers into a flat spin. Where is the best party, who else is going, what shall I wear?

The pressure to have the most memorable party ever gets to some people, who either get hopelessly drunk and miserable or decide to give the whole thing a miss and stay in, with only Jools Holland for company.

My own New Year’s Eve celebrations have been eventful in the past, from a fancy dress disaster (I’m sure it said ‘fancy dress on the invite?!) to an episode of instant food poisoning after a meal out. More often than not there have been arguments, tears and dreadful hangovers the next day. And nobody ever knows what they are doing until the very last minute. A case of waiting for a better offer – after all it is the most important party of the year – it would be disastrous to have accepted the invitation to a sophisticated dinner party while elsewhere other friends are playing Twister and dancing on the coffee table!

Last year we held our own party but the stress of waiting to see if anyone would actually turn up was too much and once again, you guessed it, there were arguments, tears and a dreadful hangover the next day!

So enough is enough and this year I’m looking to someone else to do all the work. I may book a table in the Aztec Bistro at TLH Leisure Resort, where for just £39.95 a head I’ll be able to enjoy a lovely meal and join the live entertainment and disco afterwards in the Starlight Lounge. It sounds like a great way to see in the New Year with a group of friends and the menu looks delicious. Take a look here New Years Eve menu.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it and for goodness sake double check before turning up in fancy dress!

New Year’s Eve Thoughts is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

FANG-tastic halloween & Christmas prep at TLH Leisure Resort

Zoe — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:30:48 +0000

Hi guys, how was your half term??

Ours has been brilliant! We had a FANG-tastic halloween for which we’d been busy rehearsing a one-off performance show called ‘Spooky Spectacular’ for our spooky weekend. The team thoroughly enjoyed doing this once again all singing, all dancing performance. It opened with a very menacing slide show and included a light show and creepy music and zombies waking from the graveyard that we built on stage (we very much enjoyed being horrible zombies). The choreography for our opening number ‘Thriller’, we felt would even have left a good impression on Michael Jackson himself, and was a team effort choreographed by all of us as well as MJ.

If you have been to see our show this weekend please make sure you tweet or leave a comment, and we’d love for you to send us your photos, it’s great to find out what people liked about our shows.

So what now… now that the kids have all gone home and back to school and its quiet again?! Well the halloween decs have come down and the christmas tree has gone up, last night we had our first Christmas carols, its now Turkey and Tinsel time at TLH, and rehearsals begin now for our Christmas show too.

I’m must go and crack the rehearsal whip with the rest of the Team now, if you are coming at crimbo then we will see you very soon, only about 7 weeks til Christmas!

We look forward to seeing you all.

Zoe xx

FANG-tastic halloween & Christmas prep at TLH Leisure Resort is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

10 Great Reasons To Party… At The Toorak Hotel, Torquay, This Christmas

Nigel Beck — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:30:08 +0000

Yes the party season will soon be upon us - will you or won’t you be joining the party this year? Let me help you make up your mind and point out why you should…

1. All the doom and gloom in the news at the moment tells us its tough and may get tougher so let your hair down for a change
2. You deserve it!!! Yes after a long year you need a treat.
3. A good excuse to buy a new outfit, no one can argue with that surely?!
4. A good excuse to get together with mates and do something a bit different
5. You can treat yourself to some nice food and wine
6. A chance to try out those new dance routines on the dance floor!!! We see some new ones every year!
7. No need to book taxis, stay over at the hotel have a lie in and a nice breakfast – we have special rates to tempt you
8. You get a reserved table for your party
9. Top party DJ’s will keep the party going right through to 1.00am
10. The Best Party In Town! so you better be there!!

Come and Party like it’s 1999!

Click here to view the embedded video.

10 Great Reasons To Party… At The Toorak Hotel, Torquay, This Christmas is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Christmas Sparkle Spa Packages

Vicky — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:29:15 +0000

It’s Christmas party season! You’ve got a new frock, shoes and sparkly handbag so all that’s left is a spot of pre-party pampering. We all know that whipping on some nail polish 10 minutes before you’re due to leave is not a good idea and come on own up, you’ve only painted the few toe nails on show in those new peep toe shoes haven’t you? Why not do it in style instead and treat yourself to a professional manicure and pedicure at the Aztec Spa?

Not only can you have your toenails and hands attended to, but you can also get your eyebrows tidied up as part of their Christmas Sparkle package – all for just £34. And if you have a really special event to go to, or just want to splash out, then the Ultimate Christmas Cracker will give you an upgraded Replenishing Manicure, an Aztec Feet Treat plus an Elemis Taster facial.

Both packages will also make great Christmas gifts, as they are available until the end of January 2010. Of course there are a whole range of other treatments and gifts available at Aztec Spa, including spa vouchers.

Call 01803 400190

Christmas Sparkle Spa Packages is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Christmas comes early at TLH Leisure Resort

Julia — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:05 +0000

The festive season has already got off to a great start here at TLH with the launch of our new Health and Fitness suite – the main event being the Zumba classes led by our very own Zoe. Zumba is one of the latest crazes to sweep the country as a really fun way to get fit – being described as easy to follow moves to hypnotic Latin rhythms. A bit like Salsa with a purpose perhaps!!

But if that is a bit ‘full’on’ for you why not warm those fingers and toes by joining in on one of our Dancing or Bowling houseparties here at the Carlton and Toorak hotels. The Mistletoe Dance Party this year is hosted by Gerald and Margaret Thompson who have a large following of walkers and dancers alike, all with the mutual aim of keeping fit by having fun. The dancing is ballroom and latin social dancing and with Mulled Wine, a Tea Dance and a Farewell Ball it is sure to kick off the Festive season with a swing.

Our other main social event of the lead up to Christmas is the annual Toorak Short Mat Festival when bowlers stage a fancy dress parade and vie for the Golden Turkey awards, presented at the Christmas party on the last night. Lots of light hearted ‘competition’ – on all levels!!

But if it’s competition you want – with cash prizes- then bring along a team from your Bowls club to our Christmas Club Championships. Every year bowlers enjoy a pre-festive holiday and compete to take home a contribution to club finances – which is surely what the spirit of Christmas is all about!

So lots of ideas to get you trim, whilst getting together with friends old and new and re-charging those batteries ready for the celebration food and tipple – so see you soon!

Christmas comes early at TLH Leisure Resort is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Christmas Gift Crisis?!

Julia — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:31:23 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but there are always a few nearest and dearest who are very difficult to buy for. You’ve done the usual smellies, chocolates, socks year after year and it’s really time to find something a bit different – something which will bring forth a ‘just what I always wanted’ response.

Which is where Elephant Dung stationery comes in………….

Cards, paper, notelets, pen pots and more all made from, believe it or not, elephant poo! Now there’s a novel gift idea.

On Wednesday 3^rd December, the Aztec Spa is hosting a Christmas Shopping Evening. This is just the place to find some fabulous gifts, including said elephant dung stationery from Green Elephant. If you are an Elemis lover (or know someone who is!) it is definitely worth a visit for the range of Elemis goodies on offer, including their gorgeous gift packs, with the added bonus of an Aztec Spa treatment voucher if you spend over £50.

Other treats include OPI nail polishes from only £9.15 and Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-up which is being hailed as the next big thing in beauty (by those in the know!). There will be stunning contemporary jewellery from Gemme de Joanne and beautiful lingerie from Foxy Lingerie as well as Phoenix Trading with unusual cards and wrapping paper.

If you are still stuck for ideas then the perfect answer is a TLH Gift Voucher which can be in the Aztec Spa, Bistro or on just about anything else which may take your fancy at TLH!

With mulled wine and mince pies on offer, it will be a great evening to get you in the festive mood. And if you happen to be a member of the Aztec Club you’ll get 10% off when you show your membership card*. No need to book, just come along to the Aztec Bistro from 5.00pm on Wednesday 3^rd December.

*except Elemis gift packs

Christmas Gift Crisis?! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

My Best Christmas Present – Christmas Lunch at TLH

Julia — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:20:17 +0000

My partner asked me what I would like for Christmas the other day, so at the top of my list I put “going out for Christmas lunch”. Honestly I can’t think of a nicer treat than to be able to choose from a menu selection that I haven’t had to plan, shop for or cook. And then not have to wash up – bliss! That has to be a seriously top-notch bit of self-indulgence. So we’ve booked to go to the Aztec Bistro with our friends who are coming up from Cornwall to stay with us.

The Aztec Bistro – at TLH Leisure Resort – has been open for just over a year, and we’ve had some great evening meals there. I’ve taken my Mum in for a couple of lunchtime snacks too, including a lunchtime spa special they do, which includes a mini spa treatment and a light lunch in the Bistro for just £20. Anyway, because we’ve always enjoyed it so much we’ve decided to go there for Christmas Day. The menu sounds really tasty, and I just love the unusual atmosphere created by the Aztec surroundings – the decor makes you feel special but without being as formal as a hotel restaurant, and the staff are really friendly.

We could have chosen to go the the Toorak Hotel as they are doing Christmas lunches too, but the Bistro just has the edge for me – and it is my Christmas present after all! Why don’t you treat yourself and give them a call on 01803 400145.

My Best Christmas Present – Christmas Lunch at TLH is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog