Review: Seal Bay Resorts, Selsey, Christmas Village and luxury lodge

We plunged into the warmth, and lay back and soaked in the bubbling waters, under the fairy lights as dark started to creep in. 

The hot tub's changing lights added to the excitement, giving a party feel to the festive air. 

Forget rushing about getting ready for Christmas, this truly was a decadent way to end a busy day.

There's so much to do at this time of year. It can be easy to be swept up in it all - and there's not much opportunity to take 15 minutes and relax. 

Family diaries are jam-packed with events, from panto trips to Christmas shows, visiting friends and family, ice skating, or enjoying any one of a million different festive-themed activities, it can be hard to find the time to fit everything in. 

We checked into Winter Wonderland at Seal Bay's Resort for the weekend to make the most of its Christmas Village. 

Everything you could possibly want from Christmas could be found on the park, and we even got the added bonus of spending some fun time together as a family. 

The park, in Selsey, is huge, and it has every type of accommodation on offer. There are caravans, luxury lodges, beach pads and even luxury houses to choose from. 

We stayed in a luxury lodge - which comes with everything a family could want or need. 

Every little detail is taken care of, there's a full-size bath and a separate shower, two rooms with a large double bed in the master bedroom and two sets of bunks in the second, a kitchen equipped with all mod cons, and even a utility room with a washing machine. 

The living room is designed for a family to relax in, with an internet-connected TV and fire. 

But the inside, as nice and tastefully decorated as it is, is not the best part of this lodge, for it comes with its own garden complete with a patio, terrace, hammock, pizza oven and the best bit - a bubbling hot tub. 

A hot tub under the stars is just what was needed to combat the festive frenzy.

Plus the resort itself is huge, with lots of entertainment on offer. 

It's set in the countryside, surrounded by wooded walks, but also stretches down to the seaside. 

At the pebbly beach, there's a big entertainment complex with a swimming pool that could keep anyone entertained - from slides to a toddler splash area, rapids, bubbles, a proper swimming pool for the more serious and a fun lagoon area for the families - it's got the lot. 

There's a huge arcade, plenty of food and drink options including a fab Millie's Cookies, a soft play area and outside space to enjoy the beach - bracing as it may be in December. 

Over at the resort's other complex - White Horse - throughout December, there's a huge array of festive treats on offer. 

There's a Christmas market, complete with German sausages and mulled win, igloo-type seating areas, a real ice skating rink, festive pottery painting in the pottery studio, fun fairground stalls and an excellent grotto with Santa and his elves. 

This is on top of the usual activities, such as the soft play area, brilliant bowling alley and arcade. 

There are also roast turkey diners on offer in the bar/restaurant, with a carvery on Sundays, and special plates throughout the week, including a very festive burger that's served with roast potatoes and gravy. 

But one of the best parts about Seal Bay is its entertainment crew. They are wonderfully professional and the show bar is one of the best that can be found on a UK holiday park. 

During December, there are showings of the classic panto, Aladdin! running most days, twice a day. 

It's a professional show, with great characters, a beautiful brilliantly bright set and some excellent choreography and outrageously overly-festive outfits. 

There are laughs for all in this feast of the senses. 

Not only that but in the evening there's a joyfully energetic Rudolf's Tots Rave Around for the kids, followed by the most festive Christmas show that's possibly ever been produced. 

Sit back and be dazzled as the crew take you on a whistle-stop tour of every popular Christmas hit - I am sure we will all be humming Christmas songs from the show for weeks to come. 

Since Cove UK acquired Bunn Leisure in August 2019 this is the second year running it has held a Christmas event at the resort, and the public are welcome to visit for the day too. 

General manager Jonny Green said they really wanted to spread the Christmas spirit - and with twinkling fairy lights, festive fun and family events, it's certainly doing that. 

If you're looking for a slice of cheer, then it's worth a visit, and if you want to relax too, the luxury lodges make for a great winter break. 

For more go to cove.co.uk/sealbayresort/christmas-at-seal-bay/