'Heartwarming' Christmas advert for Derbyshire's Wildes Hotel captures 'family, friendship and the celebration of togetherness'
A hotel in Derbyshire has launched its first Christmas video – with the boss overjoyed by the response from viewers.
Marc Wildes, group managing director of Wildes Hotel, Clowne said: “We’ve had an amazing reaction. People have told us that it’s beaten the John Lewis ad, they say it’s very heartwarming.”
Titled The Snow Globe, the video follows a family on a magical journey to the hotel. On arrival, the grandfather spots a snow globe and remarks: “We can buy that for the little one next year”.
Fast forward one year and the family returns to Wildes Hotel, now with a baby in tow. The grandfather buys the snow globe he admired the previous year and asks Santa to present it to his precious grandson.
Marc said: “Our new Christmas advert beautifully captures the essence of what Wildes Hotel stands for – family, friendship, and the celebration of togetherness. It showcases the special moments that can only be created when loved ones come together in a place that feels like home.
"We are dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience for our guests filled with festive cheer, delightful cuisine, and heartwarming events for all ages.
"People come to us at Christmas because we are a family and we want to welcome families into our hotel."
Television adverts promoting big-name retailers inspired Marc. He said: “I love the Christmas adverts that come out from John Lewis and Marks and Spencer and thought I’ll have a pop at it and see if I can do one too."
The storyline was a collaboration between Marc and Jack Donohoe, managing director of Jack Fox Productions, who shot the video. Professional actors were cast for the advert which was filmed at the hotel in one day during a 15-hour time frame.
Is the Wildes Hotel Christmas video likely to become a tradition? Marc said: “It’s very expensive, that advert cost £15,000. I've now got a taste for it so who knows what the connection might bring?”