Tyrannical manger Barry's cardiac condition forces him to hand over the old-fashioned Riviera hotel at Christmastime to his ever-humbled assistant Ashley Dodds, who seizes his changes to try out changes but is reported on by grim ancient bellboy Glen. Prospective Anglican bishop Miles, informed by archdeacon Godfrey clerical his affair with lover Vanessa is going public, fails to appease unfit wife Diane. An inconsolable widower checked in with adult ever-single son Tim to finally come scatter mother's ashes but they face an alternative of her generation. grumpy retired cop Maurice Hunt and wife Rita are stood-up by the guests to his sixtieth birthday. Chef Ellis's bluff to resign is called but cooking with amateur staff he frowned on proves a greater disaster then a candle march over the frozen pond, but sympathies have shifted in Ashley's favor.
Christmas at the Riviera
The assistant manager of a seaside hotel is left to run the building over the Christmas period.
