Hotels

Clad for Christmas

Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, to make 'grand entrance' to the season:

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

The Christmas breeze will sweep into the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya premises surrounded by colonial heritage and festivity bringing in the joys of the season in an innovative manner. A host of events and traditional favourites will take over the hotel, adorned by cultural and stunning décor by Interior Design expert Andre Estefan and team.

From the age-old fire places to the archers, pillars and columns, the Grand Hotel, had been in fact a setting of historic value and beauty.

The former residence of Governor Sir Edward Barnes for 20 years, the hotel is located in the picture postcard setting of England, just within reach of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. Situated 170 km East of Colombo in the Central hills the hotel comprises 156 guest rooms and suites featuring three presidential suites and three garden view suites. All the rooms are equipped with modern amenities with 65 of them offering a view of the Golf Club.

The Christmassy atmosphere takes over your senses even before you come within the sight of the hotel. A row of flags and small Christmas trees decorate either side of the pathway of the hotel. Visitors will be greeted by the sight of a 16 foot Christmas tree at the hotel entrance. Red and green hues which are synonymous with the season will no doubt come to play along with gold which will make up the theme colours of Grand Hotel's Christmas décor.

The tree lighting ceremony will be held on December 13 to start off the celebrations followed up by a get together for the less fortunate children which had been a part of the hotel's custom for continuous years. More then 50 children from nearby orphanages are expected to take part in the fun filled event which promises to keep them entertained.

"We cannot promise our visitors a white Christmas so the next best thing we can offer them is a cool Christmas set in the hill station enveloped with the misty climate in Nuwara Eliya. The group took a bold step in refurbishing the hotel and after May. Now we wish to offer our visitors the perfect getaway for the festive season," Managing Director Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company PLC Gerard Ondaatjie said.

He also said that hotels need to gear up for the season for it is this final season for festivities in the year which boosts the Sri Lankan hotel industry. With terrorism eliminated from the island more tourists are entering the country.

"The leisure industry had always been a peace sensitive industry. We would be able to reap the results if we plan and get ready to give the best of what we have to offer to them," he said.

Many surprises will be in store for those who will be spending their Christmas at the Grand Hotel. Christmas wreaths decked with poinsettias and holly will enhance the festive atmosphere while soothing tunes will be played in the backdrop. Special food and beverage promotions will begin from December 13 till New Year. Carol singing will commence from December 18 to 23 bringing the guests 'Carols by the Log'.

The choristers are from the local church choirs and guests can join in as some of the all time favourites will be sung each evening.

The 'Grand Kiddies Party', a much looked forward event in the calendar, will be held at the Governors' lawn on December 19 from 3 p.m. while the staff of the hotel will treat the guests an evening of harmonious tunes as they served a mouthwatering dinner where diners can pick their choice from a variety of dishes from different countries along with the traditional Christmas turkey, cranberry sauce and Christmas pudding topped with brandy butter.

Apart from the feast there will also be competitions, games and a table draw, room draw, hamper draw and the arrival of Santa Clause towards midnight. The festive atmosphere will be kept alive till the dawn of the Christmas, continuing till Boxing Day and well onto the New Year's Eve where a dinner dance will take to the floor with a variety of luscious eatables on the side. The entertainment line up will also include spot dance, baila competition and selecting the 'Grand Queen'.

Elaborating on the new look of the hotel in time for Christmas Grand Hotel General Manager Palaka Perera said that it is the first time that a professional decorator had been at work at the hotel for the end of the year celebrations.

"Everything from the entrance of the hotel to your bedroom will be given a festive touch. We are spending a substantial amount on the décor and wish to give all those who visit the hotel a picture of the best way to celebrate the event with the spirit of the season. Each room will come along with a Christmas cake and a stuffed Christmas stocking," he also noted adding that the lawn will be illuminated after dusk for those who wish to take a night stroll around the hotel's spacious garden.

Beaujolais unveiled at Mount Lavinia

Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks then officially released last Thursday. Beaujolais is the 'fun' wine on Mount Lavinia Hotel's wine drinker's lists.

"It's not too heavy, it's very fruity, and it's very approachable even for non drinkers. It's the only red wine that actually benefits from being served slightly chilled (this seems to accentuate the fruitiness in the wine", Mount Lavinia GM Anura Dewapura said.

Yet good Beaujolais is still complex enough to hold interest.

Best of all, there is a quaint requirement by French Law that all Beaujolais grapes are picked by hand.

The hotel celebrates the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 with a night of Beaujolais Passions with French culinary extraordinaire and indeed re-creating the French ceremony in the heart of Colombo.

The frenzy the Beaujolais Nouveau's arrival generates is almost as high as the build up for a major award show.

Hence, the hotel will feature French culinary delicacies, and live music. Dewapura further added that guests will not only be able to taste the Beaujolais Nouveau 2009, but also explore many other wines, sample great food, dance, have fun, and enjoy what Mount Lavinia Hotel loves to boast wine, food and ambiance.

A variety of dishes ranging from Les escargots de la region( Burgundy Snails with melted butter spiced with garlic), La Darne De Seer la facon du rhone(Cutlet of Seer, white grapes, fresh cream, shallots, white wine garnished with fresh asparagus), Les fillets de sole au Beaujolais(lemon sole fillets cooked in white Beaujolais and cream and shallots mushrooms, crayfish and quenelle of pike) and desserts like la poire au vin de Beaujolais(fresh pear cooked in syrup and beaujolais) and much more will be yours to fancy and it indeed calls for celebration this week with wine and great food all available from today to the 28 at the Governor's restaurant.

Cinnamon Lakeside shines at World Spice Food festival

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo shone at the recently concluded World Spice Food Festival 2009 when they were adjudged champions in two categories of competitions for Best Theme Stall and Best Spiced Ice Cream from all 18 hotels and restaurants participating in the festival.

The hotel, which offered Singaporean food as part of the festival, was outstanding at the Food Village held at Galle Face Green from 6-8 November. The façade of the Cinnamon Lakeside stall was colourful and detailed with a dragon as its focal point. It was designed by the highly talented kitchen artists of the hotel and executed with the help of a team from the engineering and garden sections.

The team comprised Chaminda Paranagama, W. B. Prasad Buddika, Nalaka Roshantha, H. S. Boniface Fernando, Sunil Kalupahana, I. G. Krishantha, D. Rohan and I. H. D. Dayarathna.

Meanwhile, the award-winning best spiced ice cream concoction had Elephant House Vanilla Dream ice cream as its base combined with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg. This unique ice cream, which was also exquisitely presented, was declared 'flavourful' by the team of judges from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority who visited the hotels and restaurants participating in the competition. The team behind the successful spiced ice cream was H. S. J. Wijesinghe, A. G. Lakshman De Silva, Cyril Perera, G. A. K. N. Kumarasinghe, Nuwan Thusitha and Udesh Indika.

Seasonal cheer and joyous atmosphere

Holiday Foods from across the globe, traditions and family-oriented activities only gets more exciting when the holiday season gets near at the Mount Lavinia Hotel

The time has come to escape the pace of the holiday season and celebrate December at Mount Lavinia Hotel in a relaxed, tropical style. The incomparable location, around the world food, Gospel Sunday brunch and convenient access makes the Mount Lavinia Hotel a favorite destination.

But the Mount Lavinia Hotel takes on a special luster in December, with traditional holiday decorations that is highlighted with turquoise and silver and a program of uniqueness like celebrations on St Lucia's Day and St Nicholas'Day, festive refreshments and entertaining activities designed to take away the stress of the holidays and leave one with only the Spirit of the Holidays.

"Our theme this year is highlighting the worldly delights celebrated at Christmas. The Governor's Restaurant will feature from the 1st to the 24th food synonymous to countries particularly consumed at Christmas so you could taste the same", Anura Dewapura said.

The festive sounds of holiday carolers of Voice Print, St. Thomas College Choir and the Wisemen Choir will fill the night air as they tour the hotel and highlight special nights with their voices. A relaxing way to unwind in the afternoon is by the Terrace with Gospel Jazz Sunday Brunch with Voice Print, Jags Quartet and indeed Jerome Speldewinde that is set to captivate you. Gluh wine and Saffron Buns will be served at the Governor's Rooftop on St Lucia's Day, one of Mount Lavinia Hotel's signature venues.

Haj at the Galadari

The Sheherezade Arabic Restaurant of the Galadari Hotel will be celebrating the Haj Festival by organizing an Arabic Theme Buffet on November 28 November for Dinner.

This family concept buffet will consist of dishes from the Arabian countries with a spread of more than 25 items including hot and cold Arabic mezzas such as Hammous, Thabouli, Muthable, Kippie, Falafil and the main dishes will consist of Ozzie Rice, Shish thahouk, Kofta Kebabs, Lamb Tajine, Shawarma and. Desserts will consist of Arabic Honey Cake, Mahalabiya, Omali, Basubusa, Turkey Bread, Bakalawa and more.

Special Eid cakes will be available at the Café 64 from the 26 onwards and special orders for takeaway Sahan Buriyani (chicken & mutton), Sahan Nasi Goreng including of desserts will be accepted for the Eid festival.

The Taj Samudra hotel got into action for the Christmas season with their traditional Christmas cake mixing event recently. Here the Chefs make preparations with special ingredients to ensure the final product becomes a connoisseurs delight. Picture by Ruwan de Silva

Mixing of the traditional Christmas cake took place at a colourful ceremony held at Fingara Club, Boralesgamuwa amidst a host of distinguished guests. In the picture mixing the cake are General Manager, Fingara Club, R.P. Pushpakumara, chef Meththa Ekanayake, Food and Beverage Manger Roy Bertand and the kitchen brigade.