Heading out of Colombo for Christmas?
All decked for the season: Poolside Cinnamon Citadel Kandy
From the pretty fairy lights strung through the streets to ornate Christmas trees, Colombo has been ready to welcome Christmas since the end of November. But if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city yet don’t really want to miss out on that once-a-year Christmas fare, we’ve rounded up a few options for you.
At Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle, the celebrations start from Christmas Eve. For Rs. 8000 nett per person (or Rs. 6500 for members of the Galle business community), enjoy a 7-course sit down dinner at Cinnamon Room from 7.30 p.m. to midnight. The DJ, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa will keep the festivities going and there will be fireworks on The Verandah lawn.
On Christmas Day, the special lunch buffet and live entertainment at Cardamom Café will feature all your Christmas favourites and more for Rs. 7000 nett per person. If you’d rather wait until the sun goes down, the Christmas Day international dinner buffet at Cardamom Café is Rs. 5000 nett per head. To keep the holiday spirits flowing, Happy Hour at The Verandah goes on from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with 20% off on all cocktails and beverages. For reservations, contact +94 91 2223744.
For those wanting to explore the Galle Fort, the Amangalla Hotel located within the Fort ramparts is the place to be. On Christmas Eve, there’s a traditional Christmas dinner and the a la carte menu will include a live station of organic roast turkey, homemade butter, Christmas pudding and local favourites. The dinner will be accompanied by Christmas carols with a local choir from Galle Fort, followed by live music by tabla musicians.
On Christmas Day, Amangalla delivers a scrumptious lunch with a slow cooked Christmas turkey with trimmings and a light Christmas pudding. For reservations, contact +94 0912 233 388
For anyone heading up to Negombo to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, Jetwing Sea and Jetwing Lagoon have exciting Christmas Eve Dinners planned. Jetwing Sea offers an elegant sit-down dinner prepared by their own Chef Ranil at Cafe C for Rs. 6000 nett per person, or Rs 3200 for in-house guests. From 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m, be entertained by live music, a visit from Santa Claus followed by a raffle draw and carols.
Jetwing Lagoon’s mouthwatering dinner buffet plus activities and gifts for kids and festive live music is priced at Rs. 4500 nett per person.
Feast on a range of special festive dishes and other surprises at the grand Christmas buffet lunch offered by Jetwing Sea, for Rs. 4250 nett per person from 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. For an earlier start, Jetwing Lagoon offers a delicious brunch buffet and platters from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch is priced at Rs.4500 nett per person.
For reservations at Jetwing Sea, contact: +94 31 4933414, and for reservations at Jetwing Lagoon, contact: +94 770284180
If you wish to spend your Christmas amongst the wild and the stars, Cinnamon Wild Yala has a variety of activities for guests. Christmas Eve starts with a Holy Mass followed by a gala dinner buffet accompanied by live music, raffle draws and a dance party, Santa and his bag of goodies.
For a more cultural experience, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon are all located in heritage-rich areas of the island. If the beaches beckon, head to Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon or Trinco Blu by Cinnamon.
They will be hosting the same events as above for Christmas Eve with a signature theme woven around each resort.
For more information on the Cinnamon resorts, contact +94 11 2161161
FOX Resorts will have you enveloped in the Christmas spirit with style at FOX Jaffna Hotel and FOX Kandy Hotel wth special dinner events for Christmas, with a set menu that includes everything from imported meats and lobster to the traditional Christmas pudding.
The rate for visiting guests is Rs. 10,000 per person nett, while the hotel rate inclusive of the special gala dinner is priced at Rs. 26,000 on half-board basis and Rs. 27,500/- on full-board basis (based on double occupancy).
Happy holidays, no matter where you choose to spend it!