Festive activities around the island's hotels

As you scavenge the area for extraordinary ways to spend the holiday, many seem to miss the carefully curated festivities by hotels in the country.

The following is a look into  the festivities being carried out at a variety of hotels around the country.

Colombo Hilton -

Coming down all the way from the North Pole... Santa Claus has booked a room at the Hilton Colombo!
 Live Holiday Music will be accompanied with gifts from Santa in the Lobby on December 25 from
11 am to 2.30 pm & 7 pm to 9.30 pm
* Until December 29 from 8 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and until Midnight on Friday &
Saturday pint sized guests can meet the man of the hour himself. Santa Claus will take a couple
of hours off his busy schedule to take photographs with kids and listen to their letters. Kids will
be allowed to drop off their letters to Santa’s P.O box at Santa’s Toy Shop! The most creative
letter will win an X-BOX or a pair of VR Glasses/GO PRO.

• Enjoy the live entertainment nightly at L.A.B (Lounge & Bar). From Sunday to Thursday - 9 pm to 1 am and until 2 am on Friday & Saturday. The artists lineup this Christmas include; Mirage on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, In-Focus on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and Kevin Almeida on Sundays.
• December 25: A highlight of the season will be the angels in song at the L.A.B. (Lounge & Bar). With a month long of sweet melodies at the Hilton Colombo lobby guests can seek out the “Friends of Ishan De Lanerolle” who will be performing at the L.A.B from 8 pm to 8.45 pm.
• Until December 29:  From 8 am to 10 pm, Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday Hilton Colombo will host Christmas treats at the retail store the “Merry Display”.  Shoppers can skim through an extensive list of Christmas goodies whilst also being able to create their own hamper with a selection of gourmet food items. (Pre-orders will be undertaken.)
• Until December 30: Diners at Graze Kitchen, Curry leaf and Il Ponte will be in for a pleasant surprise as they stand a chance to win a family trip to Legoland, Malaysia. (Offer includes air tickets, accommodation and Legoland entrance tickets for a family of three (conditions apply)
• Until December 30: Join Hilton for a Festive Afternoon Tea at the L.A.B from 3 pm to 6 pm. A revamp to the classic Hilton afternoon tea, diners can enjoy an amalgamation of sweet and savory treats with a festive twist with the ‘High Tea Platter for Two’ at Rs. 3,500 (Nett) for two.

For more information Contact Hilton on 2492492/ 2544 644/2437 177 or e-mail them at colombo@hilton.com

The Grand Hotel – Nuwara Eliya

A luxury hotel in the heart of Nuwara Eliya built with the design vision of an Elizabethean- era manor is celebrating Christmas in ode to its moniker. With a selection of activities this Christmas that can only be described as “Grand”- this 125 year old castle is cherishing the magical moments of Christmas with their festivities.

• December 24: “A Night in Rome” – A majestic Christmas Eve buffet spread out to fill patrons with an appetizing start to the Christmas cause When in Rome…
• December 25: “Champagne Breakfast and Christmas Lunch” – A Grand breakfast followed by a gala Luncheon of an international buffet
• December 26 to 30:  “Exciting Theme Nights” – The Grand Hotels Barnes Hall will host a myriad of themed dinner events from Cricketers Night, Sri Lankan Night, Surf & Turf Night and Tex Mex Night!
• December 31: “The Garage Welcomes 2018” – A “Grand” New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance will take place at the “The Garage” of the Grand Castle to herald in marvelous year ahead.

For more information be sure to check out the hotels Facebook page.

Amari - Galle

“Escape to the Beach this Christmas” echoes the management of Amari Galle! One of the country’s latest hotel ventures also joins in amongst the seasonal greetings to host a unique Amari Galle-eque festive celebration.

• December 24: Welcoming patrons to a scrumptious traditional seasonal spread Amari Galle is giving their own twist to your feast including a myriad selection of “Willy Wonka” themed delights as you “unwrap an unforgettable Christmas” the management states. Taking place from 7 pm onwards the feast will cost Rs. 9000 (nett).
• December 25: With a selection of favorite from an international spectrum to devour, Amari Galle invites guests to feast their senses this Christmas. Overlooking a tranquil beachfront guests can enjoy festive delicacies from around the globe.
• December 31: “Carnival De Galle” – With an arrangement of “fun, food and games” from 7 pm onwards at Rs. 10,000 per person (net) Amari Galle is bringing out the big guns to herald in the New Year. Celebrating with an assortment of internationally inspired market style live cooking stations and special performances by Jerome Speldewinde and a guest DJ and fun filled activities for kids of all ages Amari Galle will herald in the New Year with style and pizazz.
• Until January 2: Rejuvenate yourself for the New Year with a holistic wellness week courtesy Amari Galle! Stay true to those healthy resolutions and start the year with a fresh mind and soul. For more information contact the Amari Host on 076 414 3555 or +94 91 2030500 to reserve your session.

For more information check out their Facebook page and for reservations call + 94 91 203 0500.

The Grand Kandyan Hotel

The 5 star luxury hotel will herald in the Christmas season among their 360 degree view of the mountain ranges of the hill capital. Already having finished a range of activities like the Christmas cookery demonstration, high tea and Christmas carols - the Grand Kandyan has still a list of items to herald in the season.

• December 24: “Christmas Eve” a dinner to be held in the Royal Peacock Ballroom from 8 pm to 11 pm. Priced at Rs. 3, 500 per person (Nett). The event will feature a live band and the arrival of Santa with prizes and surprises galore!
• December 25: “Traditional Christmas Lunch” will be held at the Tamarind Restaurant from 12.30 pm to 3 pm. Priced at Rs. 2,750 per person (Nett)
• December 25: Will host a “Christmas Dinner” filled with some mouthwatering festive delicacies at the Tamarind restaurant from 7 pm to 10.30 pm priced at Rs. 2,900 per person (net)
• December 25 – January 02: Filled with Christmas delicacies the hotels “Christmas Goodie Shop” will be open to the public until January 02, 2018. Orders can be placed to 0812030400

For more information contact Mohan on 0757582436/ 0812030400

Ozo Hotel Kandy

This Christmas the chefs at Ozo Kandy are indulging patrons with a range of cuisine and delectable delights to tickle taste buds and to leave them hungry for Christmas.

• December 24: Ozo Kandy welcome guests to “swirl and savor delightful dishes” such as their Cognac flamed lobster Bisque with prawn dumplings accompanied by either Smoked turkey leg with raspberry salsa or even their traditional roast turkey with stuffing & cranberry gravy accompanied with delectable Christmas delights like their Christmas croque-en-bouche or a raspberry  yule log.
• December 25: The hotels again offers a range of fusions to commemorate a memorable Christmas day from dishes like their Saffron infused seafood chowder, Smoked duck leg with peach & berry, Batter Fried Crab with Chili Sauce to even their Coconut crumbed reef fish with spicy tartar sauce and top it with the delightful Mango white chocolate bavarois.
• December 31: To end last night of 2017 the chefs at Ozo Kandy will whip up yet another ambitious range of delectable dishes from International cuisines.  Before the dawn of the new year, end 2017 on a sweet note with their must try dessert range from the Hazel nut & milk chocolate mousse , Cherry clafouti, Linzer tort or a Chocolate brownie

For more information contact Ozo Kandy’s festive manager on 0768211562 for or log onto www.ozohotels.com.

Governor’s Mansion – Nuwara Eliya

Staying true to their roots this Colonial inspired luxury setting is idyllic for a relaxing holiday. The Govenor’s Mansion Boutique and Tea Estate Hotel will embrace the cool climate of chilly Nuwara Eliya and will grant guests a homely Christmas celebration.

Not open to the public the Mansion is currently fully booked. However, what we feel is worth mentioning about this establishment is that all 14 rooms have a built in fire place – staying true to their post British roots.

The management sets a tumbler of milk and cookies ready for Santa next to each rooms fire place. With live music until the New Year, delectable dishes and even the arrival of old St. Nick into the establishment the hotel embraces the festive occasion with staff dressed in Christmas hats, tumblers of mulled wine, Traditional turkey trimmings and many more Christmassy meats with an infusion of “everything you would have in the western world” to make it a true colonial Christmas experience for guests.