Christmas treats from luxury hotels

Instead of being a season of merriment, Christmas is increasingly becoming a season of exhaustion and stress. The pressures of entertaining, the anxieties of gift-giving, not to mention mind-numbing traffic all contribute to making the Holidays much less meaningful and fun.

There are some places and institutions though that offer relief and help to turn Christmas into the joyous season that it should be. Check out the offerings of these luxury hotels:

Marriott Hotel Manila

At Marriott Hotel Manila (988-9999), the Smoked Bone-in Ham (P4,999) comes with a kilo of herb roasted baby potatoes, duo of creamy potato salad, rosemary glazed carrots, buttered mixed vegetables like young corn, green bean, mushrooms and cauliflower; and sauce options of mushroom gravy or pineapple. Plus, two delectable pies with flavors of pumpkin and apple.

Meanwhile, the Whole Roasted Turkey (P5,999) includes a kilo of garlic mushroom potatoes, rosemary glazed carrots, brussel sprouts and pancetta, duo of creamy potato salad. It also has pies with flavors of pumpkin and pie.

For quick Christmas gift ideas, check out the offerings of the Marriott Café: German Stollen Bread (P500), Dark Fruitcake (P500), and Pan De Coco (P200/6pcs). There’s also Holiday Cookies Box (P340), Gingerbread Man (P65) or a Gingerbread Chalet (P780). Fancy items are up for grabs to give or to greed like Macaron Box of 24 (P1000), Chocolate Christmas Tree (P330), Big Belly Chocolate Santa (P500), Chocolate Angel (P320), and Chocolate St. Nicholas (P500).

For bigger gifts for bosses or in-laws, Marriott Manila also offers Christmas hampers with a choice of 3 Big Belly Santa-carved chocolates (P800) or 2 Big Belly Santa carved chocolates and Malagos chocolates from Davao (P750). Then there are the luxury hampers. The Mini Hamper in Leather Box (P2,000) which includes two dozen holiday cookies, two huge gingerbread man, chocolates Santa in sleigh, stollen bread and a spiced apple gourmet jam.

The Classic Hamper (P3,999) meanwhile has pumpkin seed bread, dark fruit cake, a gourmet jam, can of Malagos chocolates, milk chocolate almond Christmas tree, 6 pieces oversized cookies, milk and white chocolate angel, gingerbread man and a bottle of Benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon red wine.

Finally, if you just want to go all out and celebrate Christmas with unlimited food, the hotel offers its buffet spread at Marriott Café on all Sundays of December for P2,600 (11:30 a.m. to 3pm).On Christmas Day, they have an exceptional Christmas Eve dinner buffet for P2950 (6pm to 10:30 p.m.), Noche Buena Buffet for P1,600 (11:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.), and Christmas Brunch buffet for P2,950 (11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).

Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Sofitel (832-6988) offers Santa’s Goodies by Spiral 2 Go, a gift set that takes the pressure off gift-giving. Choose from Christmas Luxe (P41,000), Spiral Signature (P7,200), Season Classic (P5,900), Local Artisan (P5,050), Kiddie Hamper (P2,800), and Wine Hamper (P12,500).

From November 22, 2016 to January 6, 2017, Sofitel’s lobby is turned into a bustling and colorful Christmas market or Le Marché de Noël. There are special offerings of traditional European Christmas markets, including aromatic mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, local pastries, crêpes and Christmas candy as well as Christmas decors, kids toys, books and unique souvenirs. Even Santa Claus is expected to stop by to greet little Princes and Princesses a Merry Christmas.

The Sofitel will also play host to the Virlanie Choir, Sisters of Mary Boystown Choir and Our Lady of Sorrows Grand Choir as they sing beautiful renditions of classic Christmas songs. Catch their enchanting performances at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel lobby from December 16 - 24, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, as part of the fairy tale theme of Sofitel, an engaging story teller will be at Spiral’s La Veranda during December 4, 11, 18 and 25 Sunday brunch, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. to share enchanting tales of Christmas to children.

Kids will have an eventful holiday in store with a visit from Santa Claus who hops off his sleigh on the December 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on December 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

December 24th Christmas Eve Dinner includes a live performance of Manila String Machine is set at (P5,300) per person; available from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., while the Christmas Day Brunch with a live performance of Manila String Machine is set at P4,750 per person; available from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m..

Over at Sunset Bar, there will be a shadow theater performance for kids on December 3, 10, 17 and 24th, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

December 24th Christmas Eve dinner with live performance of Anne Ramsey and band set at P3,250 per person, while December 25th Christmas Day dinner with live performance of Savvy Band is set at P2,720 per person. Dinner is available from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m..

You can also choose to spend Christmas by the Fireplace at Le Bar with an intimate dinner set featuring holiday culinary offerings, a Christmas Gueridon and a sinful variety of desserts. Le Bar’s Festive Offering is set at P2,500 per person.

Crimson Hotel Filinvest Manila

For those living in the South, Crimson Hotel (863-2222) showcases its Crimson Wonderland, featuring a giant Christmas tree, a Christmas village, nutcracker art pieces by artist Jevie Pagpaguitan.

There are also four lifesize Christmas houses featuring premium gift items for your loved ones like Christmas Log Cake (P628), Festivity Fruitcake (P448), Stollen Bread (P275), Holiday Cookies (P248), and a Christmas Hamper (P2,998).

Visitors can also purchase Lego collectible toys, educational kiddie books and coin bank houses made by 12-year-old Edmar Punzalan, whose inspiring story has captured the hearts of people after it was widely shared on social media.

For the whole month of December, Crimson’s Lobby Lounge offers Holiday Tea Time, available every day from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For only P611 for two, guests can enjoy a selection of premium flavored teas, cookies, scones, fruitcake, mini chocolate log cake, red velvet cake, smoked turkey sandwich and roasted ham sandwich. They can also sample the hotel’s December’s Cake of the Month – Almond Pistachio Delight, a pistachio almond sponge cake with luscious raspberry mousse for only P1,142.

More than parties and treats, the hotel also is marks the second year of its Christmas CSR campaign in partnership with the Social Service Department of Muntinlupa City. For the whole month of December, a portion of F&B and room accommodation sales will be donated to support various projects geared to build the lives of children from the Social Service Department of Muntinlupa City.

Diamond Hotel

For an instant Christmas feast, call Diamond Hotel (528-3000 ext 1121 or 1118) and order their Lechon de Leche, US Angus Beef Rib-Eye, Roasted Turkey or Homamde Bone-in Leg Ham.

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without sweets, so the hotel also has a decadent assortment of cakes and pastries, including a Supermoist Chocolate Cake, Le Royale, Baked Cheesecake, Coco Mango Cake, Earl Grey Raspberry Cake, Mont Blanc, Minced Pies, Carrot Cake, and Christmas Eclairs, Pralines and Cookies.

Of course, the hotel’s famous macarons and ensaymadas are available for giveaways to loved ones and friends.

The hotel also offers gift certificates for overnight stays, dinner for two at its signature restaurants, as well as Christmas hampers loaded with gourmet indulgences. For full catering services, Diamond Hotel’s chefs can cook on location for Christmas parties and events.

Orders must be placed at least 3 days before day of pick-up and delivery and at least 7 days prior to event for catering service.

New World Makati Hotel

In the middle of the holiday rush in busy Makati, New World Makati Hotel (8116888 local 3387) offers a respite as well as fun Christmas treats. The Miriam College Middle School choir serenades guests on December 14 at 6:30 p.m., while Santa Claus himself makes an appearance on all weekends of December, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 11:30 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m.

For the whole month of December, the hotel’s Café 1228 offers a holiday buffet that includes festive dishes like a honey glazed ham, prime rib, and a selection of mouthwatering desserts. The lunch buffet is at P2099 and P2399 (weekdays/weekends) while the dinner buffet is at P2499.

On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the special buffet (at P2999) includes an Oven Roasted Turkey Stuffed with Chestnuts and Prunes, Roasted Marinated Rib-eye, Whole Native Lechon and Gingerbread desserts.

If you’re craving traditional Filipino holiday delicacies like puto bumbong, bibingka, maja blanca and cassava cake, the Lounge offers all these during high tea from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at P695 per person.

Finally, the hotel offers its own Christmas basket for a luxurious touch to gift-giving. Filled with a selection of pastries, chocolates, and wine, the standard basket is at P6188, but you can personalize it by choosing from a list of items at the hotel’s Shop.

That’s another way to take the stress away and actually feel good this Christmas season. — BM, GMA News

Paul John Caña is a magazine writer and live music geek. Check out his blog manontheotherside.blogspot.com. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @pauljohncana.