Yuletide cheers and treats

We understand the toll it takes to prepare food and tidy up the home for Christmas. In the same vein, we understand the preference for a staycation and the subsequent hunt for the perfect place to make your holiday celebration even more festive.

Indeed, many of us just want to take a breather from all the hustle and bustle, be treated like royals for once and spend quality time with our loved ones in bliss. Knowing this sentiment, hotels have stepped up to the plate. They now offer packages for the season that will give you that holiday cheer.

A MEMORABLE STAY AT ARUGA

If you are on the lookout for a sophisticated way to spend Christmas, you should stay at Aruga by Rockwell in Makati City. It can provide the perfect mise-en-scène for the happiest time of the year.

Aruga by Rockwell has holiday packages that are sure to offer guests a luxurious debrief from check-in to check-out, and are available for booking until Jan. 12. These packages will fit the needs of families coming together or friends catching up.

Aruga knows that, in the Philippines, there is no better place to talk than in front of good food and company. This is why it offers the Gatherings at Aruga package, perfect for those planning to host intimate celebrations for family, friends, even workmates. Booking Aruga’s well-appointed, spacious suites for those yearend gatherings will lend luxe to the fellowship. The package is perfectly complemented with P5,000 worth of dining credits from Aruga Café by Mesclun and a wine-and-cheese platter from Säntis Delicatessen.

With the Yuletide Getaway package, meanwhile, guests can enjoy a festive staycation with generous Yuletide perks. Greeting guests will be a Santi’s Christmas Basket and Gift Certificates from Marketplace by Rustan’s. There will also be a surprise holiday amenity. If all that isn’t enough, Aruga Café by Mesclun gives a generous 20-percent discount on purchases during one’s stay.

Guests who want more out of their stay, specifically those who have kids and kids-at-heart in their bunch, can get an upgrade with Aruga’s Holiday Bear-themed Suite. The offering features a decorated suite brimming with Christmas Bears, fun activities and treats that kids will surely enjoy. Other themes are also available: Princess, Racer and Under the Sea.

For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 8818-0000 or email [email protected].

GLOW UP AT SHERATON MANILA

If you want to welcome the coming year all lit, Sheraton Manila may be the place for you.

Sheraton Manila is inviting guests to dance, eat and glow up for the coming of the new decade with “Glow Up! A New Year’s Eve Countdown Party.” In this neon-themed New Year’s Eve party to be staged in the Sheraton Ballroom, attendees can quite literally begin a bright and colorful year.

A first-of-its-kind event for Sheraton Manila, the hotel is pulling out all the stops to make the party epic. It promises a night of lustrous lights, upbeat music and sumptuous spread. The experience can be had for P2,388 only.

For that price, beginning at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, guests gain access to the best food and beverages—from the tapas buffet, two drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)—and, well, lots of party favors. Those are just the things people will need to raise the good feeling as they prepare to reign in year 2020.

When the clock finally hits 12, each guest will have a glass of Moet et Chandon to toast the new year in class. Making the night more memorable will be world-class entertainment: the Buganda Dancers for an enthralling lights performance, as well as Joaquin Garcia and JV Decena for stellar song numbers.

If you want something to do before the party starts, why don’t you indulge yourself in the buffet at S Kitchen? For P3,988, you can have the best last meal for 2019 and then get access to the Glow Up party afterwards.

For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79021800 or visit their social media pages @sheratonmanila on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

GOLDEN NEW YEAR’S EVE AT OKADA

A property-wide celebration will take over Okada Manila with “NYE Countdown 2020: New Year’s Eve Gold Rush.”

With the countdown, the iconic ultra-luxury integrated resort is saying: “Let’s paint it all gold.” And it is doing exactly that with the help of some of the most sought-after stars from here and abroad.

Among those stars is KZ Tandingan, who was also featured at the SEA Games opening ceremonies. The singer and rapper will be one of the headliners of “The 24 Karat Countdown: An Extraordinary Concert,” which will be held at Okada Manila’s Grand Ballroom. Joining her will be The Company, Liezel Garcia, Eric Santos, Angeline Quinto, Jayson Dee, and the Okada Manila Entertainment Group.

The ultimate party of the year will be Cove Manila All Stars. Grammy Award-winning artist CeeLo Green will be kicking off the party. DJ Solall, DJ Kaka, DJ Sesco, DJ Migs Santillan and DJ Marc Marasigan will be spinning, too.

At the Fountain Stage, guests will be hearing “Budakhel”—the trio of Bugoy Drillon, Daryl Ong and Michael Pangilinan. Spectators will also witness a grand fireworks display, a beam light show and more live music. The Crystal Corridor meanwhile will host the NYE Golden Parade led by the Okada Manila Entertainment Group. Street performers and live bands will make the parade even grander.

Visit okadamnl.ph/NYE2020 for updates.

NO-FRILLS SEASON AT RICHMONDE

For those who would like to consider a staycation that provides seamless access to the vibrant metro, Eastwood Richmonde may be the perfect fit—and it’s giving out no-frills offers for those who might be interested.

Take Richmonde’s No-Frills Christmas Rates, available only on Dec. 24 and 25, which start at P7,350, inclusive of breakfast buffet for two. On Dec. 31, another offer is open for those who want to welcome the next decade in style: the New Year’s Eve Room Packages. Starting at P9,100, guests afford a no-frills stay; starting at P11,600, they will also get two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party and a buffet brunch for two. Extended holiday rates are also available for those who plan to stay from Jan. 1 to 7. Rates start at P3,750, inclusive of a breakfast buffet for two.

Richmonde has also got you covered on the Christmas food fix. When you make a table reservation, you get cuisines specially prepared by Executive Chef Victor Barangan and his team. Scarf down on the items at the steak and crab buffet at Eastwood Café+Bar on Christmas Eve. Other mouthwatering delicacies complement the lavish surf and turf banquet. The Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet is priced at P1,250.

The Eastwood Café+Bar will also be open for the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party which will begin at 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. For only P1,550, you can revel with good food and drinks, and retro music performed live by the Big Bash Band. A New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet will meanwhile be open for P1,250 at the Grand Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All buffet offers are free-of-charge for children 5 years old and below, while children 6 to 12 years old get a 50-percent discount.

For inquiries and reservations, call +632 8570-7777 / +63 917 531 6867 or email [email protected]. Book online at www.eastwoodichmondehotel.com.ph and get instant confirmation. For table reservations, call +63 917 821 0333 or email [email protected].