My Top 6 Hotels to Celebrate Christmas in the Metro

My favorite season comes near... exactly 16 days to go before Christmas! Are you all excited to spend Christmas with family or friends? Aside from decorating our house with Christmas ornaments and shopping for some new clothes for the family. I know some of you are preparing or at least have an idea on where to celebrate Christmas. 

Whether Christmas is celebrated the simplest or grandiose way the thought of giving and sharing should always be the main the goal, on why we take time to be with our loved ones. 

The traditional way of celebrating Christmas that we all grew up with is we visit our old folks in the province and be with the whole kin. Filipinos are known for having and spending this time of season with our extended family where we all cook our favorite dishes, or each family are assigned to bring their delicious cooked meals for everyone to share.

In a more modern way a family can result to hotel's where everything for Christmas celebration are being offered. This might be a little pricey that the traditional way but this can spare you with all the time of everything. Time can be spend more catching up with the family.

Here is a list of my research of top 6 hotels to celebrate Christmas in the Metro.

***photo: Sofitel Facebook page

1. Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila 

CHRISTMAS AT SPIRAL

The most interactive dining destination redefines the festive season once again with an unrivalled selection of seasonal culinary offerings spanning its 21 dining ateliers. This Christmas, treat yourself, family and loved ones in a voyage of taste nonpareil as Spiral presents a smorgasbord of offerings featuring traditional turkey with stuffing, Christmas ham, herb crust lamb, beef wellington and a succulent selection of seafood. Marvel at the variety of artisanal cheese at L’Epicerie whilst the renowned Manila String Machine serenades diners through an unforgettable Christmas gathering.

Young VIPs have an eventful holiday in store starting with a visit from Santa who hops off his sleigh on the 24th of December 2016 from 7pm and at 12:30pm on 25th of December – Christmas Day. Activities and animations for the young imagination are treated to a world full of color with fun holiday activities and baking of Christmas cookies care of our young chefs.

• Christmas Eve Dinner is set at Php5,300nett per person; available from 6pm to 11pm.
• Christmas Day Brunch is set at Php4,750nett per person; available from 12pm to 3pm, inclusive of free-flowing champagne.

Please click on the link below to make an online reservation or inquiry: http://bit.ly/ChristmasAtSpiralManila

*** photo: The Peninsula Manila

2. The Peninsula Manila

Festive Dining Feast

Celebrate the Season's festivities with the family over a bountiful feast prepared by The Peninsula Manila's brigade of talented chefs and culinary experts. 

DECEMBER 24

Upper Lobby
Afternoon Tea Buffet
Time: 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Price: PhP 1,650* (adults)
         PhP825* (children under 12)

Escolta
Dinner Buffet 
Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: PhP 3,300* (adults)
         PhP 1,650* (children under 12)
Seatings at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm

DECEMBER 25

Old Manila
Set Lunch and Dinner Menu 
Time: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Price: PhP 4,100* (four-course)

Time: 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Price: PhP 4,900* (five-course)

Escolta
Christmas Day Brunch Buffet
Time: 12:00 nn – 3:00 pm
Price: PhP 3,800* (including unlimited Champagne)
         PhP 3,100* (adults)
         PhP 1,550* (children under 12)

Christmas Day Dinner Buffet
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: P1,976* (adults)
P1,000* (children under 12)

Spices
A la Carte Lunch and Dinner Menu
Time: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
          6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: PhP 1,900* minimum consumption for lunch

Upper Lobby
Afternoon tea buffet
Time: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Price: PhP 1,650* (adults)
 PhP 825*(children under 12) 

***photo: Dusit Thani

3. Dusit Thani Manila
Season’s Special

This Holiday Season, make Dusit a part of your festive plans. Get 20% off* our Season’s Special available from Dec 1, 2016 through Feb 15, 2017 at participating Dusit Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

Stay 2 nights or more to receive our holiday gift of THB1,000 credit** for a rejuvenating spa treatment or sumptuous feast at any one of our in-house restaurants.

For a more rewarding travel experience, sign up for our loyalty guest programme Dusit Gold to enjoy instant rewards and other benefits including dining discounts, late check out and members-only offers.

Privileges:
20% off Dusit Best Available Rates
Stay a minimum of 2 consecutive nights and receive a holiday gift of THB 1000 credit
Dusit Gold members enjoy full Dusit Gold benefits http://www.dusitgold.com/en/memberbenefits with offer.

Terms and Condition:
THB 1000 credit is only applicable for dining or spa charges signed to guest room folio
Unused credit will be forfeited at check out and cannot be exchanged for cash or other services
Offer is subject to availability

***photo: Crowne Plaza
4. Crowne Plaza Manila
No better way to celebrate Christmas than spending time with your loved ones and unwrapping your Christmas presents with them!

Here at Crowne Plaza Manila, Christmas came early as we already have special gifts for our guests:

GIFT 1: Stay overnight at Crowne Plaza Manila inclusive of buffet breakfast for two (2), Christmas Sweet Platter, Kiddie Playpack and two (2) passes to Kidzooona for only:

Php 6,499 nett, overnight stay in a Deluxe Room
Php 7,999 nett, overnight stay in a Club Deluxe Room

GIFT 2: Stay for two (2) nights and enjoy 50% off your rate on the 2nd night*.

GIFT 3: Stay for three (3) nights, enjoy 50% off your rate on the 2nd night* and two (2) FREE Bar 150 cocktails on the 3rd night.

More surprises and great deals await when you call Reservations at 633-7222 or email cpgm.reservations@ihg.com.

Offers are available from December 1 to 31, 2016 (Booking and Stay dates)
*There will be special supplement rates on December 31, 2016

***photo: Century Park Hotel
5. Century Park Hotel Manila

***photo: Pan Pacific Manila

6. Pan Pacific Manila

Retreat from the buzz of the festivities to the welcoming comfort of our well-appointed rooms with our #CHRISTMASTIDES Room Package.

Superior Room starts at Php 6,500 nett
Suite Rooms start at Php 8,850 nett

Inclusions:
- Overnight accommodation with buffet breakfast for two at Pacific Lounge
- Complimentary Noche Buena for two adults (when staying on Dec 24th)
- Pre-dinner cocktails fro two adults
- Complimentary internet access
- Festive turndown treat
- Complimentary access to fitness facilities and swimming pool
- Late check-out up to 3:00 pm on the day of departure (subject to availability)
- Round-the-clock Butler service

Terms and Conditions
- For local residents only.
-General hotel terms and conditions apply.

Promo is valid from 1 to 30 December 2016, 1 to 8 January 2017.

Aside from the list I made there are a lot more hotels that offers Christmas packages, there is still time to scout for more... that will suit your needs specially your budget.

Make memorable moments with your family this Christmas day! 

Our Christmas Ham from S&R - Traditionally Smoked European Ham

Although holiday season is way behind us already, just now I am tweaking some of the blog drafts I have during that time. 
Sharing to you this brand of Christmas ham we got for the holidays. 

Christmas is about family tradition that we keep and pass along to our succeeding generation in the family. Christmas can be celebrated in a simple way but some can go as extravagant as possible, well this will always depend on one's family income.  

When I was little I always anticipate in opening that imported canned pear shaped ham for Christmas. Normally my father would bring a big sized can or sometimes two during their Christmas party at work. He used to work at the Subic Naval Base- Morale Welfare Recreational department, were Christmas season is like Christmas in the United States. Imported candies and chocolates for treats were also the highlights of that season. Nowadays, due to the open ports and the demand and supply everything is possible. Imported Christmas hams can be brought from supermarkets and some specialty stores and the variety are endless... also the price can fit according to you your budget. Our ham was from S&R their premium holiday Christmas ham. It's a traditionally smoked European ham and It was given to us as a gift, i'm not sure how much this cost... apologies for that. :) 

It weigh more than 500grams and when I opened the plastic pack container I instantly smelled of the smoke flavoured meat. I used the sharp butchers knife in slicing the ham and took a small piece to taste. It was tasty, smokey and the delicious. The ham can be eaten just like that or you can bake it drizzle some pineapple juice or sear fry it in a hot non-stick frying pan. No extender as you can see, it has whole meat that when I was slicing the meat were separating according to the chunks when it was moulded during curing process. You can also see the net marks plus some fat sticking outside the ham. That morning we paired some slices with homemade pancakes and it was a perfect match. Drizzled some pancake syrup on top to add a little sweetness to the ham slice. The meat was tender and delish! I would want the same ham for our next Christmas feast if only we have S&R supermarket here in the City.

Have you tried this ham last Christmas, did you like too? 

drop me a comment below and let's compare. 'Til next. 

Thanks for reading.:)