A magical holiday experience at Makati Shangri-la

Makati Shangri-La is a magical place at any time of year. This is particularly true for the holidays when the hotel is bedecked in cheery décor and the celebration brims over with yuletide festivities and gastronomical offerings to warm the heart.

From December 12, 2008 to January 11, 2009, luxurious accommodations ensure a restful haven at Makati Shangri-La this frenzied gift-giving season. Experience the best shopping destinations that the city has to offer without having to worry about the traffic rush while you’re checked in one of its guest rooms. For only P 5,500++ a night (except Dec. 31, 2008), stay for a holiday getaway and enjoy retail therapy when you hunt for presents for everyone on your list. Package is inclusive of a hearty breakfast buffet at Circles Event Café, 20% off the hotel dining outlets and a 10% discount on the New Year Dinner Gala at the Ballroom.

On Dec 14, 2008, Santa Claus, or Baba Noel as he’s fondly called at the Makati Shangri-La, lands his sleigh early at the Quezon Ballroom and visits with the children who’ve waited all year to see him and his elves. Parents can treat their kids to an unforgettable experience as Santa personally hands them the very present they’ve been wishing for. Join in the fun for only P 1,288++ for adults and P 688++ for the little ones inclusive of brunch buffet. Gingerbread house decorating, magic shows and play activities, all add to the enchanting Christmas atmosphere.

In anticipation of the grand season’s celebration, a hearty a la carte breakfast at the Lobby Lounge on December 24, 2008 kicks off the line-up of events building up to a Noche Buena feast at Circles Event Café, priced at P 1,200++ for adults and P 600++ for children.

Find Circles’ buffet of continental inspirations a truly majestic spread and at the carving station, Roast Turkey and Stuffed Legs with Gravy and Cranberries make for the perfect entrée to desserts such as Christmas Pudding and Chestnut & Chocolate Cake.

At the Red Restaurant, the Christmas Eve revelry isn’t complete without a taste of exquisite holiday renditions from Chef de Cuisine Ruediger Lurz. Imagine Pumpkin Puree with Black Truffles, Oven Roasted Christmas Duck with Apple and Cinnamon Red Cabbage and Hot Chocolate Fondant with Cherry Compote – all for P 3,600++ and savored with a glass of wine from the cellar’s diverse variety, to toast the wonderful occasion.

Authentic Chinese specialties await at the Shang Palace on December 24 for brunch where Crispy Roast Suckling Pig served with Chinese buns is the highlight of the season. For those who want an imaginative banquet of royal proportions, an array of set menus priced from P 21,000++ for 10 persons promise to enthrall everyone at the round table.

Also, do not miss the much-celebrated Teppanyaki and Sushi dishes such as the Teppan-yaki Suzuki or the coveted Aburi Sushi, exclusive to Inagiku. Discover new heights in Japanese fare when the award-winning Chef Wataru Hikawa deemed as Asia’s best sushi master outside of Japan, displays his ingenious artistry at the theatre kitchen with fresh ingredients flown in from Japan.

Decadent desserts and saccharine stocking-stuffers lavish the shelves of the hotel Patisserie, Sinfully Circles. Chocolate Santa Scooters, Gingerbread Postcards and Spiral Cookies revive childhood nostalgia where tinsel time dreams are made of sweet temptations.

Of course, in the spirit of gift giving, there is nothing like opulent Christmas Hampers to stir up light-hearted revelry. With prices starting from P 4,999, Makati Shangri-La features four selections, festively named Rudolph, Snowman, Santa Claus and Three Kings, each a creative assortment of the finest gourmet selections. Whole Honey Baked Ham and Beef Pastrami make jubilant complements to Camembert Cheese and Cabernet Sauvignon. For the more discriminating palates, Sevruga Caviar, Foie Gras Pate and a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne are sure to spell joy where homebound gatherings and merriments are plentiful.

The morning after holds even more delight with a Christmas Brunch at the Quezon Ballroom on December 25, 2008 where Baba Noel makes yet another appearance at 11:30 a.m. The entire family is invited to partake in the bounteous banquet where you can savor menu offerings for only P 1,800++ and let the young ones dig in specialty kiddie favorites at half the price.

Usher in the New Year in style with Fire & Ice – the most spectacular annual countdown party to liven up the metro. On December 31, 2008 at Makati Shangri-La, the showdown of the hottest and coolest acts to liven up your bash indoors is sure to be as explosive as the famed Makati firework display.

Warm up the New Year’s Eve with an evening with young crooner Charlie Green at the Lobby Lounge. Savor a four-course dinner as you’re serenaded with the good old favorites. Toast to a wonderful year ahead with free flowing Moet et Chandon, and select wines and cocktails. Rates are at P 5,500++ per adult and P 2250++ per child.

At the Rizal Ballroom, welcoming 2009 is celebrated with no less than a lavish buffet dinner gala to keep you fueled for an "Ice" themed concert that follows. Channeling all the posh and sophistication of a one-of-a kind affair set in a frozen castle, tuxedos will parade and ball gowns will sashay around the crystalline sculptures and wintry interiors of the event. Christian Bautista, Pops Fernandez, and the Spirit of ’67 and Solidaz band will take center stage and keep the energetic beat until countdown. Rates are at P 6,999++ for premium seats, P 5,999++ for adults, and P 2,999++ for children, inclusive of a five-course dinner.

If your brand of merrymaking calls for a more smoldering, combustible vibe, then head on to Conway’s where the ambiance goes fabulously feverish! The "Fire" party scorches with an exciting night of dancing, overflowing bubblies, and mouthwatering pica-pica exclusively prepared for the year end shindig.

In between swigs at champagne or cocktail creations from the bar, get drawn to the dance floor by the blistering band – Solidaz. Before you know it, you’ll be chilling at the al-fresco lounge at dawn. Entrance is at P 850++ per person inclusive of 2 standard drinks. Welcome first day of 2009 with a luscious breakfast platter, available starting 2 a.m.

Make Makati Shangri-La your Holiday destination this year, where milestone moments with family and loved ones are made even more memorable every hour of the day, in every magnificent corner.

[ Makati Shangri-La Hotel Wiki ]