N

o matter the weather, Christmas time brings with it a certain warmth and joyous atmosphere leading us on to a magical turn of the year.

This year more than ever, Jakarta's top-rated hotels are indulging in plenty of dining and entertainment treats dedicated to making Christmas all the more special for loyal patrons.

Here are some selected treats to get you and your loved ones in the celebratory mood:

At The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta, Christmas has come early this year with a symbolic Christmas tree light-up held at the end of November. The five-meter tree makes a grand centerpiece for this hotel's White Christmas themed decoration, with every corner embellished in snowy trinkets, glass ornaments and lighting fixtures.

Not to miss out on the fun, signature restaurants Asia and Lobo are also serving various specialty fares on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Asia's international brunch buffet, with exotic food installation, starts at Rp 378,000++ per person (juices and soft drinks included).

Lobo's servings, meanwhile, is a five-course dinner on Christmas Eve, featuring Italian and steakhouse creations like Wagyu and US prime beef starting at Rp 688,000++ per person, and a Christmas Martini Brunch on Dec. 25 with free flowing draught beer, wine, sparkling wine and signature martinis at Rp 498,000++ per person.

For the little ones, Ritz Kids activities have been organized, during which children can spend the afternoons of Dec. 13 and 20 with a story-telling Santa or sing along to some Christmas tunes while enjoying delicious munchies. A gingerbread house decoration session with executive chef Rudolph Blattler has been scheduled for Dec. 19.

Another hotel starting its Christmas celebrations early this year is the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, whose annual cocktail gala - complete with Christmas carols and tree lighting ceremony - took place just last Thursday, Dec. 3.

All of Shangri-La's six restaurants have prepared something special for guests this Christmas and New Year. Satoo, for one, is cooking up specialties such as roast turkey, prime ribs, traditional Christmas pudding, mince pies and other goodies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunch and dinner for Rp 395,000++ per person.

Italian restaurant and lounge Rosso will be delivering the luxurious creations of Chef Alessandro Santi at Rp 535,000++ per person on Christmas Eve and Rp 330,000++ on Christmas Day. Enjoy wines with the brunch at Rp 450,000++ per person.

For an oriental Christmas feel, head for Shang Palace and its scrumptious Dec. 25 brunch at Rp 188,000++ per person. Alternatively, diners can try the Japanese Christmas set menu dinner and lunch selections at Nadaman for Rp 375,000++ per person. B.A.T.S. also offers a set menu of smoked salmon, roast turkey and butterscotch and chocolate tart in its Dec. 24 dinner at Rp 305,000++.

Feel like no Christmas is complete without the traditional turkey carving? Grand Hyatt Jakarta serves just that - alongside other tantalizing delights - in the hotel's varied food and beverage spots.

C's steak and seafood restaurant is offering a Christmas Feast @ C's from Dec. 18 to 25, featuring the traditional Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, or a whole turkey for the entire family. Patrons can choose from C's extensive * la carte menu and enjoy a complimentary glass of Gluehwein or juice for children.

Traditional Christmas turkey will also be served at Grand Caf* on Dec. 25, available during lunch or dinner at Rp 388,000++ per person and Rp 118,000++ per child.

On Christmas Eve, the Fountain Lounge will host a strolling performance of Christmas songs by Aksento from 8 p.m. onwards while guests savor a buffet of mouthwatering Christmas desserts at Rp 105,000++ per person. Expect to receive special gifts from Santa and the sweet voices of children singing traditional Christmas carols on both Dec. 24 and 25.

If you are looking for somber way to spend Christmas this year, Crowne Plaza Hotel Jakarta reckons a visit to the Semanggi Lounge could offer just the relaxation and enjoyment you need.

The hotel has prepared attractive hampers of Christmas goodies and a wide selection of cakes and pastries to welcome the festive season. To further the joy of spending Christmas with beloved friends and family, Crowne Plaza is also running a gala dinner and night's getaway package.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Beranda Caf* will be serving an Enchanting Christmas menu of Christmas favorites like turkey, salmon with saffron butter sauce, seafood gumbo, plum pudding and Christmas yuletide log. Dinner is priced at Rp 225,000++ per person while brunch sets you back Rp 248,000++ per person.

There will also be a performance from the Crowne Plaza Christian Choir on Christmas Eve and live entertainment on Dec. 25.

Large or small, merry or magical, be sure to enjoy a most memorable celebration this Christmas at Jakarta's finest hotels!

The best at new year

Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

* "A Night to Remember" countdown party with Alexa Band, MC Harsya Subandrio and DJ Ferre from 8 p.m. onwards in the lobby area. Cover charge is Rp 400,000 nett per person, inclusive of one drink.

* Seasons Caf*'s gala dinner at Rp 695,000++ per person and Rp 250,000++ per child between five and 12 years old, includes free flowing fresh juices, red, white and sparkling wine and entry to countdown party. On Jan. 1, the brunch is Rp 355,000++ per person and Rp 160,000++ per child.

* The Steak House six-course dinner: Priced at Rp 1,000,000++ per person, the promo includes one glass of champagne and entry to countdown party.

* Special New Year's Eve package: A night in Deluxe Room, with buffet breakfast and countdown party invitations for two, starts from Rp 1,599,000++.

Grand Hyatt Jakarta

* New Year's Eve at Grand Caf*: An array of exciting Indonesian and international buffet dishes at Rp 488,000++ per person or Rp 218,000++ per child under 12 years old.

* New Year's Eve at C's: Exclusive buffet of succulent meats and seafood specialties from live-cooking stations with a complimentary glass of Champagne or juice for the kids, at Rp 888,000++ per person or Rp 218,000++ per child under 12 years old.

* New Year's Eve at the Fountain Lounge: Delectable international specialty buffet including live lobster, fresh oysters, beef carving station, free flow of wine, sparkling wine, beer, juice and soft drink, at Rp 988,000++ per person.

* Countdown with Elfa's Singer at the lobby from 9 p.m. onwards; first drink charged at Rp 160,000 nett.

The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta

* New Year's at Asia: Sumptuous buffet dinner starting at Rp 588,000++ per person. New Year's Brunch served at Rp 318,000++ per person. Both include free flowing juices and soft drinks.

* New Year's at Lobo: Six-course New Year's Eve Dinner at Rp 988,000++ per person and a New Year's Martini Brunch at Rp 498,000++ per person including free flowing draught beer, wine, sparkling wine and signature martinis.

Crowne Plaza Jakarta

* New Year's Dinner at Semanggi Lounge: Priced at Rp 720,000++ per person, the dinner includes festive mocktail or sparkling wine. Diners stand a chance to win trips to KL or Bali, early birds booking before Dec. 25 are entitled to 25 percent discount.

* New Year's Dinner at Beranda Caf* at Rp 650,000++ per person.

* Enchanting New Year Package, with a New Year's Eve stay and buffet breakfast for two persons, is available from Rp 850,000++

* Stay for two nights and get a third night free between Dec. 15 and Jan. 31. The promo can be combined with Enchanting New Year's Eve dinner packages exclusively from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2. Dinner packages start at Rp 1,650,000++ and include New Year's Eve dinner for two at Beranda Caf* or Semanggi Lounge, among other benefits.

Shangri-La

* "A Night of Elegance" with KLa Project at Lobby Lounge: Priced at Rp 1,500,000++ per person, includes international buffet dinner on Dec. 31.

* Satoo: Foie gras terrine, Cajun Australian Rib Eye and seafood paella take guests on a culinary odyssey around the world for Rp 498,000++ per person on Dec. 31. New Year's Day buffet brunch is served at Rp 210,000++ per person.

* Shang Palace: New Year's Eve dinner features a lavish seven-course meal for Rp 625,000++ per person. Alternatively, there are three Chinese set menus starting from Rp 398,000++ per person to be enjoyed. New Year's Day lunch buffet is Rp. 320,000++ per person.

* Nadaman: On New Year's Eve, Toshikoshi Soba set menu is available for Rp 150,000++ per person and Teppanyaki menu at Rp 378,000++. Also place a reservation on the bountiful takeaway Osechi Box at Rp 2,000,000++ per box.