W

ith Christmas and New Year just around the corner, hotels in Bali are offering various ways of celebrating the year-end festivities in style.

As Christmas is considered a timely moment to share with others, some hotels also use this opportunity to hold charity events that add meaning to the holy celebration.

The Intercontinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran will host a performance by a Christmas choir from Panti Salam Orphanage for its guests from Dec. 20 to 25 at the resort’s main swimming pool.

“We will invite guests to join us to gather at sunset around the main pool to hear the children from Panti Salam orphanage perform a heartfelt collection of Christmas-inspired songs,” said Dewi Anggraini, director of public relations at Intercontinental Bali Resort.

The orphanage is located in Tabanan, a 90-minute drive from the resort, a place that provides a nurturing home environment for underprivileged children.

The resort is also currenlty holding “Art with Heart”, a painting sale at the Resort Boutique every day from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. from Dec. 20-31. The paintings will be on display at various locations around the resort during the festive season.

“The proceeds from all the sales will help contribute to the daily operational costs of Panti Salam orphanage,” Dewi said, adding that the artist would also be available to discuss her role in this non-profit care center from Dec. 20 to 25 during the Christmas Choir performance.

The Banyan Tree Ungasan resort in Ungasan had also arranged many activities in accordance with the year-end festivities, as well as celebrating its 2nd anniversary, said the resort’s public relations manager Wike Trisnandhini.

“We have arranged many activities, including an orphanage visit to Yasakerthi Orphanage in Karangasem recently. Our associates who brought some basic needs were welcomed by the children, and we gathered for lunch and joined in some fun activities such as singing, mango and rambutan picking.”

There are 30 children ranging from four years old to 17 years old at Yasakerthi Orphanage. Besides the orphanage visit, the resort also held a Family Day, a sport competition and a blood donation event, she added.

Meanwhile, the St. Regis Bali Resort associates visited orphanage 400 Baith-El in Klungkung last week.

“We donated food, clothes, books and some other stuff needed by the kids who live in the orphanage, such as stationery etc. Besides that, we also donated some funds to the orphanage,” said Agung Brahmana, assistant marketing communication manager of St. Regis Bali Resort.

On the first day of 2012, the Intercontinental Bali Resort will hold a “Release a Turtle and Make a Wish” at its beachfront Sunset bar starting 5 p.m., besides offering special dining packages.

“We invite the guests to adopt baby turtles and release them into the waters of Jimbaran Bay just before sunset. The guests can make a special wish for the coming year ahead and hope that the little turtle has a long life in the sea,” Dewi said.

Participating guests will also receive a certificate and souvenir photo to remember this unique experience.