Kota Kinabalu: Hilton Kota Kinabalu (Hilton KK) marked the commencement of the holiday season with a Tree Lighting Ceremony and a Christmas Eve Buffet preview at Urban Kitchen, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet.
Its General Manager Smital Shah-Boultwood said the team had aimed for the tree and its surrounding decorations of reindeer lights, wrapped gifts, and Christmas dollhouses to evoke a spirit of tradition.
“This year, our focus has been on creating a more traditional Christmas, from our tree, to the ambiance, to the decorations.
“We worked with a team where each individual contributed their ideas for the ornaments, colours, and elements, bringing them all together under the spirit of teamwork,” she said during the ceremony, here, recently.
Spending her first Christmas at Hilton KK, she added that she had been inspired by her previous posting to foster a continuous sense of merriment and celebration both amongst her team and guests.
“Having celebrated my last festive season in the Maldives where the spirit of celebration lasted for over a month, I aimed to infuse that same kind of energy and joy which goes on to extend the holiday spirit beyond the festive week,” she said.
The ceremony also included a Christmas Carol performance by members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Likas.
Drawing inspiration from diverse traditions, the Christmas Eve Buffet took four months to create and will serve an international array of flavours.
Executive Chef Qayyum Rashid said: “Our guests can expect a buffet consisting of Western, Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. At Christmas, people commonly focus solely on Western cuisine. At Hilton KK, we present a worldwide variety.
“We have a number of dishes which I would say are a must-try. Our flavourful Indian Lamb Tandoori, our succulent Roast Prime Rib, and the rich Egyptian Macaroni Béchamel are three of them. We also serve a Salmon Coulibiac, a Christmas favourite in Russia. We wanted to offer dishes that local people would not usually have the chance to experience,” he said.
The Christmas Eve Buffet will be served on Dec 24 from 6:30 PM to 9:30pm. Prices range from RM168 per adult to RM84 per child. For more information or to make reservations, visit Hilton Kota Kinabalu or call +60 88-356 000. Hyatt Christmas Dinner
Meanwhile, Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is honouring the generous spirit of this festive season by partnering with three local charities to offer gifts to less privileged communities, as part of their World of Care commitment to social and environmental impact initiatives.
The initiative was formally announced at the Hyatt’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, here, recently.
Bukit Harapan, a shelter home for disabled abused children and single disabled women, Woori Jib, a welfare home for orphans, and Rumah Kanak-Kanak Bondulu Toboh, a home for less privileged children and teenagers are the three organisations hand-selected by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu.
Until Dec 15, hotel guests and restaurant patrons are encouraged to participate in charitable offerings.
They may pick a Christmas card from the hand-crafted bamboo Wishing Well placed in the lobby, buy a present suitable for the recipient’s age and gender and place it under the Christmas tree by the hotel’s lounge.
Hyatt Regency Kinabalu embraces the Christmas season with open arms, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Kinabalu Thor Gervasi said, as it becomes a special place for local guests with loved ones returning from far and wide to celebrate the holiday.
“One particular spot that draws a lot of attention is The Lounge, where a magnificent Christmas tree stands tall in the five-story Atrium. This iconic landmark has become a symbol of the start of the festive season at the most established hotel in Kota Kinabalu city, and it never fails to spread holiday cheer to all who visit,” he said.
Tanjung Ria Kitchen will host a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffet, offering a wide selection of traditional dishes such as Angus beef op ribs, roasted Wagyu beef, and Chicken Wellington in lieu of turkey.
Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is also offering a gourmet menu for off-site catering, as well as Festive Roast-to-go options for those hosting celebrations at home.
Additionally, the hotel has curated a Christmas Gift Box brimming with handmade delights and an assortment of sweet and savoury Festive Goodies.
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