CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

Diplomat The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel in Manama is laying on a feast of offers for the festive season.

The Diplomat Choir will perform traditional Christmas carols at the Main Lobby from December 21 to 24 from 5pm to 6pm.

A Christmas Day Brunch will be held at the Grand Ambassador Ballroom at BD20 net per person and Al Fanar Restaurant at BD25 net per person on December 25 from noon to 3pm.

A Boxing Day Brunch will be available at the roof top restaurant, Al Fanar with a range of dishes including dressed ham, golden roasted turkey, orange glazed gammon, Peking duck, sushi, Italian lasagna and wiener schnitzel. The brunch will also feature live entertainment by resident band 'The Diplomats'. It runs from noon to 3pm and is priced at BD20 net per person and free for children under six.

A New Year's Eve Party will be held at the Kontiki Restaurant, Lounge and Pool Bar from 8pm to 2am with an early morning complimentary 'hangover breakfast'. Price is BD19 net per person.

A romantic New Year's Eve 'Dinner for Two' will be held at the Mondo Italian Restaurant from 8pm to 2am priced at BD59 net per person.

A New Year's Eve 'Snow White' gala dinner is set to lure guests to the Grand Ambassador Ballroom from 8pm to 2am priced at BD69 net per person with entry restricted to over 18s.

A New Year's Eve dinner party in Al Fanar will offer a lavish Arabic Buffet prepared by Lebanese and Bahraini chefs with a variety of Gulf specialties and entertainment by a belly dancer also for over 18s. The buffet opens at 8pm and is priced at BD79 net per person.

For details contact 17531666.

Sheraton

Fine-dining Chinese restaurant Soie will offer a special menu accompanied by live entertainment and a complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on Christmas Eve with mouth-watering delicacies including Bak's Chinese lemon chicken, beef with snow peas in oyster sauce and wok-fried Singaporean noodles.

On Christmas day al Safir, the all-day-dining restaurant, complete with festive dŽcor and live entertainment, will offer an international buffet with traditional seasonal delights including Turkey with cranberry sauce, a selection of fresh seafood, succulent roasts and desserts such as Christmas pudding and minced pies.

The Golestan Iranian restaurant will present traditional Iranian delicacies on Christmas Day. Iranian chefs Valiollah Khodabandehlou and Hassni Talesh along with Iranian bread-maker Abdul Latif Hamzavi are trained in the culinary art of Iranian cuisine and will entice guests to a feast of dishes from age-old recipes.

A special Children's Party will be hosted on Christmas Day featuring face-painting, games and competitions as well as favorites like candy floss and popcorn. Entry is free for all youngsters whose families dine at either Al Safir or Golestan.

On New Year's Eve a special gourmet buffet along with live entertainment will be presented at Al Safir with a range of delectable dishes like deer medallion with chestnuts, roast goose with glazed apples, Arabic stuffed dolmas with lamb shanks and chicken breast invotines on grilled baby zucchini.

And Soie will offer guests a scrumptious menu and live entertainment with delicacies including Szechwan shredded beef with bamboo shoots and shitake mushrooms. A complimentary glass of bubbly would be offered to guests as part of the celebration.

On New Year's Day, Al Safir will have an extensive family buffet in the restaurant which enjoys spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and the World Trade Centre.

Golestan will also offer mouth-watering and delicately flavored Iranian specialties.

For details contact 17533533 extension number 259.

Crowne Plaza

The Crowne Plaza Bahrain in Manama is hosting a traditional Christmas buffet lunch at La Mosaique Restaurant for BD 25++ per person. Guests can choose from a choice of starters including fresh seafood and salads followed by a live carving station of roast turkey with trimmings, cheese corner and hot dishes such as mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts and sautŽed vegetables. For dessert, guests can savour the sensational chocolate fountain or Christmas pudding.

The Harvesters Pub is also offering a Christmas treat with the traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, followed by mince pies and Christmas Pudding. Santa will also be riding into town with a sack full of gifts for the children. Festive live entertainment will be provided by band 'Trapped in a Box'. Price is BD15++ per person and 50 per cent for children. The outlet will also be hosting a New Year's Eve Party with free entry.

The hotel will bring in the New Year with a special Black and White - New Year's Eve Ball starting at 8pm for the cocktail reception with a buffet beginning at 9pm. On offer during the evening will be starters including poached seafood, caviar or sushi, and a selection of fresh salads and cold mezzah followed by a choice of main course including grilled beef, roast duck, lamb, hammour and other main dishes to finish off with an exciting array of deserts and cheeses.

Tables of ten will surround the dance floor and stage. Entertainment will be provided by live dance band '4 Star' and a DJ from 9pm onwards alongside a belly dancer at 11pm. Ticket price is BD70 inclusive of food and beverages and is non-refundable. Entry is for couples and mixed groups over 18 only with discounts available for large groups. Dress code is black and white. For details contact 17531122.

Gulf Hotel

Christmas Eve will have a line-up of traditional cuisines at all the hotel's restaurants including La Pergola, China Garden, Royal Thai, Takht Jamsheed, Fusions and Sato at BD15 and BD12 for Prestige club holders.

Al Waha Restaurant will offer a lavish Christmas buffet at BD17. Children from six to 12 years will be charged BD12, Prestige cardholders BD15 and their children BD10.

On Christmas Day, the Awal Ballroom will lay out a sumptuous lunch buffet with soothing serenades from a choir singing a selection of Christmas carols. The lunch is priced at BD16 per adult, BD8 for children from six to 12 years, Prestige cardholders BD 14 and their children BD7.

A lunch buffet at Al Waha Restaurant will offer a selection of cold starters, including smoked salmon, fresh seafood, salads, patŽs, terrines and traditional home-made soups.

Price is BD15 per adult, BD8 for children from six to 12 years, BD13 for Prestige cardholders and BD7 for their children.

A range of cuisines are also set to lure guests during New Year's Eve at the hotel's various restaurants priced at BD28 for Prestige cardholders and BD32 for others.

The Zahle restaurant will offer guests a Lebanese treat with entertainment by singers and a belly dancer. Rates are BD54 for Prestige cardholders and BD60 for others.

The Al Waha Restaurant will be offering a colourful buffet with a variety of cuisines and the venue will also offer guests an entertaining option with music ranging from soft rock to hard rock and rhythm to blues welcoming the New Year.

For details contact 17713000.

Mšvenpick

This Christmas and New Year season the Mšvenpick Hotel Bahrain in Muharraq is offering many specials and fantastic decor with Christmas trees in the Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silk's Restaurant, a ginger bread house, turkeys to take away and wonderful made-to-order Christmas hampers packed with festive goodies such as plum puddings and chocolate. A highly-talented choir of employees will perform carols from 7pm to 8pm from December 22 to 25.

Christmas Eve can be enjoyed with a special five-course set menu in Silk's Restaurant from 7pm to 9pm priced at BD 22++ per person.

Christmas Day is a time for fun and families and perfect for delicious Christmas brunch served at the Flamingo Bar, the Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silk's Restaurant from 12.30pm to 4pm with entertainment by resident musicians and a special appearance by Santa Claus all priced at BD24++.

A special New Year's Eve gala party will be held at the Flamingo Bar, Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silk's Restaurant from 9pm until the small hours of the morning. A lavish international buffet and an unlimited selection of beverages, live music from a Swedish band, a Latino singer and resident DJ will entertain guests. Rates are BD46++ per person.

The Silk's Restaurant will offer a lavish New Year's Day lunch buffet from 12.30 pm until 4pm for BD15++ per person.

Fans of the hotel's regular Friday Brunch can still enjoy the usual sensational spread of international dishes and beverages on both December 26 and January 2 served throughout its popular outlets from 12.30 pm to 4pm at BD 21.5++.

All prices are exclusive of tax and service charge.

For details contact 17460000 or e-mail hotel.bahrain@moevenpick.com.

InterContinental Regency

The InterContinental Regency Bahrain in Manama is set to welcome guests during the festive season with a line-up of treats and celebrations.

The hotel will host Christmas carols with a live choir on December 22, 23 and 25 with visits from Santa himself for photo opportunities with children and gifts.

The hotel's culinary team, led by executive Chef Olivier, will delight diners with traditional mince-pies and festive offerings at the Le Bistro Family Christmas buffet.

On Christmas Eve, the hotel's Clipper Room will be hosting a seasonal soireŽ for couples and small parties.

A Christmas Day Brunch will be held at Le Bistro with a fine spread of Christmas treats.

For New Year's Eve, the hotel will have an international buffet with a full range of house beverages throughout the night alongside dinner and dance.

For details contact Festive Hotline on 172277774.

Mercure Grand

The Mercure offers guests the merriest of holidays with a sumptuous menu, great atmosphere, fun-filled activities and impeccable service ..... all under one roof.

You can treat yourself and your loved-ones to a feast at Neyran Restaurant with international Christmas and New Year specialities complete with live musical entertainment by Louis and Toni and lots of surprises.

For couples Basha Lounge is a perfect place to relax and for intimate gatherings with a fusion of gourmet offerings and unlimited beverages with music from Louis & Toni.

For the fun loving, Casa Bar, also known as Casa de Baile presents non-stop Latin movement with tango, salsa, rumba, chachacha, and many more. With the aid of one of Bahrain's best ballroom choreographers, Casa de Baile's New Year special will surely keep you awake as you watch and join-in the one-of- a-kind performances.

And children will definitely enjoy Christmas at Mercure as they watch and play with Santa Claus at the Diwan Lobby Lounge. Also, do not forget to take home the best Diwan roast turkey with traditional stuffing and trimmings for the whole family. The hotel will have a Christmas Eve buffet with Christmas specialties.

On December 24 and 25 guests can take advantage of the Roast Turkey-To-Go promotion with special stuffing and trimmings at BD30 and BD40 net.

A Christmas Day Brunch will feature a festive buffet with unlimited bubbly and live music by musicians Toni and Louis and a selection of menus, sumptuous banquet, non-stop Latin dance and live music by Louis and Toni will help guests bring in the New Year at the hotel's Basha Lounge, Casa and Neyran Restaurant.

And to ensure guests will enjoy the holiday celebrations and receive the highest level of personal attention, special holiday residential packages are available. To find out more contact 17584400 extension 2520.