Dorchester Collection is announcing a variety of specialty packages and festive activities from its properties. From London to Paris to Milan to Los Angeles, below is a collection of highlights that the international hotels are offering this holiday season:
The Dorchester in London is kicking off the holiday season with its own "Family Time" package that includes a Superior King Room for parents and a complimentary room nearby for kids under age 16; English breakfast for the family; and a bottle of champagne. The deal is valid through New Year's Eve. As Christmas approaches, The Dorchester will also display a gingerbread house replica of the hotel, cookies and a candy shop in the lobby area and will be giving away sweets. Live festive music will be played throughout the season, while Christmas carols will be sung at weekends for Afternoon Tea. On Christmas day, families will be entertained by a magician; children will receive stockings and meet a very special guest, Father Christmas himself.
Also in London, 45 Park Lane is located steps away from The Dorchester and offers a contemporary Christmas hideaway with interiors designed by Thierry Despont. To celebrate the holiday season in true American style, Executive Chef David McIntyre of CUT at 45 Park Lane will be serving seasonal menus throughout the festivities, from Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 22, 2012 to New Year's Day special menus. The New Year's Day Brunch Menu will be a three-course celebratory meal. The hotel's Bar 45 will have a list of seasonal cocktails and its Rough CUTs menu will complement the drinks offering tasting portions of some of Puck's signature dishes. In addition, the Media Room now offers private dining for up to 12 guests and will serve special festive champagne breakfasts, lunches and dinners upon request.
Coworth Park in Ascot, Dorchester Collection's country house hotel and spa, is situated on 240 acres of Berkshire parkland, and is offering a "Christmas at Coworth Park" package that includes three-nights of accommodation; Afternoon Tea, pre-dinner champagne and dinner on Christmas Eve; breakfast, tea and cakes, Christmas Day lunch and buffet dinner; Chocolate master class with Executive Chef Brian Hughson available for adults while kids can attend a cookie decorating class; behind-the-scene tour of the hotel; nightly story time with cookies and milk for young guests; membership to the dedicated Coworth Park kids club and much more.
At the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, guests can take a seat at The Bar & Lounge to enjoy live music while sipping seasonal cocktails such as a "Baby It's Cold Outside" or "Run Run Rudolph" all created by Chef Lee Hefter of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group. Adding to the festivities, guests young and old will enjoy the Little Royals Holiday Tea with savory bites, fresh-baked scones, and a selection of loose-leaf teas and fresh juices served at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air. Guests can unwind at the hotel's Spa by La Prairie, sipping a "Run Run Rudolph" martini while enjoying a signature manicure and a holiday sweet.
Also in Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Hotel, which celebrates its centenary this year, will offer a special Holiday-To-Go service. Created by the hotel kitchen team and available for delivery within a five-mile radius of the hotel's address on Sunset Boulevard, the Holiday-To-Go menu includes all the classic dishes from a 20-lb Roasted Free Range Organic Turkey to Whipped Yukon Gold Potato Purée to a Classic Pumpkin Pie with Chantilly Cream. The meal serves six to eight; available Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; orders may be placed up to 24 hours in advance. The feasting will be just as festive at the Polo Lounge with Holiday Inspired Menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve/New Year's Day, all topped off with homemade pumpkin bread, homemade gingerbread or homemade macaroons to take home.
In Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée will be celebrating the holidays on ice with a Skating Rink in La Cour Jardin, the hotel's courtyard. The rink will be supervised by an instructor while onlookers can sample Christophe Michalak and Head Pastry Chef Jean-Marie Hiblot's annual holiday dessert selection available at Galerie des Gobelins. In the evenings, the rink will be the scene of Les Bancs d'Hiver, a pop-up temporary restaurant reflective of a mountain ski resort with long wooden table seating and a seasonal menu by Chef Philippe Marc, available from Thursdays to Saturdays. Adding to the festivities on New Year's Eve, the hotel will give guests the chance to dine on the hotel's skating rink, surrounded by festive decorations. For guests who prefer to stay indoors, Hôtel Plaza Athénée will offer a special New Year's Eve menu at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée.
Le Meurice in Paris welcomes the entire family this season with the new "Christmas at Le Meurice" package. The offering includes champagne for parents and sweets for children; daily American breakfast; guaranteed upgrade at booking; access to the sauna, hammam and fitness center; and Christmas gifts for everyone. The deal is valid December 1-28, 2012. In addition, Father Christmas will be at Restaurant Le Dali with tea time and gifts every Wednesday from December 5-19, 2012, and a special Christmas Tea Time will be at the restaurant every afternoon from the start of December through January 5, 2013. Young guests also can take advantage of the complimentary soft pajamas and socks available on Christmas night courtesy of Le Meurice's new partnership with Jacadi, a luxury French apparel brand for kids. In addition to the Christmas menus, the hotel will also mark the turn of the calendar with New Year's Eve Celebrations featuring the three Michelin-star Chef Yannick Alléno at Restaurant Le Meurice.
Milan's Hotel Principe di Savoia is offering the "All I Want for Christmas" shopping and spa package that includes: €50 gift card for the renowned department store, La Rinascente; complimentary access and a €70 credit for any beauty treatment or massage at Club 10; and daily complimentary limo service. The deal is valid through January 13, 2013. Guests can also indulge in the "Christmas Family Package" that includes a welcome gift for kids and a Milanese Panettone for parents; a €50 credit per room for a lunch at Acanto Restaurant or Il Salotto lobby lounge; daily breakfast; an extra bed for free or 50 percent off an additional room for two children; complimentary limo service; and free access to Club 10 with use of the indoor rooftop pool and armbands and floats.