10 Christmas Meals, Deals, and Events in Manila

(SPOT.ph) Where to celebrate Christmas? Why, in your hearts, of course. But corniness aside, it's the most wonderful time of the year. There's a lot to see this season in the city. (It just might take hours-long drives though.) Sure, there may be too many people milling about here and there, but don't be a scrooge and feel the Christmas spirit all the more with these places you can spend the holidays in.

Also read:
Manila in Photos: It’s Christmas Time in the City! (2014)
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EDSA Shangri-La

Suite staycation getaways are the perfect gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones. Spend it on The Gingerbread Dreams room package which you can avail for P9,548++ for a Tower Deluxe room inclusive of breakfast for two. Special room rates apply if you decide to stay for more than one night.

Yuletide treats are also served at the Lobby Lounge. Choose between a piping hot glühwein (P465+/per glass), otherwise called mulled wine, or luxurious afternoon tea and delights (P825+) including turkey with chestnut oil; and marinated salmon on rye bread with sage cream cheese and roasted bell peppers. Sweets include candied chestnut financier, frosted lubkuchen, cranberry scones, and mini Valhrona chocolate Yule logs. EDSA Shangri-La's restaurant, HEAT, also offers holiday dining rates starting at P2,288+ for those who want to have a feast to their heart's delight.

EDSA Shangri-La is at 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For bookings and inquiries, contact 633-8888; esl@shangri-la.com.

Ayala Triangle Gardens

If this tranquil spot amid the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila's business district won't lure you in, we're pretty sure its beautifully lit-up version will. Now on its fifth year, have a special moment with those nearest and dearest you by experiencing the magical lights and sounds show. Take a stroll between the trees and under the cool Christmas breeze as the lights come alive every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until January 4. What makes it even more endearing are the all-time favorite holiday carols, both local and foreign, that you'll be hearing throughout the show. If you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants to have your fill from around the spot, too.

Diamond Hotel

Just in time for the holiday rush, there will be plenty of discounts offered at the Diamond Hotel. Guests can save as much as P10,000 with purchases costing P5,000 above, from a variety of pastries and dishes. Indulge in the new confectionaries on the menu like Robusta, Perle et Rubis, Fraisier, and an assortment of French macarons mixed with classic favorites like Supermoist Chocolate, Baked Cheesecake, Le Royale, German Stollen, Eclairs, Chocolate Truffles and more. Succulent holiday platters will also be on hand such as Lechon de Leche, Christmas Turkey, Juicy Chicken Relleno, or US Beef Tenderloin Wellington among other flavorsome carvery specialties.

Diamond Hotel Philippines is at Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila. For inquiries, contact 528-3000; bizcenter@diamondhotel.com.

Resorts World Manila

Take part in the brightest holiday celebration with giant parol shows, indoor light parade, mixing and mingling with colorful characters, and dazzling band and chorale performances. The Christmas Day Special will be an eargasmic treat as Banda Kawayan, UP Singing Ambassadors, Arthur Manuntag, and Sitti take the stage. If you want to satisfy your Asian cuisine cravings, you can do so with Ginzadon restaurant's offerings. A Japanese Set (P880) and a Korean Set (P800) are readily available. Café Maxims also has some must-have Filipino Christmas delicacies. The beloved bibingka gets a premium makeover with these options: Choco Nutella, Buko Pandan, Stollen Bread, Salted Egg and Quezo de Bola, and Ube. A mini will cost you P85 while a large piece starts at P270. If you're more into pastries, you can get 100 grams of Florentine cookies for P50 or a Christmas Fruit Cake for P700.

Resorts World Manila is at Newport Boulevard, Pasay City. For inquiries, contact 836-6333 , 908-8833; customerservice@rwmanila.com.

Seda BGC Hotel

Ham is a no-brainer on every Filipino Noche Buena table. Keep the holiday tradition alive with Executive Chef Romualdo Castillo's homemade Honey Glazed Ham creations. It’s P1,200 for 1.2 kilograms. Complete the season's must-haves with some Danish pastries, ensaymada, cinnamon rolls, and croissants at P55 per piece, or Cavendish bread at P380 per loaf. Go all out on a lavish Christmas Eve dinner starting at P1,500 per person. A plush buffet offering of appetizers and desserts await with roasted turkey as the main course. Escape the busy city life with the comforts of Deluxe Room accommodations on a Yule-Month Room Package or a Stay-In Room Package which you can avail for one night only from December 24 to 25.

Seda BGC is at 30th Street corner 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City. For inquiries and reservations, contact 945-8888, 588-5700; reservations.bgc@sedahotels.com.

Power Plant Mall

There is a flurry of surprises when you shop and dine at the Power Plant Mall all month-long. Check something off your yuletide bucketlist as you catch Santa at Santa's Corner and have your very own photo with him. The little ones can even ask Santa to grant a wish or two. Wine and dine with a wide range of options as you enjoy Power Plant Mall's version of a holiday feast. Enjoy heart-warming holiday music alongside the amazing decor as you stroll through the mall.

Power Plant Mall is at Rockwell Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact 898-1702.

Sofitel Manila

Celebrate Parisian-style with a slice of the City of Lights in one of the Metro's finest havens. Le Bar features an enchanting likeness of walking along the streets of Paris featuring the bustling Marché de Noël. Quaint makeshift shops line the pathway with gourmet selections, sweet delicacies, and handcrafted toys and ornaments. Spiral piles on the romantic vibe with the stairway beautifully lit a la Champs-Élysées and the Manila String Machine serenading guests. Enjoy the season's specials like decadent turducken and a savory rack of lamb alongside Christmas butterbeer on Christmas Eve dinner starting at P3,980/head. A set menu with your choice of beverage will set you back around P2,800 to P3,300+. You can also opt for a Christmas Day brunch starting at P3,650/head.

Pamper yourself and look ces't magnifique with their yuletide offerings at the spa and the salon. Finally, treat the whole family or the barkada to elegant accommodations by a picturesque view of the Manila Bay sunset when you avail of their holiday rates ranging from P7,000 to P15,000/night.

Sofitel Manila is at Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. For bookings and inquiries, contact 551-5555; h6308-fb12@sofitel.com.

The Bellevue Manila Hotel

When you've got the combination of Christmas lights, elegant décor, and the season's music in the background, you know that you're in for a truly special and mesmerizing moment. Feel like a little kid on Christmas morning all over again once you enter The Bellevue Manila. Fill your appetite with their month-long offerings as well. Eats from the Global Street Food Festival are available poolside. Healthy options are readily on hand as well with Vue Bar's Tofu Specials. Top it off with some dessert from the Pastry Corner as you munch on their featured cakes of December: Christmas Cake (strawberry cream cake), Boche de Noel (Chocolate Yule Log), and Christmas Fruit Cake for P1,400+/each. Indulge in some holiday comfort food, like Braised Lamb Shank in Fresh Tomato and Red Wine with Rosemary Sauce, on a Christmas Eve Buffet at P1,540+. You can also go for the Christmas day lunch and dinner for the same price.

The Bellevue Manila is at North Bridgeway, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries and reservations, contact 771-8181; tbmnl@thebellevue.com.

Rustan’s Christmas Wonders

Not only is this luxury department store making wonderful gift options available, they’re also giving back. Rustan’s is donating plush toys of endangered animals to students of World Wildlife Fund partner schools. Customers can fill out Christmas cards with their names and personal messages in the hopes of making a child smile with a simple gift.

Rustan’s is also lining up some special classes for Christmas cocktails, coffee concoctions, and latte art as well as tutorials on preparing bread for the holidays. While adults shop till they drop, kids may enjoy Christmas movie marathons, as well as workshops on ornament-making, card-making, gift-wrapping, and baking available in-house. Santa will also be dropping by on December 20 (Rustan’s Makati) and December 21 (Rustan’s Shangri-La).

Rustan’s has branches at Ayala Avenue, Makati City; and Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City.

Eastwood City

Feel the yuletide cheer with the spectacular lights and Christmas decorations that abound in Eastwood City. The joys don't stop with the spectacle though. Organize a holiday movie marathon this December by building your Blu-ray collection. Choose from more than 300 titles for as low as P500 until December 21. The young ones (and the young at heart) can also enjoy a mini theme park filled with all sorts of exciting activities, fun rides, and performances.

Eastwood City is at E. Rodriguez Avenue (C-5), Bagumbayan, Quezon City. For inquiries, contact 709-0888, 709-9888.

Also read:
Manila in Photos: It’s Christmas Time in the City! (2014)
10 Mouthwatering Ideas for Your Potluck Christmas Party