This Xmas let the hotel do all the work
It may not have been the best decade the world has ever seen – and the last 12 months were bloody awful – so what better way to say goodbye to 2010 by indulging yourself at one of Bucharest’s top hotels. Here is a brief guide to the season
December 2009 - From the Print Edition
Through December
Festive Sunday brunches at the Radisson Blu (63-81 Calea Victoriei), including Canadian lobster, fresh-shucked oyster, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, carols and Santa - 200 RON (about 47 Euro) per person.
Winter brunches every Sunday at the Crowne Plaza (1 Blvd Poligrafiei), with Father Christmas and Saint Nicolas giving out presents – but only to good children. 160 RON (38 Euro) each.
Gospel brunches with Brad Vee Johnson and Paula Seling in Le Diplomate at the Athenee Palace Hilton (1-3 Strada Episcopiei) and festive dinners at hotel restaurant Roberto’s.
Dwarves, fairies and Santa attend Sunday brunches at the Intercontinental (4 Blvd Balcescu).
Brunch at the Cupola in the JW Marriott (90 Calea 14 Septembrie) every Sunday means live carols, hot cakes, New Zealand clams and lobster, octopus carpaccio and Yule Log soaked in Grand Marnier. Cost: 180 RON per person (42 Euro). On 6 December, the hotel offers a brunch for St Nicholas, with clowns, face painting, magicians and puppet shows.
The Novotel (37B Calea Victoriei) offers a St Nicholas Brunch with presents, plus a brunch on 13 December with lobster, tiger prawns and foie gras (170 RON – 40 Euro) and another on 27 December (at 175 RON – 41 Euro) with seasonal delicacies, sparkling wine and beer, plus live music.
Howard Johnson (5-7 Calea Dorobantilor) is also offering a St Nicholas Brunch at 95 RON (21 Euro) per adult and 45 RON (11 Euro) per child – plus if your name is Nicolae or Nicoleta, brunch is free, provided you are accompanied by two guests paying full price. On 27 December this hotel offers Christmas Brunch priced at 150 RON (35 Euro) per adult and 75 RON (18 Euro) per child – free for Stefans or Stefanias, if accompanied by two full-paying guests. The hotel offers Romanian or American Xmas menus between 24 and 27 December.
At nearly all brunches kids under six go free and 6-12 year-olds are half-price.
French, Italian, Mediterranean and Romanian menus are available at Residence Hotels (19 Strada Clucerului and 33 Str Alex. Constantinescu)
Tired of your flat? Or your relatives? Ramada Plaza (3-5 Blvd Poligrafiei) is offering rooms as low as 39 Euro per night at certain periods during the holidays.
Christmas Eve
(24 December)
Get stuffed at Radisson Blu with Kir Royal, foie gras terrine with fig chutney, pumpkin soup, turkey plus trimmings and Christmas puds with Bailey’s ice cream. Dinner is also on offer at the Braseria Corso in the Intercontinental for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Meanwhile at the JW Marriott Hotel there are games for kids, carols, live music at their brunch, plus caviar, lobster tail with ricotta and truffle mousse and grilled sturgeon in Marsala.
Christmas Day
(25 December)
Ready to kill a pig, kiss your Auntie, drown yourself in whisky, with only bad TV and a family argument to look forward to? Why bother - when you can check into one of Bucharest’s top hotels. Brunch and the Maria Jinga Christmas Band is on at the Hilton. Brunch is also available at the Crowne Plaza and the 21st floor of the Intercontinental, while the JW Marriott ‘s brunch includes US Black Angus beef Wellington.
New Year’s Eve (31 December)
Party in Hollywood style at Radisson Blu - Jig into 2010 with the gorgeous Andreea Banica, bop to the beats of Aurelian Temisan and wonder at the crazy world of Johannes the Magician. Exclusive gourmet dinner parties for groups up to ten also available.
Royal Night at the Crowne Plaza includes the Jukebox band, live cooking and fireworks.
Foie gras with truffles, swordfish carpaccio and pan-roasted venison Chateaubriand are on the menu at Residence Hotels.
See the decade out at the top of the city: The Intercontinental party on its 21st floor, with dishes from around the world. Master of ceremonies is actor Silviu Biris, plus surprise band and a tombola.
Winter duet: JW Marriott offers sumptuous buffets, this year’s Romanian Eurovision hopeful, Elena Gheorghe, crooner Horia Brenciu, plus pop veteran Madalina Manole.
Waltz it up with a Venetian Ball at the Hilton’s exclusive Le Diplomate, with classy buffet and entertainment or slow it down with smooth Jazz, a six-course dinner and fireworks on the Hilton balcony.
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The Romanian Finance Ministry has signed five more grant agreements under the state aid scheme, and among the beneficiaries are Automobile Dacia, with RON 115.8 million.
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