Christmas and New Year’s eve celebrations are going to be quieter this year. Or are they? Priyanka Joshi finds some great deals on offer.
The era of the no-expenses-spared party appears to be over with security concerns and the downturn playing spoilers. Er... that’s just the general perception.
While some Christmas and New Year’s eve dos indeed stand cancelled and celebrations are likely to be more toned down, surprise, surprise, many hotels, restaurants and pubs are going ahead with their plans. In fact, better deals, prices and value-additions are being offered to tempt customers.
Luxury hotels in Mumbai, for instance, despite the still-sombre mood, have trimmed their party package prices (approximately Rs 15,000 per couple, last year) and have thrown in a host of freebies. This could well be why party hats are trickling out of closets.
Frills and freebies
The youngest of Mumbai’s luxury resorts is the Ramada, Powai. There, group GM, Rishi Puri is confident of hosting almost 2,000 guests each for both Christmas and New Year’s eve celebrations.
Ramada’s big events will have international DJs like Kyau & Albert spinning music and five theme-party venues, including “Bollywood”, “Hip Hop” and “Hawaiian” style lounges. Packages start at Rs 11,999 per couple and these include pick-up and drop facilities in luxury sedans (within a 20 km range), dinner and party invites, plus a one-night stay at the Ramada with breakfast and spa treatments. Tempted?
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In New Delhi, similar packages are offered by the Claridges. At Sevilla, their Mediterranean restaurant, a four-course spread with unlimited cava and sangria is priced at Rs 8,000 per couple for New Year’s eve. (Indian and Chinese restaurants are priced lower.)
And you can stay back that night for Rs 6,999 per couple (with complimentary NY breakfast). A jazz brunch for Christmas at the same hotel on the lawns involves free-flowing sparkling wine, live counters and activities for kids, priced at about Rs 3,000 (per adult).
Or, you may prefer a campfire party in Bangalore. Expecting a young crowd, Club Magnolia, on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, has kept prices lower (Rs 999) but the fun quotient higher. The young IT crowd in Pune can head to VJ Nikhil Chinnapa and DJ Pearl’s performance at Club Solaris, entry price Rs 2,500 per couple.
Those feeling naughty can peep into Tulip Star’s poolside party in Mumbai, aptly themed the Miami Grind, promising to be full of casino games, roulette tables and slot machines. At Rs 2,500 per head, it does not seem to be a bad deal at all — and 10 per cent of the proceeds will be forwarded to the Mumbai police to help them fight terror!
Bangaloreans may be the first ones to tuck themselves in on December 31 since parties usually end there by 1:30 am —rules, you see. They can party at the Indian Affair at the Chancery Pavilion with DJ Ivan, or at the Royal Orchid resort with Dan Booth & Martin Robbins, for Rs 3,999 (free mojitos included).
Bollywood nites & themes
Don’t be disappointed if you were looking forward to picking up tickets for Bollywood-studded parties. You can still have them. Well, almost. Instead of getting to dance with Malaika Arora-Khan, you can watch Hard Kaur for Rs 10, 000 (unlimited F&B) at Elevate, a discotheque, in Noida.
Others can hang out at the likes of the Smoke House Grill or F-Bar at the Ashok, where you will have theme parties for prices ranging from Rs 3,000-10,000. The entertainment includes DJs and lots of people waiting in queues. In Pune, clubs like Mauve, Fire ‘n’ Ice, Ten Downing Street, and the Den are expected to draw crowds too.
Christmas deals include the Sangria Thursday (On December 25) at Kylin, an Oriental lounge-restaurant, in Delhi, with complimentary Sangria for the ladies with Jazz and Retro music in the evening.
Back in Mumbai, Sahara Star is hoping to electrify guests, Rs 4,000 (per head) onwards. A water-sunken stage will emerge from its picturesque tropical lagoon to hold a live extravaganza with laser effects, water screens and water curtains, for New Year’s eve.
Cosy & cheerful
If all you want is a relaxed night out (or lunch) with friends and food, you can have a leisurely Christmas dinner at The Park, Navi Mumbai, for Rs 850 plus taxes (including a bottle of wine, and a live, two-piece band). Santa brings you free gifts too!
Delhiites can opt for a Mexican spread at new restaurant Amigo, for just Rs 2,200 (for two, plus taxes). The real steals though are the packages at the Taj restaurants. At Machan, a lavish Christmas lunch buffet with traditional offerings like Roast turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and Christmas pudding, accompanied by Laurent Perrier champagne and Margaritas, is priced at Rs 2,999 per person (all inclusive).
At the House of Ming, a four-course Christmas dinner is for Rs 2,500 per person, at Wasabi and Varq, too expensive to splurge on otherwise, festive spreads are priced at Rs 3,000 and 4,000, all inclusive.
So, go bag that deal.