Capital hotels brim with holiday cheer

With Christmas just around the corner, hotels in Beijing are embracing the yuletide spirit with a variety of holiday festivities.

Instead of heading to the mall in search of the perfect gift, why not go to the Shangri-La Hotel Beijing to adopt a Christmas tree? A donation of 5,000 yuan ($802) allows a guest to hand-pick a Christmas tree provided by the hotel, and it will be displayed in the hotel lobby with the name of the donor.

This event is part of the hotel's charity projects, and all proceeds will go the Beijing Experimental School for the Deaf.

Park Hyatt Beijing and China World Summit Wing are all celebrating Christmas with a variety of charity elements.

For those who cannot make it to the Rockefeller Center tree-lighting ceremony this year, Kempinski Hotel Beijing is one of the best places to celebrate the holiday in style. On arrival, guests will be tempted by freshly baked rolls with grilled Nurnberger sausages as well as some authentic German hors d'oeuvres, such as stollen, and who could say no to a complementary glass of aromatic and mulled wine to warm oneself during the freezing weather?

And if you are in the mood to go all out and indulge yourself, a good old-fashioned Broadway-style show may be exactly what you need, such as the Burlesque show at the InterContinental Hotel Beijing (Beichen).

Burlesque is a type of dramatic musical from the Victorian era known for its ridicule and mockery. The Intercontinental Hotel's guests will not only enjoy the extravaganza but also a range of exquisite cuisine at the buffet.

In addition, the hotel plans to award several prizes to guests, including a trip to New York for two and the latest Apple products. Now that's the Christmas spirit we are talking about!

In a city featuring a unique blend of West and East, hotels in Beijing are certainly geared up to celebrate the holiday in the true Christmas spirit of giving.

maxue@chinadaily.com.cn