Iconic Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya comes alive this December

Grand Hotel side view

Contemplating on where to spend this Christmas, well definitely a drive up to the salubrious cool climes of Nuwara Eliya, will be the ideal setting for a blissful season.  Stepping out of a vehicle after a four-and-a-half hours drive from Colombo, one could feel the heat and stress gradually ease up and you feel rejuvenated. The climatic conditions and the ambience at the hotel will definitely set you in the mood. The temperature drops to the degree where you really feel that you are somewhere overseas, but you are right in the British hamlet.

A train journey to the hill country is a breath-taking sight for those who would love to experience the phases of climatic changes augmented with the rhapsody of geographical differentiations.

Nuwara Eliya synonymously known as “The city of Lights” is hive of activity with all the hotels and guest houses spruced and trimmed for Christmas. The aroma of cypress trees is more profusely felt than during other days as almost all hotels, guest houses, shops and homes are decorated with the traditional cypress tree for the festive period.

The countdown to Christmas traditionally began at the iconic Grand Hotel, with the traditional mixing of the Christmas cake saw the chefs parading the street on a horse driven carriage led by bag pipers and drummers followed by the mixing was on the front lawn in a large wooden vat.  The events have continued from thereon with the lighting of the Christmas tree by songstress Falan Andrea, pre-festive dinners with Purple Rain former Leader Geoffrey Fernando.

Entering into the Hotel, you are engulfed with the aura from the cypress wreaths and décor.  You are bound to pause a moment and reflect whether you in England or in Little England. The hotel taps into the magic of the season by transforming its entire premise into an enchanted castle filled with stunning seasonal displays.

Wondering what’s on store in the upcoming days; it’s a Jazzy O Christmas Festive High Tea with Trio Topaz performing from 15-18 daily from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.  Carols from different churches would congregate on the historical stairway to sing melodious tunes, while the hotel has initiated a fund raiser for the St. Xavier’s church on 16th where the choristers would perform an hours’ rendition of carols.  Christmas eve in the chilly resort is a feeling which becomes more charismatic when the log fires are lit up. 

The hotel rooms are already sold out on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but guests in the vicinity can patronise either the authentic Grand Indian or the authentic Grand Thai, the Magnolia All-day Dining or the Tea Lounge overlooking the fabulous prize-winning garden, or even the Barnes restaurant.

Moving further, on 26 and 27, veteran Violinist Shani de Livera would perform along with Ashan Algama on vocals during high tea.  To wrap up the season, the 31st night would be a typical movie premier with loads of games, fireworks display and dancing through to 2023.

If it is a getaway that one is looking for, to indulge in sheer relaxation, to de-stress and get ready for the new year with a kick start, the Grand beckons you to yet another dimension of hospitality, with the Grand Spa and Mindfulness Studio, to pamper you with everything that’s good for your spirit and soul.  Specially curated spa treatments are so welcoming and refreshing to those who love a complete rejuvenation.

Packing your bags for the holiday, don’t forget to take some warm clothes as Nuwara Eliya is definitely chilly and cold.  Be there in Nuwara Eliya and you would be happy and content that you made the right choice this season.