Christmas at Seda: A sweet slice of home

MANILA, Philippines – The season’s breeze seems to cast a mysterious spell that makes our hearts go aflutter. It’s as if the wind that wafts through the now-decked and well-lit streets of December sprinkles us with some kind of happy dust — magically turning the naughty into nice and the hopeless into hopeful again. The slightly cooler air brings in a certain kind of warmth that leaves us feeling all kinds of feelings. It makes us extra giddy, extra kind, giving and loving. It makes us miss people. It makes us want to be together. It makes us want to be home. It’s a mystery best left unexplained. We call it Christmas — the most wonderful time of the year.

As the joyous flicker of red, green and gold along boulevards tries to remind us that Christmas should be nothing but bliss, the holidays can also be stressful. Where and how to celebrate? Where to dine? What to do differently this year? Yes, it can also be quite a tough time.

Seda — a proudly Filipino brand of Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corporation (AHRC) — is opening its doors to those who want an intimate, quiet, stress-free and memorable Christmas this year. Seda will offer special treats and a kind of service that will make you feel at home. Because as much as we love those explosive parties here and there, don’t we still crave for the more cozy type of gatherings with the people we love? A beautiful yet comfortable place where we can let all these yuletide feelings flow?

“We want our guests to have a memorable and meaningful Christmas without taking away that familiar warmth of being home,” said Seda hotels’ group general manager Andrea Mastellone. He then added that the hotel’s goal is to give its guests the “best Christmas feelings in the world.” After all, what stays with the guests is not so much the hardware but the unforgettable moments they will cherish for a long time. Simple experiences that make a world of difference — from a good night’s sleep under fluffy sheets to fun and random conversations over a special brew. This season, Seda will continue to give these extra delights through special treats and a bunch of other unexpected yuletide gifts. And on December 4th, as the hotel lights up its giant Christmas tree, Seda transforms itself into an ideal Christmas destination right in the heart of the metro.

Here are some delicious and heartwarming reasons why Seda — which is present in BGC, Nuvali, Davao, CDO and Iloilo — is definitely the gift that just keeps on giving.

Yuletide bites

Seda’s homemade Christmas ham can definitely replace the star on top of any Christmas tree — honey-glazed, fresh and organic. Chef Romualdo “Pepe” Castillo reveals that this ham — perfectly salty-sweet — is a heritage recipe that was passed on to him by his ancestors; a recipe that he will never ever reveal, but will always be happily served at the hotel during the holidays. Seda BGC’s pastry chef Ricky Rodriguez has also prepared an array of artisanal sweets that is perfect as Christmas presents, like his special milk, raspberry and dark chocolate pralines; the world-famous German Christmas stollen bread, which was cultured in rum for 3 months; the Cavendish bread that is made of export-quality bananas from Davao and there are macarons (pistachio, almond, orange, mocha, chocolate, hazelnut) and chocolate bars exclusively crafted for Seda. And be sure not to miss chef Ricky’s chewy fudge cookies — it’s simply addicting. For this month, Seda BGC is also offering banquet deals that are perfect for get-togethers of family and friends. Ask for the Silver Bells package (good for 30 people), Jingle Bells package (good for 50 people) or the Jolly St. Nick’s package, which can accommodate 100 persons.

A series of joyful events

All evenings from December 16th to the 24th, at 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., will turn into a chain of enchanting nights filled with timeless holiday carols that tug at the heart. There will be a mass on Christmas Eve and special holiday packages for those who would want to stay in and celebrate at the comforts of Seda. And to end the year with a bang, Seda BGC’s Straight Up Bar will throw a New Year Countdown Party for only Php 3,000 per person.

Christmas can be a bit overwhelming, but you can always save yourself from all the unnecessary hassle by choosing to spend it with the people who matter the most to you, in a lovely place where all the best feelings in the world can be felt and would still remind you of home.