Christmas carols fill the air

Christmas carols fill the air

With Christmas just around the corner, hotels and malls in the city have spruced up their lobby and foyer areas with a plethora of bright decorations, giant sized toys and the ever important Christmas tree.

In keeping with their tradition of hosting the Christmas tree lighting ceremony since 2003, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel) held the auspicious ceremony where more than 500 guests gathered.

The majestic Christmas tree at the lobby of E & O Hotel.

Guests were treated to a free flow of beer and wine along with tasty finger food.

Christmas carols were sung by the hotel’s choir as guests mingled to catch up and wish Xmas greetings.

The centre of attraction at this event, standing resplendent beneath the Echo Dome of the hotel lobby, is a six-metre tall Christmas tree bedecked with shiny colourful baubles, ornaments, tinsel and fairy lights.

E&O group hospitality and lifestyle director Michael Saxon said the annual celebration was something the staff members and invited guests looked forward to each year.

“What makes it even more meaningful is that the ceremony serves as a melting pot for people of diversified backgrounds to meet and share the joy of Christmas,” said Saxon.

Adding to the merriment of the evening were the melodious carolling by The Messengers choir while Santa and Santarina had the children all excited with the handout of goodies and candies.

Over at the Gurney Plaza, they have turned the main foyer area into a magical fairy land complete with a ferris wheel and a giant gift box and Xmas trees to go along in keeping with their theme of “When Christmas toys come alive”. 

A grand launching ceremony was attended by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng accompanied by centre manager Peter Chan and general manager Selina Ng.

Gurney Plaza’s giant toys Xmas decoration at its foyer.

At the newly upgraded Jen Hotel along Magazine Road, a 21-feet Christmas tree stands pride of place in its main lobby this year.

There are hundreds of mini-yellow lights adorning its branches, shimmering with gold and red baubles.

The  best part is surely the traditional silver star on top of the tree.

Jen Hotel features a giant Christmas tree at its lobby.

Over at the Parkroyal Penang Resort, the management recently lighted up their Christmas tree in the presence of in-house guests and their management team.

The International community choir was present to render favourite yuletide songs and in the process raise funds to help the needy and underprivileged.

The Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas has turned its atrium area into a snow filled setting with a magical atmosphere to transform it with cobbled street, twinkling pine tree, deers, harp, cupids, calming water feature towering columns and rotating sculptures.

It also includes a spectacular multimedia projection light show and 10 units of LED panels. The centrepiece houses a majestic Christmas tree with frozen garlands and icicles.

In addition, there is also the festive balloon fiesta for children and Christmas bazaar for shoppers to browse.

Christmas deco at G Kelawai Hotel.

Other hotels and malls in the city showcases exciting Christmas tree decorations are at the St Giles The Wembley Hotel Penang, G Hotel Gurney, G Hotel Kelawai, Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Vouk Hotel, Lexis Suites Penang, Bayview Hotel Georgetown, The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya, Sunway Carnival Mall, Gurney Paragon Mall, Straits Quay Mall and the First Avenue Mall along Magazine Road.