Bumper festive season at Meikles

True to tradition, the hotel will be offering five-star festive fun with “rates that are in themselves something of a ‘Christmas bonus’ for guests” . . . either one is coming for one or more meals, staying overnight or longer, or even guests coming into the lounge simply to have high tea with the hotel’s famous mince pies.
The Meikles general manager, Tinashe Munjoma, said on Christmas Eve, Christmas dinner will be served in the La Fontaine Grillroom, the hotel’s world-famous flagship dining facility which this month marks its 52nd anniversary. The band Summer Breeze will be in attendance for dinner and dance music, while Father and Mother Christmas will visit with gifts for diners.
“On Christmas Day, we are going to offer lunch in three venues — La Fontaine, where Summer Breeze will again be on hand; the Stewart Rooms, where a disco will provide music and children’s entertainment; and the Pavilion Restaurant, where music with a Zimbabwean and African flavour will be played to entertain diners,” Munjoma said.
Lunch in the Stewart Rooms and Pavilion will be buffet style, while that in La Fontaine will be a plate service meal, as always. Children can enjoy a jumping castle and face painting on the hotel’s roof garden, he said.
“On Christmas night, dinner will be hosted by La Fontaine with Summer Breeze playing music.
“New Year’s Eve is also a special night, with a continuation of the festive offering in the same three venues as on Christmas Day. This time bagpipers will be added to the entertainment, which also consists of Summer Breeze in La Fontaine, a disco in the Stewart Rooms and the local music flavour again offered in the Pavilion,” said Munjoma.
“An additional entertainment for diners in the Stewart Rooms is a cabaret featuring popular singer, Josh Ansley. All guests gather around the roof garden just before midnight, which will, as always, be marked by a colourful fireworks display — for which thousands of other people come to watch from the streets below the hotel.
“On New Year’s Day, guests can come to the hotel to enjoy brunch in the Pavilion — a buffet meal that starts early in the morning and goes into the mid-afternoon for those people sleeping in late after a night out,” he said.
“Christmas and New Year are a time for people to relax, forget their worries and have a good time, especially with family and friends, and we encourage this with a selection of offers that enhance our guests’ festive season,” said Munjoma adding that the hotel had “worked long and hard to put together a series of events that will entertain and create enjoyment and a memorable experience, whether for couples, families, groups or even corporate gatherings”.
The hotel has also introduced its traditional festive package for accommodation. This includes a bed and breakfast special rate and access booking for any or all of the Meikles Christmas events.
He said that lucky ticket prize draws will be undertaken at each of the festive lunches and dinners.
Munjoma said executive chef, Chris Gonzo, executive sous-chef, Shane Ellis, and their team in the kitchens have devised a unique Christmas menu, which is on offer throughout the season and which will be a taste treat for all palates.