Al Diar Dana (02 645 6000)
The festive season hits the Le Jardin Coffee Shop (Dhs70 plus 16 per cent) on both Christmas Eve and Day, with a special menu.
Al Maha Arjaan (02 610 6666)
Should you happen upon the Al Maha over the Christmas period, the City Café has a fine line in traditional turkey with all the trimmings, not to mention the odd mince pie, with both a Christmas Eve buffet (Dhs95pp) and Christmas Day brunch (Dhs100pp).
Al Raha Beach Hotel (02 508 0555)
Christmas Eve sees a choral carol celebration in the Lobby Lounge, as well as live entertainment in the Piano Bar at night; but surely the most interesting option is Abu Dhabi’s only Christmas breakfast. We’re not sure if mince pies and cornflakes really go, but Sevilla are leading the way. Later in the day, Azur offer a Christmas dinner of a more Mediterranean flavour, with guitarist ‘Louis’ providing the atmosphere.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi (02 644 3000)
Christmas Eve sees the Beach Rotana’s big hitters offer four- and five-course menus ranging from Dhs240-310 per person, although Brauhaus’s ‘Goose Platter’ (Dhs 110pp) wins the curiosity vote. Christmas Day lunch is available at Rodeo Grill (Dhs220pp) and Rosebuds (Dhs185pp) the following day, but it’s the Mega Brunch held at Al Thuraya Ballroom (Dhs210 adult; Dhs105 kids) which offers the most excitement.
Crowne Plaza (02 616 6122)
Both The Garden (from Dhs250 plus 16 per cent) and Heroes (Dhs150 plus 16 per cent) provide more than enough food on Christmas Day for those seeking a touch of home comfort. Live entertainment, plenty of tunes and unlimited bubbly are also on the cards.
Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna (02 801 2222)
On Christmas Eve, check out Tides for a full Christmas buffet (Dhs175 plus 16 per cent) as their choir performs traditional Christmas carols. There will also be live cooking, a full turkey dinner and a visit from Santa himself on Christmas Day (Dhs160 plus 16 per cent including egg nog). Festivities will continue long into the night with a swing band and DJ at L’attitude.
Emirates Palace (02 690 7999)
We’re not sure if it has any chimneys either, but Emirates Palace is pretty plush with everything else. The same goes for Christmas, when Le Vendome becomes the location for a Christmas Day Brunch (from Dhs310).
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 692 4300)
A more unusual way to spend Christmas lunchtime, the open-air beachfront of Coconut Bay will add a dash of desert charm, with live entertainment and a buffet brunch in the Palm Garden. The Hilton Choir performs in the hotel lobby from 8pm.
Le Meridien (02 644 6666)
Christmas lunch buffets abound here, with the dependable Le Brasserie, Le Bistrot, Pappagallo (Dhs150 plus 16 per cent) and Talay (Dhs165 plus 16 per cent) offering everything from turkey rolls to the full bird with all the trimmings, whilst NRG is being turned into a kids wonderland with a full children’s buffet (Dhs75 plus 16 per cent) and Santa himself distributing his festive wares.
Oryx Hotel (02 692 2224)
For Christmas Eve, those seeking a festive buffet can head to the West Side Coffee Shop or for a candle-lit dinner at the Horizons Restaurant. And come the big day, the Coffee Shop’s Christmas brunch buffet offers a festive option with plenty of chocolate to get kids happy.
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888)
For a Christmas lunch with an international flavour, Sofra, Shang Palace and Hoi An offer a taste of both the Middle and Far East (Dhs300 plus 16 per cent, 12 noon-4pm), then round the day off with dinner at the new Pearls & Caviar bar and restaurant (Dhs380 plus 16 per cent), sampling the bubbly upstairs at the open-air bar before tucking into the four-course menu.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Gifts, hampers, Santa and tasty presents can all be found at Café de Foyer. Flavours is open for Christmas Day brunch (Dhs 185pp), where the in-house choir will also be in residence from 1.30pm, whilst La Mamma offers the more unusual sight of an antipasti Christmas buffet (Dhs 185pp). For something more traditional, head to the Tavern Pub, with turkey, Yorkshire puddings and live music on offer.
