TOP 10 PLACES TO CELEBRATE EASTER THIS YEAR

By: Christian Stan | 12 March, 2015

From Greece to Bali, France or Thailand here are Travel for Senses Best 10 places to Celebrate Easter this year. Luxury hotels across the world are welcoming guests with special packages, dinner and brunch options for this special holiday.

1. PUZZLE EGG AT SHANGRI-LA, PARIS 

At Shangri-La Paris this year, Chef Perret has created a fun and amusing Easter egg by revisiting famous puzzle games and reproducing them in a chocolate and gourmet version. This egg is made of pure dark chocolate from Venezuela and milk chocolate from Madagascar. Filled with Easter candy, it will appeal to the most gourmet palates. The Egg Puzzle weighs 330 grams and is filled with candy – 70 per cent Carupano dark chocolate or 43 per cent Tannea® milk chocolate (100 per cent Madagascar, cocoa beans). This limited-edition creation is available for take-away sale at €70.

2. ENJOY EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ZEST RESTAURANT, CONRAD  KOH SAMUI

Zest restaurant at Conrad Koh Samui is offering a special Sunday Brunch on April 5, 2015 where guest will enjoy a variety of food and fun games. The Easter Sunday Brunch is priced at only THB 1,000 (subject to vats and service charge).

3. FAMILY ESCAPE AT BELMOND JIMBARAN PURI, BALI

This Easter families can enjoy an exclusive Easter Promotion package at Belmond Jimbaran Puri in the lush tropics of Bali. When booking the Easter Promotion package families will be able to enjoy either a Garden View Cottage Suite featuring two bedrooms, a private sunken plunge pool, furnished deck and a garden or a Deluxe Pool Villa featuring one or two bedrooms, a private pool and an occupancy of up to five people.

In addition, the package will also include an array of complimentary highlights to make family Easter escapes even more special, including complimentary return airport transfers and complimentary sofa beds for children up to 11 years with breakfast included. This offer is priced between USD315 and USD722 per night and can be booked via email at info.jpb@belmond.com.

4. SPECIAL CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG  AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS

To celebrate Easter and spring, Pierre Mathieu, the talented pastry chef of Mandarin Oriental, Paris has created a special Easter egg in the spirit of Ikebana, Japanese floral art.

A white flower white chocolate camellia decorates an elliptical vase in Venezuelan chocolate 70%. The ellipse contains a chocolate egg, stuffed with a delicious smoked praliné. This chocolate delight is available from 16 March to 6 April, priced 68 Euros at the Cake Shop of Mandarin Oriental, Paris.

5. FAMILY BRUNCH AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON SUKHUMVIT, BANGKOK

DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok invites families to celebrate Easter with a fun-filled Easter Brunch at Dee Lite restaurant on Sunday 5 April 2015. This special Easter Brunch features all the favorite Thai and western dishes, plus fresh seafood and shellfish and an amazing selection of desserts.

The hotel’s popular clown will be joined by an Easter bunny to keep all the children entertained in Dee Lite Kids’ Corner with a traditional egg hunt, movies, cupcake decorating and a t-shirt design competition. Children under age of 12 years eat for free at the special Kids’ Corner buffet. Easter Brunch is priced at 1,280 THB excluding tax and service charge per guest. For free flow wines, local beers and soft drinks add 425 THB excluding tax and service charge per guest.

Dee Lite is open for Easter Brunch from 12noon until 2.30 p.m. For reservations email bkkss.info@hilton.com

6. EASTER CELEBRATIONS AT AMANZOE, GREECE

The most sacred of holidays in Greece, Easter is also the most joyous, when locals celebrate the resurrection of Christ. During what is known as Holy Week, solemn processions and moving ceremonies are held, but it is also a time of sumptuous feasts, singing, dancing and fireworks. Surrounded by rural villages, 10 minutes from Porto Heli and 20 minutes from the islands of Hydra and Spetses, Amanzoe is ideally placed for witnessing or participating in the most atmospheric of local Easter celebrations. Amanzoe will also hold a traditional Greek Easter lunch on Easter Sunday, accompanied by live music.

7. EASTER DINING DELIGHTS AT KAYUMANIS JIMBARAN, BALI

Easter weekend always promises to be a restful break especially when spent in the tranquil ambience of Dining Corner at Kayumanis Ubud. A special 3 courses set menu inspired by the festive mood of this favourite holiday is available especial for guests over Easter. It includes a number of tantalizing dishes as well as hand-made chocolate treats for everyone. This unique set menu is only valid on 4th April 2015. Outside guests are also welcome to come and take delight in the river valley ambience of the Dining Corner.

8. ESCAPE TO LAOS AND CAMBODIA

For families looking to explore Laos or Cambodia, Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao and Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor are both offering exclusive family offers this Easter. During the Easter period families staying at each hotel will be able to enjoy free dining for children under 12 years old, who will be provided with complimentary meals in both hotels’ restaurants whilst eating with their parents.

In addition, extra beds will be provided on a complimentary basis for families travelling with children under 12 years old. A host of activities are also recommended for families this Easter. Ideal for the adventurous type staying at Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao, the waterfalls of Laos are a perfect place for a picnic or for a nice swim.

Families experiencing Cambodia can cycle, hike or kayak while staying at Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor or take educational tours around the historic ruins and temples of Angkor Wat.  Prices throughout the Easter period start at USD 345 at Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao and USD 284 at Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor.

9. REDEFINED EASTER BRUNCH AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BEVERLY HILLS

The time-honoured tradition of Easter Brunch takes on a new meaning on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Culina, Modern Italian, located at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.  This deliciously indulgent Brunch, created by Four Seasons Executive Chef Cyrille Pannier and Pastry Chef Federico Fernandez, is sure to thrill all partakers with traditional Easter fare in addition to Culina classics from its world-famous Sunday Brunch.

For the pièce de résistance, Pastry Chef Frederico Fernandez has created his fantastical Fede’s Chocolate and Candies Factory featuring all manner of chocolate Easter eggs and candy in addition to his house-made gelato and piping hot doughnuts.  Who can resist!

Easter Brunch is served at Culina, Modern Italian at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles on Sunday, April 5 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.   Easter Brunch is USD 98 for adults, USD 49 for children ages 5 – 12, and free for children under 4.

10. CHOCOLATE TREATS AT SHANGRI-LA, SINGAPORE 

Area Executive Pastry Chef Hervé Potus and his team at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore present a royal line-up of Easter goodies for the young and old, available for sale at The Line Shop from 28 March to 5 April 2015. This year’s highlight is the Shangri-La Royal Animal Kingdom Collection featuring six Easter eggs donning animal hoodies, such as panda, sheep, elephant, cow, tiger and pig, topped with a crown. Drawing inspiration from the Lunar New Year of the Goat, the pastry team created the fluffy, marshmallow covered King Sheep Egg and a series of Chef Hervé’s favourite animals to celebrate the festivity.  The King Sheep is priced at S$38 while the other animals are priced at S$32 each. Chocolate lovers can look forward to an interesting selection of chocolate treats.  Innovations include the all-time children’s favourite Lapin Peluche, which means “plush bunny” in French ($18 per bunny), and the unique SG50 Skyline Tower ($28 per piece) to celebrate Singapore’s golden jubilee. Easter celebrations are incomplete without traditional Hot Cross Buns.  The spiced sweet buns, which are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, are available at S$2.50 per piece. Guests can spread the festive cheer with the bountiful Easter Hamper packed with chocolate essentials. Priced at S$188, each hamper comprises a 100-gram Chocolate Bunny, 150-gram Chocolate Rooster, nine pieces of Chocolate Truffles, 250-gram Six Eggs in a Box, Shortbread Tin, Chocolate Drink and Sweet Wine.