Tis’ the season to be hungry…

Planning the perfect Christmas takes time and effort; from decorating the tree and decking the halls, to last minute gift wrapping and dinner preparations. This year more than ever, is all about celebrating the festive season with our loved ones, and what better way to celebrate than with a tasty Christmas meal to satisfy our rumbling tummies? Food possesses the power to bring us all together, so let’s pull out all the stops and put on a taste-tantalizing spread we can all enjoy.

It’s time to start planning your perfect Christmas dinner. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself by indulging in decadent festive menus at exclusive hotels around Europe, or you’re just looking for a little inspiration to add an extra bit of pzazz to your meal; eat, drink and be merry with some of these fantastic HIP Hotels Christmas menus!

Cowley Manor - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

There is nothing more therapeutic than being surrounded by good company and even better food. Escape to the enchanting landscape of the Cotswolds this winter and celebrate the festive season at one of the incredible Curious Group of Hotels. Hosting a magical Christmas get-together, it comes as no surprise that Cowley Manor is the talk of the town. This trendy hotel is spoiling its guests with a fantastic choice of delicious afternoon teas and a private dining option for you to enjoy with your friends and family. No matter how big or small your party may be, dress to impress and retreat to either The Study, the Garden Room or the Restaurant for an evening to remember. Indulge in a festive two or three course lunch and dinner menu, and be prepared to celebrate this holiday season in style!

If you decide to book your party into the festive dinner menu, then you’re in for a real treat. Featuring starters such as baked cotswold blue brie tart with beetroot relish; ragout of wild mushrooms with soft poached eggs, sourdough bread and truffle dressing; hot smoked salmon and parsley cake with crab and lemon mayonnaise. Main dishes include a traditional roast bronze turkey with chestnut stuffing, bacon and chipolata sausages and cranberry sauce; a vegan chestnut, sage and onion polenta cake with piccolo parsnip, sprout tops and artichoke cream; baked aubergine with pepper, courgette and halloumi, served with spiced aubergine caviar (which is gluten-free). If you didn’t think the menu could get any tastier, choose from an array of desserts such as mulled wine poached pear, with vegan pecan caramel ice cream; hot chocolate fondant with blood orange sorbet and citrus compote; traditional christmas pudding with brandy butter and rum sauce, the list goes on and on…

With tasty options that cater for every need, the festive menus at Cowley Manor won’t disappoint!

Villa Provence - Aarhus, Denmark

Escape to Aarhus, Denmark’s most delightful city and ring in the New Year at Villa Provence. A cosmopolitan boutique boasting French flair with a Danish twist, The Bühlmann family have once again created a selection of exclusive New Year’s menus for guests to enjoy at Villa Provence. Exclusively prepared by the incredibly talented chefs from Hotel Scheelsminde and Nørre Vosborg, Christian and Benjamin, these menus are filled with only the best of this season’s ingredients.

Guests are spoilt for choice with three different menus to choose from. From a mouth-watering three-course meal (Tasteful New Year) featuring cod dishes, wreath cakes and more, to a delicious four-course menu (Gastronomic New Year) featuring an assortment of tasty starters, a main course and desserts, why not book yourself the whole package and embark on the ultimate New Year Experience menu, that features everything above and exclusive caviar tasting to compliment your meal? Think raw black lobster and crispy pie with home-smoked Norwegian salmon and cress, a homemade wreath cake coated with chocolate and parfait on white chocolate with passion fruit dipped in dark chocolate, coconut and chocolate crumble, you will be sure to be left full and satisfied!

Hurley House - Berkshire, United Kingdom

A multi-award winning boutique hotel and restaurant in one of Berkshire’s lesser-known villages, Hurley House truly raises the bar when it comes to hospitality standards. Focussing on incredible attention to detail, versatility and delicious seasonal ingredients, this year’s festive menu is truly spectacular. From a four-course festive lunch to a tantalising set dinner, these menus will be available every week from Thursdays to Sundays throughout December.

For starters, indulge in a creamy chestnut soup with Porcini mushrooms and thyme croutons, accompanied with a glass of alcohol-free sparkling rosé wine. For the main course, enjoy a scrumptious roasted copas turkey, with a delicious sage and chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, garden vegetables, braised red cabbage, red wine jus and of course, roast potatoes. For those of you with a sweet tooth, the dessert is to die for. Choose from a selection of three British cheeses, or a tasty Christmas pudding with custard or brandy sauce on request. Finally, settle those stomachs with a cup of tea or coffee, served with the exclusive Hurley House heavenly chocolate, and enjoy a mince pie or two.

Please note: pre-ordering is essential! So make sure when you’re booking a table, you pre-order your menus too.

Flemings Mayfair - London, United Kingdom

With London’s iconic landmarks and famous retailers right around the corner, Flemings Mayfair is the place to be this festive season. This hotel is not only one of the most exclusive stays in the city, but its award-winning restaurant, Ormer Mayfair, draws in people from near and far for its delectable tasting menus. Headed up by newly appointed Executive Chef, Sofian Msetfi, who hails from some of the most well-respected Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK & Ireland, a dining experience here is unlike any other.

If you already know about its incredible dishes, featuring local produce and ingredients, you’ll know that no Christmas is complete without indulging in their delectable festive delicacies. This year, give the gift of the ultimate Flemings experience and purchase a voucher for yourself and a loved one, where you can enjoy a six-course tasting menu at Ormer Mayfair. Featuring warm Ibérico ham jelly, served with parmesan cheese, bramley apple and nasturtium, veal sweetbread with passe crassane pear, walnuts and mustard, Scottish langoustine with pink grapefruit and juniper, roasted squab pigeon with beetroot, cumin and rosewater caramel and a selection of cheeses by Paxton & Whitfield. Be sure to opt in with some signature wine pairing for the ultimate dining experience.

For those with dietary restrictions there is also an incredible selection of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from.

Bulgari Hotel Milan - Milan, Italy

Discover the true taste of Italy at one of the most luxurious hotels in Milan. Bulgari Hotel is ready and waiting to offer you an exclusive dining experience this festive season. Tucked away on a hidden street in the popular Brera area, this eighteenth-century Milanese hotel will continue to amaze you with its refined interiors, tranquil spa and of course, incredible restaurant.

Take a seat and prepare yourself for the ultimate gastronomic journey at Il Ristorante. Serving an array of traditional flavours and aromas of the Italian delicacies, Chef Niko Romito has curated a special six-course white truffle menu for guests to enjoy. The three Michelin starred chef was the visionary around Il Ristorante and has created his own concept around Italian cuisine – bringing new ideas and extraordinary talent right to your table. Indulge in dishes such as steamed sea bass, beef tenderloin with mushroom gel, handmade tagliolini and so much more, all served with white truffle. Paired with different wines, experience the essence of “Made in Italy” this festive season. Bulgari Hotel Milan not only takes us on tantalising journeys, but continues to inspire us throughout the year!