Bookings are being accepted now at the Four Seasons Festive Desk for the following festivities; (prices are indicated, exclusive of tax and gratuity). Visit the Festive Desk on the upper lobby level Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sundays from 10am to 6 pm, or call 604-844-6708.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner in Chartwell

There are two Christmas Eve seatings at 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm for a five-course Christmas menu that starts with a Dungeness crab rilette, features traditional roast turkey as the main course, and winds up with gingerbread mille-feuille, gingerbread ice cream and orange confit. Price is $80 per person, children 12 and under, $35.

On Christmas Day, reservations are available for three seatings at 3 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm. The five-course menu starts with truffled salsify velouté, smoked prawns, and offers a choice of two appetizers, as well as three main courses: traditional roast turkey, seared lingcod and filet mignon braised beef cheek. A cheese course of Salt Spring Island camembert follows as does the gingerbread mille-feuille for dessert. Cost is $90 per person, $35 for children 12 and under.

Garden Terrace Christmas Buffet Brunch and Dinner

On Christmas Day, an exceptional brunch buffet will be served in the Garden Terrace from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm, featuring a breakfast table, salad and seafood station, hot entrées, Asian station, children's buffet, and a dessert table with 11 choices. Cost is $55 for adults, $30 for children from 8 to 12, and $25 for children 3 to 7 years.

The Christmas Dinner Buffet offers seatings at 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm. An expanded selection of hot entreés ranges from roast turkey, rib-eye roast and pistachio crusted salmon to Quebec tourtiere, bread-crusted smoked pork loin, and pumpkin risotto. Cost is $65 for adults, $30 for children from 8 to 12, $25 for children from ages 3 to 7.

At both brunch and dinner, Santa Claus pays a visit to the children, a Children's Creative Centre is set up, and piano accompaniment provides the musical backdrop.

Chartwell New Year's Eve

For those who would like to dine out, then head home early, Chartwell offers a Pre-Celebration Dinner with two seatings at 5 pm and 8 pm. The elegant four-course dinner is $95 per person.

The Gala 2002 New Year's Eve Celebration in Chartwell, from 8:30 pm to 1 am, pulls out all the culinary stops with Executive Chef Fabrice Rossmann's extravagant seven-course dinner complemented by a piccolo of Champagne upon arrival, party favours and music. Cost is $180 per person.

Garden Terrace New Year's Eve

Together with a five-course dinner and party favours in a candelit garden setting, guests at New Years' Eve in the Garden Terrace can dance until 1 am to the "big band sound" of The Continentals. Reservations from 8 pm, cost is $125 per person.

Garden Terrace New Year's Day Breakfast

Sleep in and wear your jeans. The first day of the year begins in relaxed style with this casual New Year's Day Breakfast Buffet that includes waffles while-you-wait, omelettes made to order, pancakes with fruit toppings, and all the other traditional breakfast favourites. Seatings are from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. Cost for adults is $30, $15 for children 8 to 12, and $10 for children 3 to 7 years.

Festive Stay-Over Rates and Package Gifts

Four Seasons special holiday Stay-Over Rates start at $120 per night (excluding taxes) for anyone attending a banquet or festive function at the hotel between December 1 and 31. For reservations, call 604 689-9333.

For those wanting to give the gift of a luxury stay-over anytime of the year, the Festive Desk will wrap up personalized gift certificates starting with a superior guest room or a Four Seasons Executive Suite, with options to add a fabulous Winemaker's Dinner in Chartwell, a Four Seasons bathrobe, or Champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Costs start at $200 (excluding taxes).

The Festive Desk also offers adult and child bathrobes, king pillows, deluxe-thread pillow cases, ceramic dog/cat bowls, manicure kits, golf shirts and hats with prices starting from $15. For more, call the Festive Desk at 604 844-6708.

27-Year AAA Five Diamond Hotel

In November 2002, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver was awarded its 27th consecutive CAA/AAA Five Diamond Award of Excellence, making it the only hotel in Canada to have held the award for more than a quarter century. For information on the hotel, visit fourseasons/vancouver.com.

See other Festive Holiday Meals on evalu8.org...

Find Take-out Turkey (etc.) on evalu8.org...