Celebrity guests

Christophe Lauras (right), general manager of Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich, greets French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault (left) upon his arrival at the hotel during his five-day visit to China.

George Benney (right), managing director of Regent Beijing, welcomes Herman Van Rompuy (left), president of the European Council, during his stay at the hotel.

Richard H'ng (right), general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo, extends a warm welcome to veteran basketball player Wang Zhizhi (left).

Cuisine

Dim sum delights

The Peninsula Beijing presents an exquisite dim sum set lunch menu at its award-winning Cantonese restaurant Huang Ting. Priced at 88 yuan per person, this menu offers four mouth-watering appetizers, one soup and up to 10 delicate dim sum varieties for guests to savour. 010-6510-6707

Seafood for 2014

China World Hotel, Beijing invites guests to herald in the New Year by enjoying a seafood buffet. Available for 888 yuan per person, it features seafood and more than 40 desserts. 010-6505-2266

Italian jewel

The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai is presenting a jewel-themed afternoon tea, in collaboration with Damiani, the leading Italian luxury jewel brand, from 2 pm to 5 pm until Feb 15. Each treat is precisely molded and handmade by the pastry chef based on the different kinds of jewelry styles, served with Bollinger Champagne and coffee. 021-2330-2231

What's new

Valentine's Day

InterContinental Beijing Financial Street offers up to 30 percent off room rates to those who book two days in advance for two nights or more in February.

010-5852-5888

New Year's magic

The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya will celebrate the New Year by offering a complimentary magic show, live music and a buffet to holiday makers. The party on its function lawn, facing the ocean, will feature a lucky draw, fireworks display and a countdown to welcome 2014.

0898-8858-6888

Kitchen competition

The Westin Hefei Baohe in Anhui province hosted the Westin brand SuperFoodsRx Cooking Competition on Dec 22, with 20 media attendees in the contest. This activity showcased the Eat Well feature of Westin's promotion of well-being in China.

0551-6298-9346

A really big stollen

In celebration of the Christmas season, Kempinski Hotel Guiyang in Guizhou province baked the longest stollen - traditional German bread for Christmas, measuring 88 meters long, in the city. Sale of the stollen has raised 20,378 yuan ($3,360), as part of the fundraising for the left-behind children in the Center of Guiyang Charity Association. 0851-599-9999

Bund 18

Shanghai Bund 18 is hosting the opening ceremony of the Chullery museum, the renowned jewel brand established in 1992 by artist Lin Fangzhu. Her creative work uses different kinds of jades and antiques, combined with the traditional culture of the Palace Museum in Taipei and modern fashion concepts. The theme of the first exhibition is defined as ruyi to express Zen philosophy.

Appointments

John Burger has been appointed general manager of Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai.

Kanchan Kanwar has been appointed general manager of Sofitel Shenyang Lido.

(China Daily 12/28/2013 page13)