Kota Kinabalu: The Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu is welcoming the year-end season with a warm invitation to its Festive Dining Delights, a series of Christmas and New Year buffets crafted to stir nostalgia, comfort and celebration.
Across five dates – Dec 21, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1, 2026 – the hotel transforms into a cosy festive haven, where the scent of roasted meats mingles with the sweetness of holiday desserts, and families gather over tables filled with flavours of the season.
Stepping into the dining hall, guests will find a cheerful mix of Western favourites and familiar local dishes, all prepared to complement the spirit of Christmas and fully halal-friendly.
A shimmering chocolate fountain becomes the centrepiece of the dessert corner, surrounded by freshly made crepes topped with nuts, mixed cut fruits, and elegant pastries such as white chocolate and walnut financiers, vanilla crème brûlée, tiramisu glasses, and a Christmas-themed burnt cheesecake crowned with delicate lemon meringue.
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The spread continues with green tea madeleines, hearty garlic butter mixed vegetables, and hot dishes like Cajun spicy garlic prawns and seafood en papillote, alongside fresh seafood on ice, sushi selections, and a colourful assortment of juices.
The ambience is warm and inviting – twinkling decorations, soft festive music, and an atmosphere built for creating memories over shared plates.
Kicking off the celebrations is The Merry Choco Wonderland Brunch Buffet on Dec 21 (11.30am-3pm), tailored especially for children with sweet treats and playful Christmas cheer.
On Dec 24, the hotel hosts its Holly Jolly Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet from 6pm-10pm, followed by the Merry Holidays Christmas Day Brunch Buffet. Early-bird vouchers for the Christmas Eve dinner are available from Dec 5 to 15, priced at RM118 for adults, RM95 for senior citizens, and RM65 for children.
The Christmas Day Brunch Buffet on Dec 25 (11.30am-3pm) also offers early-bird rates from Dec 5 to 15, priced at RM108 for adults, RM87 for seniors, and RM64 for children.
Normal pricing will apply from Dec 16 onwards.
The festivities continue as the year concludes with a final lavish spread on Dec 31, where the New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet invites diners to welcome 2026 from 6pm–10pm.
The celebrations carry over into the next morning with the New Year, New Me – New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet, served from 11.30am to 3pm.
Its Director, Chloe Loo, said the role of a hotel goes beyond offering hospitality.
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“We want to be a platform for the community to come together and share kindness. While guests enjoy the festive buffet and celebrations, they also have the opportunity to brighten a child’s new year in a simple but meaningful way,” she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, its General Manager, Azizan Mashud, said Christmas at the hotel has always centred on warmth, togetherness and giving back.
This year, the spirit of generosity takes centre stage as guests are invited to participate in the hotel’s charitable initiative by sponsoring school bags and essential stationery for children from Kampung Sarapung, Penampang, who were affected by recent floods.
A charity Christmas tree stands in the hotel lobby, with each ornament representing a child aged 5 to 13.
Visitors may select an ornament and contribute to the child’s school essentials for the coming year.
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