Boutique luxury hotel brand The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has announced promotions spanning the Easter holiday, at its properties in Rome, Madrid and Phuket. From a gourmet pranzo di Pasqua in Roma, a getaway con gusto in Madrid to a cross-cultural double celebration in Phuket, there are tantalising Easter treats in store.
Guests spending Easter at The Pavilions Rome, The First Arte or The Pavilions Rome, The First Musica (Italy), can enjoy pranzo di Pasqua at the hotels’ respective rooftop restaurants, Acquaroof Terraza Molinari and ALTO. This important traditional Easter feast is second only to Christmas in the calendar of festivities. Considered a time to share good food with loved ones, the popular saying, ‘Natale con i tuoi, e Pasqua con chi vuoi’ – meaning ‘spend Christmas with your family, and Easter with whomever you like’ – encapsulates this convivial Italian tradition. The cuisine of the midday feast varies from region to region, with lamb taking centre-table nationwide. At ALTO, the four-course menu with a modern twist includes cosciotto d’agnello alla cacciatora – lamb with an olive and herb sauce. Equally delicious is the leg of lamb with herbs, celariac and broad beans, cosciotto d’agnello alle erbe, sedano rapa, fave, being served at Acquaroof Terraza Molinari. With commanding views over the Eternal City, discerning diners can enjoy a contemporary twist on this festive tradition and appreciate the city skyline one bite at a time.
Reason to visit at Easter: With the Vatican City at its heart, Easter in the Eternal City is renowned worldwide for its elaborate parades and celebratory masses led by the Pope, including on Palm Sunday in St Peter’s Square; Maundy Thursday in St Peter’s Basilica; and the famous Good Friday Mass, also in St Peter’s Basilica, followed by the ‘Via Crucis’ or ‘Stations of the Cross’ procession.
Pranzo di Pasqua menus are available on 9th and 10th April 2023, from €80pp (approx. GBP70pp) at ALTO (click here for the menu) and from €95pp (approx. GBP83pp) at Acquaroof Terraza Molinari (click here for the menu). Easter stays start from €555 (approx. GBP488) per room per night at The Pavilions Rome, The First Musica and €495 (approx. GBP435) per room per night at The Pavilions Rome, The First Arte. For reservations and further information visit www.pavilionshotels.com.
Those seeking a Spanish Semana Santa sojourn can enjoy a 20 percent saving at art lovers’ dream The Pavilions Madrid. The boutique hotel-meets-gallery’s En Pascua package includes a welcome glass of vino and a traditional Spanish dessert, torrijas. Typically eaten during Lent and the Holy Week, this classic dessert has long been part of Spanish cuisine and is often likened to the popular British bread and butter pudding. Usually fried in Spanish olive oil, torrijas recipes vary from region to region. Visitors seeking a sophisticated boutique bolthole to retreat to after a day soaking up the extravagant Easter festivities will find the hotel’s artistic ambience and neighbourhood location perfect for a short break.
Reason to visit at Easter: Madrilenos tend to head out of the city for family celebrations, making this the perfect time for holidaymakers to enjoy the extravagant array of festivities during Holy Week (Semana Santa). From Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday, there are numerous religious celebrations, processions and concerts. One of the biggest, ‘not-to-be missed’ processions, La Borriquita, crosses the city centre on Palm Sunday, while Holy Week closes with the highly anticipated tamborrada drum procession, in which around 50 drummers parade from the Carboneras Convent to Plaza Mayor as part of this ancient UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity tradition.
The Pavilions Madrid’s City Escape Easter offer starts from €193++ (approx. GBP170++) per room per night, including Spanish-selected wine and traditional Spanish torrijas on arrival, and late checkout until 2pm. Based on two sharing a Classic King room. Valid for minimum three-night stays from 1st to 15th April 2023, subject to availability. For reservations and further information visit www.pavilionshotels.com.
Guests at The Pavilions Phuket can also enjoy a taste of Italy on Easter Sunday with a special pranzo di Pasqua lunch and wine pairing at the resort’s new ALTO Italian Restaurant. Alternatively, poolside restaurant Firefly will be serving up an East-meets-West banquet brunch, including an array of dishes from traditional roasted spring lamb to a live BBQ grill of whole red snapper, succulent meats and fresh fish, alongside authentic Thai dishes and salads. Diners can upgrade to include a free-flow beverage package with local beers, wine, sparkling and soft drinks.
Reason to visit at Easter: Enjoy a cross-cultural double celebration, as Easter overlaps with Thailand’s most celebrated festival, Songkran, or Thai New Year. As well as the lavish brunch, Easter weekend at The Pavilions Phuket is filled with fun activities for kids including an egg hunt through the resort’s tropical gardens, Easter egg decoration and face painting, and even a self-service ice cream station. The festivities continue with the arrival of Songkran on 13th April, as kids are encouraged to make a splash with a host of exuberant aquatic fun and games to mark Thailand’s famous water festival.
The five-course pranzo di Pasqua lunch at The Pavilions Phuket’s ALTO Italian Restaurant is available from THB2,999++ (approx. GBP72++) per adult, with optional wine pairing from THB999++ (approx. GBP24++) per adult. Easter Sunday Brunch at the resort’s Firefly restaurant is available from THB2,490++ (approx. GBP60++) per adult, with optional free-flow beverage package from THB1,200++ (approx. GBP29++) per person. Children aged under 6 eat free. Kids aged 6-12 years eat half price. Stays at The Pavilions Phuket during Easter/Songkran start from THB7,520++ (approx.. GBP178++) per room per night. For reservations and further information visit www.pavilionshotels.com.