Each year the employees at Hotel Majestic in Barcelona gather for their Christmas party, and the theme changes annually. In 2006, they celebrated with a Western focus. In 2007, with plans to expand the small, luxury hotel group into the Middle East, planners chose an Arabian theme.
Like most holiday parties, management was extremely supportive of the effort and provided positive feedback as a measure of the success after the event. "They all enjoyed and were surprised by the decoration and ambience," commented Mr. José Vidal, Development, Quality & Environment Manager at Hotel Majestic.
A planning committee was comprised of 20 employees from all departments within the hotel, and they also identified the event theme. Event specifications included:
- Theme: The Majestic's Haima
- Employee Christmas Party (special event)
- Hotel Majestic, Barcelona, Spain
- Event Space: 645 m2 (6,943 square feet)
- November 29, 2007
- 8 p.m. - 4 a.m.
- 180 attendees
- Event Manager: Mr. José Vidal
The food reflected an Arabian buffet, and beverages include Champagne for a welcome drink. Wine and water were served during dinner, and an open bar during the party. The event also included a Morocco tea ritual (traditional method) during dinner. The menu included:
- Humus
- Shrimp kabob with tandoori sauce
- Morocco tomato with mozzarella and basilica
- Selection of Iberian cold meats
- Variety of salads
- Chicken soup flavored with cardamom
- Falafel
- Lamb cooked Marrakech style with couscous
- Fish kebob with fresh tomato
- Chicken curry with steam Indian rice
- Selection of fresh fruits
- Morocco pastries
Decorations were rented from a local event supplier, but the staff at Hotel Majestic created the main haima (a festive tent found in Arab celebrations and special events). Items included:
- Arabian tables
- Morocco puffs
- Morocco cushions
- Morocco special mattresses (sitting)
- Special Morocco lanterns
- Fountain with plants
- Fresh flowers
- Morocco pipes
- Morocco furniture and accessories
- 7:30 p.m.: Department Heads Welcome Employees
- 8:00 p.m.: Belly Dance Show (welcome entertainment)
- 8:30 p.m.: Belly Dance Show (second performance)
- 9:00 p.m.: General Manager & CEO Presentations
- 9:30 p.m.: Dinner Begins
- 10:00 p.m.: Belly Dance Show (third performance)
- 11:00 p.m.: Raffle (30 items)*
- 12:00 a.m.: Belly Dance Class
- 12:30 a.m.: Party Begins
* Two or three day trips (London, Marrakech, Paris and Prague), flat screen TVs, dinners for 2 at Barcelona restaurants, watches and mobile phones.
Since the event was held at a hotel for its own employees, like other fun celebrations, uninvited guests are bound to try to join.
"There were [hotel] guests who were coming into the party, and we had to politely inform them that it was a private party," explains Vidal. "And we had an former employee who dinner with us and joined the party because had had so much fun at the previous Christmas parties."
