Its that time of the year - beware the Yulefest ripoff. I took my partner to the Yulefest dinner at the Hydro Majestic last year because I was impressed by the promises of stylish entertainment and food on the website and thought it looked pretty good. On the night, a splendidly dressed “Scottish” piper implied a fun night ahead as we followed him out of the main lounge to dinner, with our “complimentary” champagne in our hands. The first disappointment came when we got to the chilly dining room. One fire was lit and a plastic garland hung over the other cold fireplace. Disappointment deepened once the piper left the dining room and a tired old CD of Sade came on. At this point I noticed a lot of people looking around - and not looking impressed. The really cheap Xmas crackers didn’t help. I got a tissue-paper crown and one of those rubbery monster heads with wavy arms you stick on the end of your finger. I’m in my late forties. Then we see the set menu. Pumpkin soup, Turkey and Xmas pudding. I knew it was going to be a traditional Xmas dinner, but I did expect something a bit more special. OK. It was roasted pumpkin soup, but a dollop of sour cream and chives or some bit of effort at presentation wouldn’t have hurt. Turkey? Round slices of some sort of Stegglesy rolled-up type thing. Guess what. Dry. Xmas pudding. Suspiciously shaped just like those commercially made ones in individual plastic bowls that you microwave. Weird presentation on a huge plate with a big crunchy trellis thing made out of melted sugar stuck in it. Guess what. Dry. Set price for dinner for two was $230. And you thought I was being picky didn’t you? Further disappointment. When booking, I was not told the “Tux Deluxe” dance band would not be playing. The replacement act was three talented, casually dressed kids who would have been fine at a Bowling Club birthday function at this point in their career, but were hardly the mature classy act as was advertised on the website. Whenever the kids weren’t playing, someone just pressed “PLAY” again on that bloody Sade CD. Though a few larger tables happily danced to the kid’s band, most of the room had left by about 9:30. Woo hoo. That one night cost us over $600. ($270 room, $230 Yulefest, $100 wine) I am trying not to dwell on what that could have bought elsewhere. My formal complaint to the Hydro and Accor Head Office was totally ignored. I reasonably requested a refund only of the cost of the meal. Forgot to mention, they played Bing Crosby’s Xmas Album at breakfast. Woo hoo. Overall, I was really disappointed in where the Hydro is heading. Breakfast used to be a bright, warm, aromatic delight in the big bistro room overlooking the valley. Nice food, nice coffee. Stunning view. Now, it’s held in the cold, viewless, gloomy-by-day same dining room. A dreary experience of lukewarm canteen food served on makeshift serving tables. Once you have breakfast, it appears Management wants you to leave the hotel immediately. It refuses to light the fire in the morning in the main lounge, so you won’t think of sitting there and having a coffee and a read of the Sunday papers.