Diners put hotels in jolly mood

Buffet dinners at most hotels are fully booked for Christmas, an indication that revellers are once again opening their wallets for the festive season.

At the Marco Polo and Excelsior hotels, managers said business was back to normal Christmas-time levels compared with last year's low.

'I think people are more willing to spend again,' said Dan Lee Wing-hong, general manager of the Newton hotel in North Point.

'It seems like the whole economy is getting better, with the stock and property markets improving.'

Mr Lee added that the buffet was booked out one week ago.

Similar trends were noted in other hotels, with the last bookings snapped up in the past few days.

At the Excelsior, all the Christmas buffet tickets are gone.