By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: The festive season has returned in a cascade of light and wonder as OPERO Hotel Southkey officially unveils its Winter Wonderland Christmas Celebration 2025.

The hotel invited guests to step into a world of warmth, indulgence and holiday cheer, offering a trio of thoughtfully crafted dining experiences — the Winter Velvet Christmas Eve Buffet, the Winter Merry Christmas Day Brunch, and the Winter Whispers Christmas Afternoon Tea.

Embracing the evocative theme of Winter Wonderland, Opero is transformed into a glittering holiday escape, where shimmering lights, comforting seasonal aromas and imaginative culinary creations set the stage for an unforgettable celebration.

Designed to inspire both nostalgia and delight, the hotel’s festive programme promises a season filled with togetherness, joyous gatherings, and a touch of Christmas magic.

The Christmas tree lighting was led by the hotel’s General Manager Yazid Mustaffa and Director of Opero Hotel Southkey Nor Aisyah Mohamed Zaini.

With a flick of a switch, the Christmas tree illuminated the lobby of the hotel casting a magical glow.

The lobby of Opero Hotel Southkey Johor Bahru shimmered with the promise of Christmas recently as guests gathered for the hotel’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, a tradition that has steadily grown into one of its most anticipated year-end celebrations.

The towering Christmas tree — draped in warm golden lights, studded with gleaming ornaments, and brushed with festive notes of red — stood like a proud sentinel at the heart of the lobby, its gentle radiance washing over the gathering crowd.

Guests drifted in with quiet anticipation, their faces softening in the tree’s glow, as if drawn into a shared moment of seasonal wonder. Beside it, a pair of golden reindeer shimmered beneath the lights, their luminous presence adding a tender brilliance that made the entire scene feel almost enchanted.

The moment the lights came on was met with warm applause as Opero Hotel Southkey Johor Bahru’s General Manager, and director, performed the honours. With a steady hand and a bright smile, they led the symbolic countdown, illuminating not just the tree but the entire lobby in a wash of holiday warmth.

The golden poinsettias, scattered like little stars, lend an air of quiet elegance, while the neatly wrapped gifts beneath the branches evoke the simple joy of giving. More than a decoration, the tree becomes a symbol of togetherness — a reminder that amidst the rush of the season, there is still beauty, wonder, and a place to pause.

Yazid Mustaffa said it was always an honour for the hotel to celebrate the spirit of Christmas in the company of the hotel guests, business partners, and the media.

“It is a profound privilege and immense pleasure to welcome you all to this truly enchanting evening,” Yazid began, his voice carrying across the expectant crowd. He extended heartfelt acknowledgment to Datuk Zaini Amran, Director of Opero Group, and Nor Aisyah Zaini, —figures he credited as pillars of vision and continuity within the Opero family.

For many in the lobby, the night was more than a ceremonial illumination. It was a testament to a hospitality brand that has—quietly but steadily—established itself as one of Johor’s refined urban sanctuaries. The hotel’s 238 rooms, five flexible function spaces, and ballrooms accommodating up to 500 guests have become the backdrop of weddings, corporate gatherings, and cultural celebrations. Its culinary destinations—Oliva Café, Caligo Bar and Lounge, Vero Privat, and the FLO Bar—continue to elevate its reputation as a dining hub in the Southkey district.

But it was the year 2025 that Yazid most wanted to honour.

“This has been a period of significant growth, successful navigation of challenges, and the achievement of major milestones,” he said, pausing as though to gather the collective achievements of the past months. “Our success is entirely attributed to the unwavering support of each and every one of you—our guests, partners, and our dedicated team.”

It was a year that saw Opero Hotel host memorable occasions:

• A grand wedding for Datuk Norazam’s daughter, attended by distinguished royal families;
• Lively festive celebrations that drew communities together;
• The inaugural Gawai Keamatan launch, which the hotel now hopes to anchor as an annual cultural highlight;
• And a well-loved Ramadan Buffet, which Yazid noted “captured the hearts of many.”

Looking ahead, Yazid reaffirmed Opero’s commitment to national and state-level tourism efforts in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Johor Year 2026. The hotel, he said, aims to play its part not merely as an accommodation provider but as a cultural hub—one that showcases traditional cuisine, heritage performances, and folk traditions to both local and international guests.

“We hope 2026 will be our most exceptional year yet,” he declared, “and we look forward to welcoming it with immense hope and optimism.”

As the festive atmosphere deepened, Yazid turned to a topic that reliably sparks delight at any year-end celebration—food.

With the culinary team led by Executive Chef Samn Ooi, Opero has prepared a spread of seasonal offerings that complement the evening’s spirit of celebration.

Attendees included hotel guests, media representatives, and long-time business partners, many of whom noted that this year’s décor felt especially heartfelt.

Families, friends and invited guests posed for photographs beneath the tree, children tugged at their parents’ sleeves to get a closer look at the ornaments, and friends lingered nearby, soaking in the atmosphere that blended elegance with a touch of Christmas magic.

Following the ceremony, guests were ushered into a festive buffet preview, where an array of seasonal dishes awaited. Long tables were lined with roasted meats, spiced desserts, colourful salads, and traditional Christmas favourites.

Laughter mingled with the soft hum of conversation as chefs made their rounds, explaining the inspirations behind each dish. The aromas of cinnamon, baked pastries, and short ribs to roasted lamb added to the sensory delight of the evening.

The event closed on a warm and celebratory note as guests clinked glasses, sampled desserts, and expressed their appreciation for the hotel’s efforts to spread festive cheer.

For many, the evening marked the unofficial beginning of Christmas — a reminder that even in a bustling city, moments of beauty and connection still matter. At Opero Hotel Southkey Johor Bahru, it was not merely the lighting of a tree, but the lighting of spirits as the holiday season begins to unfold.

As the evening unfolded into a festive buffet preview, she shared a final sentiment that lingered with many attendees. “Christmas has a way of lighting not just spaces, but spirits,” Yazid said.

“If tonight brought even a little warmth, comfort, and joy to those who joined us, then we’ve already captured the true essence of the season.”