Ways to a lover's heart on Valentine's Day<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As if the romantics among us needed any
\nreminding, Valentine's Day is just a day away. The 14th day of
\nFebruary is the time of the year when thoughts turn to matters of
\nlove -- or so all the advertising spiel would have us believe.<\/p>\n
For those in the dark about its past, it dates back to 269
\nA.D., the era when Rome was under the reign of Emperor Claudius
\nII, also known as Claudius the Cruel. The emperor, believing that
\nmarried men made poor soldiers, issued orders banning all
\nmarriages and engagements in Rome. The emperor sent Valentine to
\njail for defying the order, and he subsequently suffered
\nmartyrdom for his defiance.<\/p>\n
For Jakarta, where the Valentine tradition is still pretty
\nmuch of a newcomer, it's the hotels and cafes like Planet
\nHollywood and Hard Rock Cafe which lay on the love for those with
\nthe time and the money.<\/p>\n
Many believe Valentine's is winning over Indonesians,
\nparticularly the young.<\/p>\n
\"What I've learned from our experience here last year is that
\nValentine's is really 'in' for the younger generation, it's so
\npopular,\" said Uraini Umarjadi, director of public relations at
\nthe Kempinski Hotel in Central Jakarta. \"And I was at a mall on
\nthe weekend and I saw so many men, both young and old, queuing up
\nto buy Valentine's gifts.\"<\/p>\n
Most star-rated hotels, with sumptuous culinary goodies on
\noffer for the day and through the evening, must hold to the
\nbelief that the way to a man's -- and woman's -- heart really is
\nthrough the stomach.<\/p>\n
At Gran Melia Jakarta in Kuningan, South Jakarta, couples can
\ncelebrate with five different supreme cuisines at Tien Chao
\nChinese restaurant, or a private romantic dinner at Columbus Fine
\nDining, specializing in southern European cuisine. There are also
\nValentine specials at the Lobby Lounge, a lovers' buffet at Cafe
\nGran Via and sweet treats at El Bombon.<\/p>\n
Hotel Mulia in Senayan, Central Jakarta, is putting on a
\nromantic dinner at CJ's Bar with the golden voice of Ruth
\nSahanaya, starting at 8 p.m. There is also a show to behold at
\nCascade Lounge, accompanied by a special performance of Harvey
\nMalaiholo and Mini Orchestra directed by Widya Kristanti, with a
\nlight snack buffet for Rp 209,000 ++ per person.<\/p>\n
The hotel's Italian restaurant Il Mare is also organizing a
\nspecial romantic candlelit dinner with a set menu at Rp 185,000
\n++ per person, including a glass of sparkling wine along with a
\nsingle rose, a complimentary photo and a frame as gifts available
\nfrom Feb. 13 to Feb. 14. There is also teppanyaki at Edogin
\nrestaurant for Rp 150,000 ++ per person.<\/p>\n
For those who have made up their minds to take a romantic
\nretreat, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is offering a one-night stay for
\nRp 700,000 ++ in its Superior room for guests who check in on
\nFeb. 14 and check out on Feb. 15. The package includes breakfast
\nfor two at Bogor Cafe and dinner at Bruschetta Italian Restaurant
\nor the BBQ buffet at Singosari Restaurant, with a special gift
\nfor female guests.<\/p>\n
A set menu, romantic cocktail and a gift for female guests are
\navailable at Bruschetta for Rp 250,000 ++ per couple. Or spend
\nValentine's with family and friends at Singosari restaurant for
\nthe BBQ buffet at Rp 120,000 ++ per person.<\/p>\n
For those heady with romantic notions, Hotel Aryaduta
\nJakarta's Aphrodite package may send you soaring to new heights.<\/p>\n
The package offers a trip on a helicopter to exotic Pulau
\nSeribu, the Thousand Islands, to the north of Jakarta Bay for
\nUS$1,250 ++ with a one night stay in the hotel's Presidential
\nSuite. Other choices are the Venus package at $650 ++ for a one-
\nnight stay in the Ambassador Suite, with eight-hour limousine
\nservice and the Athena package for a night's stay at Executive
\nSuite for US$250 ++. All packages include a flower bouquet,
\nromantic champagne dinner and 50-minute aromatherapy massage for
\ntwo.<\/p>\n
The hotel's Ambiente Italian restaurant, Tavern, JP Bistro and
\nClub Mezzanine will serve a special Valentine candlelight dinner
\nfor Rp 115,000 ++ to Rp 210,000 ++.<\/p>\n
Mandarin Oriental Hotel also offers a stylish getaway, where
\nyour female partner will be greeted with a bouquet of roses upon
\narrival. The package includes breakfast, a cocktail in the
\nevening at the Club Lounge and an opportunity to tone up your
\nbody at the Physique Health Club gym. It will set you back Rp
\n1,500,000 ++. There are also cakes and chocolates at the hotel's
\ncake shop.<\/p>\n
The hotel's Italian restaurant Zigolini's will prepare a grand
\nfour-course set menu with two complimentary glasses of champagne
\nfor Rp 499,000 ++ per couple.<\/p>\n
Not to be left out, Le Meridien is laying out the pink carpet
\nfor lovers. There is One Night in Bangkok, which the hotel
\ndescribes as a romantic Thai set dinner at Lemon Grass, for Rp
\n250,000++. There is also a Night of Love candlelit buffet dinner
\nat La Brasserie (Rp 300,000++ per couple) and a Lebanese
\nValentine celebration, with a belly dancer to boot, at Al Nafoura
\nfor Rp 350,000++ per couple.<\/p>\n
The Aston Hotel offers two packages of romantic retreats at
\nits Executive Suite -- one night stay with a special wine and
\ndine at Porta Venezia for Rp 748,000++ or a night stay with a
\nbottle of sparkling wine for Rp 648,000++. Both packages include
\nbreakfast at Porta Venezia for two and roses and pralines
\nsurprise. Or you can delight your partner with an intimate
\ncandlelit diner at Porta Venezia, with complimentary photograph
\nand the roses and pralines surprise thrown in for Rp 150,000++.<\/p>\n
Dinner and a full set menu will be available at Hotel Ciputra
\nJakarta's Gallery restaurant for Rp 53,000 ++ per person, with a
\n20 percent discount for students. (Maria Endah Hulupi)<\/p>",
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