Choice plans to open two hotels this year

JAKARTA (JP): The U.S.-based hotel chain, Choice Hotels International, will open a hotel here and one in Yogyakarta later this year as part of its expansion program in Indonesia.

I.D. Manassa, vice president of PT Qualita Indah Hotel (Choice Hotels Indonesia), the franchisee of Choice hotels in Indonesia, said yesterday that his company will start the operation of the Clarion Sunlake Hotel in Sunter, North Jakarta, on Oct. 21.

He said the hotel will be the fifth to be operated by his company in the country.

Qualita Indah currently runs four Choice hotels: Mambruk Quality Resort in Anyer, West Java (opened in 1992); Quality Hasanah Regensi in Bandung, West Java (opened in June 1995); Bali Clarion Suites in Nusa Dua, Bali (opened in 1994); and Quality Resort Pacung Mountain in Baturiti, Bali (opened in 1991).

"The hotels in Bandung and Baturiti are operated under franchise contracts and the other two under management contracts," Manassa said.

Choice Hotels International operates more than 3,400 hotels in 38 countries under the four international brand names Clarion; Quality; Comfort; and Sleep. There are three other brand names -- Econo Lodge; Rodeway; and Friendship -- which are used only in North America.

Manassa said that the Yogyakarta hotel, which is called the Sejahtera Comfort Suites, will be a combination of a hotel and a serviced-apartment. It is scheduled to have a soft opening in December, targeting long-stay guests as its customers.

The Yogyakarta hotel, the in Indonesia to use the Comfort brand name, will offer 144 suites and penthouses. It is owned by PT Sejahtera Garden Resort Hotel, which has also signed another deal with Choice for the operation of the Quality Sejahtera Suites in Surabaya, East Java, next year.

Manassa said that Choice is planning to sign another deal with a Jakarta-based firm to operate a Clarion hotel in Tebet, South Jakarta.

With a portfolio of six operating hotels in Indonesia as of this year, Choice is seeking to run 15 hotels by 1998, which will be increased to 40 hotels by 2005. (icn)