Hotel rates

I am writing in response to Mr. Moch. Norman's letter of Feb. 20, Hotel profiteering. Thank you for bringing the subject to our attention. At this time, when currency rates can fluctuate as much as 20 percent in one day, it is often extremely difficult to give fixed and accurate rates of exchange.

These problems are compounded further in a situation such as the Idul Fitri holiday period, when banks are closed for three days, meaning we have no regular access to the changes in exchange rates.

However, we recognize that your claim is a legitimate one and raises an issue that affects all hotels.

Taking note of your experience, we have now made it policy to clearly display our bookkeeping exchange billing rates. It has never been our intention to profit from the current situation because all our exchange rates are based on available rates from Bank Indonesia.

We have maintained as policy all our other prices (F&B) in rupiah, which is not the case of all hotels. Also, we have extended/established a package for Feb. 15 to March 31 with a fixed exchange rates of US$1 = Rp 6,000 -- valid for ASEAN passport and KITAS/KIMS holders.

We are hoping to welcome you again in the hotel, and hope you have good memories of our hotel.

FREDERIC FLAGEAT-SIMON

General Manager

Novotel Lombok

West Nusa Tenggara