Hotels brace for Chinese new year

JAKARTA (JP): Hotels in the capital have offered various programs as part of Chinese new year celebrations, which falls on Jan. 24.

The Sheraton Melia will hold a 12-day Chinese art and painting exhibition, which will be opened by Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Yang Qiang on Wednesday.

A giant new year gift box, called angpao, measuring 14.7 meter X 4.7 meter has been placed in the hotel's lobby. Visitors are invited to fill the box with money, after which the hotel will channel it to the needy.

The hotel's public relations manager, Henny Puspitasari, said that guests who eat certain Chinese dishes at the hotel's restaurant will have a chance of winning a return ticket to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Dusit Mangga Dua Hotel will hold a barongsai dragon dance performance and hand out angpao, containing good luck wishes, to all guests on Wednesday.

Until Jan. 31 the hotel is also offering a special package, beginning from Rp 368,000 per night for single and Rp 468,000 for twin. The package includes breakfast, dinner and souvenirs.