Hotels gear up for year-end festivities

Hotels gear up for year-end festivities

T.Sima Gunawan
Contributor
Jakarta

Idul Fitri festivities are now over and people are already
back to their usual routine. Life in the city is back to normal,
as some two million residents who celebrated the holiday in their
hometowns have returned.

Many hotels in the city enjoyed good business during the
holiday, with an increase in their occupancy rates. Special
prices were offered for guests who came from various parts of the
world, not to mention Jakarta.

Even though the Idul Fitri or Lebaran holiday is now over,
people can still enjoy special rates, as the hotels are gearing
up for year-end festivities.

The rates in most hotels, however, are subject to a 21 percent
tax and service charge.

The hotels are targeting both Indonesians and foreigners.
Locals expected to spend time at the hotel are not only those
from out of town but also Jakarta residents, who prefer to spend
the holiday with their family in the city.

From Dec. 1 through Dec. 30, Hotel Borobudur is offering a
Christmas Executive Treat package at a price that starts from Rp
550,000 (US$65), or Rp 100,000 less than the normal price.

Breakfast, of course, is included. Children under four years
old will get a complimentary breakfast; if the children are
between four and 12 years old, the hotel will charge them half
price. Other offers include a 25 percent discount on Reflexology
at the Klub & Spa Borobudur. The package is valid for all guests
-- both Indonesians and overseas citizens.

"We have a full lineup of children's activities, both for
Christmas and New Year's Eve, which has always been an attraction
for mums and dads. We also have professional childminders on
hand," said hotel director of communications Grace Alvier

"During Lebaran we did very well. We have positive
expectations for this holiday season," she added.

Between 60 percent and 70 percent of our guests during the
Idul Fitri holiday were Indonesians from Jakarta, Bandung,
Surabaya and Medan. The rest were foreigners, mostly Singaporeans
and Australians.

The hotel's average occupancy rate this year has been about 40
percent, but during the Idul Fitri holiday it increased to 50
percent to 60 percent. Asked about her expectations for the
holiday season, Grace said: "We are definitely expecting a 100
percent occupancy rate." All rooms are expected to be fully
booked on New Year's Eve, even though rates will start at Rp
1,500,000.

A festive season package at Jakarta Hilton International is on
offer from Dec. 8 through Dec. 29 and from Jan. 5 through Jan.
10, at prices ranging from Rp 510,000 to Rp 810,000.

The offer is valid only for Indonesian citizens and foreigners
who hold temporary stay permits (KIMS/KITAS).

Its New Year package starts at Rp 2 million for the period
from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, with a minimum stay of two nights. For
additional nights the hotel will charge Rp 665,000 for the room
and give the guest a free room on the next visit.

Another five-star hotel, J.W. Marriott, is offering its year-
end package from Dec.19 through Dec.30.

"It starts at Rp 780,000 per night, but if you spend two
nights or more, it is only Rp 500,000 per night," hotel public
relations manager Mellani Solagratia said.

She added that the price was on offer to Indonesian citizens
and foreigners who hold a KIMS/KITAS. Others have to pay the
published rate, which is US$135. On New Year's Eve, the
discounted rate will start at Rp 1.2 million.

Even though the Marriott is a business hotel, it also targets
families, especially at the weekend, said Mellani.

During the Idul Fitri holiday, the hotel's occupancy rate
increased from around 30 percent to 40 percent and the hotel
expected a similar increase during the coming holiday season.

JW Marriott, which was targeted in a deadly bomb attack
earlier this year, has been successful in maintaining its guests,
thanks to its hard work.

"We are doing our best to provide a feeling both of security
and comfort for our guests," Mellani said.

Like JW Marriott, other hotels also paying serious attention
to security, which is of great concern to many hotel guests.

Hana Hoed from Gran Melia said that people who wanted to stay
at the hotel during the holiday season used to book a room three
weeks or a month ahead.

"But for two years now, many make the booking a week or just
three days beforehand. Many locals even make one at the last
minute," she said.

She acknowledged that during Idul Fitri, the business hotel
saw a drop in occupancy rate from around 50 percent to 55 percent
to around 35 percent to 40 percent.

"But now that business (in general) is back to normal our
corporate guests have returned," she said, adding that most of
the hotel's guests were foreigners from Asian countries.

The hotel offers a rupiah package for Indonesians and
expatriates who hold a temporary stay permit at a price of Rp
688,000, per room per night from Monday to Thursday, while at the
weekend the price is Rp 588,000.

From Dec.20 through Jan.2, Gran Melia offers a school holiday
package at price of Rp 588,000.

For New Year's Eve, the hotel is offering three packages
priced at Rp 988,000, Rp 1.3 million and Rp 1.8 million. Guests
who take the last two packages are entitled not only to
breakfast, but also a gala dinner.

"Last year, we were fully booked and we expect the same for
this year," she said.