No big bashes at hotels, but discounts aplenty

JAKARTA (JP): Do not expect to dance the night away or count down the New Year, followed by a raucous rendition of auld lang syne, as it will be a subdued affair this year.

This is not because of the weakening rupiah or the fallout from the economic crisis.

New Year's Eve is to fall on the same day as the start of the annual Islamic fasting month of Ramadhan, prompting the Jakarta municipality to ban all hotels, cafes and nightclubs from holding parties.

But New Year's celebrations are permitted here before Dec. 28.

And there is no need to be disappointed because hotels throughout the city are offering attractive discounts on room rates and tempting packages for both Christmas and New Year's revelers.

The Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, which is promoting peace as its theme for this year's festive season, offers a two-for-one deal, which means a guest pays US$125++ for one night and gets the next night free. The package is valid from Dec. 1 until Jan. 30.

For those intending to celebrate Christmas, the hotel offers a Christmas dinner buffet with prices ranging from Rp 47,500++ (US$10.65) to Rp 140,000++.

For the New Year, the hotel will feature the Philippines' Family Cruz Band at the Pitstop on Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 with a Rp 50,000 cover charge, including snacks and first drinks.

"Initially, we planned to welcome the New Year by striking a bedug (traditional drum) -- which marks the first day of Ramadhan -- instead of blowing trumpets. But that's not allowed either, so we will celebrate New Year earlier," Sari's public relations manager, Satria Wira, said.

He admitted that the economic downturn and the municipality's ban on holding parties would hurt the hotel.

"So this year, we cannot raise money by holding parties even though the economic situation is not on our side."

Hotel Ciputra Jakarta on Jl. S. Parman in West Jakarta is to offer a 30-percent discount on its published rates starting Monday and running until Feb. 8.

The package means that the hotel will charge $91++ per night for its deluxe rooms and $117++ per night for its executive club rooms.

"At present, our occupancy rate is still about 25 percent or so, but on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 we estimate it could reach 60 percent and increase to 90 percent on Dec. 31," the hotel's public relations manager Harti Hadisoemo said.

The hotel anticipated the city's ban on the end-of-year celebrations and it has made no plans to stage any special entertainment, she said.

"We are only holding a New Year's Eve dinner at the rate of Rp 55,000++ per person in the Gallery Restaurant."

For Christmas the hotel will provide dinner for Rp 48,000++ per person and Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children and give them presents.

Gran Melia hotel in Kuningan, South Jakarta, will feature a children's choir and the halls will be adorned with glittering Christmas trees for hotel patrons from tomorrow until New Year's Eve.

"We're currently offering special room packages at $125++ per night for the deluxe rooms until Jan. 15, except between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, when the hotel will charge $199.80++ for its deluxe rooms," Melia's public relations officer, Fitri R. Soe, said.

"For the New Year, we offer dinner at Rp 175,000++ per person."

During the festive season, the Jakarta Hilton International Hotel will also offer attractive holiday rates from Dec. 20 to March 31, 1998.

Hotel guests need only pay $115++ to stay in the main tower, or $135++ for a Garden Tower room. Its special package also excludes Dec. 31.

On New Year's Eve, the hotel will charge Rp 375,000++ for the main tower, Rp 495,000++ for the Garden Tower, Rp 840,000++ for a suite and Rp 1,350,000++ for a penthouse.

"We won't hold any special events for New Year's Eve because we understand that it falls on the same day as the beginning of Ramadhan," Hilton's public relations manager, Ria Leimena, said.

Bintang, Bulan dan Matahari (Star, Moon and Sun) is the hotel's theme for the coming weeks.

"The star is to mark Christmas, the moon for Ramadhan and the sun for the New Year."

Like other hotels, the Shangri-La is offering a New Year's Eve package of $186++ per night or $170++ per night for stays of two nights or more for its deluxe room, and a 30 percent discount for the Horizon Floor and suites.

Shangri-La's Christmas package is $180++ per night for its deluxe room, including, among others, a complimentary buffet dinner for two in the Coffee Garden and free entrance to B.A.T.S. pub.

"We don't plan anything special for New Year's Eve. But, we're holding an end-of-year party on Dec. 27 featuring a cabaret group from the Philippines," Shangri-La's public relations manager Romy Herlambang said.

Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotel on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta has room rates of $98++ from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31 -- excluding Dec. 31 when the price will be set at $198++.

Christmas revelers can dine at Beranda Cafe for Rp 55,000++ per person, or enjoy brunch for Rp 50,000++.

A dinner buffet on New Year's Eve will range from Rp 90,000++ to Rp 180,000++ per person. (ste)