Suggested title:
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya: Historical lodgings with excellent facilities
Surabaya, the capital of East Java, serves as an economic and trading hub for eastern Indonesia. Although high rise buildings, highways and modern shopping malls decorate the thriving metropolis, colonial buildings and traditional Javanese Culture are retained, with many still hold their charm all around the city.
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit is located on Jl Tunjungan in the heart of Surabaya, a business and shopping district. It is surrounded by Surabaya's most exclusive shopping malls and only 25 minutes from the international airport and seven minutes from a train station.
Historically, the hotel dates back to 1910 when this unique colonial building was built as the Oranje Hotel by Lucas Martin Sarkies. Lucas was a member of the famous Sarkies family whose hotel empire included Raffles in Singapore, The Strand in Burma (Myanmar) and the Eastern and Oriental in Penang, Malaysia.
The hotel's history has been shaped by the Indonesian revolution. It witnessed the Japanese occupation, where its name was changed to Yamato Hoteru, or Hotel Yamato. During the Dutch occupation, it was further renamed to Hotel Merdeka or Liberty Hotel in a reference to the flag-ripping incident that occurred on top of the Hotel.
Between 1946 and 1993, the hotel experienced several handovers from Sarkies Brother to Sekar Group, and later to a joint venture of Sekar Group and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
After two-year restoration project that spent some US$35 million and was completed in 1996, Hotel Majapahit was re-opened as a Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya, a five-star international brand hotel and regained its standing as Surabaya's premier hotel.
Now the hotel features many facilities for guests' comfort. From fully equipped business center, Finna Golf & Country Club and The Mandarin Oriental Health Club to help you stay fit, to the excellent Mandarin Oriental Spa by Martha Tilaar.
Not to mention also an extensive variety of cuisines offered. Starting from Bar Palem for poolside dining, to Indigo for oriental and Euro-Asian cuisine. Do not forget to have your afternoon tea and evening cocktail at the Lobby Lounge for afternoon tea or coffee and enjoy live entertainment, a cigar and wine while looking out into the courtyard gardens.
There is also the famous Sarkies Seafood Restaurant with its excellent new menu items launched in early July. Specially presented by Chef Wong from Lai Poo Heen Restaurant Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. Dishes such as Oven Baked Honey Chicken Rolls and Clay Stew Duck Fillet will satisfy you like never before. Or if you just want a snack, then visit Toko Deli with its wide selection of pastries, breads, chocolates, homemade sandwiches, salads, delicatessen items, coffees, wine gifts and take away boxes.
Experience all the extensive cuisine that Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya offers. As an ANZ Spot partner, the hotel provides a 15 percent discount at Indigo Restoran & Bar, Sarkies Seafood Restaurant, Bar Palem, Lobby Lounge and Toko Deli, exclusive for ANZ Cardholders.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya: Jl. Tunjungan No. 65, Surabaya. Ph. (031) 545 4333, fax (031) 5454111, www.mandarinoriental.com