Hoteliers to ring in New Year on happy note

New beginnings will soon be in order and you may have to shell out a bit more or the same as last year for bringing in the new year. Hotel brands are keeping rates for their popular Christmas and new year celebration packages mostly unchanged while some are even hiking prices marginally even as consumers start hunting for the best deals in town for their new year parties amidst a slowdown. Hotel chains said they are not bringing down rates as they are confident of demand picking up from last minute Indian party goers.

At the Pullman and Novotel hotels in New Delhi’s Aero City, the 2020 new year’s eve rates are up marginally from about Rs 17,000 and 20,000 for the Novotel and Pullman brands respectively last year to about Rs 18,000 and Rs 21,000.

“There has been an excellent recovery in the marketplace for the hospitality sector in the past two months. The downturn in September has now reversed and as a result we are seeing rates go up quite well throughout our properties. Significantly our Delhi properties, Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, are seeing good traction for New Year and Christmas packages,” said Biswajit Chakraborty, general manager delegate for the two hotels.

Elsewhere in Mumbai’s Hotel Sahara Star, the food and beverages package was priced at Rs 7,000 per guest last year while a staycation package on new year’s eve was priced at about Rs 13, 500.

“This year our food and beverage offerings range from Rs 7500 per guest. Prices for our sojourn (staycation) package remain the same as last year inclusive of buffet breakfast and a brunch with unlimited select beverages. The hotel witnessed a full house last year. This year too we are expecting a greater footfall and definitely better revenues as everybody wants a complete package with hospitality and entertainment,” said hotel manager Salil Fadnis.

The Imperial, New Delhi has also kept its rates mostly unchanged this year besides introducing a special liqour package for new year’s eve starting at Rs 1500 plus taxes.

“Our prices remain more or less unchanged from last year. They are at par with the industry standards and offer complete value for money, to our discerning guests,” said Vijay Wanchoo, senior EVP and general manager at the hotel.

A Christmas Eve dinner buffet at the hotel’s all-day dining 1911 restaurant is priced at Rs 6,000 plus taxes with unlimited champagne for Rs 1500 plus taxes while some Tuscan Italian fare on New Year ’s eve is priced at Rs 6,000 plus taxes.

“At our big hotel in New Delhi, prices have increased by about 8%, while in Mumbai they remain unchanged. Customers are currently hunting for the best deals and will book closer to the date. We have not reduced prices and leads are still coming,” said an executive of a luxury hotel chain on condition of anonymity.

Gagandeep Singh Sawhney, executive chef at the Shangri-La hotel in Bengaluru said while the rates remain almost similar, the offers have been enhanced.

"Apart from the classic buffet dinner and Christmas brunch at b Café, we are also offering an intimate gastronomic experience on Christmas at our sky-high Italian restaurant Caprese. The special degustation menu features delicacies like Black Truffle infused Turkey, caviar, fresh lobsters, and more.

For guests who like to dine outside the box, we are also offering a special Christmas brunch at our Japanese restaurant. Diners can enjoy dishes like Avocado tarter and fig tempura, poached artichoke Temari sushi, Miso marinated Turkey along with live Teppanyaki delicacies."

Manish Garg, general manager at Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks said the demand for new year continues to be strong and the hotel is not seeing any downturn in the demand.

Akarsh Mathur, general manager at The Deltin, Daman said there is a definite slowdown in the economy compared to last year in certain market segments, but popular occasions such as new year celebrations will not be affected. A staycation package at the property which includes access to their new year’s eve party is priced at Rs 17,500 plus taxes for two people, the same as last year.

“The packages this year are a lot more fun with multiple parties at the same locations, bollywood singers, live bands by the poolside and seperate entertainment options for children. There has been a positive response from the guests heading to Daman for the year end,” Mathur said.

The Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences is running three separate new year eve promotions at the property.

It also has Time to Celebrate room packages priced at Rs 4100 plus taxes, including a buffet breakfast, early check ins, and foot massages, for stay dates starting from Christmas to January 5. “Kolkata has seen considerable growth in hotels and restaurants in recent times but we stand to benefit from our location in the New Town area which is the ever-growing hub of IT/ITes industry. Additional demand will come from downtown Kolkata where people prefer to party in a more relaxed, and traffic-free zone and we will be an ideal hangout place for them,” said Sandeep Johri, general manager.

Source:- https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/food-services/hoteliers-to-ring-in-new-year-on-happy-note/72523245