Business Brisk At Top Hotels Over Holidays

[george]

Business brisk at top hotels over holidays

Well-heeled partiers staying in Bangkok

BANGKOK: With economic sentiment upbeat, more people seem to be going out to celebrate the New Year at restaurants in five-star hotels where business appears to be brisk this year.

Plush restaurants in Bangkok are busier partly due to foreign holiday makers who flocked to the city for the festive season while many local customers have also chosen to party in the capital rather than go out of town.

A spokeswoman at The Oriental Bangkok Hotel said Le Normandie Grill and Lord Jim's restaurants had already been fully booked for dinners on New Year's Eve while the gala dinner at The Terrace only had few seats available.

A set dinner at Le Normandie costs 15,000 baht this year while the gala dinner is 13,000 baht per head. The prices are 500-1,000 baht higher than last year.

She said business had been upbeat, as there were many repeat customers reserving for the New Year celebration. ``For example, two Japanese models came here last year, and decided to return to The Oriental again this year.''

At the Shangri-La Hotel, more advance bookings are being seen this year compared to last year.

``The reservations came in earlier than last year and there are also more in-house guests this year which helps push the restaurant business,'' said Rashana Pimolsindh, director of communications.

So far, about 20% more customers have booked tables at The Poolside restaurant, which charges 9,500 baht per head.

Other eateries at the Shangri-La including Angelini and Next 2, as well as its two cruises, are expected to be full on the New Year's eve as well. Benjawan Sudhikam, director of public relations and communications for the Conrad Hotel, said: ``We're doing extremely well. Bookings are coming in every minute, and we expect to be fully occupied on New Year's Eve.''

She attributed the brisk business to a higher number of foreigners coming to Thailand at year-end.

``At the same time, not all of Thais go upcountry so there are a number of local clients who choose to celebrate in Bangkok.''

Sawitree Daorueng, secretary of food and beverages at the Four Seasons Hotel (formerly The Regent), said bookings had been high at all of its restaurants although the prices had increased by 10-20% from last year.

Although the restaurants at the Four Season have not been fully occupied yet, Ms Sawitree believes that all the seats will have been taken on the New Year's Eve.

At the Dusit Thani Hotel, a staff member of the food and beverage department said banquet services had been busy, with wedding parties every night during the year-end period.

However, a public relations officer at the Central Plaza Hotel said business had been slow compared with last year, though there had been several company parties during the past few days and big weddings were planned on New Year's Eve as well as early next week.

--The Post 2003-12-31