Champagne deals in not-so-bubbly times
Saturday, April 12, 2003
hongkong.scmp.com
PETER MICHAEL
Luxury hotels are offering cut-price deals - including champagne, breakfast and harbour view rooms - in a bid to perk up a gloomy Hong Kong.
The Sars outbreak has emptied hotels, with many reporting occupancy rates as low as 10 per cent.
But while the world's tourists and businessmen shun the city, for the local bargain hunter there has never been a better time to haggle.
Many hotels are prepared to upgrade guests to exclusive harbour-view suites with jacuzzis, free fruit and champagne hampers, and hundreds of dollars worth of free meal tickets in a bid to get Hong Kong residents through the door.
Seeking relief from the Sars outbreak, a South China Morning Post reporter yesterday rang luxury hotels trying to squeeze a good deal.
Most were happy to oblige.
"You want to give your girlfriend a nice surprise," asked the reservation saleswoman for the Grand Hyatt. "Well, the harbour view is very nice, but you can get the garden view for a cheaper rate."
She added: "But we can probably arrange an upgrade for you." She said the Hong Kong ID special rate cost $1,488 with a harbour view, American breakfast and late checkout to 6pm.
The Peninsula is closing rooms in the main building for a refurbishment "until all this is over", said a booking saleswoman.
"I understand the situation around town," she said, after being badgered for a better deal. "And we have had guests asking us about lowering our rate. But this is a management decision."
She suggested booking a junior suite for $3,775, enabling scope for an upgrade to the tower, which normally costs $5,600.
Over at the Sheraton Hong Kong the best deal is the standard room rate of $1,650. "The normal rate is usually around $3,000. This is already nearly half-price," said the booking manager. "Because April is our high season, at this moment, this is the best we can offer."
But she fudged around the issue of low occupancy. "I understand the hotels are empty," she said. "Maybe we can look at a harbour view and breakfast on check-in?"
The receptionist at the Mandarin Oriental needed to "check with the manager" when asked: "How about $1,200 for the harbour view and breakfast?"
"No, no, we can't. Our very best deal is $1,888 including breakfast, a harbour view and $500 credit for meals and bar," she said. But she predicted prices would go lower . And that means more good news for residents. |
