CELEBRATION TIME

Top hotels in downtown Bangkok expect a windfall from Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year festival next week.

Leading hotels in downtown Bangkok are expected to reap a windfall from Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year after seeing a market recovery since mid-December.

However, competition will be more intense as the market improves.

“Competition in the hotel trade never stops. We missed many business opportunities in the first six months of last year mainly due to the political stalemate, so there will be fierce competition among hotels to draw back guests this year,” said Sukanya Chanchu, general manager of the Dusit Thani Bangkok.

The hotel has launched many Valentine’s Day offers, aiming to capture inhouse guests and Thai clients. The hotel’s 22 Kitchen & Bar has a six-course dinner at 1,900 baht per person, or 3,150 baht per person with wine pairing.

Twenty-six tables close to windows that offer a panoramic view of Bangkok are fully booked. The hotel has other restaurants including Mayflower, Hamilton’s Steak House, The Pavilion, Thien Duong and Benjarong.

The Dusit expects many bookings will come in today because customers prefer to make last-minute arrangements.

Ms Sukanya said many hotels would be well-occupied during Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year, with many in Bangkok fully booked. Hotels in major tourist destinations for Chinese tourists such as Chiang Mai are full as well.

The Sofitel So Bangkok reports good feedback for its Valentine’s Day promotion. The Red Oven offers a buffet priced at 1,950 baht per person, and is fully booked.

Supawan Tanomkieatipume, vice-president of the Thai Hotels Association, said rooms at many hotels in Bangkok were fully booked during the Lunar New Year period. The average occupancy rate of hotels in the capital is expected to reach over 85% this month.

The association will monitor the situation after the Lunar New Year. Bangkok room rates may drop by as much as 10% in the low season.