JOHOR BARU: Hotels here, badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, know they have to innovate or close shop.
Innovation is preferable to the cessation of operations, which is why for Valentine's Day on Feb 14, this weekend, hotels are trying to lure customers with a new strategy.
With dining-in not allowed, the new strategy aims at attracting guests to dine in their rooms while celebrating Valentine's Day.
Suasana Suites, which has been popular with its Romantic Dinner package, is now promoting its Suites Valentine for Valentine's Day.
Suasana Suites chief executive officer Ng Siew Koon told the NST Online that guests will be entitled to a one-night suite which comes with a four-course dinner for two.
She said said, since their restaurant is closed, the hotel will provide an alternative by allowing guests to dine and wine in a room where they can enjoy over 60 channels of movies.
Ng added that for dinner, guests are given a choice between the main course which is baked white fish melted with creamy cheddar that comes with a side dish of mashed potatoes and broccoli in garlic butter, barbecue oven-roasted chicken or the grilled striploin steak.
"The complete set comes with grilled chicken salad and oven-roasted chicken soup," she said.
By attracting guests to dine and wine in the hotel rooms, said Ng, it was hoped that Suasana Suites can show them the types of suites the hotel has.
As an added value to its Suites Valentine promotion, the hotel is providing vitamin milk shower cream, to help protect sensitive skin and scalp.
Not to be outdone in the attraction sweepstakes, GBW Hotel is offering its guests romantic surprises for in its "Valentine's Day Cupid Love Package".
GBW Hotel manager (advertising & promotions) Sutha Menon said: "We are giving couples the best with a complimentary night's stay and an in-room dining choice of fusion set dinner."
The offer comprises a meal of Norwegian Pistachio Crusted Salmon or Chicken Cordon Bleu followed by a sweet tiramisu dessert and also in-room table decoration.
"Times have been bad for hotels these days and we have to resort to other ways to attract guests," said Sutha.
She said the public response has been encouraging to their Valentine's Day specials.
"Many people are feeling restless and want to take this opportunity to spend time with their families away from their homes," she added.
Furthermore, said Sutha, with the long weekend break due to Chinese New Year, people may want to take the opportunity to check-in and enjoy GBW's in-room Cupid Love Valentine's package.
"We hope we can generate revenue for the hotel and be able to breathe a little," she said.
KSL Hotel & Resort is offering a four-course set menu for couples.
Its senior restaurant manager Asri Katni said: "If customers choose the four-course set menu they are entitled to a free one night stay for two at their superior room."
A few other hotels in the city are also coming up with similar packages to attract couples and families to celebrate Valentine's Day on their premises.