<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Cheaper hotel stays on Valentine's Day
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Hotels slash rates, offer perks in bid to attract lovebirds this weekend </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Lim Wei Chean
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->IN AN effort to keep Cupid's arrows firing this weekend, hotels are offering discounted Valentine's Day packages, in hopes lovebirds will open their wallets in the name of love despite the recession.
A Straits Times check with 15 hotels here showed that more than half have either slashed prices on special romance packages by 10 to 20 per cent, or threw in extra perks like wine and free dining vouchers.
Hoteliers said bookings have been slow so far, due to Chinese New Year celebrations which ended yesterday. However, they expect bookings to pick up this week as couples get in the mood for love.
Grand Copthorne Waterfront spokesman Daylin Koh said: 'Customers are more price sensitive and they are making more comparisons to get the best deal.'
As fate - or rather Cupid - would have it, Feb 14 falls on Saturday this year, which means couples will not need to take leave to celebrate the occasion.
Administrative officer Christine Ang, 27, and her (angmoh?) boyfriend are celebrating Valentine's Day with a night's stay in Hotel Rendezvous. She is paying $199 nett for her room, which comes with a $100 food and beverage credit to be used at any of the hotel's food outlets.
It is the first time she is celebrating the occasion in five years.
She said: 'We never celebrate it but the deal was just so good this year. So we decided to take it as a chance to pamper ourselves.'
As many hotels offer more for less this year, the Shangri-La Hotel is going to the other extreme, offering the most expensive Valentine's Day package to date.
It is offering a $99,998 per night 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' to one couple with the full works - a Valley Wing suite with 24-hour personal butler service, eight-course in-suite dinner with live violinist and a one-carat Tiffany & Co solitaire diamond ring.
'There have been some inquiries but no confirmed booking for the package to date,' said a hotel spokesman.
When asked why the hotel decided to roll out such an extravagant package at a time when consumers are tightening the purse strings, Shangri-La general manager Thierry Douin said: 'We strongly believe that guests will still invest in an unforgettable experience if every dollar spent is justifiable. It's especially true when it comes to special occasions like Valentine's Day.'
But despite the special deals, some lovebirds will not be lured from their love nest this year.
Photographer Alex Wee, 36, is going out on a limb, stepping into the kitchen for the first time to cook a romantic meal for his fiancee. He said: 'It'll be difficult for me but it makes it more meaningful than having a meal out.' [email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Hotels slash rates, offer perks in bid to attract lovebirds this weekend </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Lim Wei Chean
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->IN AN effort to keep Cupid's arrows firing this weekend, hotels are offering discounted Valentine's Day packages, in hopes lovebirds will open their wallets in the name of love despite the recession.
A Straits Times check with 15 hotels here showed that more than half have either slashed prices on special romance packages by 10 to 20 per cent, or threw in extra perks like wine and free dining vouchers.
Hoteliers said bookings have been slow so far, due to Chinese New Year celebrations which ended yesterday. However, they expect bookings to pick up this week as couples get in the mood for love.
Grand Copthorne Waterfront spokesman Daylin Koh said: 'Customers are more price sensitive and they are making more comparisons to get the best deal.'
As fate - or rather Cupid - would have it, Feb 14 falls on Saturday this year, which means couples will not need to take leave to celebrate the occasion.
Administrative officer Christine Ang, 27, and her (angmoh?) boyfriend are celebrating Valentine's Day with a night's stay in Hotel Rendezvous. She is paying $199 nett for her room, which comes with a $100 food and beverage credit to be used at any of the hotel's food outlets.
It is the first time she is celebrating the occasion in five years.
She said: 'We never celebrate it but the deal was just so good this year. So we decided to take it as a chance to pamper ourselves.'
As many hotels offer more for less this year, the Shangri-La Hotel is going to the other extreme, offering the most expensive Valentine's Day package to date.
It is offering a $99,998 per night 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' to one couple with the full works - a Valley Wing suite with 24-hour personal butler service, eight-course in-suite dinner with live violinist and a one-carat Tiffany & Co solitaire diamond ring.
'There have been some inquiries but no confirmed booking for the package to date,' said a hotel spokesman.
When asked why the hotel decided to roll out such an extravagant package at a time when consumers are tightening the purse strings, Shangri-La general manager Thierry Douin said: 'We strongly believe that guests will still invest in an unforgettable experience if every dollar spent is justifiable. It's especially true when it comes to special occasions like Valentine's Day.'
But despite the special deals, some lovebirds will not be lured from their love nest this year.
Photographer Alex Wee, 36, is going out on a limb, stepping into the kitchen for the first time to cook a romantic meal for his fiancee. He said: 'It'll be difficult for me but it makes it more meaningful than having a meal out.' [email protected]
