Kochi: It is music, food, fun and parties everywhere in the city as the New Year approaches. Most of the big hotels in the city offer theme-based New Year parties. From poolside parties to neon parties, hotels offer numerous options to celebrate the beginning of 2016 for party lovers. However, restrictions on liquor and raids on parties have dampened the spirit of celebrations.
Some of the major hotels offering New Year special celebration packages are Crowne Plaza, Marriott, Le Meridian, Ramada Resort, Radisson Blu, Taj Vivanta, Hotel Renai, The Casino and The Holiday Inn. Though many famous clubs in the city are also hosting grand New Year parties, they usually have limited takers as entry is restricted to members and their guests.
The price range is from Rs. 3000 to Rs.8000 while hotels with a bar facility have been charging Rs. 7000 to Rs.12,000. The five star hotels with bar facility in the city are Ramada Lake resort, Le Meridian, Hotel Casino, Willingdon Island, Holiday Inn, Radisson Blu, Taj Vivanta, Willingdon Island and Crowne Plaza, Maradu.
Though most of the four-star hotels have got a temporary bar licence for one day, people are not aware of it. “Though we have got a temporary bar licence for New Year's eve, there is a sharp decrease in enquiries and bookings this year. Since alcohol is an integral part of celebration, party lovers prefer outside destinations or hotels and clubs with a bar facility,” said Majesh Raghavan, corporate manager, sales and marketing, The Renai.
However, five star hotels in the city have not registered any drop in bookings and enquiries.
“Compared to previous years, we have received more enquiries for New Year's eve. One of the reasons might be the innovative theme based on Kochi Metro we have introduced to welcome 2016. Most of the direct enquiries have materialized into bookings,” said Rejee Savior, F&B manager at Radisson Blu.
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