Games are events that help hotel operators attract new customers to their hotels other the guests already staying there.
“We installed special screens in the Intermezzo Bar, in the Modigliani outdoor restaurant and in Corso Summer Terrace by Veuve Cliquot, we have a special menu and an offer – a 50 lei (about EUR11) ticket that includes a beer and a plate of hors d’oeuvres. Plus the chance to win a weekend in one of the InterContinental Hotels in Europe for whoever guesses the World Cup winning team. It’s a big screen war (…),” said Dana Chiriac, marketing manager of five-star InterContinental Hotel in Bucharest.
The food&beverage segment has a significant contribution to the business of the luxury hotels in Bucharest and they try to get as many customers from outside the hotels to come to their restaurants.
The biggest screen for watching World Cup games can be found at the five-star Radisson Blu on Calea Victoriei, the officials of the hotel say.
“We believe we are one of the coolest places in town to watch games, we put a 6×3 meter LED screen in the hotel’s inner courtyard, near the pool, at the Beach Bar. Hotel guests come to watch the games, as well do customers from outside hotel. We even have group packages, starting at RON95 per person and including a hamburger and two beers,” Iulia Hoinaru, cluster marketing & communication manager of Radisson Blu told ZF.
ANA Hotels took steps to prepare its restaurants to attract football fans, too.
“In the summer outdoor restaurant of Athenee Palace Hilton Hotel, Roberto’s La Strada, we installed three QLED TVs especially for football fans. We have the games broadcast every day and the guests can enjoy not only the games but special World Cup packages such hot and cold appetizer plates for at least four people with beer or wine on the house (…),” the Athenee Palace Hilton Hotel officials said. If it rains outside, customers can go to the English Bar to watch the World Cup games.
The four-star Crowne Plaza Hotel also part of the ANA Hotels group, made preparations for the World Cup.
“We have two areas for people to watch World Cup games, on the terrace of the Citronelle restaurant, where we have a 65-inch LCD TV in place. We also have a BBQ Summer special menu for our guests. If we get group reservations, we can make available the “La Veranda” room, where we have a 2×2 meter screen installed,” the officials of the hotel said. Football fans can also watch games on a 65-inch LCD TV in the Crown Café, as well.
Bucharest has the most developed accommodation infrastructure in the country, almost 11,000 rooms in hotels, according to the latest available data.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)