With fans caught up in the football frenzy of the FIFA World Cup, hotels are cashing in on the rage. Lobbies are turning into gaming zones, bars and restaurant tables sport a new look. Specialised cocktail menu with drinks from representing countries to dugouts for viewing live matches are all set to offer a real-time experience to customers.
Hyatt Regency in Chennai has come out with various offers and a special menu for the season. The hotel has converted a portion of its huge lobby into a football arena. It has been decked colourfully to match the game, designed coasters used in the bar and popcorn cups to fit the theme. As guests watch matches on giant screens from dugouts, waiters serve “specially crafted” beverages and unlimited bucket food. “We really want to let our guests feel the pulse of the game as they watch the matches with their friends and family,” said Sunjae Sharma, Regional Director (South), Hyatt Group.
“We want our guests to enjoy the invigorating spirit of the game,” says Ranjit Shankar, General Manager, Gateway Hotel in Chennai. A range of flavoured Long Island iced teas such as Apple and Cinnamon; Basil and Melon; Lime and Berry all come in pitchers at a special rate for the season. “As we have a lot of young IT crowd, live evenings here will be complemented with music charted out by our in-house DJ before and after the matches,” he said.
Hotels in the ITC, Oberoi stables and the house of Marriott across the country too have come up with special offers and packages for the occasion.
Trident in Hyderabad has created a special menu to kindle the taste buds of soccer fans who come to the hotel.
ITC Windsor and JW Marriott in Bangalore have introduced several new dishes to go with the World Cup action. However, as the Karnataka Government does not encourage hotels to serve any alcoholic beverages beyond midnight, hotels have to restrict themselves to matches played earlier, says Parul Thakur, General Manager of JW Marriott.
“FIFA World Cup will surely prove to be a boon for hotels across the country, as it will increase the F&B revenue further,” said a senior industry person.