Hotels in Singapore are reporting a vibrant start to their banquet business this coming Year of the Snake, as corporate event bookings spike for the festive period starting January 29.
Aloft Singapore Novena, which has five function rooms and two on-site restaurants, has seen a “significant increase in CNY-related dining event bookings”, with demand for private dining arrangements and bespoke catering options higher compared to 2024.
Hotel general manager, Tan Kim Seng, told TTGmice: “The booking pace has kicked in much earlier this year as well, with enquiries still flowing in, indicating that we are on track to surpass our 2024 records. This surge reflects the growing recognition of Aloft as a vibrant venue for memorable celebrations, further boosting our overall sales performance during this festive period.”
The hotel’s Yuè@Aloft Chinese restaurant and 21 on Rajah halal-certified buffet restaurant are running their own festive promotions and spread, with the latter making corporate celebrations more welcoming for Muslim guests.
Corporate bookings for Lunar New Year celebrations are up 20 per cent over 2024 at dual-branded hotel complex, Novotel and Mercure Singapore on Stevens.
The two hotels have six meetings rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate a 300-pax banquet alongside two restaurants with festive menus that are suitable for groups.
Spokesperson Elsa Kimy Yue attributed the good performance to the hotel’s early bird promotion, which slashed 10 per cent off bookings made before December 31, 2024. The promotion includes a complimentary lion dance performance for bookings with more than 200 guests.
“The enhanced package has been particularly well-received, highlighting the importance of value-added offerings for corporate clients,” said Yue.
Yue expects bookings to rise further “as the season progresses”, adding that last-minute bookings have become common in recent years.
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore, which has been a hit with corporate event bookers since its launch in 2021, said business is “trending better than last year in terms of Chinese New Year-related corporate event bookings”, shared its spokesperson.
Cook takes over from Arna Wahl-Davies, who spent 4.5 years in the role.
