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Stars and spies welcome New Year at top hotels in the capital city
As per usual, the month of December is filled with anticipation leading up to the most exciting time of the year
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s per usual, the month of December is filled with anticipation leading up to the most exciting time of the year. For those who are still doubtful about where or how best to spend their Christmas and New Year's, why not head to the capital's top-rated hotels to get in the mood and meet your favorite stars and ... spies?
This year more than ever, Jakarta's inhabitants can expect to see world-class celebrities and glamorous secret agents coming to town.
Never mind the economic recession; with the appearance of international stars such as Boyz II Men, ABBA's tribute band Bj*rn Again and "James Bond" -- not to mention a number of happening homegrown bands and DJs -- there are countless ways you can go about to ushering in 2009 with style.
Take the Boyz II Men gala dinner taking place at Hotel Mulia Senayan, for instance. The gala entitles guests to a scrumptious gourmet buffet dinner with free-flowing drinks to the tune of live ballads performed by famed pop group Boyz II Men.
Tickets come in three seating categories and are priced from Rp 3.5 million to Rp 4.5 million per person.
If soulful ballads are not your cup of tea, The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place invites you to relive the good old times with Bj*rn Again, the world's number one ABBA tribute band. In the Mamma Mia! Year End Party happening in the grand ballroom on Dec. 31, guests will surely be treated to a special ABBA experience, this on top of checking out the performance by local band Audiensi.
Tickets for the ABBA tribute party cost between Rp 2.5 million and Rp 6 million per person, with novelties, dinner and supper already included.
Another fun way of making it through the New Year countdown is with the rest of the hip crowd at the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. Taking on the theme "Night of the Stars", Four Seasons is welcoming guests to a unique ensemble featuring pop group du jour Soulvibe, DJ Ferre, and Harsya Subandrio as MC.
The cocktail party starts at 8 p.m. and sets you back Rp 300,000 nett per person inclusive of one drink. Expect some lucky draws and other exciting party games here.
Meanwhile, for those eager to explore their alter ego and be completely dashing for one night -- and your eyes -- only, the James Bond theme party at the main lobby of JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta is not to be missed.
The theme party encourages guests to "come as they aren't", putting on their best Bond-inspired costumes instead of donning the usual black-tie attire and evening gown. It is worthy of note that gentlemen don't always need to prefer Bond; imitating villains such as Dominic Greene, Dr No or Goldfinger also has its merits.
The Bond party will feature tantalizing delicacies, live performances from Topomore Band and DJ Mystics, and MCs Wine Adimihardja and Ryan Ibram. In addition to that, a dance performance by Intrique Dancer will be sure to set the lobby on fire.
If you feel like further indulging in mysterious and dangerous feminine charm, Mistere at The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta has come up with a "Touch of Red Angels" party which is to start at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31. Sip home-mixed cocktails such as Mistere-ous Angel and Mistere Sensation, and watch as seven angel DJs (led by Devina & Team) work their magic at the turntable.
Halfway across town at Grand Hyatt Jakarta, the New Year countdown will be marked with a magnificent night, a fantastic party, and a grand experience full of entertainment and delicious gourmet.
Maliq & d'Essentials will be leading guests through the evening with their popular and unique brand of music, while later in the night, DJ Cream will be standing by to ensure guests dance their way into 2009 with the hottest tunes in town.
As with any festive season, special room rates and packages have become a staple offering at the city's top hotels.
The Crowne Plaza, for example, is carrying on the theme "Seasons of Colors", and is offering a selection of room rates and packages starting at Rp 711,000++ for the night of the New Year. On top of that, the hotel is hosting live music performances in its Semanggi Lounge for six days a week throughout December.
With regard to room packages, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta is also offering a New Year's Eve package at Rp 1,499,000 for its spacious 55-square-meter deluxe room. The package is inclusive of buffet breakfast for two persons as well as two entry tickets to the countdown in the lobby.
So, what are you waiting for? For the best of New Year's blasts, look no farther than the city's first-class lodgings for food, fun and festivities.
