Hotel Immersion Essays

Hotel Immersion Essays Hotel Immersion Essay Hotel Immersion Essay Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila is a 5 star, deluxe landmark hotel overlooking Manila Bay which is situated at the Malate district on the corner of Pedro Gil, M. H. del Pilar and Mabini Streets. This mixed-use complex occupies 94,000 sq m and includes a hotel, a casino and residences. Situated in a 32-storey tower with a nine-storey podium, the hotel houses 378 stylish guestrooms, including 113 executive floor rooms, 61 suites and five Presidential Suites; three innovative restaurants and bar; and three banquet facilities. Guestrooms are equipped with the latest in-room technology, including broadband Internet access, a 29-inch flat-screen television and DVD player, and a spacious Italian white marble bathroom with two shower options and separate deep soaking tub. It offers the Regency Club which is perfect for the business traveller in search of privacy, convenience and an outstanding level of personalized service. A five Presidential Suites, all with 180-degree views of Manila Bay, provide a more luxurious alternative. The hotel’s Market Cafe has set the trend for interactive dining featuring theatrical live cooking of Western, Chinese, Japanese, Korean dishes and desserts. The contemporary and residential-inspired Li Li Chinese restaurant offers authentic Cantonese cuisine prepared by five master chefs from Hong Kong. Li Li also has five private rooms, a tea bar serving premium Chinese teas and a wine cellar. The Fireplace, an upscale grill room, offers prime meats and seafood cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. It also features a library of more than 800 bottles of vintage and new world wines. The Lounge is a stylish gathering place for the local community which serves daily afternoon snack buffets and features nightly live entertainment in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere. Pastry Boutique is a gourmet haven offering a wide selection of freshly baked breads, home-made chocolate cookies, beautifully decorated cakes and other delectable delicacies such as spreads and dips. For outdoor barbeque and exclusive gatherings, the Pool Bar is a comfortable venue with rows of relaxing lounge chairs to sunbathe or cool down with a refreshing drink. The new-generation Casino at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila is the largest hotel gaming facility in the country. It has been meticulously designed to exude opulence and comfort, setting it apart from the existing casinos in the country. The casino covers 15,000 sq m of floor space over four floors, and features 123 game tables and 626 slot machines of 30 different types. For more recreational activities, Club Oasis features the Spa, offering relaxing and invigorating treatments 24 hours for in-room services, and the Fitness Centre, equipped with Life Fitness cardiovascular and whole body machines. The 35-metre outdoor lap pool, children’s pool and outside whirlpool are accessed through the gym. For secretarial and administrative assistance, the Business Centre also located on the 8th floor is open 24 hours. Le Salon and two meeting rooms are ideal for business meetings and intimate social events that require greater detail and attention. Each of the three banquet and meeting facilities are fitted with sound-proof partitions, wireless broadband Internet connections and the latest technological features. For a much larger and sophisticated gathering, The Ballroom stands at the core of the hotel’s banqueting facilities. It is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and features Hyatt’s notable culinary excellence. The architectural design of the hotel, developed by Hong Kong-based world-renowned Bilkey Llinas Design, blends classic elegance and contemporary style. To complement the hotel’s tastefully crafted interior design, art consultant Art Internationale Asia has incorporated distinctive art pieces by notable Filipino and foreign artists to exude an ambience that reflects the traditional warmth and vibrancy of the Philippines. Source: Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila The Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila is just a walking distance from many of Manilas attractions, including historical and cultural places of interest such as Intramuros; Ermita, Malate and Remedios Circle Areas; Luneta and Rizal Park. The hotel is at the heart of Manilas business and shopping areas. It is only 30 minutes away from Manilas airports and the hotel is just a block away from Roxas Boulevard. Our hotel immersion at Hyatt provided a different experience for me as I have been used to checking-in at various hotels in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. To start with that the hotels which I have gone are located in relatively newly developed and highly commercialized areas such as Makati, Ortigas, Subic, Clark etc. The site of Hyatt Hotel is congested and seems scary. But upon entering the establishment such impression has faded because of the warmth ad elegance of its interior. When Karmela and I arrived at the place, we were quite disappointed since we were not met by the valet staff. In fact, we had to ask the guard for the valet. Likewise, there was no doorman to assist us with our baggage. But there was reason to ignore the previous hassles because we were greeted by a receptionist with a warm smile. Upon reaching the Bayview, the seminar venue, I observed that the room was already set and there were hotel staff composed of waiters, supervisors and ushers, who were ready to provide assistance to the participants. The seminar speakers were part of the hotel management staff who were very competent in their own departments. The orientation was very informative, enlightening and encouraging. It was conducted in a formal but lively manner. This allowed us to easily relate and comprehend the topics presented. The questions of the participants were satisfactorily answered by the speakers. On the other hand, the refreshments which included assorted pastries and coffee, were delicious and appetizing. After the seminar we were divided in to three groups namely, opera, bartending and bed making. Initially, I was disappointed to be assigned in the opera group but when we had the hands-on activities, I started to appreciate the work. We were taught how to save guest’s information/data and were given exercises too. The next activity was a tour in the hotel. We were the last group to finish the tour but it was worth it because the tour guide provided us detailed information on the different function rooms and departments. We were taken to the Regency Club, Presidential Suites, Market Cafe, Li Li, The Fireplace, The Lounge, Pastry, Boutique and Club Oasis which house the Spa, Fitness Centre and the Business Centre. We also went to the Le Salon and the Ballroom where a function was being held that time. We had the opportunity to see how it was set up for an event. Likewise we had the chance to observe the activities at the back of the house. This is where I was very interested in because it was my first time to see the actual operation in the kitchen and reception office. The utensils and equipments in the kitchen were very organized although the area was humid. I also noted that the floor was wet and slippery. On the other hand, as we toured the hotel, it was also noted that the security personnel were alert, very polite and were good in remembering faces or identifying hotel guests. Likewise, the cleanliness of public areas as well as guestrooms was observed. When we checked-in, each of us were given key cards which we had to swipe upon entering the elevator, for security purposes. The room that was assigned to us was located in a remote area, far from the elevator. It was small compared to the other rooms but was nice, fully furnished and comfortable except for the fact that the bathroom door lock was busted. We also noted that there was no free internet access in the rooms. As coordinator of our class, I had to inform my classmates that we were expected to be at the Le Salon at 7pm for dinner. Unfortunately, I did not have all the cell phone numbers of my classmates, so I decided to call up the front desk to request for a copy of the room assignments. I waited for an hour but there was no response from them. I had to personally go to the front desk for this purpose. This was one instance when a gave a minus point to the hotel service. I had the chance to swim in the pool and relax at the Jacuzzi. Compared to the other hotels I have been to, the pool attendants in Hyatt were very accommodating. Instead of handing the towel to me, the attendant graciously placed it on my shoulder. I felt like I was a princess! The fine dining experience was awesome. The food was sumptuous and filling. The program after dinner provided an opportunity for our class to bond and to show our talents. Even the waiters were moved to join the fun. The following day, we had a breakfast buffet at the Market Cafe which offered various cuisines. The waiters were friendly and they even suggested food choices and explained how the foods were meticolously prepared. The waiter service was efficient and superb as they were quick to attend to our needs. We were supposed to check-out at 11:00 am, Sunday but we decided to request for a late check-out. We appreciated the immediate action on our request. We left the hotel at 2:30 pm. The overall quality of guest experience is satisfactory. I would recommend the Hyatt Hotel to friends and acquaintances not only for its relaxing ambiance but also for the friendliness, hospitality and efficiency of its staff. The Out of the Classroom Learning Activity (OCLA) provided students an opportunity to observe and experience the actual operation of the hotel. Our classroom study became more meaningful through the immersion activity. I realized that as a people oriented business, the hotel industry is very dynamic and challenging. There is no doubt that it has created a large impact on our tourism. In fact, it is a major contributing factor to the economic development of our nation. The class was fortunate to have its OCLA in a 5 star hotel. Indeed the cost of this immersion activity was worth it since we where given a 5 star experience. Moreover such exposure has opened a possible career option for me after graduation.

Biography of Sukarno, Indonesias First President

Biography of Sukarno, Indonesias First President Sukarno (June 6, 1901–June 21, 1970) was the first leader of independent Indonesia. Born in Java when the island was part of the Dutch East Indies, Sukarno rose to power in 1949. Rather than supporting Indonesias original parliamentary system, he created a guided democracy over which he held control. Sukarno was deposed by a military coup in 1965 and died under house arrest in 1970. Fast Facts: Sukarno Known For: First leader of an independent IndonesiaAlso Known As:  Kusno Sosrodihardjo (original name), Bung Karno (brother or comrade)Born:  June 6, 1901 in  Surabaya, Dutch East IndiesParents: Raden Sukemi Sosrodihardjo, Ida Njoman RaiDied: June 21, 1970 in Jakarta, IndonesiaEducation: Technical Institute in BandungPublished Works:  Sukarno: An Autobiography, Indonesia Accuses!, To My PeopleAwards and Honors:  International Lenin Peace Prize (1960), 26 honorary degrees from universities including Columbia University and the University of MichiganSpouse(s): Siti Oetari, Inggit  Garnisih, Fatmawati, and five polygamous wives: Naoko Nemoto (Indonesian name, Ratna Dewi Sukarno), Kartini Manoppo, Yurike Sanger, Heldy Djafar, and Amelia do la Rama.Children: Totok Suryawan, Ayu Gembirowati, Karina Kartika, Sari Dewi Sukarno, Taufan Sukarno, Bayu Sukarno, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, Sukmawati Sukarnoputri, Guruh Sukarnoputra, Ratna Juami (adopted), Kartika ( adopted)Notable Quote: Let us not be bitter about the past, but let us keep our eyes firmly on the future. Early Life Sukarno was born on June 6, 1901, in Surabaya, and was given the name Kusno Sosrodihardjo. His parents later renamed him Sukarno after he survived a serious illness. Sukarnos father was Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo, a Muslim aristocrat and school teacher from Java. His mother Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai was a Hindu of the Brahmin caste from Bali. Young Sukarno went to a local elementary school until 1912. He then attended a Dutch middle school in Mojokerto, followed in 1916 by a Dutch high school in Surabaya. The young man was gifted with a photographic memory and a talent for languages, including Javanese, Balinese, Sundanese, Dutch, English, French, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, German, and Japanese. Marriages and Divorces While in Surabaya for high school, Sukarno lived with the Indonesian nationalist leader Tjokroaminoto. He fell in love with his landlords daughter Siti Oetari, who he married in 1920. The following year, however, Sukarno went to study civil engineering at the Technical Institute in Bandung and fell in love again. This time, his partner was the boarding-house owners wife Inggit, who was 13 years older than Sukarno. They each divorced their spouses and married each other in 1923. Inggit and Sukarno remained married for 20 years but never had children. Sukarno divorced her in 1943 and married a teenager named Fatmawati. She would bear Sukarno five children, including Indonesias first female president, Megawati Sukarnoputri. In 1953, President Sukarno decided to become polygamous in accordance with Muslim law. When he married a Javanese woman named Hartini in 1954, First Lady Fatmawati was so angry that she moved out of the presidential palace. Over the next 16 years, Sukarno would take five additional wives: a Japanese teen named Naoko Nemoto (Indonesian name Ratna Dewi Sukarno), Kartini Manoppo, Yurike Sanger, Heldy Djafar, and Amelia do la Rama. Indonesian Independence Movement Sukarno began to think about independence for the Dutch East Indies while he was in high school. During college, he read deeply on different political philosophies, including communism, capitalist democracy, and Islamism, developing his own syncretic ideology of Indonesian socialist self-sufficiency. He also established the Algameene Studieclub for like-minded Indonesian students. In 1927, Sukarno and the other members of the Algameene Studieclub reorganized themselves as the Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI), an anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist independence party. Sukarno became the first leader of the PNI. Sukarno hoped to enlist Japanese help in overcoming Dutch colonialism and unite the different peoples of the Dutch East Indies into a single nation. The Dutch colonial secret police soon learned of the PNI, and in late December 1929, Sukarno and the other members were arrested. At his trial, which lasted for the last five months of 1930, Sukarno made a series of impassioned political speeches against imperialism that attracted widespread attention. Sukarno was sentenced to four years in prison and went to the Sukamiskin Prison in Bandung to begin serving his time. However, press coverage of his speeches so impressed liberal factions in the Netherlands and in the Dutch East Indies that Sukarno was released after just one year. He had also become very popular with the Indonesian people. While Sukarno was in prison, the PNI split into two opposing factions. One party, the Partai Indonesia, favored a militant approach to revolution, while the Pendidikan Nasional Indonesia (PNI Baroe) advocated slow revolution through education and peaceful resistance. Sukarno agreed with the Partai Indonesia approach more than the PNIs, so he became the head of that party in 1932 after his release from prison. On August 1, 1933, the Dutch police arrested Sukarno once again while he was visiting Jakarta. Japanese Occupation In February 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the Dutch East Indies. Cut off from help by the German occupation of the Netherlands, the colonial Dutch quickly surrendered to the Japanese. The Dutch forced-marched Sukarno to Padang, Sumatra, intending to send him to Australia as a prisoner, but had to leave him in order to save themselves as Japanese forces approached. The Japanese commander, Gen. Hitoshi Imamura, recruited Sukarno to lead the Indonesians under Japans rule. Sukarno was happy to collaborate with them at first, in hopes of keeping the Dutch out of the East Indies. However, the Japanese soon began to impress millions of Indonesian workers, particularly Javanese, as forced labor. These romusha workers had to build airfields and railways and grow crops for the Japanese. They worked very hard with little food or water and were regularly abused by the Japanese overseers, which quickly soured relations between the Indonesians and Japan. Sukarno would never live down his collaboration with the Japanese. Declaration of Independence for Indonesia In June 1945, Sukarno introduced his five-point Pancasila, or principles of an independent Indonesia. They included a belief in God but tolerance of all religions, internationalism and just humanity, the unity of all Indonesia, democracy through consensus, and social justice for all. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers. Sukarnos young supporters urged him to immediately declare independence, but he feared retribution from the Japanese troops still present. On August 16, the impatient youth leaders kidnapped Sukarno and then convinced him to declare independence the following day. On August 18 at 10 a.m., Sukarno spoke to a crowd of 500 in front of his home and declared the Republic of Indonesia independent, with himself serving as president and his friend Mohammad Hatta as vice president. He also promulgated the 1945 Indonesian Constitution, which included the Pancasila. Although the Japanese troops still in the country tried to suppress news of the declaration, word spread quickly through the grapevine. One month later, on September 19, 1945, Sukarno spoke to a crowd of more than one million at Merdeka Square in Jakarta. The new independence government controlled Java and Sumatra, while the Japanese maintained their hold on the other islands; the Dutch and other Allied Powers had yet to show up. Negotiated Settlement With the Netherlands Toward the end of September 1945, the British finally made an appearance in Indonesia, occupying the major cities by the end of October. The Allies repatriated 70,000 Japanese and formally returned the country to its status as a Dutch colony. Due to his status as a collaborator with the Japanese, Sukarno had to appoint an untainted prime minister, Sutan Sjahrir, and allow the election of a parliament as he pushed for international recognition of the Republic of Indonesia. Under the British occupation, Dutch colonial troops and officials began to return, arming the Dutch POWs formerly held captive by the Japanese and going on shooting sprees against Indonesians. In November, the city of Surabaya experienced an all-out battle in which thousands of Indonesians and 300 British troops died. This incident encouraged the British to hurry their withdrawal from Indonesia and by November of 1946, all British troops were gone and 150,000 Dutch soldiers returned. Faced with this show of force and the prospect of a long and bloody independence struggle, Sukarno decided to negotiate a settlement with the Dutch. Despite vociferous opposition from other Indonesian nationalist parties, Sukarno agreed to the November 1946 Linggadjati Agreement, which gave his government control of Java, Sumatra, and Madura only. However, in July 1947, the Dutch violated the agreement and launched Operatie Product, an all-out invasion of the Republican-held islands. International condemnation forced them to halt the invasion the following month, and former Prime Minister Sjahrir flew to New York to appeal to the United Nations for intervention. The Dutch refused to withdraw from the areas already seized in Operatie Product, and the Indonesian nationalist government had to sign the Renville Agreement in January 1948 as a result, which recognized Dutch control of Java and the best agricultural land in Sumatra. All over the islands, guerrilla groups not aligned with Sukarnos government sprang up to fight the Dutch. In December 1948, the Dutch launched another major invasion of Indonesia called Operatie Kraai. They arrested Sukarno, then-Prime Minister Mohammad Hatta, Sjahrir, and other Nationalist leaders. The backlash to this invasion from the international community was even stronger; the United States threatened to halt Marshall Aid to the Netherlands if it did not desist. Under the dual threat of a strong Indonesian guerrilla effort and international pressure, the Dutch yielded. On May 7, 1949, they signed the Roem-van Roijen Agreement, turning over Yogyakarta to the Nationalists and releasing Sukarno and the other leaders from prison. On December 27, 1949, the Netherlands formally agreed to relinquish its claims to Indonesia. Sukarno Takes Power In August 1950, the last part of Indonesia became independent from the Dutch. Sukarnos role as president was mostly ceremonial, but as the Father of the Nation he wielded a lot of influence. The new country faced a number of challenges; Muslims, Hindus, and Christians clashed; ethnic Chinese clashed with Indonesians; and Islamists fought with pro-atheist communists. In addition, the military was divided between Japanese-trained troops and former guerrilla fighters. In October 1952, the former guerrillas surrounded Sukarnos palace with tanks, demanding that the parliament be dissolved. Sukarno went out alone and gave a speech, which convinced the military to back down. New elections in 1955 did nothing to improve stability in the country, however. Parliament was divided among all the various squabbling factions and Sukarno feared the entire edifice would collapse. Growing Autocracy Sukarno felt he needed more authority and that Western-style democracy would never function well in volatile Indonesia. Despite protests from Vice President Hatta, in 1956 he put forth his plan for guided democracy, under which Sukarno, as president, would lead the population to a consensus on national issues. In December 1956, Hatta resigned in opposition to this blatant power grab- a shock to citizens around the country. That month and into March 1957, military commanders in Sumatra and Sulawesi ousted the Republican local governments and took power. They demanded that Hatta be reinstated and communist influence over politics end. Sukarno responded by installing Djuanda Kartawidjaja as vice president, who agreed with him on guided democracy, and declaring martial law on March 14, 1957. Amid growing tensions, Sukarno went to a school function in Central Jakarta on November 30, 1957. A member of the Darul Islam group tried to assassinate him there with a grenade. Sukarno was unharmed, but six school children died. Sukarno tightened his grip on Indonesia, expelling 40,000 Dutch citizens and nationalizing all of their property, as well as that of Dutch-owned corporations such as the Royal Dutch Shell oil company. He also instituted rules against ethnic-Chinese ownership of rural land and businesses, forcing many thousands of Chinese to move to the cities and 100,000 to return to China. To quell military opposition in the outlying islands, Sukarno engaged in all-out air and sea invasions of Sumatra and Sulawesi. The rebel governments had all surrendered by the beginning of 1959, and the last guerrilla troops surrendered in August 1961. On July 5, 1959, Sukarno issued a presidential decree voiding the current Constitution and reinstating the 1945 Constitution, which gave the president significantly broader powers. He dissolved parliament in March 1960 and created a new Parliament, for which he directly appointed half of the members. The military arrested and jailed members of the opposition Islamist and socialist parties and shut down a newspaper that had criticized Sukarno. The president also began to add more communists to the government so that he wouldnt be solely reliant on the military for support. In response to these moves toward autocracy, Sukarno faced more than one assassination attempt. On March 9, 1960, an Indonesian Air Force officer strafed the presidential palace with the machine gun on his MiG-17, trying unsuccessfully to kill Sukarno. Islamists later shot at the president during Eid al-Adha prayers in 1962, but again Sukarno was unhurt. In 1963, Sukarnos hand-picked Parliament appointed him president for life. As a dictator, he made his own speeches and writings mandatory subjects for all Indonesian students, and all mass media in the country was required to report only on his ideology and actions. To top his cult of personality, Sukarno renamed the highest mountain in the country Puntjak Sukarno, or Sukarno Peak, in his own honor. Suhartos Coup Although Sukarno seemed to have Indonesia gripped in a mailed fist, his military/communist support coalition was fragile. The military resented the rapid growth of communism and began to seek an alliance with Islamist leaders, who also disliked the pro-atheism communists. Sensing that the military was growing disillusioned, Sukarno rescinded martial law in 1963 to curb the Armys power. In April 1965, the conflict between the military and communists increased when Sukarno supported communist leader Aidits call to arm the Indonesian peasantry. U.S. and British intelligence may or may not have established contacts with the military in Indonesia to explore the possibility of bringing down Sukarno. Meanwhile, the ordinary people suffered enormously as hyperinflation spiked to 600%; Sukarno cared little about economics and did nothing about the situation. At the break of day on October 1, 1965, the pro-communist 30 September Movement captured and killed six senior Army generals. The movement claimed that it acted to protect President Sukarno from an impending Army coup. It announced the dissolution of parliament and the creation of a Revolutionary Council. Major General Suharto of the strategic reserve command took control of the Army on October 2, having been promoted to the rank of army chief by a reluctant Sukarno, and quickly overcame the communist coup. Suharto and his Islamist allies then led a purge of communists and leftists in Indonesia, killing at least 500,000 people nationwide and imprisoning 1.5 million. Sukarno sought to maintain his hold on power by appealing to the people over the radio in January 1966. Massive student demonstrations broke out, and one student was shot dead and made a martyr by the Army in February. On March 11, 1966, Sukarno signed a Presidential Order known as the Supersemar that effectively handed control of the country over to General Suharto. Some sources claim he signed the order at gunpoint. Suharto immediately purged the government and the Army of Sukarno loyalists and initiated impeachment proceedings against Sukarno on the grounds of communism, economic negligence, and moral degradation- a reference to Sukarnos infamous womanizing. Death On March 12, 1967, Sukarno was formally ousted from the presidency and placed under house arrest at the Bogor Palace. The Suharto regime did not allow him proper medical care, so Sukarno died of kidney failure on June 21, 1970, in the Jakarta Army Hospital. He was 69 years old. Legacy Sukarno left behind an independent Indonesia- a major achievement of international proportions. On the other hand, despite his rehabilitation as a respected political figure, Sukarto also created a set of issues that continue to plague todays Indonesia. His daughter, Megawati, became Indonesias fifth president. Sources Hanna, Willard A. â€Å"Sukarno.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 17 June 2018.â€Å"Sukarno.†Ã‚  Ohio River - New World Encyclopedia.