Apart from the marine drive, travellers to Cox's Bazar can now enjoy another much-awaited fun activity which is the first of its kind gigantic water park in the popular beach destination. And for this, the credit goes to Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa located at Inani beach.

The newly launched venture stands tall on a nine-acre land adjacent to the hotel. It has all the international standard water games and rides for both adults and children. There is also a fun pool which the kids love. Most importantly, it is open to public.

Currently, the hotel is offering a promotion - unlimited access to all rides at BDT 550 including entry, said Mahmud Russel, Director of Sales and Marketing, Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa.

The water park remains open from 9 am to 5 pm. "It has become a crowd favourite. The water park has a good potential since it has filled in by a bit the lack of fun activities tourists can enjoy in this popular holiday destination," said Russel. 

Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa offers guests views of lush green hills rising from the east and endless sea stretching on the west as well as panoramic visuals of Bay of Bengal. The resort is spread over 15 acres, located 40 minutes away from the hustle of the Cox's Bazar city with easy accessibility to all the major tourist attractions.

Besides luxurious rooms, suites, two swimming pools (one exclusively for ladies) and the water park, the resort boasts of a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities for both adults and kids which include tennis and badminton courts, 3D movie hall, billiards, amphitheater, a luxurious spa and a well-appointed gym.

The hotel offers a total of 493 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites with comfort of kitchenette, branded amenities, and balconies with panoramic view of sea and hill. "We have 347 rooms in operation currently. We will open 146 rooms more by June," said Russel.

The Superior Hill rooms are 400 sqft wide with hill view, Superior Sea rooms are the same but with sea view and Studio Suites are 535 sqft wide offering sea view.  

The Royal Tulip Cox’s Bazar also offers a stunning range of banquet and conference options. Their selection of restaurants and bars will leave the guests spoilt for choice with five specialty restaurants, a multi-cuisine all day dining with indoor and alfresco seating, two well-stocked bars and lounge, an ice cream parlor and a juice bar. 

Nonetheless, the most attractive feature of the hotel is the dedicated isolated beach it offers. The hotel's upscale guests love it very much, mentioned Russel.

Room tariff

Russel explained that the hotel wants to break the misconception that local travellers may have about it being beyond their reach. Therefore, they have arranged the product range in such a way that there is everything for everything.

The room tariffs start from BDT 6500 per night for two including breakfast for Superior with Hill View. "We also offer a package at BDT 24,500 including two-night accommodation in Superior Hill View. The package includes all other services and facilities too," said Russel.

The tariff for Studio Sea View rooms, on the other hand, starts from BDT 9000.

COVID-19 impact

Foreign corporate travellers make up a lion share of the hotel's occupancy, especially Rohingya Camp bound UN Delegations and NGOs, said Russel. "Because we are in the middle point of the city and Rohingya camp, people use us for transit."

However, the coronavirus outbreak has significantly brought it down since travel advisories have been issued prohibiting travel in groups of 20-25 persons.

MICE guests also contribute largely to the hotel's occupancy since they have a huge inventory offering all sorts of solutions at a time. "March is the last potential month of the season. Also, this year it should have been more significant because corporate companies prefer to get done with their events prior Ramadan."

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, these events have been cancelled.

It has affected the entire hotel industry, said Russel. "I believe it will take at least three months to bring the situation under control."

In February, the hotel had occupancy of almost 50 percent. After coronavirus had been declared pandemic and travel restrictions were imposed, the occupancy fell down to 35 per cent to 40 per cent.

To recover, the hotel is currently promoting free independent travel (FIT), since it receives a better number of FIT guests compared to Dhaka, and a bunch of special offers.

Promotions

At present, Royal Tulip Cox's Bazar is offering a weekdays package. These packages include complimentary additional facilities such as both way airport transfer, discount on food, free access to water park, discount on spa etc.

Similar facilities are available in another special offer for guests who book directly from the website.    

The most popular is the honeymoon package, said Russel. "Since our hotel is in a completely isolated place, it makes it all the better for honeymoon."

The package includes two night accommodation for two, complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner, water park access, discount on spa, specially decorated room, special amenities such as cake, both way transport at BDT 29,900.

"We offer Studio Sea View suites to the couples in this package along with a beautiful candle light dinner at poolside under a tent," said Russel.

Interview taken by Mr. Tanvir Shams, Bangladesh Monitor_March 2020