SLOW breezes blew gently that afternoon when Maya Wijaya, the wholesale travel manager of Star Shine, arrived at the lobby of the Xantos Eco Resort or Xantos Fantasy. Her heart was pounding a little. She had visited countless hotels for inspections, but this Xantos Fantasy felt different. The information in the brochures and emails she received implied something more than just an ordinary luxury hotel.
As soon as she got out of the vehicle, she was greeted by the friendly smile of Risa, the Director of Sales of Xantos Fantasy, a green hotel. “Welcome to Xantos Fantasy, Mrs. Maya! We are so glad you could spare your time,” Risa greeted warmly, extending her hand.
Maya returned Risa’s handshake, impressed by the calmness and professionalism of the woman in front of her. “Thank you, Mrs. Risa. I can’t wait to see your hotel in person.”
The open design of the lobby immediately caught Maya’s attention. The towering ironwood pillars blended harmoniously with modern metal ornaments and touches of traditional fabrics. Sunlight poured in freely, illuminating the small lotus pond in the middle of the lobby. “Wow,” Maya whispered unconsciously. “This is… amazing.”
Risa smiled proudly. “We try to combine modern luxury with the warmth of local culture, Mrs. Maya. Hope you like it.”
Hotel Tour
They started the tour. Risa explained in detail. “Our hotel has a total of 300 rooms, Mrs. Maya. 250 of them are in the modern-designed main building facing the beach and the other 50 are private villas with garden views.”
“An impressive number,” Maya commented, following Risa down the spacious corridor.
“We have various types of rooms,” Risa continued. “Starting from Suites, Junior Suites, to the Presidential Suite that we are proud of. And of course, our Villas offer unmatched privacy and luxury. Each room is designed with a touch of local architecture, but equipped with the latest technology.”
They entered one of the Suite-type rooms with an ocean view. Maya was amazed. Large windows stretched from floor to ceiling, presenting a stunning view of the blue sea. The interior was dominated by soft colors, with teak wood furniture and elegant ikat fabric touches.
“The view is beautiful,” Maya praised, stepping closer to the window.
“Most of our rooms have ocean views, Ms. Maya. But we also have rooms with garden views that are no less enchanting, with views of lush tropical gardens,” Risa explained.
During the tour, Maya noticed something strange. There were no visible electrical cables hanging down, not even an electric pole in the front area of the hotel. “I noticed… there are no cables visible anywhere. How is that possible?” she asked curiously.
Risa smiled broadly. “That’s one of our strengths, Ms. Maya. Xantos Fantasy is a true green hotel. We use solar power entirely. All electricity and telecommunications networks are underground. We also use satellite internet backed up with laser-powered one for super-fast wireless connectivity, so there are no cables running across. In addition, we have an integrated waste management system that works closely with the resort management, ensuring that our environmental impact is as minimal as possible.”
Maya’s eyes lit up. This was a very strong selling point. Many of Star Shine’s clients are environmentally conscious. “Amazing! This will definitely be a big plus for our clients.”
Lunch and Unexpected Delicacy
At noon, Maya was treated to lunch at the hotel’s main restaurant. The moment she saw the menu on the inspection confirmation email, she was a little worried. The local dishes sounded exotic, like “Casino Leaf Curry with Smoked Fish” or “Red Bean Tempe Satay Lilit.” Maya was used to international cuisine, and her previous experiences with overly authentic local dishes often disappointed her palate.
However, when the first course was served – a small bowl of clear soup with sliced mushrooms and fresh vegetables – her doubts began to disappear. The aroma was fragrant and the taste was light, yet rich in flavor. Then came the “Red Bean Tempeh Lilit Satay” that she had been worried about. When she tried it, she was shocked! It was so delicious, a combination of savory, slightly sweet, and just the right amount of spice.
“This… this is really delicious!” Maya exclaimed, unable to contain herself.
Risa chuckled. “Glad you like it, Ms. Maya.”
A moment later, a middle-aged man in a chef’s uniform approached their table. “Good afternoon, Ms. Maya. I’m Chef Adi. Glad you enjoyed our meal.”
Maya immediately asked, “Chef, this dish… it’s very different from what I imagined. It’s incredibly delicious!”
Chef Adi smiled warmly. “Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Maya. We always try to present authentic local flavors, but with a modern touch. We also adapted some recipes to be more accommodating to the taste buds of international guests. The point is, we want our local cuisine to be enjoyed by everyone, without losing its essence.”
Maya nodding in satisfaction. Chef Adi also explained several unique selfie spots in several corners of the hotel with different backgrounds that are a special attraction for guests who stay, especially millennials. Brilliant concept.
Bright Prospects
After lunch, Maya and Risa returned to the lobby for further discussion. Maya felt very satisfied. Xantos Fantasy is not just a luxury hotel, but also an innovation. Green concept, advanced technology, stunning design, and most importantly, an unexpected culinary experience.
“Mrs. Risa,” said Maya, her eyes sparkling, “I am very impressed with Xantos Fantasy. The features you offer, especially the green hotel concept, wireless internet, and of course this delicious cuisine, will be very attractive to our target market.”
Risa smiled hopefully.
“I am optimistic, we can produce at least 1,000 room nights per month for Xantos Fantasy. Of course, we also want to ask for additional room allotments so that our production can be greater,” continued Maya.
The number made Risa gasp. An ambitious target but felt very realistic after seeing Maya’s enthusiasm. A few months later, Maya’s prediction proved correct. Star Shine’s clients were enthusiastic about Xantos Fantasy. Positive reviews poured in, praising the modern, locally inspired design, innovative green facilities, super-fast internet, and most of all, the delicious local cuisine served with a modern twist. Unique selfie spots at the hotel went viral on social media. Hotel Xin quickly became one of the most popular properties in Star Shine’s portfolio, proving that innovation and the right touches can create an unforgettable experience for every guest. (*)
