Hotels launch tempting iftar, sehri offers with bank partners

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar for Muslims worldwide. It’s the month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.

For Bangladeshis, it’s not any different. But along with these, Bengalis always try to have some good food when it comes to breaking the daylong fasting through iftar in the evening. That, as well as sehri from time to time, is where both local and foreign delicacies shine during Ramadan.

With Ramadan just a day away, businesses involved in the food sector have already made various arrangements to meet that demand during Ramadan.

Major upmarket hotels in Dhaka city, including the five-star ones, are not behind as well. They have already come up with a slew of offers — such as discounts and buy-one-get-one — for the buffet iftar and sehri packages and buffet dinners that include both local and international delicacies and dishes.

With more and more people nowadays opting to carry credit cards instead of cash, these hotels and many restaurants around the city have decided to collaborate with more than 20 banks to promote their initiatives.

Customers will be able to enjoy the hotels’ iftar, sehri and buffet offers or special discounts by paying with credit cards from these banks.

AB Bank, Bank Asia, Brac Bank, City Bank, Dhaka Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Islami Bank, Pubali Bank, Jamuna Bank, Meghna Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Mercantile Bank, NCC Bank, Prime Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Southeast Bank, and United Commercial Bank are among the banks that have partnered with the hotels.

Authorities of these upscale hotels said that their iftar and buffet dinner menus include local delicacies and Middle Eastern and sub-continental dishes, including special Jilapi and Haleem, different kebabs and biryanis and Mutton Nihari.

The menus also include traditional iftar food items, a variety of refreshing drinks such as lacchhi and fresh juices, and special desserts.

Shakawath Hossain, CEO of The Westin Dhaka and Sheraton Dhaka, told The Business Post the food items they will be offering are globally renowned. “We will maintain their quality as we serve them throughout Ramadan.”

“This time, we have five chefs from Turkey and Lebanon. They are experts in authentic Turkish dishes as well as Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines,” he said, adding their menus will have more than 250 items.

Iftar and buffet dinner package will be available at Tk 9,950, including VAT and service charges, at Sheraton Dhaka while the sehri package will be Tk 5,950. Meanwhile, The Westin Dhaka will offer iftar and buffet dinner at Tk 8,850 and sehri at Tk 5,550, he said.

Customers will be able to enjoy special buy-one-get-one offers by paying with credit cards from the hotels’ partner banks, Shakawath said. They will also be able to enjoy the exclusive buy-one-get-three offer launched in partnership with Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd.

He said they are collaborating with a total of 23 banks, whose clients with selected cards will be able to enjoy the offers.

At the same time, takeaway iftar boxes and many items and dishes, including regular favourites, such as assorted kebabs, lamb shank and baklavas, will be available for takeout at both hotels, he added.

Pan Pacific Sonargaon Public Relations Manager Mohammed Nafeuzzaman told The Business Post that they also have a buy-one-get-one offer on iftar with buffet dinner through 17 banks’ selected cards. Those with the selected cards of these banks will be able to enjoy this offer once every day during Ramadan at their hotel, he said.

Nafeuzzaman also said they have shared the list of partner banks through their Facebook and Instagram pages for people to easily find the information. Customers can also contact the hotel to learn more about this.

InterContinental Dhaka’s Assistant Communication Manager Syeda Faica Fareea told The Business Post that Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-style buffets will be available in addition to a variety of dishes for iftar with buffet dinner and sehri packages.

In both cases, they will offer a buy-one-get-one offer through some selected cards in collaboration with 26 banks, she said.