Shangri-La Tokyo is hosting an online auction from today to 1200 on January 30, 2011 to mark its second anniversary. The 200-room hotel in the prominent Marunouchi district, which opened on March 2, 2009, will be using the popular social media tool – Twitter – to drive bidding.
On offer is a one night’s stay in a Deluxe Bay View room.
To take part, bidders should have a Twitter account and follow the hotel’s official account: @Shangrilatokyo. Bidders then have to tweet their price followed by #shangrila_auction and are allowed to do so multiple times. Rates start from 634 yen (US$7) – the original price of the room usually begins at 74,000 yen (US$892).
Emi Takei, Shangri-La Tokyo spokesperson, revealed that when bidding hits a certain "secret" level, the bidder will receive a free upgrade to the next room category. The rate excludes breakfast and the winner cannot earn Golden Circle points for this promotion.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit Ashinaga, a charitable organisation that provides orphans or children with single parents scholarships.
The hotel has set up a dedicated website for bidders to see the remaining time and the status of the bidding.
Similar second anniversary promotions, using social platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, will run throughout the year.
Alisha Haridasani
