Cat hotels in high demand as Eid approaches in Jakarta

JAKARTA – The cats are playing in the playground at Arnamir Hotel Kucing & Spa in south Jakarta.

Some are kicking a ball, some are sprawled over the payment machine on the table, and others are busy annoying fellow felines. There are some daydreaming while peering out the window, while the rest are relaxing in their multi-level rooms.

Cat hotels in Jakarta, including Arnamir, are experiencing a surge in demand as Eid al-Fitr approaches.

“Our pet hotel rooms have been fully booked since two months ago. Some customers even inquired as early as December, even though reservations were not yet available,” said its manager Mohammad Febriansyah.

During Indonesia’s Eid homecoming season, known as mudik, Jakarta residents leave the city where they live and work to visit their home towns and celebrate the holiday with extended family.

While mudik is a highly anticipated tradition, it often poses a challenge for pet owners, who must leave their beloved animals behind.

Travelling long distances with pets is not ideal, as it can cause stress and make the journey more difficult. This presents an excellent opportunity for pet hotels.

Arnamir operates 186 rooms across five branches, each designed for easy cleaning and equipped with food, water and litter boxes. Each room is reserved for a single cat and comes with an attached camera, allowing pet owners to monitor their furry companions remotely at any time. The hotel also provides a playground and grooming services.

During the mudik season, Arnamir sees significant profits by charging nightly rates ranging from 60,000 to 125,000 rupiah (S$4.90 to S$10.10), depending on the type of service.

In response to the growing demand ahead of Eid, the hotel has expanded its capacity with 128 more rooms.

To attract customers, Arnamir offers discounts, free grooming sessions and other perks. The company promotes its services on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to reach a wider audience.

The pet hotel business has a promising future as pet ownership continues to rise. “Our customer base grows year after year,” Mr Febriansyah said.

Ms Frida Ilham, a member of Arnamir’s team, shared her experiences in caring for cats. “Some cats are affectionate and adjust easily, while others arrive stressed and require special attention.”

She said cats are highly sensitive to stress, especially those with trauma from previously living on the streets. Stressed cats often exhibit aggressive behaviour or refuse to eat.

“We need to be patient and find ways to make them feel comfortable. We show them love and attention. If they start approaching us, it means they are beginning to trust us. And when they start eating, it’s a sign they are adapting,” she added.

Despite the challenges, she finds her job rewarding. “Seeing these cats happy and healthy when their owners pick them up gives us a deep sense of satisfaction.”

Loyal customer Rifa Rahmayanti always entrusts Arnamir with her five cats during mudik. She believes boarding them at a pet hotel is a better solution than taking them on a 600km journey from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, which would cause them stress and anxiety.

“This way, mudik is more comfortable for us, allowing us to spend quality time with our family. And for our cats, it’s like a staycation,” she said.

One of the greatest advantages of a pet hotel is its reliable services, from feeding to care to security, she added. “We can even monitor our cats through CCTV while we’re back in our home town.” XINHUA