KUDUS — Since the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 began on August 14, operations at Hotel Griptha Kudus have been adjusted to accommodate the routines of the athletes and officials participating in the tournament. Services, including dining times, facility access, and room arrangements, have been synchronized with the match schedule.
Hotel Griptha is hosting four delegations during the tournament: Jordan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong, China. Approximately 85 rooms have been reserved to accommodate the teams during their stay in Kudus.
For the hotel, hosting international sports delegations involves more than just providing a large number of rooms. Because athletes have rigorous match schedules, their needs differ from those of standard guests. Dining times are flexible, specific facilities are utilized for recovery, and room management is tailored to the teams' requirements.
Jl. AKBP Agil Kusumadya No.100, Jatimakmur, Jati Wetan, Kec. Jati, Kabupaten Kudus, Jawa Tengah 59346, Indonesia
While matches continue at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, work behind the scenes at the hotel remains constant. Athletes return to the hotel after matches to rest, dine, and prepare for their upcoming schedules.
Hotel Griptha is operated by PT Griptha Putra Persada Tbk. Established in 2010 in the Kudus Regency, the company commenced operations in 2015. The hotel features 138 rooms available in Deluxe, Business Class, and Suite tiers. Beyond lodging, the property provides MICE facilities, including seven meeting rooms and one ballroom, alongside a restaurant, cafe, swimming pool, fitness center, and other supporting amenities.
This capacity is a vital requirement when the hotel hosts large sports delegations. Teams require rooms for athletes and officials, dining areas, gathering spaces, and facilities for use during their stay in Kudus.
For the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup, four delegations occupied approximately 85 rooms. The groups began checking in around August 12, ahead of the first matches on August 14.
Their stay is expected to last until August 20, with potential extensions until August 24 depending on their continued performance in the competition.
Preparations for the delegations began well before the tournament started, with Hotel Griptha management receiving information regarding arrival schedules months in advance.
Hotel Griptha Kudus Front Manager Ewert Yapius Yusuf stated that preparations commenced around May or June to welcome the August event.
One of the key tasks involved organizing room placements. Management prioritized grouping members from the same country in adjacent corridors.
"I focused on dedicating specific corridors to each country. This keeps them close together and facilitates easier communication with their coaches," Ewert said.
This arrangement helps athletes, coaches, and officials communicate more effectively during their stay. However, room allocations must remain flexible to accommodate changing needs.
For the hotel, such preparation is essential because delegation activities extend beyond the competition arena; most of their time is spent at the hotel.
Room requirements are not static; from the start of preparations through the duration of their stay, requests often fluctuate based on the specific needs of each group.
Ewert noted that these changes often involve the number of rooms or bedding configurations.
"Initially they might request a certain number of rooms, but that can change the next day. I have to constantly adjust and rearrange based on their requests. I must continuously update the room count and bed types," he explained.
These adjustments require hotel staff to update arrangements promptly, ensuring that changes to room counts or bed types are communicated effectively to all relevant service departments.
This remains an ongoing process throughout the duration of the delegations' stay, as management strives to fulfill their requirements without disrupting service to other guests.
Beyond room accommodations, dining plays a critical role in the contingent's routine. Match schedules mean that meal times often cannot align with standard hotel dining hours.
Edwin Leonardo, F&B Manager at Hotel Griptha Kudus, stated that initial menus were based on guidelines provided by organizers. Following the arrival of the contingents, the hotel adjusted food service based on observed preferences.
One example is the selection of carbohydrate sources. Contingents from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia preferred rice over pasta.
"The teams from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia definitely prefer rice as their primary carbohydrate source, rather than pasta dishes like spaghetti or mac and cheese," Edwin said.
Such preferences are factored into food service. The hotel adjusts menus based on specific needs expressed during the contingents' stay in Kudus.
Meal times also adhere to the tournament schedule. When matches are held in the evening, dinner service is shifted to accommodate team agendas.
Edwin noted that if a match takes place around 8:00 PM, dinner can be served as late as 10:00 PM.
"We prioritize the match schedule," he stated.
Under this model, the restaurant must adapt to the daily shifting schedules of the contingents. Food service is a vital component of athlete preparation before games and recovery afterward.
The presence of guests from various countries also necessitated adjustments to communication. Dining staff received training on basic English terminology related to menu items.
Terms such as poached egg, scrambled egg, and omelette were introduced to staff to ensure they could accurately handle orders from athletes and officials.
Communication remains essential for all needs throughout the contingents' stay. Staff must convey information regarding any changes to room arrangements, dining, or facility use.
For hotel staff, serving athletes follows a distinct pattern dictated by match schedules, where requests can arise at any time and require immediate coordination.
As a result, communication between hotel staff and the groups remains a daily task throughout the duration of the tournament.
Several Hotel Griptha facilities have been utilized by the contingents during the tournament. The swimming pool and fitness center are available for limited use based on the groups' needs.
The pool has also been used for ice baths as part of the athletes' physical recovery process following match activities.
The hotel’s meeting facilities are also available for group requirements. Hotel Griptha offers seven meeting rooms and one ballroom to support various activities for visiting delegations.
The use of these facilities adheres to hotel regulations. While contingents have their own schedules, the facilities remain accessible to other guests.
Throughout the tournament, management ensures that facilities are utilized according to needs without disrupting overall hotel services.
The presence of the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 contingents has increased activity at Hotel Griptha throughout the tournament.
Management reported an occupancy rate of approximately 80 percent during the event. Of the 138 available rooms, about 85 were utilized by the four contingents.
Group activity is also evident in the use of the hotel's restaurants and facilities. Athletes and officials require meals throughout the tournament, while the pool and fitness center are utilized based on their specific needs.
This environment demonstrates that the event's impact on the hotel extends beyond room occupancy. As long as the groups remain in Kudus, their requirements continue to engage various departments within the hotel.
The restaurant manages meal schedules to align with match times, while staff handle room requirements and facilitate recovery services. All these activities are conducted alongside regular service for other guests.
Hotel Griptha has previously handled international events, and this experience informs management's readiness in hosting overseas sports delegations.
However, every event brings unique demands. Factors such as group size, room arrangements, match schedules, dietary preferences, and facility usage must be adjusted to meet the specific requests of each contingent.
Ewert sees sports activities as a significant driver for hotel accommodation needs whenever Kudus hosts national or international events.
“In our view, it is very promising. Especially when we consider the increasing number of sports events and the associated high demand for hotel services,” he said.
For Hotel Griptha, this ongoing experience is part of its commitment to serving international groups. As the tournament continues, hotel operations remain synchronized with the delegations' agendas.
For athletes from Jordan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong, China, Hotel Griptha serves as a home base between arena appearances, providing a space to eat, rest, recover, and prepare for upcoming matches.
Meanwhile, hotel staff continue to fulfill the groups' needs—preparing rooms, coordinating meal times with match schedules, managing exclusive facility access, and maintaining ongoing communication with team officials.
Hotel Griptha has become an integral part of the contingents' daily routines during their stay in Kudus, rounding out the participants' experiences during the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. (ITN/mainkekudus)
