Category Archives: Hotels

In a landmark move the Vadodara Municipal Corporation has abolished health licences for hotels and restaurants operating in the city. According to a notification issued by the Corporation, Sanitary Health License under G.P.M.C Act was duplication as health and sanitation are already covered under Food & Safety Act 2006. “Central Govt and State Govt has in recent times been emphasising on ‘ease of doing business’ and simplification of regulations to reduce difficulties faced by general public. Considering this matter, with immediate effect, Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Ward Offices, Health Department, has cancelled issuance of Health License under Sec. 376 of G. P. M. C. Act, wherever license under Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 is required and issued,” states the notification. Hailing the move as a milestone in the history of corporate India, The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), the apex body representing hotels and restaurant across the western region of India has commended Vadodara’s new Municipal Commissioner and expressed hope that other cities will follow the precedent. “For the last nine years we have been petitioning Municipalities across the Western Region for the exclusion of this particular license as it was a repetition and merely added to paper work and red-tapism. The association welcomes the decision and appreciates the affirmative and expedited action of H.S. Patel, Municipal Commissioner, Vadodara,” says Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI.

The Rio Group of Hotels has launched its brand new Luxury resort, Rio Royale, in North Goa. Rio Royale features 60 suites and each suite offers an incredible view and comes with a private balcony. This All Suite property will offer bespoke experiences, distinctive spa sojourns, signature culinary delights and a world of sophisticated luxury. Anup Shah, Managing Director, Rio Group of Hotels said “We are overwhelmed with the response we have received for Resort Rio and are pleased to present Rio Royale which offers the highest standards of luxury and hospitality. The idea behind launching this new resort was to introduce our esteemed customers to an entirely different level of extravagance and that is why we decided to redefine the experience of hotel stays and make it more experiential with an enhanced level of service which is warm, caring and personalised.” Inspired by the famous temples of Khajuraho, Rio Royale embodies grandeur and opulence, exemplifying a regal lifestyle. Intricate handmade carvings from sandstone and innovative and engaging spaces can be found throughout the resort making every moment spent here reminiscent of royalty. Alpa Shah, Director, Rio Group of Hotels added “Our goal is to make a lasting impact on the local economy by creating jobs and opportunities. 80 % of our staff are locals. The concept, designing and interiors is all done in-house. We are confident that Rio Royale will set a benchmark by providing guests a chance to indulge themselves in a royal experience like never before at our resort.”

The Taj Group of Hotels has launched the ‘Timeless Wedding Concierge by Taj’ service across 13 properties of the brand including Taj Palace Delhi, Vivanta By Taj Surajkund, Vivanta by Taj Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Taj Exotica Goa, Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur, Taj Falaknuma Palace Hyderabad, Taj Bengal Kolkata, Taj Krishna Hyderabad, Vivanta By Taj President, Vivanta By Taj MG Road, Vivanta By Taj Malabar Cochin, Taj Coromandel Chennai and Taj Capetown. The concierge service promises to be a one-stop-destination for all wedding requirements for a wholesome and personalised experience. The new concept will handle all phases of a wedding from pre-wedding planning to post wedding services along with personalised services and assistance for decor, ambiance, lighting to music and menu. “What we are trying to create is a one point stop where there is a single point contact to co-ordinate and create experiences including pre-wedding functions as well as anything that happens post wedding,” says Chinmai Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer, Taj Hotels, Resort and Palaces. Source: The Financial Express

Sarovar Hotels has announced the launch of RS Sarovar Portico, Palampur. The hotel has 43 rooms and suites offering magnificent views of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. Room rates start from Rs 4,999. The hotel was launched in the presence of Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, Vice Chairman–Tourism Department and ex-Tourism Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jagdish Sipahiya, Chairman of Kangra Co-Operative Bank, Rajesh Ranjan, Director-Development, Sarovar Hotels and Keshav Chauhan, Managing Director, R.S. Construction. Speaking on the occasion, Ranjan, Director-Development, Sarovar Hotels, said, “We are very glad to be launching the first branded hotel of Palampur. Palampur is an important leisure destination that attracts nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It is the gateway to numerous tourist and pilgrimage destinations in Himachal Pradesh. We hope to bring in a new level of comfort and facilities to travellers to this region with our superior accommodation and excellent services.” Located 6 km from the Palampur Railway Station, 1 km from ISBT bus stand and 40 Km away from Kangra Airport, RS Sarovar Portico, Palampur is conveniently accessible to guests.

HeyBnb (HeyBednBreakfast), a global company in the short stay accommodation space, has announced its entry into India with presence in cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa and Cochin. Headquartered in Singapore, the company works on the concept of shared economy of home sharing concept. It provides an online marketplace connecting hosts who want to make their extra rooms available and travelers who are looking for comfortable yet affordable short-term accommodations. Commenting on this, Kenny Blatt, Co-Founder, Head strategy, HeyBnb said, “We at HeyBnb are bullish about our expansion plans and we want to rope in as many guests & hosts as possible. We are focusing largely on key cities across Asia, Europe, US and Australia. In India alone, we started our operations this year with 17 cities and expect to increase our room count to 60,000 by end-October. The global size of the vacation stay market is expected to reach $170 billion by 2019, out of which five players own less than 10 per cent share, namely Home Away, Airbnb, VRBO, One Fine Stay and Tujian.”

Lavasa has registered footfall of about 1.14 million tourists and is aiming at welcoming  2 million tourists by March 2017. This information was given by Rajiv Duggal, CEO, Lavasa. He said, “We are looking at 2 million tourists by March 2017 and so our major focus right now is at increasing our inventory.” He informed that they are looking forward to the opening of Novotel this year which will add another 200 rooms. He also said, “We have a Holiday Inn and an ibis opening. So, the concentration is to bring another 400 rooms to the city to its existing 300 inventory.”  

AccorHotels has signed an agreement with the Australia India Travel & Tourism Council (AITTC) to further strengthen the opportunities for promoting tourism between Australia and India. As part of the new partnership, AITTC will endorse AccorHotels market-leading Optimum Service Standards program for Indian visitation. AITTC will facilitate a service training program to help AccorHotels staff better understand cultural practices and learn basic greetings so they can respectfully serve these guests. Training is expected to commence in Sydney and Brisbane this August and AITTC will issue hotels with a certificate of accreditation once completed.  AccorHotels launched its Optimum Service Standards for Indian visitation program to better cater to the specific cultural needs and growing numbers of Indian travellers to Australia and New Zealand. Accredited hotels have adopted services to meet the needs of this emerging travel market including the translation of hotel welcome kits, menus and business cards, Indian meals in the restaurant, Indian adaptor plugs, TV channels and newspapers to make guests travelling from India feel at home. In addition, AITTC and AccorHotels will be working together on promoting both inbound tourism from India as well as outbound opportunities to India.

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India has launched its new 75-room resort in Hatgad, Maharashtra, six kilometers from the hill station of Saputara, Gujarat. Spread over an area consisting of approximately three acres, Club Mahindra Hatgad is located on the Nashik-Saputara road with views of the Saputara Hills as well as of the famed Hatgad Fort. Kavinder Singh, MD & CEO, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, said, “At Club Mahindra we constantly try to add new and unexplored holiday destinations to create differentiated experiences for our members. Saputara, the only hill station of Gujarat, is a great holiday destination for the entire family as it offers diverse attractions including a rich indigenous cultural history, an abundant waterfall, a wildlife sanctuary and various adventure activities. Club Mahindra Hatgad is within driving distance from Nashik, Surat, Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai, making it an ideal family getaway destination for our members.

Radisson Blu has opened the first phase of its 102-key ‘Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Karjat’ located in the sub district of Raigad in Maharashtra. This is the Radisson Blu brand’s 29th addition within Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s portfolio in India. A popular weekend destination, Karjat is a two-hour drive from Mumbai and Pune and the resort offers 360-degree views of the Sahyadri mountains. Speaking on the occasion, Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said, “We are excited to to launch this upper-upscale resort. This resort’s opening reinforces our commitment to enhance the brand’s portfolio and further expand our presence in resort destinations throughout India. With its unparalleled resort experience and commitment to excellence, we are confident Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Karjat will be a shining success.” The resort’s owner, Debasish Chakraborty, noted, “Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Karjat offers a beautiful balance between modern design and enveloping natural beauty. It is a first-of-its-kind luxury offering in an upcoming destination, complete with great connectivity, service excellence and quality standards befitting the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. We are excited to introduce this property to a range of discerning guests.” The resort will tap couples, families, adventure-seekers, wellness enthusiasts, wedding party guests, and business travellers.

Indana’s brand of royal hospitality with a modern twist will be coming to Jaipur in October 2016 with an 118-room hotel. Sharing details of the new property, Meera Pahwa, Vice President  Marketing  & Sales, Indana Hotels, said, “The new hotel will have lavish 350–800 sq ft deluxe rooms and suites. We will tap business and leisure tourists as it will have top-notch venues for MICE and amenities including a 8,000 sq.ft banquet hall, an over 40,000 sq.ft. landscaped lawn, fully equipped state-of the -art business centre and conference. Other amenities will include spa, health club, swimming pool and multiple F&B options. It will be a perfect fusion of historical elegance and modern luxury.” Indana has hosted discerning guests from around the world in the past at its Indana Palace Jodhpur property.