Category Archives: Hotels

Talking about the group’s aggressive growth in the Indian market, Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director of Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said “We are looking forward to open around 10-15 hotels in 2020 and I hope to crack 100-hotel mark by the end of this year. As far as our international growth is concerned, I think Middle East is where Sarovar wants to be for the simple reason, I can source business and talent from both Africa and India.” Some of the locations where Sarovar will open its properties include Greater Noida, Dalhousie, Latur, Udaipur, Panipat, Bodhgaya etc.

HVS Ease of Doing Business report has revealed that around 70 licences & approvals are needed to open and operate a hotel in India, while only 45 are required in China. However, in Singapore, only 26 licenses and approvals are needed for opening and operating a hotel. The study states licensing requirements in other countries are not as complex as in India. The number of licences needed to operate a hotel in India are far too many and vary across states.

Sarovar Hotels and Resort has announced the opening of their new hotel in the Godavari Delta of Andhra Pradesh. Dindi is in the intersection where the Godavari joins the Bay of Bengal. A destination known for its coconut plantations, serene backwaters, vast lakes and palm-fringed canals, the RVR Sarovar Portico, Dindi has aesthetically designed rooms and Suites, with a view of beautiful lilies and lotus plants. The Godavari Banquet hall at the hotel offers the ideal venue for events of any sort, from weddings to private parties, leisure events to corporate retreats for up to 150 guests. In addition, the hotel has a well-equipped fitness centre, Lake view and complimentary Wi-Fi. Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said “We are delighted to expand our leisure portfolio. Our vision is to deliver uncomplicated travel experience for our business and leisure travellers. We see great growth potential in this market and look forward to offering the best value to business and leisure travellers in sync with Sarovar’s signature hospitality”.  

Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer (COO) –India & South Asia, Accor has said that Accor will open new hotels in Udaipur and Mumbai in 2020. “Our upcoming properties for 2020 include the launch of Raffles Udaipur, Novotel Mumbai International Airport and ibis Mumbai LBS Road. We also have the Raffles Jaipur and Fairmont Mumbai Sahar, which are in the pipeline. Over the next few years, our focus is to continue to grow our regional network and introduce new brands. We have 25 hotels and approximately 5,000 keys in the pipeline and under active development.” he informed.

Lords Hotels & Resorts has added a new property in Guwahati, Assam, named Lords Eco Inn, which will be launched under the ‘Eco Inn’ brand. The hotel will start operations after implementation of brand standards and refurbishment. It will feature well-appointed rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant and a banquet hall. The property is at a distance of 22 km from Guwahati Railway Station and walking distance from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. Pushpendra Bansal – Chief Operating Officer, Lords Hotels and Resorts said “Guwahati is a gateway to seven sisters in North East and increasingly emerging as a commercial and tourism hub. We see immense potential for business and leisure tourism in Guwahati and are proud to introduce Lords Eco Inn in this region”. Bhuban Pradhan, Mrs. Rinchin Droma promoters of Lords Eco Inn, Guwahati further added “It is indeed a pleasure for us to partner with Lords Hotels and Resorts to introduce the first Lords Hotel in North East Region of India. We are proud of the team that has been put together and are confident that our guests are going to be delighted every time they step into this property”.

India has steadily moved up the ranking in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report to rank 63 in 2019 compared to 142nd rank in 2014, reveals the ‘Ease of doing business – India Hospitality Sector’ report by HVS. India has also been ranked as one of the top 10 improvers across 190 countries, mentions the report.

GIFT city developed with India’s first intelligent and green infrastructure has welcomed its first international hotel with Grand Mercure Gandhinagar GIFT city. Located on the bank of the Sabarmati river, GIFT city connects Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The nine-floor hotel features 151 guest rooms and six meeting rooms. “We are extremely happy to launch Grand Mercure Gandhinagar GIFT city, the first international branded hotel, in the foremost operational smart city of the country. With the support of Brigade Group, we have successfully established three Grand Mercure properties in the country and look forward to collaborating for more hotels going forward,” said Jean-Michel Casse, COO, India & South Asia, Accor.

In Q3, 100 rooms have been signed in Meghalaya and 71 have been signed in Nagaland. Right now, there are no branded hotels/rooms in these states. Also, according to an official, the state of Meghalaya already has a Courtyard by Marriott under construction.  In a Hotel Momentum India Report for Q3  by JLL, 36 hotels with 2867 rooms have been signed in the region. However, branded hotel openings during the same period are 22 which have 1474 rooms.

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts has launched Royal Hometel Suites in Mumbai. The hotel features 112 rooms & suites and features two banquet halls to conduct conferences, wedding and social gathering which can accommodate up to 550 guests. Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “The opening of Royal Hometel Suites strengthens our position in the Mumbai market in line with the brand’s growth strategy. The launch follows the growing trend of business and leisure hotels along with the brand’s quality assurance and ‘Signature Sarovar Hospitality’. Our new property is appropriate for both business and leisure travellers considering the location of the hotel.”

ibis Jaipur Civil Lines has refurbished its interiors, dining and 22 new premium rooms for the new-age traveller in line with the global ibis brand. Shwetank Singh – Vice President of Development & Asset Management, InterGlobe Hotels says, “The completion of the project has far exceeded expectations of what we had envisioned which is in line with our ‘New Generation’ Design and we are excited about the new look and feel of the hotel. The culinary offerings along with the vibrant and colourful public area bring about a great amount of energy to the place and it fits in well with the Rajasthani art and architecture. I would like to congratulate the operations team and our projects team whose tireless efforts resulted in the completion of the project within timelines and budget whilst the property was still operational.”