Accor outlined today its comprehensive strategy for India which will see it operating 6 brands throughout the country by years end. Sofitel, Pullman and Formule1 brands will debut in India this year. Denis Hennequin, CEO for Accor commented on this strategy during a visit to India “Accor is excited about the growth prospects in India and where we are taking a multi segment approach to the market. This will see Accor participate in the upscale and luxury segments while developing strongly in the budget and mid-scale segments. With the debut of the Sofitel, Pullman and Formule1 brands this year, Accor will be the only international hotel company in India with such a comprehensive strategy and brands covering all segments from luxury to budget.”
Sofitel will debut with the opening of Sofitel Mumbai BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) in the third quarter of 2011. This luxury hotel will feature 302 guest rooms, four dining outlets, eight meeting rooms and extensive leisure facilities including So Spa – a signature spa concept only found in Sofitel hotels and resorts. Sofitel luxury hotels and resorts around the world epitomize French elegance and today consists of a network of 121 hotels throughout 39 countries. An additional Sofitel is committed for Mumbai and scheduled to open in the Mulund area in 2015.
Pullman offers business travellers environments that are designed as comfortable, inviting spaces for meeting and interacting. Located in leading regional and international cities and exclusive resort destinations, Pullman delivers a wide range of customized services and innovative technologies and a fresh approach to meetings and events. The Pullman brand will first open in India in quarter three this year with the opening of Pullman Gurgaon. This 284 guestroom upscale hotel will provide extensive meeting and event facilities with 13 meeting rooms, three restaurants and extensive leisure facilities. Three additional Pullman hotels are committed in India, including at Delhi International Airport in 2012.
Formule1 is destined to become the benchmark for budget hotels in India, following the opening of the first two hotels in Pune and Noida in the fourth quarter of this year. Formule1 offers comfortable and affordable accommodation and in India will deploy the brands recently developed new guest room concept. This contemporary, award winning and efficient guest room design promotes well being in a space that is flexible and cozy. Ten Formule1 sites have been secured throughout the country today.
Today in India, Accor operates nine hotels, the latest of which is ibis Mumbai Airport which opened last month. Between now and the end of 2012, Accor will open 21 additional hotels taking the network to 30 hotels by this time. Accor has commitments for 62 hotels in India and remains on track to achieve it’s previously announced ambitions of 90 hotels in the country by 2015. |
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| The Goa Marriott Resort recently partnered with BeBook by hosting an exclusive Charity Art Auction, the first-of-its-kind in Goa. More than 40 renowned Goa-based artists offered their works for this cause, the aim of which was to raise funds for a mobile library in Goa for children that have little or no access to books. The auction witnessed a large and discerning turnout comprising of patrons and art connoisseurs. With every painting getting sold, the event was a huge success. Speaking on the occasion, Pavithran Nambiar, general manager of Goa Marriott Resort said, “We are eager to be part of the development and fostering of the already vibrant arts scene here in Goa. On a personal front, reading is a great passion of mine. So, the opportunity to assist Bebook in their mission to make books accessible to kids throughout the state and at the same time to host an event featuring many of Goa’s most famous artists, along with many names of the future, was one we were delighted to take up. The event was a great success with active bidding on almost every one of the 44 pieces on offer.” |
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Mohammed Gulfam
Mohammed Gulfam has been appointed as general manager at VITS, Delhi A professional in Hotel Operations & Project Management with over 10 years of rich and diverse experiences, he has worked with some of the leading Global Hospitality Industry in India. He has excellent track record in Team Building, Operations and Projects Management with high profile brands like ShivVilas Jaipur, InterContinental (Srinagar), Radisson Hotel Delhi, JayPee Palace Agra. He is known for an excellent on-the-job performance, interpersonal relations, analytical & problem solving abilities, global best practices in operations and projects management. He has done his Bachelor in hotel management from Mangalore University.
Vikram Sharma
Vikram Sharma has been appointed as General Manager, Vits, Luxury Business Hotel, Pune. A hotel management graduate from Asan Memorial College, Chennai, Vikram has over decade long experience in hospitality, hotel pre-opening and revenue management. He has worked with The Pride Hotels, Nagpur, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Jaipur, Kiranshree Portico, Guwahati, Sarovar hotels & Resorts, Lonavala. His last assignment before joining Vits – Luxury Business Hotel, Pune was with Best Western Royal Park, Baddi as General Manager.
Ajay Chopra
Ajay Chopra, of the MasterChef India fame, has recently been appointed the Executive Chef at The Westin Mumbai Garden City. In his new role Chef Ajay Chopra will be responsible for implementation of culinary concepts and processes across all Food and Beverage outlets of the Hotel. Prior joining The Westin, Chef Ajay was the Executive Chef at the Goa Marriott Resort. He began his culinary career with the Cecil, Oberoi Hotel in Shimla and later went on to complete a management training program at the Oberoi Center for Learning and Development (OCLD). He brings with him extensive experience which includes Indian specialty restaurant - Kandahar at the Oberoi New Delhi, the JW Marriott Mumbai and Executive Head Chef, Mint Leaf chain of restaurants.
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Royal Orchid Hotels, the leading hospitality chain in India recently launched Royal Orchid Central in Shimoga. With this launch, Royal Orchid Hotels establishes a stronger presence in the tier II and III cities. The group currently operates nine hotels in Karnataka thus growing to be one of the largest hotel chains in the state. Shimoga, famously known as the ‘rice bowl of Karnataka’ is identified as one of the most picturesque cities and a major tourist attraction.
The city offers enormous growth potential for business with established educational institutions and industries. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chender Baljee, Chairman & MD, Royal Orchid Hotels stated, ”Tier II and III cities are known for their ever growing business potential, educational institutes, agriculturists, traders, pharma and other industries. With promising growth prospects in terms of business and tourism, Shimoga is one of the fastest developing cities with enormous growth prospects.
Royal Orchid Central is our largest brand today and we look at establishing it further in potential tier II and III cities. Royal Orchid Central, Shimoga promises hospitality at its best in this enchanting land!” Offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity, Royal Orchid Central is the only hotel offering world class facilities in the city. The hotel offers niche services providing excellent hospitality for the discerning traveller. Royal Orchid Central, Shimoga provides premium accommodation and state of the art facilities and top-of-the-line recreation facilities. The hotel has 108 elegantly decorated rooms equipped with the most modern and contemporary amenities to suit the needs of the modern traveller.
The hotel offers a Presidential suite, Club suites and Deluxe rooms. To meet the varied culinary demands of the guests, Royal Orchid Central offers three varied dining options: Pinxx (the 24 hrs coffee shop), Tiger Trail (offering authentic Indian delicacies) and Mix Bar. Strategically located the hotel is three kilometers from the railway station and just 275 kms from the Bangalore International airport. |
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Kamath Hotels (India) Ltd. have taken a decisive step towards consolidation of its business by merging the profitable hotel business and the highly profitable recession proof restaurant business owned by the promoters into KHIL. KHIL’s Board has approved, in principle, the amalgamation of Kamat Restaurants, Lotus Resort Murud (48 rooms) and Lotus Resort Goa (52 rooms) into KHIL. Upon merger, with over 53 units KHIL will be one of the largest hotel chains in the country.
This will enhance the top line, bottom line, cash flows, and other financial parameters of KHIL. Vithal Kamat ECMD of KHIL says, “Finally owing to the settlement and removal of cross holdings within the families, we have initiated this as it was long overdue. This is a major step to align all Kamat group properties by bringing in the most profitable hotels like Lotus Goa and Murud into KHIL.
The few remaining promoter properties are in various stages of renovations and are in companies which have inherited debt components and not having immediate EPS accretion to KHIL. At an opportune time the remaining Promoter owned units will merge into KHIL, thus aligning all promoter interests into KHIL”. He added, “The Restaurants are poised for higher growth in the next 3 years and is set to scale up to 150 units with very low capex as most of the restaurants are developed under franchise and company owned company operated route, the profitability and other financial parameters of KHIL will improve with this amalgamation as these are already debt free profit making companies”. |
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Worldhotels partner Svenska Design Hotels has opened the second of its luxury boutique business hotels in India in Bangalore – the Electronic City – home to over 100 hi-tech companies. With the new 10km long elevated expressway, Svenska Bangalore is merely 10 minutes away from the fashionable residential district of Koramangla and the surrounding commercial areas. Stockholm-based Svenska Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Worldhotels along with HVS to launch its stylish luxury hotel brand in India, targeting senior corporate executives.
The Group plans to open 20 luxury hotels over the next ten years with a total inventory of over 1,000 rooms. The focus is on trend-setting design hotels of 30-100 rooms with state-of-the-art technology and personalised hospitality. Svenska Mumbai was launched last December in the heart of Mumbai City at Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, with 29 rooms and five food & beverage outlets and banqueting/ conferencing facilities for up to 100 people.
Svenska Bangalore features 56 rooms and suites with a rooftop swimming pool and health club and three signature restaurants, including Mesa Deli & Lounge, contemporary Indian specialty restaurant Soul and the roof-top al-fresco Japanese Bar & Grill, Sensen. Banqueting and conferencing facilities for up to 200 people are expected to be launched shortly as well. The hotel offers upscale features such as private butlers, airport transfers in luxury sedans, welcome drinks on arrival, in-room spa treatments and latest technology.
Worldhotels Vice President Asia-Pacific Roland Jegge said, “Svenska Bangalore extends this fresh and exciting new product in India, introducing the country to a whole new world of stylish luxury and high technology amenities attuned to cosmopolitan corporate travelers.”
Svenska Hotels CEO & CMD Zia Shiekh said, “We have found a truly world-class partner in Worldhotels with their unparalleled marketing and distribution capabilities.”
Wasim Shiekh, Managing Director, Svenska Hotels said, “We see huge potential in the largely under exploited Indian market and have an aggressive expansion strategy across multiple locations, including Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhatisgarh and Uttarkhand, with our Year 2020 vision of 20 hotels in India and overseas”.
Based on Swedish design philosophy and contemporary European styling, Svenska Bangalore has becomes the ninth Worldhotels affiliate in India. |
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Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, an upscale hotel brand of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), will offer a fine selection of dining options with a lavish buffet and a la carte menu to suit the diverse palate of its customers. The 183-room hotel will be launched in the second quarter this year.
The hotel has announced the appointment of Amit Sharma as the Director of Rooms, who will be responsible for adhering to the IHG brand standards along with supervising the front office, housekeeping, laundry, and recreation and health club operations. Commenting on his new role, Amit said, “We are committed to offering our guests seamless delivery of services through various touch points, from arrival and check-in till departure, making their experience synonymous with international hotel chains”. Amit has earlier worked with leading hotels such as Holiday Inn, Inter Continental Lalit Goa, ITC Maratha and JW Marriott Mumbai.
Elaborating on the various F&B options, Nitin Sharma, Director Food and Beverage said, “Apart from comfortable rooms, the hotel will boast of a fine selection of dining options presenting culinary excellence that is unheard of in this part of Delhi. We will have a 116 cover Indian specialty restaurant, a 128 cover all day dining restaurant and a 48 cover bar. The hotel will also have a pastry shop that will serve an assortment of scrumptious snacks and delectable desserts along with exotic tea and coffee blends.” Being associated with IHG for over 3 years, in his new position Nitin will be responsible for conceptualization of the F&B outlets, creating the respective food and beverage menus and implementing strategic policies.
Welcoming both of them to the team, Nalin Mandiratta, General Manager, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini said, “Both Amit and Nitin display a great understanding of the IHG ways of working, and have a pulse on what it takes to deliver exceptional service to both domestic and international guests. I am excited with the way they are involved in making the hotel North West Delhi’s preferred destination to meet and celebrate.”
Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini will be accessible from the airport terminals, and nearby industrial area via road connecting guests to the pulse of Delhi. Its close proximity to shopping complexes, local entertainment attractions and a host of reputed educational institutions and super specialty hospitals will make it the preferred destination in this part of the city. The rooms offer modern facilities, a 24-hr Business Centre and In Room dining among other features. Guests can also avail the facilities at the relaxation spa, a well-equipped modern gym and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel will also have space for corporate offices at the nearby Business Tower and a shopping mall for leisure. |
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