The 10 Best luxury Hotels in India

2019 / Vol. 10 / Issue-3

T h e

B e s t

Luxury in India

Editor’s Note The Birth of A New Era W

ith diverse demographics and vast geographical diversities, India is a land with countless picturesque landscapes. With a sprawling coastline of over 7,516 kms, the Indian sub-continent is a hub of tourist spots and world-class destinations. Even one of the seven wonders of the world – The Taj Mahal, stands tall across the banks of river Yamuna in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

With such a bounty of opportunities, the Indian Hospitality industry has always been a torch-bearer in contributing to the Indian economy. The fact that the native citizens have started travelling within India, and are planning short but multiple tours, has given a much-need boost to the industry. This surge has also resulted in the rise of the premium luxury resorts and hotels segment in India. Alongside the Indian chain of luxury hotels like Taj, ITC, Oberoi, major international brands like Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, and others have joined the foray that has made the sector lively and competitive.

The growth trajectory of these luxurious hotels gives us an idea about the transforming Indian mindsets that are inclined towards embracing luxury and comfort. Expanding middle-class, higher spending, and the desire to experience the luxury segment is bringing this change. Also, as the competition is fierce amongst these hotels, seasonal discount packages, festive offers, and the steep rise of corporate bookings have attracted people the most.

Another major reason is that alongside booking, people have started to use the exquisite products and services offered by these hotels. These revenues are the real game-changer as the hotels are receiving a substantial amount from the customers that help them to continue their business model.

To honour the contributions of these luxurious resorts, we bring you this exclusive edition - “The 10 Best luxury Hotels in India”. In this publication, we have encompassed a few of the exceptional players who have mastered the art of hospitality with utmost excellence.

On the cover page we have showcased The Source & Beyond – the two ultra-luxurious resorts built amidst nature. Situated at Sula Vineyards – Nashik, The Source is India’s first heritage winery resort with a Tuscaninspired architecture. Beyond is a perfect example where luxury blends with comfort. This Sky Villa has unparalleled lake views and gives a feeling of peace and privacy.

The next marvel is the Bijolai Palace Hotel – an Inde Hotel situated in the majestic city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Created by the ruling family of Jodhpur-Marvar, this palace is between the Aravalli hills and surrounded by lakes.

Courtyard by Marriott – Hinjewadi, Pune offers unparalleled exquisite services that are aimed to rejuvenate, unwind and pursue passions in a grand way! Catering to the business fraternity alongside serving the leisure travellers, the strategic location of this 4-star property gives it an edge above the others.

Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort – Shimla is another iconic resort that gets featured on this list.

This resort in the Himalayas is an Oberoi resort that allows guests the opportunity of immersing themselves in the breathtaking natural surroundings.

Alongside these, we have enlisted two interesting articles written by an Industry expert – Amit Tejpal. Concluding this edition, we have an article penned by the editor that gives us a glimpse of the advent of luxury hotels in India.

So let’s come together to unveil the journeys of these extraordinary hotels and find out what makes them so distinctive and special.

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Cover Story

Article 18 The Tale of Indian Luxury Hotel The Luxurious Hotels of India: 1840 to 2019 & Beyond

The Source & Beyond Sensational wine resorts by Sula Vineyards CXO STANDPOINT From a Hospitality Connoisseur

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The art of adding a personal touch in the hospitality industry

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Experiencing the Pleasures of Luxury: The Top 10 Hotels In India

CONTENTS 16 Bijolai Palace Hotel Experience Royalty for Rejuvenation

24 Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi Luxury On-Board

30 Wildower Hall, An Oberoi Resort

Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Managing Editor Devasish Kanojiya Contributing Writer Abhishaj Sajeev Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Associate Designer Poonam Mahajan Art & Picture Editor Priyanka Rajage Co-designer Deepanjali Jena Business Development Manager Megha Mishra Business Development Lead Tejaswini Whaval Business Development Executive

Vaishnavi Salunke

Technical Head Pratiksha Patil Technical Specialist Amar Sawant Digital Marketing Manager Prashant Chevale SME-SMO Executives Uma, Ketki Circulation Manager Tanaji sales@insightssuccess.com

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Cover Story

Rajeev Samant Founder and CEO

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s numbers of leisure and corporate travellers in India continue to soar, the domestic hospitality sector is witnessing a paradigm shift, which is a welcome note for the entire industry.

One such trailblazing company has made its presence strongly felt in the global market. Sula Vineyards has elevated India’s reputation, operating the country’s most successful vineyards and the finest luxurious resorts. Over the last sixteen years, Sula has established itself as an innovator and leader in the Indian wine industry, with milestones across its winemaking, tourism, and business ventures. The company has made a mark in the Indian wine industry since the sale of its first bottle of wine in 1999, and today captures 65% of the wine market.

Since 1999, Sula Vineyards has been at the forefront of wine tourism in Nashik, an iconic city in the state of Maharashtra, and the heart of India’s wine region. With a surge in visitors at the vineyards year on year and with many of them willing to go the extra mile to experience a stay amongst the vines, Sula started its two resorts – The Source and Beyond -- that blend luxury with nature.

Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards Rajeev Samant informs, “A few years after Sula’s inception in 1999, visitors to winery started increasing. It was a natural next step to create an environment suitable and enjoyable for them. We started the wine tasting room, restaurants, amphitheatre, music festival and retail outlet in the

complex. Organized winery tours commenced in 2005 with the opening of India’s first wine tasting room, making Sula the first winery to conduct winery tours and tastings for visitors. The tours soon became a draw for Nashik residents as well as for tourists. Many tourists expressed their desire to stay at or near the winery and that is when the idea of creating exquisite wine resorts like those in California and Europe took birth.”

The growing number of guests led to the creation of a complete ecosystem that delivers world-class hospitality services. Today, the Sula Vineyards include a wine tasting room, two restaurants, an amphitheatre, an annual music festival ‘SulaFest’, retail and two wine resorts at and near the winery.

Relax | Unwind | Rejuvenate The Source Due to growing demand of wine, the original winery operations in Nashik were being shifted to a bigger campus in Dindori in 2016. That is when the thought of restoring the old winery into a resort was born. The original winery complex became the luxurious ‘The Source At Sula’.

India’s first heritage winery resort with a Tuscan-inspired architecture featuring 31-rooms resort makes the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or even a wedding! Set in the midst of Sula’s first vineyards, guests have a choice of luxury tree houses, suites with a choice of views and the

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An ideal destination to rejuvenate amongst the nature jewel in the crown – a duplex tower suite with stunning views of the vineyards.

Guests can unwind by the poolside; enjoy a game of tennis; bicycle through the vineyards; pamper themselves at the spa; enjoy a glass of wine in the courtyard; or simply enjoy the unbeatable vistas. The view of the scenic estate vineyards and gentle hills rolling away to the tranquil Gangapur Lake in the distance is absolutely mesmerizing. No alarm clocks necessary here as Sula’s rich biodiversity ensures that you will wake up to the sound of over 20 varieties of resident and migratory birds.

Beyond Situated opposite the Gangapur backwaters, this luxurious property derives its name from the location – just beyond the city! This luxury vineyard property consists of a superb, minimalistic 3-bedroom Sky Villa with unparalleled lake views and a feeling of peace and privacy; as well as 7 Lakeview Rooms that are a little haven of peace and tranquility.

Featuring a world-class infinity pool that blends, the beautifully paneled open-air walkout decks on the Sky Villa offer a spectacular view of the

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Swirling hospitality with luxury

golden sunset. The guests can also grab a bicycle to explore the property through the winding paths and a multi-cuisine all-day restaurant that brings in the finest and freshest organic meals from the Sula farm.

the resorts too, serve as the perfect venue for a luxurious destination wedding. With dedicated professionals for each wedding, Sula offers personalized services and tailored packages for events.

Weaving the Success Web

Exploring New Horizons

The life journey of Rajeev Samant – Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards is much more exciting and inspiring than that of a conventional businessman or an entrepreneur.

Post-completion of his schooling from Cathedral & John Cannon School, he joined the prestigious Stanford University at California, USA. He completed his bachelor’s in Economics, followed by a Master’s degree in Engineering Management.

SulaFest is one of the ‘eat-sleep-repeat’ premier attractions that have witnessed a surge of visitors every year. A funmix of music, wine, drinks, food, at the open-air amphitheater, the fest began its journey with 200 visitors in 2008 and currently hosts above 14000 guests annually.

He started his career at Oracle Corporation in the Silicon Valley. However, his desire to do something meaningful brought him back to India. As if destiny had a new plan, his ancestral land in the heart of grape-growing region of Nashik grabbed Rajeev’s attention. He was already introduced to wines during his stint in California. He thought why not give it a try in India? Samant’s friend and winemaker Kerry Damskey, who is now Sula's Master Winemaker, helped him take the initial steps. Samant spent some months at his winery in California where he received an inside look into the world of wines and what it would take to set up a successful business.

The name “Sula” came from his mother’s name - “Sulabha” - and symbolized the rich, Indian heritage of his wines.

Driven by his travels and his personal values, Rajeev firmly believes in stewardship of the land and in sustainable business practices. Today, Sula is one of the most ecofriendly companies in India, committed to sustainable winemaking practices and ensuring fair livelihoods for Sula’s community of farmers across Maharashtra and Karnataka. The company has empowered the local people by employing them and a few of them have even scaled up as chefs and managers within the organization. He is also a leading advocate for India’s wine industry and aims to represent the interests of India’s wine producers and farmers to national and state Governments.

Exquisite Vineyard Weddings & Events Recently, Sula opened its doors to brides and grooms looking for an exquisite wedding location. It is a perfect venue blessed with natural beauty, impressive venue facilities and beautiful vistas.

Set next to the Gangapur Dam backwaters, featuring vineyards and mountains as far as the eyes can see, Sula Vineyards presents an ideal destination to plan the most stunning and luxurious event. Along with its Greek-style amphitheatre, which hosts the popular SulaFest every year,

With luxury at the forefront, Sula carries a social and sustainable angle while unveiling its business model that focuses on being one of the most sustainable hospitality businesses around. Sr Vice-President of Sula Vineyards Monit Dhavale, who has been at the forefront of the company’s hospitality operations, outlines what lays ahead.

“Our focus will be on establishing the most sustainable hospitality businesses in the world. Basically, luxury but with a social and sustainable angle. We also want to focus on using more local products and products made in India as well as organic and farm fresh produce. We want to introduce experiences that are available in the best of the vineyards of the world,” he says.

An India for the future ‘Sustainability is a key pillar of Sula’s success, and it has set a goal of becoming the most sustainable winery in Asia.

Sula has already made great strides in integrating sustainability in its operations. As of September 2018, almost all its Hospitality Operations at Nashik run on Solar Energy. The company reuses 100% of the wastewater generated at its sites which totals to almost 40 million litres.

Moreover, 99% of the packaging material including bottles is recyclable. This translates to almost 5000 tons of recyclable material. At the resorts, plastic has been removed in almost all forms; even the mineral water bottles are made from glass!’

Bijolai Palace Hotel Experience Royalty for Rejuvenation

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ho doesn’t want to be a King or Queen, even if it is just for a day? Today, the Kingdoms have made way for the democratic countries but to experience royalty isn’t that difficult. Just head to The Bijolai Palace, an Inde Hotel, in Jodhpur and let the royal feeling sweep you all over.

About Bijolai Palace The Bijolai Palace, a sprawling royal palace built in the 19th century by the ruling family of Jodhpur-Marwar is nestled between the Aravali hills surrounded by lakes, creating an oasis in the desert. The 150-year-old Bijolai Palace is one of the oldest residences in Jodhpur, constructed in 1859 by, Maharaja Takhat Singh as his summer home, which has been declared as a “Heritage Property”, by INTACH. It had been used for many years as, a lively royal paradise surrounded by lakes amid the Aravali Hills.

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The present Maharaja of JodhpurMarwar, His Highness Gaj Singh II gifted the Bijolai Palace Hotel in 2004 to Jal Bhagirathi Foundation (JBF).

The property was completely restored and opened to guests as Bijolai Palace Hotel. Income from this hotel in Rajasthan is utilized by JBF to provide drinking water to the communities of Thar desert. More importantly, as a part of responsible tourism, the palace meets 100% of its water requirement through a unique method of rainwater harvesting.

The Checklist The Palace design exhibits the meticulous planning of the old rulers.

It offers a wide range of rooms: The Heritage Rooms, Vintage Rooms and Vintage Suite. All rooms overlook pristine gardens, private courtyards or views of their own Lake Kaylana providing a rejuvenation of spirit and body.

The Palace offers multiple dining options from delectable local Marwari Cuisine to Indian & International Specialties. The Hotel offers an excellent wedding and banqueting options for engagement, sangeet, mehendi, wedding ceremonies and reception catering to dramatic needs of a star-studded destination wedding. It also offers a variety of activities like Village Safari that provides you with a sneak peek into the ethnic Marwari lifestyle, Desert Safari through dunes of the Thar Desert, cooking classes for local cuisine to Spa treatments. Guests can also visit the city of Jodhpur which offers a variety of tourist attractions from age-old palaces & forts to historic temples, Music and Dance Festivals and dessert excursions to entice your senses. The various cultural fairs and activities celebrate local and regional music and culture.

Other than the royal services, hospitality and feast, the Bijolai Palace October 2019|

“Experience the Regal Luxury at Our Palace Hotel” Jodhpur also offers “The Water Walk” – a unique learning experience designed to provide firsthand information about traditional water harvesting techniques, it’s a crashcourse to understanding the brilliant technology and rainwater wisdom developed over the millennium in the desert.

Inde Hotels Inde Hotels is the first of its kind concept in India’s hospitality industry.

It is an online platform for independent hotels. It provides an end-to-end marketing and support services for them. For the modern-day travellers, it offers a chance to explore and connect with independent, boutique and heritage properties across the country while getting the best deals on them.

Adding Heritage property like Bijolai Palace to Inde’s portfolio is a wellthought strategy for the brand’s expansion. Heritage properties have witnessed an upsurge of tourism in October 2019| | MM 2019

India as the properties are privy to the rich culture, history and have a story to tell. Bijolai Palace Hotel, per Inde Hotel's policies, offers not only marvellous heritage architecture but will offer a bouquet of royal services to its customers.

The Inde Hotel Advantage Choosing Inde Hotels is a win-win for both independent hotels and travellers as it• provides international quality accommodation at affordable prices • un-paralleled locations for Economy hotels, which otherwise are dominated by upscale hotels • focuses on comfort, convenience, safety, hygiene and technology • is designed for unmatched operating efficiency – with 100% centralized control and hotel level operating ratios of 0.2 employees per guestroom • aims at filling voids of other business models where the only intention is to increase the number of partner hotels rather than focusing on the overall growth and guest satisfaction.

and what should be done to make the experience better. The management says, “You might have the best expertise in the industry, but your professional knowledge will never be more valuable to business performance than customer insights. Their opinions help you ensure that the end product will meet their expectations, solve their problems and fulfil their needs.

Maintaining Quality Standards is of paramount importance to us.”

The Palace conducts regular internal audits to ensure that the standards are maintained. It also has feedback forms in place for collection of Guest Feedback. It is also listed on all major portals like TripAdvisor, Google to collect feedback.

So if one is looking forward to a vacation, there’s no need to look further than the magnificent Bijolai Palace!

At Your Service, Always!

At the end of the day, what matters for Bijolai Palace and Inde Hotels is the precious and satisfactory smile on their visitor’s face. Customer feedback gives it an insight into what is working well 17

The Tale of Indian Luxury Hotel

The

Luxurious

Hotels

of India

1840 to 2019 & Beyond

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October 2019|

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ith a land frontier of 15200kms and a sprawling coastline of 7516kms, India is a country rich with heritage and countless scenic beauties. Since 1498, when Vasco da Gama entered India, the country has attracted people from different geographical regions for various reasons. One factor that is attributed as of the biggest reason for exploring India is Tourism. Today, in midst of 21st century, the Indian hospitality sector is booming at a rapid pace by the influx of new opportunities, the enhanced scope of work, and the rise of native travellers across the country.

A Date With History Revisiting the pages of ancient India, it was the Buddhist monks who are regarded as the first community to institutionalize the concept of a ‘shelter’ in India. The Mughals and Afghans are credited to build ‘caravanserais’ along the highway and business routes. Post Independence, the first step taken to set up the hospitality sector was started with the evolution of ‘sarais’, ‘dharamshalas’, guest-houses, and nominal hotels. Much later, the concept of hotels with ratings were embraced from the western influence that laid the pathway for the luxurious chain of hotels and resorts in India. In fact, the first-ever western-influence hotel – British Hotel, with a was built in Bombay by Pallonjee Pestonjee in 1840. However, the first luxurious Indian hotel was ‘The Taj Mahal Palace’, Mumbai – built by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata – a pioneer Industrialist, who founded the Tata group. By the end of the 19th century, multiple luxurious hotels in South India embraced western styles to the core. West End, Palm Beach, Imperial, Elphinstone, Ritz, New Woodland are some of the few.

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The Change of the Century The change of the century was the most decisive turning-point in the Indian perspective, but it carried a special relevance for the Indian hospitality sector. With new avenues opening up, there was a surge as the international, as well as national hospitality brands, started to invest in this sector. The promising platform created a market that paved the way for mergers and acquisitions, and structures from the British-era were leased and bought by prominent houses. As the affluence of Indian tourism grew by each passing day, this sector witnessed the inflow of global tourists in India that further fuelled the space of luxury hotels and resorts across India.

Indians are known to be very cordial and receptive with guests and hence, maintaining the highest standards of services and impeccable human bonding, the sector had set the right trajectory of growth. Big players like Taj, Oberoi Group, ITC, Lalit Group and more were the torch-bearers in not only meeting the international standards but surpassing them in every possible way! Alongside, international brands like Radisson, Marriott, Hyatt, Accor had entered the Indian sector that led to a win-win situation for the services sector.

Driving on the Fast Lane Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable shift that has turned the tables in favour of the luxurious Indian hotels and resorts. There has been a substantial rise in domestic travellers who are not only staying at these elite places but also are spending a lot during their stay at the hotel. This shift has given the luxury hotels a much-

needed shot in the arms as the domestic travellers have evolved as the biggest contributors to the revenue of domestic luxury and branded hotels.

As per industry experts, domestic leisure segment has emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories in recent times. Analysis suggests that while international tourists visit Indian for long vacations, Indian tourists prefers to take shorter breaks that are frequent in nature. The rise of average household income, nuclear homes, online travel agents, greater accommodation options, offers, and discounts are some of the prominent factors leading to this change.

It’s the Start of a Highway Alongside being a potential source of employment generator, the rise of these luxurious hotels and resorts have emerged as the key drivers of growth in the services sector. With a collage of epic natural surroundings, modern architecture, colonial structures, backed by a plethora of food options, diverse cultures, India is undoubtedly the preferred tourist destinations for many. Digitalization is the mainstay as the majority of travellers use digital modes to enquire, plan, book, and experience a journey.

It’s a long road ahead for the luxurious hotels and resorts as been situated in the second-largest populous country of the world itself gives countless opportunities that are still untapped.

Defining the correct market strategy to stay amongst the best is the need of the hour. As time goes, this sector is due to emerge as one of the biggest contributors to the economy in the service industry.

- Devasish Kanojiya

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From a Hospitality Connoisseur

THE ART OF ADDING A PERSONAL TOUCH IN THE

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

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ood service in the hotel and restaurant industry is the newest need for even establishments with the best food for generations. We often see older restaurants being consistent with their food quality, but more often than not they skimp in even the most basic etiquettes, like refilling the guest’s glass of water upon seeing an empty glass, or escorting a guest to their table.

Without a personal touch hospitality fades to only an eating / sleeping experience, ‘experience’ being the operative word here. Hospitality, especially top class, is only about creating the best experiences for guests. Whilst offering food with gold leafing or caviar, and butlers to pack and unpack luggage are the norm to promote luxury, a personal touch goes a far longer way in leaving a lasting impression and making the guests’ experience a memory of a lifetime. In fact for most well travelled tourists or people who frequent fancy restaurants, a personal touch is the only unique thing about their experience.

A personal touch doesn’t mean being overly chatty with a guest, neither is it supposed to be intrusive nor is it supposed to be over involved, it is just simple gestures that let the guest know that they are / will be taken care off very well, and the staff is thinking about their experience from their perspective. Good examples of things

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which show a personal touch are like keeping a regular guest’s favorite table reserved, knowing their regular order, and ensuring it is delivered as per their taste and time expected, it is doing things like adding personal photos of guests with their family, on their bedside table, if the hotelier wants to go out of the way, when the guest checks in to their hotel room. Most guests are not looking for freebies, if they are regular or frequent travelers / restaurant guests they are only looking to be recognized as a regular and offered their services with care and without mistakes, whilst guests who go out less often are looking for a memorable experience, which may require some additional personal attention from the hotelier in making them comfortable.

Adding a ‘Personal Touch’ is a tool used to show the guests that you care as a hospitality professional, and it should only be used to create a memorable experience for a customer, not to gain additional revenue or as a sales technique, as guests do understand those things too. We mostly see VIPs getting additional attention as they are important people for different reasons, or guests with a high billing capacity getting additional favors from the management. Any of these favors for high spenders, or personal butlers attached to VIPs cannot be considered as adding a personal touch, it more like an expectation fulfilled. When a personal touch is added it should be

done only to make a guest happy, and may not necessarily include giving freebies, it could be just the staff getting together and singing ‘happy birthday’ around the guest’s table, or offering them a free ride into the city / airport in a hotel car which is already going towards their destination. It means getting their children a small Cadbury chocolate even though hotels and restaurants don’t keep Cadbury chocolates to give. It could offering free laundry service to a guest who has dropped some food on their clothes, or it might be arranging a guest’s favorite ‘jalebi’ or ‘pyaz kachori’ from the nearby snacks shop, even though the hotel has the same items available on their menu. It is about giving a honeymoon couple their space with a bottle of wine, or arranging a few toys or a babysitter for the children of young parents. These efforts qualify as personal touches, as they were not readily available for purchase, and the hotelier had to go out of the way for that guest in a curated, personal way.

In conclusion the important thing to remember is that going out of the way for guests is being recognized more and more nowadays as restaurants and hotels are branded on their ‘warmth’ in offering hospitality, and the guests are far more exposed to various styles of classy service. The most personal touches today are seen in the casino industry where anything is offered to bring in the high rollers, however all hospitality has a responsibility to make

October 2019|

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Amit Tejpal has worked at 12 five star hotels in 9 cities, owned a restaurant and food vending business, and presently consults and executes restaurant and hotel projects for clients through his company Tejpal Hospitality.

Amit Tejpal

Founder Tejpal Hospitality

Tejpal Hospitality is a B2B setup that aims to assist, current or aspiring, Restaurateurs and Hoteliers to establish new Restaurants - Bars and Hotels and upgrade existing ones with global standards of quality and service.

You can reach out to Amit on fb, Twitter and LinkedIn.

every experience special. All they need to do is to try to understand and assess the guests’ needs before the guest mentions it to them, a hint of charm while talking to the guest, and to do whatever it takes to correct any situation which might be a negative moment of truth for the guest’s experience on that day. When these personal touches are added to anyone’s experience, it makes the entire experience far more memorable and interesting. It gives the guest a new perspective on hospitality at that location, and hotelier the satisfaction of having served well by adding their own personal touch.

October 2019| | MM 2019

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COURTYARD

BY MARRIOTT PUNE HINJEWADI Luxury On-Board

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October 2019|

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s per a KPMG report, the Indian hospitality Industry is expected to grow at 16.1% CAGR and will reach upto 2,796 thousand crores by 2022. the evolution of luxurious hotels and resorts that are covering the length & breadth of our country have played a major role in revamping and scaling up the luxury quotient of the industry.

One such market leader that is synonymous to the highest level of comfort & luxury is The Marriott Group of hotels, one such masterpiece is the ‘Courtyard by Marriott’.

Standing tall within the IT hub of Pune at Hinjewadi, this gigantic marvel consists of 153 rooms and is undoubtedly one of the most prominent hotels in Pune.

Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi offers unparalleled exquisite services that are aimed to rejuvenate, unwind & pursue passions in a grand way! Catering to the business fraternity alongside serving the leisure travellers, the strategic location of this 4-star property gives it an edge above the others. Caring for the needs & sentiments of a modern-day traveller, this luxurious hotel has something or the other to offer for everyone.

The hotel offers a wide variety of cuisines from their exclusive restaurants - MoMo Cafe, Ignite-Bar & Grill. A world-class catering service is provided for the events that are been hosted in the spacious lawn or at the flexible indoor venues. The complementary Wi-Fi is just a starter when it comes to the countless services and amenities offered by the showpiece hotel. Sound-proof floor-to-ceiling windows, 24-hour room service, latest fitness center, pool, or spa - it has it all.

October 2019|

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years of culinary experience gained at five star hotels and luxury hotels. In addition to his culinary expertise, he is also an outstanding trainer and coach, sharing his knowledge and skills with over 40 colleagues to build a strong culinary team at Courtyard Marriott Pune Hinjewadi.

Rounak Kinger - Executive Chef

This excerpt also showcases of the core members of the Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi - Athena Salim – General Manager. Starting her hotel career in 2001 with The Trident Nariman Point, Mumbai and later graduated from prestigious OCLD in 2004. Athena transitioned into Human Resources and Training at The Claridges, New Delhi post her operations stint at The Oberoi. Her overall experience as General Manager ranges from, Keys Hotel, The Park , Four Points Sheraton and most recent at Atmantan Wellness Resort. Athena is passionate leader with keen focus on building and developing successful teams as well as driving business results.

Born in Chennai and brought up in Mumbai, Athena comes from a multicultural background which taught her at a very early age to embrace change and enjoy the gifts that diversity brings. She completed her education in Mumbai. Dance has remained her passion and a discipline for well being till date. Athena is also a trained dancer in bharatnatyam dance form and continues to pursue her 26

passion for Jazz, contemporary dance form and fitness. She started learning Bharat Natyam at the age of 4 and then changed styles to Jazz and contemporary dance. She eagerly looks forward to every opportunity that gets her to perform on stage.

Her hobbies include travelling and exploring local culture and cuisine. She believes that it is important for her to visit and experience a new city or country every year. Interacting with new people especially outside her profession and learning about them is a fascinating experience. The performing arts play an integral role in her work life balance. She believes that her hobbies and interests have not only added dimension but enhanced my growth mentally and spiritually as a person.

Graduated from IHM, Mumbai, Chef Rounak started his career from Taj group of hotels as Management Trainee and moved up the ladders managing the luxury Taj banquet kitchen. Following his stint with Taj, he was appointed by Shangri-La hotel, Mumbai for managing the renowned ‘Seven kitchens’ the famous all day dining located at the heart of lower parel in Mumbai. Post to this experience, he moved on for an International exposure to Uber Luxury hotel, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah as pre-opening team member.

Prior to joining Marriott hotels as executive chef, Chef Rounak has opened 2 hotels namely Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru and Novotel Lucknow.

Another key persona who is majorly responsible to run the show is the Executive Chef who administers all of the culinary operations at Courtyard Marriott Pune Hinjewadi - Chef Rounak Kinger.

Chef Rounak brings with him over 12 October 2019|

A native to Mumbai, India, the Chef holds a certiďŹ cation of hospitality & hotel administration. Being a bundle of energy and positivism, he along with his team – is eager to absorb the strength and take advantage of cuisines from dierent cultures and present guests the fusion of innovative and traditional culinary art.

Outside work, he is an avid philanthropist, who is passionate about leaving no stones unturned against hunger for poor. He loves travelling to explore new horizons of cuisines and culture. Chef Kinger is a father to an adorable son and is married to enthusiastic home maker.

October 2019|

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Wildflower Hall,

An Oberoi Resort

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ne of the few hotels which give unique experiences that are never expected is Wildflower Hall Shimla that stands as one of the iconic marvels within the Indian hospitality industry. Let’s explore the story of this luxurious hotel.

Brief us about the journey of Wildflower hall.

At 8,250 feet (2500 metres) above sea level, ensconced in a dense cedar forest and offering awe-inspiring views of the magnificent snow peaks, Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas is an Oberoi resort that allows guests the opportunity of immersing themselves in the breathtaking natural surroundings. The resort is located in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, at the foot of the majestic Greater Himalayas. Set in 22 acres of virgin

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woods of pine and cedar, the 85-room resort has been built on the grounds where Lord Kitchener’s summer home once stood. Built to the most exacting international standards, Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas combines the charm and beauty indigenous to the region with all the luxurious and contemporary facilities.

Kindly talk in detail about your parent company – Oberoi.

The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, operates 32 hotels, two Nile Cruisers and a Motor Vessel in the backwaters of Kerala. The Group has presence in six countries under the luxury ‘Oberoi’ and five-star ‘Trident’ brand. The Group is also engaged in flight catering, airport restaurants, travel and tour services, car rentals, project management and corporate air charters.

A distinctive feature of The Group’s

hotels is their highly motivated and well trained staff who provide exceptionally attentive, personalised and warm service. The Group’s luxury hotels have established a reputation for redefining the paradigm of luxury and excellence in service amongst leisure hotels around the world.

How do you portray the concept of Himalayan vacations through Wildflower hall?

Get as far away as possible from the chaotic life of the city and take a breath of fresh mountain air when you stay with us at Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas – An Oberoi Resort.

Enjoy ultra-luxurious amenities, special room rates for stays on two or more nights, delectable breakfasts, savings on spa treatments, the cool breeze of the mountains and our Heart.

Felt. service. Whilst Shimla usually

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experiences snow in the winter, due to its temperate summer climate and refreshing mountain air, the area was adopted as the summer capital of British India in 1863. The former residence of Lord Kitchener, erstwhile commander-in chief of the British army, Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas – An Oberoi Resort exudes the ambience of a grand stately home; with a welcoming lounge, opulent accommodation, a snooker and billiards room, and a well-stocked library. Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas – An Oberoi Resort provides a unique opportunity for you to lose yourself in the romance of nature. Indoor and al fresco dining areas with mountain views, October 2019| | MM 2019

personalised spa experiences in wooded locations, energising outdoor sports and private dining. All complemented by the sincere attention to your every need.

contribute greatly to the esteem in which we are held, we measure our success by the value of the human interaction practiced by our people and deeply felt by our guests.

Kindly talk about your distinctive USP’s that makes the brand the most preferred choice for leisure travelers and international tourists?

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is founded on the belief that the guest is everything.

This philosophy is evident in every one of our people and manifested most visibly in the sincere personal care and attention that is afforded every guest.

While it is true that Oberoi’s exceptional properties, accommodations and facilities

How did you come up with the idea of having such a luxurious property at 8,250 feet above the sea level?

At 8,250 feet (2500 metres) above sea level, ensconced in a dense cedar forest and offering awe-inspiring views of the magnificent snow peaks, Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas is an Oberoi resort that allows guests the opportunity of immersing themselves in the breathtaking natural surroundings.

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Experiencing the Pleasures of Luxury The Top 10 Hotels In India – a detailed account on India’s hospitality landscape

by Amit Tejpal, Founder of Tejpal Hospitality

W

hile all hotels strive to offer the best services to their guests, some hotels go above and beyond. The best Luxury 5 star Hotels in India have been traditionally from the expected Hotel biggies Taj, Oberoi’s, ITC, and Leela Hotels, therefore it should come as no surprise that most of the hotels below are from these companies. These hotels are icons or pillars of Indian Hospitality, and their legendary service with exquisite detailing in every aspect, makes them stand out. However, instead of offering a bland list of just the top most business making hotels of India, we have carefully considered 10 segments of tourism that matter to a traveller, and the best hotel(s) in each class thereof.

Most Luxurious Hotels

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur

The Leela Palace, Udaipur

Lake Pichola in Udaipur is home to some of the most beautiful hotels in the world. We have 3 of them on our top 10 list and it is because of the global attention they receive. Both these hotels offer majestic views of the lake from the rooms. Prices are upwards of Rs. 25,000 per night at both hotels and these 2 hotels regularly make it to the top 10 Hotels of major tourism publications every year. Fantastically curated, and even better presented, you will find it difficult to witness more grandeur anywhere else.

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From a Hospitality Connoisseur

Best Beach Hotels

The Leela Kovalam, Trivandrum

Taj Fort Aguada, Goa

The Arabian Sea gives India some of the best beaches in the world. Goa and Kerala are crown jewels of Indian Tourism, and these 2 properties are the best known Beach Hotels by the Arabian Sea. These 2 hotels are preferred family destinations, and they offer huge expanses of the ocean at their doorstep. The Leela Kovalam was a government property, until Leela Group took it over. It was popular even back then. Taj Fort Aguada still has remnants of the Portugese Fort from 1612 where 79 cannons stood, and later a lighthouse was added in 1864, the oldest of its kind in Asia. Rates start at around Rs.10,000 per night for both properties. Goa even offers offshore Casinos to hopefully ‘enrich’ your experience.

Most Luxurious Indian River Cruise

Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Alleppey The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda offers a river cruise experience like no other. The tarmac to tarmac experience is allinclusive and starts with the reception of the guests at the airport, and evolves into a 3 night cruise with a new waterway explored every day, as well as a new cultural show every night. The MV Vrinda actually comprises of 3 boats of different sizes along with a speed boat. The guests get to experience the local culture by getting on to a new boat everyday to explore the wildlife and waterways of the Kerala backwaters. They return to the main vessel every evening, where the cabins are.

Rates start at Rs. 50,000 per night.

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Best Heritage Hotel

Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur Hotel stays not enough? How about staying with an actual royal family! The Umaid Bhawan Palace, completed in the preindependence era of 1943 and named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, still serves as the residence of the Royal Family of Jodhpur, but is leased out to Taj Hotels to run as a heritage property under their banner, on revenue share basis. This hotel is the current favourite for the biggest weddings of our era, from Bollywood to Hollywood, Umaid Bhawan Palace has seen and served the who's who of the world for decades. Rates start at around Rs. 30,000 per night.

Most Romantic Hotels

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

If the Taj Mahal is the most iconic ‘monument of love’ in the World, then the most befitting place to see it from, is The Oberoi Amarvilas. This beautiful property offers inexhaustive views of the Taj Mahal from every window, and is very popular with guests. The only other hotel which encompasses the spirit of love in a meaningful way is the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. The hotel feels like a bed in heaven. Surrounded by water, this surreal hotel stands the testimony of time and was completed in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh of Mewar Dynasty. Prices at these hotels are upwards of Rs. 25,000 per night, but the experience is priceless.

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Most Unique Hotel Exerience

Palace on Wheels, Rajasthan The Palace on Wheels truly embodies the spirit of travel and leisure, all while sitting at one’s window. 5 star luxury on wheels, this experience just cannot be matched by any hotel. It highlights the best of the Golden Triangle, starting from Delhi and ending back there. Travellers on board see many sights and cities of Rajasthan, complete with meals and guided tours. A visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra is also included. Introduced by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways in 1982, this song has been ‘on-track’ for almost 40 years, and still bedazzles tourists daily with almost all contemporary luxury hotel offerings, from buffets to personal butlers. Rates can be upwards of Rs. 1,00,000 per couple per night for a cabin.

Best Mountain Hotel

Oberoi Wildflower Hall, Mashobra The only hotel in India where one can sit in an outdoor hot air jacuzzi swimming pool and see snow falling on nearby mountain tops. The Oberoi Wildflower Hall is not just a hotel, it’s literally an entire hill. It looks and feels best during the winter months when all the fireplaces are lit up with fresh wood in the evenings daily, and a pianist keeps the atmosphere nostalgic. Most of its suites feature a working fireplace too. Rates are usually upwards of Rs. 25,000 per night. This hotel almost took our spot for the most romantic hotel on this list.

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Best Spa Resort

ITC Mughal, Agra

Ananda in The Himalayas, Uttarakhand

ITC Mughal was the first hotel of the ITC Group, then known as ITC Welcomgroup. It was a collaboration between Oberoi Hotels and ITC Limited, with the former agreeing to manage the property built by ITC. However, that never happened and ITC forayed into hotels full time thereafter. Recently the entire property was rebuilt in parts to suit modern needs, and now includes what could be called one of the finest modern spas in Asia, known under the ITC brand name Kaya Kalpa. It’s the least expensive property on our list and you may find a room here at just the price of a spa, under Rs. 6000 per night in the off season.

Ananda in the Himalayas was a viceregal palace built by the Maharaja of Tehri, Garhwal in 1910. The property is owned by hoteliers belonging to the same family as the Oberoi Group, and most of the management staff here is ex-Oberoi. Ananda started a new category of it’s own when it launched. It is one of the best experiences in the Himalayas for mental relaxation and heavenly peace. Rates at Ananda star at around Rs. 30,000 per night.

Best Business Hotel in India

The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

Not only is it the best business hotel on our list, The Oberoi Rajvilas found its way on the top of the world list in 2015 when Travel + Leisure, a well known tourism publication, named it as the best hotel in the World. Built on the former hunting grounds of the Maharana of Mewar, this 200 year old land is probably the most revered property of The Oberoi Hotels group.

So much so that Vikram Oberoi, son of Oberoi Patriarch PRS ‘Biki’ Oberoi started his career here as general manager, before moving up into corporate management. If you manage to get a room here, expect rates upwards of Rs. 30,000 per night.

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Best Wildlife Hotel

Ranthambore National Park near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan is a vast wildlife sanctuary and home to tigers.

On the edge of this National Park is this sprawling oasis, built over 8 hectares in the lap of nature, it hosts only luxury tents, complete with four poster beds, pool, and wiďŹ . Service here is made for the Maharajas. Rates are upwards of Rs.25,000 per night, and the experience is very unique and pristine.

Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore

Apart from the alluring list above, there are some honourable mentions, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai is the Largest Hotel in india presently with 600 rooms, Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai which was built in 1903, is the oldest 5 star Hotel, and the Taj Rambagh, Jaipur has the most expensive rooms, going right up to a whopping Rs.6,00,000 + taxes per night (just the taxes of this room could sponsor a 2 night family vacation at a good 5 star hotel). How many of them have you travelled to yet?

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

Taj Rambagh, Jaipur

ITC Grand Chola, Chennai October 2019| | MM 2019

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