Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Hotel Rooms and Service Apartments Real Estate Projects News Links Blog

Realty cos check into service apartments

2010-01-18T12:37:00.002+05:30

Good times have rolled in for globe-trotting executives. As business travel is picking up, the hospitality sector is back on its feet after a hiatus. The rebound in corporate bookings has put a raft of service apartments back in green. A clutch of realty players in Bangalore are looking to add more keys cashing in on this demand.

According to real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield’s hospitality report, service apartments are 20% cheaper vis-à-vis hotels for long stays.

dnaindia.com

Pune’s major hotel projects hit recession roadblock

2009-11-23T18:31:00.003+05:30

"Pune is essentially a business center and not a tourism-driven market, so luxury hotels have hardly any takers.

For years Pune managed with four-luxury hotels with a maximum of 800 rooms.

Now suddenly 7,000 rooms were planned. How can it sustain?," Mr Ravi Varma, broker and real estate consultant

1) Leela Group - the plan now stands scrapped and the land has been put up for sale

2) Intercontinental from the Lalit Suri group that was to have come up at Market City on Ahmednagar Road

3) Marriott by the Panchshil Group. Work on the Hyatt Regency is underway, but the project is clearly delayed.

4) Novotel from French Group Accor has been deferred

5) Hilton and Four Seasons, who were in talks with the Cyrus Poonawala group for a business hotel, seem to have dropped plans at least for the moment.

6) Radisson, a project by Runwal Developers is said to be up for sale.

The Avinash Bhosale group is launching the city’s first Westin hotel early next month. A couple of JW Marriotts, one Holiday Inn, a Dawnay Day and a Radisson are among those poised to venture into this territory

To read more, please, visit Pune’s major hotel projects hit recession roadblock

‘Ibis Pune’ opened

2009-11-09T03:59:00.003+05:30

IBIS, the international economy hotel brand of Accor, forayed into the city recently.

Ibis Pune has 175 well- equipped guest rooms with en suite modular bathrooms, a contemporary fit-out including flat screen TV, wi-fi and broadband Internet access to suit the needs of both business and leisure travellers. Ibis Pune will provide round-the-clock reception, value accommodation and food and beverage services to visitors to Pune, said a press note.

Duet Hotels to invest Rs 2,300 crore

2009-11-09T03:31:00.004+05:30

Duet India Hotels, a Delhi-based real estate investment company with interests in the development of hospitality assets in India, will invest $500 million (Rs 2,300 crore) over four years to build 5,000 hotel rooms in the country

. The company, which will invest in both mid-scale and entry 5-star (as opposed to luxury 5-star, another sub-segment) properties, has tied up with New York-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide to develop its hotels, to be run under the brand name of Four Points by Sheraton.

Likewise, Duet aims to join hands with other international hotel players to launch their brands in the country. It is thus in talks with a host of hotel chain operators.

The company currently has five projects under development, which includes a 115-room hotel in Jaipur, a 223-room one in Pune, a 124-room hotel in Ahmedabad, a 200-room hotel in Indore and a 220-room hotel in Hyderabad.

In addition, the company is in talks with hotel management companies for setting up a 320-room hotel in Bangalore, a 100-room hotel in Nashik and a 110-room hotel in Ludhiana.

Hospitality industry voices concern over new norms laid down by the tourism ministry for obtaining or continuing star ratings

2009-11-08T11:51:00.005+05:30

The industry has primarily expressed reservations against some of the criteria on which hotels will be star rated, such as designated parking facilities, sewage treatment plants, x-ray checking machines and high percentage of skilled staffs.

CCTVs, compulsory CFC refrigeration and mandatory swimming pool for five-star hotels as outlined under the new guidelines are the other areas where the hotel fraternity has expressed its reservations.

The ministry has issued a deadline of September 1, 2010 to implement the new norms.
To read more, please, visit The Times of India

Accor plans a new Ibis hotel in Pune later this year

2009-11-03T05:34:00.002+05:30

Middle East hotel companies such as Jumeirah and Rotana are among multinational hotel brands looking for expansion in India, despite problems such as high real estate costs and difference in the business models.

International hotel chains such as Accor, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriot, to name a few, have large growth plans for India, which is a largely under served market.

Accor plans to grow its current portfolio of five hotels through new construction in India to 50 hotels, totalling 10,400 rooms, by 2012. This includes a new Ibis hotel in Pune later this year, seven new hotels in 2010, 18 new hotels in 2011 and 19 in 2012, according to media reports.

Jumeirah, Rotana groups look at expansion in India

Pride Hotel to make Rs 8 bn investment, mulls IPO

2009-07-28T19:18:00.002+05:30

Pride Group of Hotels, part of S P group of companies, is planning to invest around Rs 8 billion by 2015 and to fund the projects, the company is planning to raise Rs 2 billion through initial public offering (IPO), reports Business Standard.

It is learnt that the company is planning to set up 30 hotels by 2015 with an investment of Rs 8 billion.

Around Rs 1 billion of the total investment will be funded by private equity partners, including Kotak Real Estate Fund and Primary Real Estate Investments, Mauritius and another Rs 2.5 billion will be funded from company`s internal accruals and balance amount will be funded through debts and loans.
To read more, please, visit - myiris.com

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ITC willing to ‘join hands’ with competing hotel firms

2009-07-27T01:15:00.003+05:30

Investment arm Russell Credit owns 58.7 million shares in EIH and 14.1 million shares in Hotel Leela Venture

For the first time, ITC Ltd—the country’s biggest tobacco company which also runs hotels—told its shareholders that it was willing to integrate with itself the businesses of competing hotel companies such as EIH Ltd and Hotel Leela Venture Ltd in which it has acquired substantial equity interest.

The overture of “partnership” comes at a time when ITC is looking to aggressively expand its hotel business and has lined up an investment of around $2 billion, or close to Rs10,000 crore, to build new properties over the next 7-10 years. “We are hungry (for growth),” said ITC chairman Y.C. Deveshwar.

ITC’s investment arm Russell Credit Ltd owns 58.7 million shares, or a 14.98%, stake in EIH, which runs the Oberoi group of hotels. ITC started acquiring shares of EIH in 2000. It has till now spent Rs215.70 crore to increase its stake.
br> Russell Credit also owns 14.1 million shares in Hotel Leela Venture—owner of the Leela hotels and resorts—which translates into a stake of 3.8%. The shares were acquired in fiscal 2009 for Rs31.18 crore, according to ITC’s annual report.

Addressing shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting in Kolkata on Friday, Deveshwar said, “We are not interested in hostile takeover… Sometime, if the other side wants to join hands with us, it (the stake) will come handy.”

He has so far maintained that ITC invests its surplus cash “in areas that we have knowledge of”—he reiterated this on Friday. “These are very good investments…they have appreciated by Rs600-700 crore already,” he said.
To read more, please, visit - livemint.com

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Carlson & Bistro to open 13 'Friday’s American Bar' on a revenue-sharing basis or minimum guarantee arrangements with real estate developers

2009-02-07T08:44:00.007+05:30

Smaller format and lower price:

Hospitality and travel firm Carlson Hotels and its Indian partner Bistro Hospitality plan to introduce a new restaurant brand, Friday’s American Bar (FAB), to reach out to a more price-conscious consumer segment.

Carlson and Bistro Hospitality will also invest Rs 60-70 crore in the new brand and their existing premium restaurant brand Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF).

Bistro Hospitality CEO Sanjoy Roy said: “Carlson Hotels is experimenting with a smaller restaurant format in the US. They want to go mass-market with this strategy in India, before any other country.”

Apart from being a smaller format, Friday’s American Bar will focus on consumers in the metros as well as smaller cities. It is likely to have lower price points, with an emphasis on liquor.

1st in New Delhi:

The two partners are looking at opening 13 such restaurants in the next two years. The first such restaurant will be set up in New Delhi. Bistro has been operating on a revenue-sharing basis or minimum guarantee arrangements with real estate players, and will follow the same business model to operate the new restaurant brand.

8 + 30 Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF)

In addition, the company plans to expand the footprint of TGIF in the country. It plans to add eight restaurants in the near future and about 30 in the long-term. The new outlets are expected to come up in cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Goa, Ludhiana and Mumbai.

Impact of the economic slowdown:

Talking about the impact of the economic slowdown on the restaurant business, Mr Roy said: “Since our restaurants are targeted at the urban youth, we have seen negligible impact so far. The ban on smoking, however, has definitely impacted sales.”

TGIF is Carlson Restaurant Worldwide’s flagship brand and the company owns 25% equity in Bistro Hospitality Group. Carlson Restaurant is part of Carlson Hotels and Resorts that runs brands like Radisson and Country Inn, among others.
To read more, please, visit - The Economic Times

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Metropolis Hotels Pune, Avinash Bhosale Group and Sun-N-Sand joint venture, to develop the 1st five-star hotel in Navi Mumbai

2008-12-19T17:15:00.004+05:30

Metropolis Hotels bagged a sprawling 47000 sq. mt. plot auctioned by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) to build a five star hotel

Metropolis Hotels won the plot located off Palm Beach drive at a whopping bid of Rs.60, 085.15 per sq. mt. The net deal is around Rs.283 crores which is the biggest ever plot CIDCO has auctioned for the 1st Five-Star Hotel in Navi Mumbai.

The plot is strategically located at a distance of just 6km from the new proposed international airport and approximately the same distance from Trans-Harbour link connecting South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. Along with a good road access the site also has a pleasant view of the CIDCO developed golf course.

Commenting on this prestigious deal, Mr. Amit Bhosale, Director, ABIL Group (Avinash Bhosale Group) said, “We at ABIL are jubilant at this success and plan to bring in a well known international hotel brand at this site, the first five star hotel in Navi Mumbai with 500 luxurious rooms.”

About Avinash Bhosale Group:

The Avinash Bhosale Group www.abilgroup.com is one of Pune's leading business conglomerates with diversified business interests in Real Estate, Infrastructure and Hospitality and operates under the name ABIL Group.

Established in 1979 by Mr. Avinash Bhosale, Founder & Chairman, the ABIL Group is a dominant player in all the sectors in which it operates. The Group is engaged in the business of Construction, Roads and Infrastructure Developments, Irrigation Projects, Hospitality, Energy and Information Technology. The Group has recently also made successful forays into the IT and BPO sectors. With a resource pool of talented and exceptional professionals, the Group maintains enviable standards of efficiency and excellence.
IndiaPRWire

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The Landmark Group, a Dubai-based retail chain, puts its plans for the hospitality sector in India on indefinite hold

2008-12-10T07:37:00.004+05:30

30 mid-market hotels:

The Landmark Group, which had plans to set up 30 mid-market hotels in India, is learnt to have asked some of the property developers it was in talks with for possible tie-ups to look for new partners.

While announcing its hospitality venture Citymax Hotels India last year, Landmark had said it planned to set up over 30 mid-market hotels in 10 years, with the first four-star hotel to come up in Indore in September 2008. The company confirmed that the new hotel had not come up yet but declined to say if it was delayed or shelved.

Economic slowdown:

The development reflects the prevailing sentiment in the hospitality industry. “There is uncertainty in the overall market sentiment for the hospitality sector, especially for greenfield projects. Capital intensive projects are either put on hold or are put on a slow track,” said Ernst & Young real estate and hospitality analyst Ajit Krishnan.

While the principal reason for the uncertainty in the sector is the economic slowdown, the recent terror attack in Mumbai has aggravated risk, he said.

Lifestyle and Max

Citymax had said last year that it would invest Rs 325 crore by 2012 to set up 12 hotels in cities including Bangalore, Pune, Gurgaon and Hyderabad. Landmark Group, owned by NRI businessman Micky Jagtiani, entered India almost a decade ago with its department store chain Lifestyle. Since then it has forayed into value retail with Max chain and tied up with Dutch retail giant SPAR for hypermarkets. -The Economic Times

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Trikona Capital Group sets up Apodis Hospitality to develop, operate projects across India

2008-11-07T11:39:00.006+05:30

From being a fund investing in hotel projects, Trikona Capital Group has made a full-fledged entry into the hospitality segment by setting up Apodis Hospitality to not only invest in but also operate and develop hotels across India.

Aashish Kalra, co-founder and managing partner, Trikona Capital, told DNA Money that the company has been investing in hotels for more than a year and a half. “But the new entity will be different from a fund and will focus on operating/managing and building our own hotels across the country,” he said. Apodis was instituted in April this year.

Many realtors entered the hotels space to address the shortage of rooms during a business boom, but Trikona has its eye firmly on the long-term opportunity. Umesh Luthria, business head, Apodis Hotels & Resorts Ltd, said that the company believes in the long-term story and expects the segment to show considerable growth. He said hotels would continue to be an integral part of the country’s infrastructure development. “While we can easily address room shortage, when a downturn hits the industry, the same aspect becomes a figment of someone’s imagination and not really a demand-supply function. So the idea is to look at this venture as a sustainable business entity and that’s what we are doing under Apodis,” said Luthria.

The company has raised $80 million for investments in the hotels space and has commitments of $100-120 million. The bulk of this has gone into the luxury segment ($40 million) and initial funding in companies such as Marigold ($15 million) and Jodhana ($5-7 million). Some of the funds will be used to finance the yet-to-be-formed companies in this portfolio. Luthria said the company’s approach is clear. In the luxury segment, it will partner with well-established brands with good exposure to the Indian market. So the management and branding in this segment will be by international hotel chains. For the luxury segment, the company will be an investment partner rather than build and own the hotel assets.

Trikona has a small stake in Dynamix Balwas Hospitality that has signed Hyatt for its properties in Mumbai, Goa and Pune. In south India, the management is looking at partnering with ETA Star for some of their developments in Bangalore.

In the first-class segment, the company feels there are some new emerging brands with strong pedigrees but no exposure to the Indian market. “So we will partner with these brands but the management will stay with us. We will also have a hotel management company that will be responsible for running these properties,” said Luthria.
DNA

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UB Group to set up a eco-friendly wine spa resort at Baramati near Pune

2008-10-24T06:59:00.006+05:30

According to a report in the Financial Chronicle, UB Group is in the process of introducing a winotherapy and spa venture. The group has initiated talks with several leading hotel chains to operate the wine resort to be set up in Baramati, Pune. To read more, please, visit - Hospitality Biz India

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Unity runs an extra mile to complete the construction of an eco-friendly 5 star hotel at Balewadi, for Commonwealth Youth Games, in just 12 months

2008-10-14T07:15:00.019+05:30

"In normal course, it would have taken six to eight months to finalize the design and complete formalities before construction on a five-star hotel starts," said K K Avarsekar, CMD of Unity Infraprojects Limited at a press conference.

"But, we managed to complete the challenging task of building the world class facilities for hosting participants from over 70 countries in one single location and an environment friendly, zero-garbage hotel with five star and three-star facilities."

"When I look back, I am overwhelmed with emotions that this Rs 300 cr edifice with 600,000 sq ft area is up, ready and running," he said.

Unity floated an SPV for the project and roped in well known hotelier cum environmentalist Vithal Kamat as a partner and operator for the eco-friendly, zero-garbage hotel.

The JV appointed M/s. Renowned Architects Upasni Design Cell for the design of the hotel project.

Prof M. G. Gadgil, head - structural engineering department, VJTI was the proof checking consultants.
- Express India

Related References:

1) Mr.Vithal Kamat, THE ORCHID and Kamat Hotels (India) Limited:

Vithal Kamat was Chairman & Managing DirectorMr. Vithal V. Kamat of the Company has over 28 years experience as a Hotelier. Apart from the 5 star hotel at Mumbai, he has a chain of Restaurants, Holiday Resorts, Clubs, Departmental Store and Catering Institute in and around Mumbai he renders consultancy services for formation of restaurants not only in India but also in other Countries such as Europe, USA, Japan & Singapore.

THE ORCHID, as it is aptly renamed, was awarded the prestigious 'ECOTEL' Certification' by HVS ECO SERVICES, USA, which is the hall mark of environmentally sensitive hotels. The Hotel thus becomes the first hotel in Asia to obtain the coveted certification.

The Flagship of the Company - KAMAT HOTELS (INDIA) LIMITED is a Public Listed Company and the group flagship hotel of the company viz., THE KAMAT PLAZA, a four star hotel near the Santacruz Airport was taken by the Company - KAMAT HOTELS (INDIA) LIMITED pursuant to the Management Contract with Plaza Hotels Private Limited for a period of 30 years with effect from 1st April, 1994. To read more, please, visit: www.orchidhotel.com

2) Idli,Orchid and Will Power - Vithal Kamat Reviews

3) Urban Design Cell Pte Ltd:

Urban Design Cell Pte Ltd is a mid size design practice offering professional design services to clients in South East Asia, China, India, Maldives & Middle East Asia. UDC Singapore is promoted by Upasni Design Cell, which is a 25 year old design practice based in Mumbai, India. The practice is working on several wide-ranging projects in India & the middle eastern countries. The practice provides design services in Planning, Architecture, Landscape, Interiors, Furniture Design and Visual Communications. One of the practice's recently completed projects is the Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai, India. The Orchid hotel in Mumbai designed by UDC, was Asia's first Ecotel certified 5 star luxury hotel. To know more, please, visit: www.udc.sg

4) Upasni Design Cell: Profile:

Mr. D.M. Upasani is a Promoter of the Company and prior to establishing Upasni Design Cell, he was associated as designer with renowned firms of Architects like P.G.Patki & Associates Chartered Architects, Bombay, Ramesh Pathare Chartered Architects, Bombay, Master & Associates Architects, Maharashtra State Electricity Board in a senior Design position with job responsibility.

He has travelled abroad to East Asian countries like Singapore & Thailand to study various methods of construction and modern trends in architecture, while he has also visited USSR for studying Precast technology and for the assignment of Hotel Projects. He has visited USA and England. To know more, please, visit: Indiabuildnet.com

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Hotel Leelaventure plans to invest USD 500 million to expand its pan-India presence in key cities in the next 4 years

2008-07-20T22:45:00.000+05:30

It is setting up new hotels at Gurgaon, Udaipur, Chennai and New Delhi over the next three years, apart from acquiring land in Agra and Jaipur, a top company official said here.

'Our room capacity will go up from the present 1,100 to 2,400 by FY 12 after the Leela Palaces, Kempinski at Udaipur, Chennai, New Delhi and Hyderabad and the Leela Kempinski at Gurgaon and Pune becomes operational. The cost of the project is estimated at USD 500 million,' Hotel Leelaventure's President, Onno Poortier, told PTI.

Hotel Leelaventure owns and operates The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and in Kovalam (Kerala).
The Hindu News Update Service

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Sayaji Hotels Limited to open 50 room 3-star hotel in Pune by December

2008-07-07T09:24:00.007+05:30

After successful operations of Sayaji Hotels in the industrial capital of Gujarat at Vadodara and Sayaji hotel in Indore in the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh, the SHL decided to undertake hotel project in Pune which is humming up with industrial activities.

"Though they are three star-hotels, we have been giving five star facilities in these hotels." Managing Director Sajid Dhanani said.

Barbecue Nation:

Barbecue nation, a subsidiary of SHL, a restaurant business initiative of Sayaji Hotels Limited has undertaken a plan of setting up of 100 barbecues in all the metros and major cities of the country in the next three years, Dhanani said.

It is also seriously considering of setting up of barbecues in Hong kong, Singapore, London, Dubai, Soudiarabia, Abudhabi etc, Dhanani said
-The Economic Times

Related News:

Time for a barbeque..

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Vikas Kapai, new General Manager, to lead Pune's only 5 star serviced apartments Oakwood Premier Linear & Oakwood Residence Naylor Road

2008-07-05T06:06:00.016+05:30

Vikas Kapai brings 18 years of senior management experience in the hospitality industry with an exceptional track record in a host of international chains like Hyatt, Le Meridien, Sofitel and the Best Western Group.

He began his new role on April 2008 and is responsible for building the Oakwood Premier brand in Pune, scheduled to soft launch in October 2008.

Working on the pre-opening strategies for the 202 apartment property, the top-of-the-line brand for Oakwood Worldwide, Vikas is also responsible for handling overall management of Oakwood Residence Pune which has 84 fully furnished serviced residences.

Vikas’s result-driven management style has proven successful for a number of high-profile properties. He started his career with Le Meridien, New Delhi and has also worked with Sofitel and Best Western groups in India before venturing into Hyatt. He was working with Hyatt International for more than 9 years in Mumbai and Delhi. After operating as Director of Business Development for Hyatt Regency Delhi, a 523 room property, he subsequently moved to Hyatt Regency Mumbai in 2002 as pre opening Director of Marketing. He further got promoted to Executive Assistant Manager – Marketing before moving in to operations in 2005. As Executive Assistant Manager at Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Vikas played a key role in the overall operations of the 401 room property.

Vikas completed his graduation in Hotel Management in 1989 from the Institute of Hotel Management, Delhi, India and has been committed to service excellence throughout his career.

In his free time he enjoys traveling with his family, squash, adventure sports and contemporary music.
Press Releases

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality and leisure chain, plans to roll out its upscale brand ‘Aloft’ in Pune and other Indian cities

2008-07-02T09:36:00.007+05:30

“We have tied up with a few developers and Citibank subsidiary for the Aloft brand,” said Larry Malarkar, regional director, sales and marketing, India, Nepal and Bangladesh, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd.

“They, Aloft, will come up in Chennai, Bangalore and a couple of Tier II cities including Pune, Ahmedabad starting 2009,” he added.

The company is also in the process of finalising plans for its other brands including five star luxury brand St Regis, W Hotels and four star brand Four Points.

Currently, the company has its brands including Westin, Sheraton, Le Meridien and The Luxury Collection in the country. It has no plans to get the Element brand to India.

ITC Hotels has been Starwood’s partner in India for more than 30 years. It has 10 year franchise agreement with the US-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts for re-branding its seven hotels and bringing them under latter’s ‘Luxury Collection’.
Starwood-Hotels-to-bring-major-hotel-brands-to-India

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As cash flow in the real estate sector slows - property developers pull out of proposed deals with hospitality majors

2008-06-24T18:27:00.005+05:30

Real estate developers with presence in National Capital Region (NCR), Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, among others, are opting out of four and five-star hotel projects. According to sources, a five-star hotel in Pune shelved its plans recently as its developer pulled out of the commitment.

“The return on investment in a hotel will not be as high as it will be in putting the land to commercial use. Committing to the hospitality sector means waiting for five or more years (till the hotel becomes operational) to get returns,” says Shivaram Malakala, executive director of Habitat Ventures, Bangalore.

“Developers are looking at realising their money through any alternative means and are thus in the exit mode,” he says
Builders Pull out of Hotel Ventures as Profits Dry up

hotel rooms Pune hotel rooms blog Pune real estate developers star hotels in Pune Pune hospitality cash flow real estate slow down Pune property developers five star hotels in Pune Shivaram Malakala, E.D. Habitat Ventures, Bangalore

Ashok Piramal Group's Peninsula Land enters into a joint venture with textile maker and real estate developer Arrow Webtex to develop business hotels

2008-05-20T21:22:00.006+05:30

Peninsula and Arrow Webtex will create a special purpose vehicle (SPV), where they will hold 50 per cent stake each. In the first stage, the JV will invest Rs 100 crore and it plans to build 10 hotels of 100 rooms each, aggregating 1000 rooms.

Initially, the JV plans to build hotels in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur in Maharashtra and then develop hotels in Gujarat in cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Jamnagar, Mundra port and Goa. In the second phase, the JV is targetting southern markets such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, Peninsula said today.

The hotels in the first phase are expected to be operational in the next 30 months.
Business Standard

Mont Vert to set up 200 room business hotel at Wakad

2008-05-16T18:42:00.006+05:30

Mont Vert Homes, one of the leading real estate companies in Pune, would soon venture into the hospitality sector. Known for its range of luxury apartments, Mont Vert would very soon set up a business hotel at Wakad.

"We are coming up with a 200 room business hotel at Wakad which would have all five star amenities and would be known by either Mont Vert or a subsidiaries name," said Mont Vert Homes director Manish Kaneria.

Mont Vert is also constructing a state of the art elite club in the same area. Called Club 29, this club is being touted as the first such elite club in the PCMC area.
3DSyndication

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, first property on the Indian subcontinent, opens the doors

2008-05-14T06:53:00.007+05:30

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts today opens the doors of its first property on the Indian subcontinent: Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. The Hotel's 33-storey gleaming
glass tower enlivens the skyline of the city's emerging Worli district and serves as an iconic reference to the spirit of 'new' India.

"It's a real privilege to be planting the Four Seasons flag in India," said Armando Kraenzlin, General Manager. "Mumbai is a big opening for the group and the Hotel is in an exciting part of town. It sets new standards in the city for luxury and service and is sure to challenge many Western preconceptions of what India has to offer."

The Hotel's 202 rooms and suites comprise the most spacious guest accommodation in Mumbai, showcasing views of the city skyline, Mahalaxmi Racecourse or Arabian Sea through floor to ceiling windows.

2 Exciting Restaurants:

The Hotel brings two exciting restaurants to Worli.

San Qi (three energies) has been designed as a contemporary 'food theatre', inviting guests and local residents alike on an eclectic, culinary journey through the three energies at the heart of Asian cuisine - Japanese, Wok and Tandoor.

Prato serves Italian cuisine in a stylish setting complete with spacious al fresco terrace overlooking the Hotel's lawn and gardens.

Business Centre:

The Hotel facilitates international business with over 500m(2) of indoor meeting and function space, a highly efficient 24hr Business Centre, unparalleled Concierge services and a fleet of 20 BMW 7-Series limousines.

The Club:

In addition, the top floor "The Club" on the 33rd floor, offers its Members an exclusive selection of meeting and dining venues, innovative life-style facilities and access to the most influential networking in town.

Spa and Salon:

The two-storey Spa, opening mid year, will offer traditional Ayurvedic therapies and western treatments in a contemporary setting featuring eight treatment rooms (including one couple suite and a VIP suite), wet areas, Chi Studio (accommodating yoga, meditation and aerobic activities), pool, gym, relaxation lounge and Rossano Ferretti salon.

Social and Community:

The Hotel has made every effort to remain sensitive to the unique
cultural, social and economic needs of the local community.

Major festivals will be celebrated both inside and outside and senior members of staff have been learning to speak Hindi.

Thinking Local:

The Hotel has also launched The Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme - a two year vocational training course intent on equipping young people from the local neighbourhood with the skills and knowledge necessary to be competitive in the hospitality industry.

"We want to ensure that the Hotel has a positive impact, not only on its guests and the local business community but also on those communities in its immediate vicinity," explained Kraenzlin. "Mumbai is a complex city in many ways and we are determined to make our arrival here significant for all the right reasons.'

Business and Leisure Travel:

Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continuous innovation and the highest standards of hospitality.

From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalised 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees - people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service.

Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 75 hotels in 31 countries, and more than 31 properties under development, Four Seasons will continue to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding.

For more information on Four Seasons, visit http://www.fourseasons.com.
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai

Related Story:

I’m living near the Four Seasons

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I’m living near the Four Seasons

2008-05-14T06:16:00.003+05:30

The Four Seasons slum-dwellers living on the site were compensated for the loss of their homes and the government wants to use the model for two big slum rehabilitation projects that will transform the city if they are realized.

Bureaucracy and a shortage of skilled workers make building hotels difficult – the opening of the Four Seasons was delayed by at least two years. The hotel needed 165 government permits – including a special licence for the vegetable weighing scale in the kitchen and one for each of the bathroom scales put in guest rooms. In the end, the hotel cost $100m (€64.5m, £51m), or about $500,000 per room, and prices – which start at $500 per night rising to more than $1,000 – reflect that.

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Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Photo Gallery

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Global hospitality giant Marriott International and Indian realty major Emaar MGF are tying up to manage 2 more luxury hotels - at Pune and Chennai?

2008-04-01T16:48:00.011+05:30

With this, the two companies, Marriot and EmaarMGF, will build and operate 3 hotels in the country. Marriott has already tied up with Emaar to operate a 300-room JW Marriott in Kolkata.

The new properties could come up in Pune and Chennai, sources said. However, total investments and the brand of the hotels could not be ascertained.
Marriott, Emaar to manage two more hotels

Relared Stories:

Group adds to hotel plan

Emaar-MGF Land Pvt Ltd, which is bringing JW Marriott and Holiday Inn on the 6.24-acre Bypass plot it picked up for a record Rs 213 crore, is looking to further consolidate its hospitality presence in Calcutta and the East.

A joint venture between Emaar Properties PJSC of Dubai and New Delhi-based MGF Development Limited of India, the company is planning to introduce the Formule I brand and Premier Travel Inn hotels in the east. This is part of the group’s pan-India plans of rolling out 30,000 new hotel rooms by 2015.
The Telegraph

Emaar MGF ties up with Marriott for four properties by end 2010

To develop JW Marriott and Courtyard brands:
Emaar MGF has entered into a tie-up with Marriott International Inc to develop four properties. Of the four properties, the hotels in Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad will be developed under JW Marriott, the hotel chain’s luxury brand. A property under the Courtyard brand will be developed at Amritsar. The properties are expected to start operations by end 2010.

Delhi’s 300 room property will be located at Jasola, with an investment of Rs 889 crore. The 250 room property at Hyderabad will incur an investment of Rs 400 crore, and will be situated close to Emaar MGF’s Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The Kolkata property will be a 250 room hotel with an investment of Rs 402 crore. Amritsar’s 112 room Courtyard property will be developed with an investment of Rs 92 crore, under a mixed use development.
Hospitality Biz India

Advantages of Booking a Marriott Hotel Online

Although there are many places where you can make Marriott hotel reservations online, you are already on the only website where you receive every possible benefit when you book a stay.

When you book a hotel on Marriott.com you will enjoy:

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DLF Ltd., India's biggest real estate developer, to spend $5 billion in the next 7 years to build about 125 hotels

2008-03-28T23:33:00.005+05:30

DLF plans to build 25,000 rooms including 4,000 in the first three years, Rajiv Singh, vice chairman of DLF, said in an interview.

Spending and investment on travel and tourism will rise 9.4 percent annually in the next decade, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

India, Asia's third-largest economy, needs 100,000 rooms and 10,000 to 15,000 are being developed each year, U.K.-based Hogg Robinson Group Plc said last month.
Bloomberg.com:

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