Indian Hospitality Industry 5

Whenever I am abroad and tell people, I am in Hotel business, first question they ask, “Do you have good hotels in India”?  Do we?

Answer is, “Yes, of course we do”.

Indian hospitality is finest and recognized the world over for its warm courtesy and welcome.  Early records of our quintessential warmth can be traced back to 6th century when Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited India.  Today our guests from across the world eulogize about the legendary Indian hospitality, years after their visit. In this world of ‘unexpected’ we were and we are a nation that is considered humble, welcoming, warm and greatly hospitable.

Since the 70s we have been operating very good Hotels. Early properties came up with a big dose of hospitality strongly punctuated with Indian culture and heritage. Problem has been the ability to continue with same standards and services. Properties selected by me, as “The ten best” hotels in India are based on their following strength;

1. Quality of property in terms of structure, design and upkeep.
2. Quality of service, standard and quality of Food&Beverage
3.  Maintenance and continuity of the same standards, from the beginning.

But before I get to the final list, I would like to mention the names of hotels that were not included. These Hotels are;

•      Raj Vilas Jaipur, Wildflower Hall H.P., Amar Vilas Udaipur.
•     Leila Palace Bangalore and Goa.
•      The Oberoi Mumbai and Gurgaon and
•     Ashok Delhi.

Most of the Oberoi owned hotels loose out because, despite their efficient hospitality, they have an air of snobbery around them that borders on arrogance and doesn’t sit well with most of the critics. Their F&B standards lose out on many parameters of excellence. Leila Palaces in Bangalore and Goa does not offer brilliance beyond structure and design.  Ashok Hotel Delhi remains the best Build Hotel in this country but has been devastated by the political and bureaucratic meddling. On pretext of earning ITDC must stop leasing pieces property to oblige their political contacts. Even today the best brands world over would love to take over and run the Hotel because it still has the potential to be one of the best in the world- but I guess that will only remain a dream.

I now come to my very personal final list of best hotels in India without any influence or favors. World may differ in its opinion but people will tend to agree with my interpretation, only after having stayed in any of these hotels, because each one exudes  its own brand of  warmth and style. Even as I write this blog, the feeling and sensory experiences of service at each of these fine properties puts a nostalgic smile on my face- You may read on to know why!

 Taj Mumbai

This Hotel was conceived in 1898. It was  built and opened by TATA group in 1903. This was one the most prestigious projects undertaken to facilitate rich and famous from all over the world.  After 111 years of operation this Hotel, even today this Hotel boasts of best services and authentic food. Senior most corporate and tourism clients such as Managing Directors, Chairmen, Business Tycoons’ and country heads visiting Mumbai patronize this hotel. Thousands of clients who have been staying regularly for over 30/40 years and still feel the same warmth, hospitality and experience even today. For me the beautiful architecture, tasteful décor and personalized service that this Hotel has been offering for over hundred years is pinnacle of excellence. This indeed is the true landmark of grandeur and Indian hospitality

Grand Oberoi, Calcutta

Of all the Hotels in our country Grand Oberoi is closest to reminding us of British Raj. Grand Dame of Kolkata inaugurated this hotel in 1880. This hotel has a 200 hundred years Old handmade wooden piano and an iconic chandelier. The entrance to the hotel and Façade are very un assuming and are on one of the busiest roads of Calcutta the “Chowrangee”, this hotel has retained same high standard amicably maintained symbol of quality of product and services. Stay at this property brings back the memory of London, but with better service and hospitality standards. The food has been consistent in quality standard and presentation for over 35 years. When you look at the location and dramatic entry, elegance, class and world class hospitality, this is certainly one of the best Hotels of India. I wish other Oberoi Hotels could take lead from it.

Taj West End, Bangalore

I was frequenting Bangalore since 1984 and many a times I was lodged in Taj at MG road. I used to like the hotel a lot, but in 1993 ,when I visited again and instead stayed at West end Taj Bangalore, my opinion of Bangalore as city went up by at least five notches. This hotel is a heritage property built on 20 acres. It gives you a feeling , as if, you are staying in a Forrest resort, the rooms are rather large, spacious and well designed. The restaurant, coffee shop and Garden Café give the feel of a classy resort. The service - whenever I stayed - was impeccable and food was best in the city.

 Looking back in the pages of history, this hotel was opened by one Mrs. Bronson in 1887. In 1912 Spencer’s a very well established business Group took over the Hotel. Realizing the potential of this property they decided to hand it over to the professionals in 1984. Choice of Taj Group worked wonders with this property. Today so many wonderful properties have been added to this ever growing metropolitan city, including The Leila Palace but of them can hold a candle to Taj West End.

 Clarkes  Shimla - HP

Ones upon a time long long ago when I got married to Pamposh ( my wife of course) - we decided to go to Shimla for our honey moon and were booked in Clarkes Shimla by a friend, it is a beautiful hotel, a very romantic property  overlooking the valley and Shimla city with its Gothic Architecture. This was the first time I stayed in any Hotel in India. My experience of quality of Food and Services in this Hotel changed me as a  hotelier for better and forever. Every morning attendants wearing “Turra Pagri” would bring or restaurant. While having BF  in the restaurant they would discuss the lunch menu and finalize. Mean while room was cleaned and made ready. Similarly they would discuss & prepare food for dinner. By 5 pm hot tea with some snacks would come before we went out to town Centre. It was amazing hospitality, perfectly orchestrated which even today plays like a symphony in my private moments to fill the void created by time. It also makes me wonder why this same warm service has not been replicated in other properties of the group including Cecil and Wild Flower. Thereafter, I have visited Shimla over 25 times in 35 years for holidays and other reasons and have stayed in the same room (#51) every time for a ‘Total Recall’ of those precious  moments. This can happen only where guest is treated like Royalty.

 Lake View Udaipur

This Hotel is straight from the best fairytale story ever told. It is situated  in the middle of the dessert  where there is a lake, in the center of lake there is this beautiful palace with  intricate stone carvings and a dome. It all began with Maharaja Jagat Singh II in 1746, who built this palace as his own pleasure retreat. In 1963 Maharana Bhagwat Singh converted this into a hotel. Realizing the potential he handed over the management of Hotel to the Taj Group in 1971 and rest is history. This awesome property has been mesmerizing the tourists from all over the world for over 50 years. It boasts of grandeur, services, food and unbelievable charm of hospitality. For years and years this hotel has a reputation of having served the world’s famous and rich. People from all over the world made movies around this Palace. Many other Hotel companies have built many more lake view hotels, but when you talk of Rajasthan, its grandeur and experience, the name of this hotel remains synonymous with magnificence, the world over. I wish to call it the eighth wonder of the world.

Imperial Delhi

Mr. Bloomfield - Sir Edwin Lutyens’s Assistant- built this Hotel in 1931, it was inaugurated by Lord Willington in 1936. This magnificent Hotel is located on the Queens Way (Now Janpath). Shining marble floors, high ceilings and Burmese teak wood furniture make a fabulous first impression, while the historic art and antiques hint at what lies beyond. This is a truly a grand hotel beautifully preserved and improved upon, depicting Lyutens distinct Delhi’s glamour, charm and hospitality. It reminds you of the life and times of the ‘British Raj’ with ever friendly hospitality and it enjoys a distinction of being the most outstanding hotel in Delhi. They have their own exclusive clientele. Good consistent food, well appointed rooms and beautiful public areas that give them an edge over all other hotels in Delhi.

              

 Taj Lands End (Regent Mumbai)

In the late nineties, The Chairman of ‘Carlson Group’ came to India on business. He was taken to Band Stand Bandra, a posh Mumbai Suburb where, the first Radisson Hotel was being built, by not so famous Architect cum Interior Designer Naren Kuwardkar. Carlson’s Top boss was so impressed by what he saw that he offered the brand Regent for this property unconditionally. As we all know that Regent, at that time was considered the top brands in the world. This Hotel was owned and built by a rather famous Mumbai Builder- Late Mr. Shiraz Lokhandwala. Today even after more than fifteen years of operation this is still the best-built Hotel in India.

It was my good fortune to be associated with the opening and managing of this Hotel for first two years, this hotel scored on all levels. It has beautifully planned huge public areas, with lobby the size of a football field and forty square meters well-appointed rooms. Hotel created service standards, that Indian hospitality industry had never seen, or heard. Hotels like Oberoi and Taj couldn’t believe the stringent Service standards of Regent Hotels. As for food, each concept was unique and was very well received. This was the first complete Modern Hotel that could be compared to the best in the world. I give full credit for this Hotel to Late Mr. Lokhandwala (may he RIP). He was the ‘First and Last’ Mughal of our Industry in India. Sadly, he lost this amazing property to a very ethical Parsi group who acquired it by unethical means. Though it has lost that glamour, even today this Hotel continues to be a leader in hospitality in Mumbai.

Goa Marriott Resort & Spa-Panaji

Goa is a very popular holiday destination. As a hospitality consultant I keep visiting the city on a regular basis and have stayed in nearly all good hotels including Marriot Goa, which is a beautiful property, I like it so much that even if I am not staying there, I still make it a point to visit the Hotel at least for a meal or two. The Hotel atmosphere is electric, and the view of Miramar beach from the hotel is breathtaking. From day one this is the only Hotel in Goa where services are not marred by Goa’s care free attitude.  The courtesy and efficiency of the staff is very much similar to the best managed Hotels in Delhi and Mumbai. Food is consistent, well prepared and presented. Hotel is well built and nicely designed. This Hotel has been operating since 1999 and 15 years is a long time, it’s a job well done - Kudos to Marriot.

 Leila Palace, Delhi

This is the most talked about Hotel in the country. Built on most expensive real estate in Heart of Delhi, if rumors are to be believed, this is the most expensively built Hotel in Asia. This can only be the handiwork of a man with vision; Late Mr. Nair effort to create excellence has really worked. Food concepts are amazing, the quality of food served in all outlets is connoisseur’s   delight, the service and the staff is of highest standard. Every meal is a celebration, be it coffee in lounge to world class Italian cuisine.

Without trying to sound cheeky- I would say this is the most unlike Leila property. Late Mr. Nair’s dream has really come true. Their team should take the lead from this property and replicate the same standards in all other properties. This is not only one of the best built Hotels but also the best managed Leila property in the country.

                                                                                                                               Written By Anil Chak & Virat Varma

The opinion expressed in this blog is without prejudice and is personal view point of the author is basedonhis own observations, experiences, exposure. The criterion for judgment is without bias or any consideration of the sorts

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