Five years ago, India had fewer hotel rooms than New York's Manhattan district. It took the Commonwealth Games to shake the country out of its lethargy. Today, there are nearly 80,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline in India, of which 22,522 are set to open this year, according to Lodging Econometrics, the global authority on hotel real estate. Budget sops have also helped. In 2007, the then finance minister P. Chidambaram promised a tax holiday for hotels opening before March 2010 (the deadline has now been pushed to 31 July). This explains why the recession did not derail hotel development. This year, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has promised investment-linked tax incentives for budget hotels opening after April, so the developers who had put their projects on hold are sure to take a second look.
Says Don Elliot, regional vicepresident, Starwood Hotels: "In the past decade, India's disposable income has grown 10 per cent annually and much of it is spent on travel. By being bullish in our plans, we are ensuring that we'll be well-positioned to meet the pent-up demand of travellers during the upswing." There's a long-term promise at play too. India makes up 21 per cent of the world's incremental growth in population, a huge chunk of future consumers. Little wonder that all major global chains are vying for space in the country. If Starwood plans to add 15 hotels by 2012, the Carlson Group is aiming at 50 properties. This means more choice and higher bargaining power for travellers.
Here is a selection of some hotels that have opened in the past one year. Though they span the gamut, from the limited services category to five-star hotels, each one promises.
The Red Fox, Jaipur
Price: Rs 2,749 a night, per couple
USP: Conveniently located near the commercial areas, this is a 'select service' budget hotel. Don't let it worry you. The rooms offer everything from a mini-fridge to a working desk. Wi-Fi Net access is also available in all rooms at rates ranging from Rs 45 to Rs 450, depending on usage. The room rate includes breakfast. Try finding a more comfortable and clean option in the city for less.
Contact: 0141-4120101
Trident Bandra Kurla, Mumbai
Price: Rs 15,000 per couple for two nights
USP: If you have to travel to Mumbai on work on a Friday, why not extend your trip by a night and turn it into a family getaway? This five-star hotel, the first in the emerging business district of north Mumbai, offers a complimentary adjacent room for two children up to 12 years for weekend stays. This offer is subject to availability, so book in advance. The room rate also includes breakfast.
Contact: 1800-11-2122
Vishranti, Dehradun
Price: Rs 15,000 per couple for two nights
USP: This one is our pick for a short, romantic break. Set in a 23-acre organic farm, surrounded by a pristine Sal forest, this resort and spa is sure to appeal to nature lovers. There are just seven suites, so privacy is guaranteed. The package includes breakfast, barbecue and wine dinners, airport or railway station transfers and a guided tour of the in-house aviary that has several rare and exotic birds.
Contact: 011-46520000
Keys Hotel Ludhiana
Price: Rs 3,000 per night, per couple
USP: This industrial city has upscale properties for top executives and limited service hotels for the junior staff. The absence of a hotel catering to businessmen from the SME sector and salaried, middle-level executives has been felt for long. The Keys chain fills the gap. The tariff includes breakfast, free Wi-Fi access and railway station drops.
Contact: 1800-209-2299
Sayaji Hotel, Pune
Price: Rs 6,000 a night, per couple
USP: You'd be hard-pressed to find a more value-formoney four-star hotel. The room rate includes breakfast, airport transfers in an Audi Q7, a free Net-enabled computer, laundry services, a foot massager on request, a personal butler for every room and complimentary mineral water in not just your room but also the restaurant. In addition, walk-in guests and those who book well in advance can avail of a 10 per cent discount. We also like the 'Life on iTouch' device that allows you to control everything in the room, from lights and air conditioning to window blinds, from your bed. It also holds a 5,000-odd movie playlist for your entertainment.
Contact: 020-42121212
Grand Hometel, Mumbai
Price: Rs 5,500 per couple, per night
USP: The pricing may seem steep given its limited service tag, but keep in mind that this is the first branded budget option in the suburbs. So you are unlikely to find anything this comfortable in the area at a cheaper rate. Also, in keeping with the new trend of hotels opening in or around malls, this one is located right next to the hip Inorbit Mall.
Contact: 022-28797979
Vembanad House, Alleppey
Price: Rs 5,000 a night, per couple
USP: The mushrooming, yet disorganised, homestay sector has received a facelift with Mahindra Holidays getting into the act. A homestay is not only cheaper than a hotel but also offers a 'local' experience. Try the Mahindra Homestays' Honeymoon in Kerala package, where a couple stays two nights at this cottage and another two at the Ranger Woods Homestay in Munnar for Rs 14,000, with breakfast and dinner. This is 30 per cent cheaper than the regular room tariff.
Contact: 1800-425-2737
Ista, Amritsar
Price: Rs 6,000 a night, per couple
USP: It's the first five-star hotel in the city. The room charges include breakfast and a sightseeing trip to the Golden Temple. In addition, if you are travelling with your family, you get an adjacent room at a 50 per cent discount. The two-night package costing Rs 12,000 per couple also includes a 25 per cent discount on spa treatments.
Contact: 0183-2708888
The Zuri Whitefield, Bengaluru
Price: Rs 4,900 a night, per couple
USP: Located close to the International Tech Park, this is the only luxury business hotel in the Bengaluru suburbs. The ongoing last-minute offer not only shaves 30 per cent off the room tariff, typically around Rs 6,400 a night, but also includes free Net access, 20 per cent discount on meals and 15 per cent off on spa treatments.
Contact: 1800-103-7007
