Project Watch

Mumbai Property Plans Complete Overhaul

The promoters of an old hotel in south Mumbai have finalised plans to give their hotel a completely new look and market positioning. The promoters will soon undertake major renovations besides adding more rooms and business and leisure facilities.

Work on the four-star property is likely to commence early next year, either in March or April, wherein 12 rooms will be added. Currently, the hotel has 72 rooms comprising of 55 double rooms, 10 deluxe rooms and seven suites.

The addition of a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art business centre are on the cards as well.

Besides the refurbishment, all public space will be redesigned. A new look and cuisine has also been planned for the two restaurants and the coffee shop.

Hotel Company Diversifies Into Fast Food Restaurants

A Bangalore-based hotel company has diversified into the fast food segment by launching its first outlet in Bangalore. The plan is to have at least 10 such outlets in the next 12 months. Started at a cost of Rs five lakh, the first outlet serves Indian food. However, the promoters feel that the remaining outlets will cost less. The investment will only be on the place, equipment and the interiors. The menu range is from Rs 45-90.

The concept is to offer slow cooked fast food, which will be heated before being served. The precooked biryanis and fillings, will be heated using the microwave. For fried items like chilli fires and grilled items like kebabs, deep fat fryers and griddles will be used.

The company is toying with the idea of franchising the fast food brand in Karnataka. However, the franchising details have not been finalised as yet.

As per the current floor plan, the outlets will be in an area of about 140 square feet. The promoters plan to set up the outlets in shopping malls in the city, in mutual agreement with the mall owners.

It plans to open outlets in Mysore, Hubli and Belgaum, along with opening another three outlets in Bangalore as well. It is presently concentrating only on Karnataka. After establishing the brand here, it will move to other states.

Pune Company Enters Hospitality With Big Plans

A Pune-based company has entered the hospitality industry with a multi-cuisine fine dining restaurant in Pune.

The Rs one crore investment in the restaurant is part of a master plan, wherein the promoters also intend to expand their restaurant business by adding another six food and beverage outlets. The concepts, branding and locations of these outlets are yet to be finalised. There are also plans to start an institutional catering facility.

The 175 cover fine dining restaurant is lavishly spaced over four areas spread over 20,000 square feet. Reasonably priced, its menu comprises the choicest of wines and a selection of Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine catering to varied tastes.

There is also a tie-up with one of India’s leading hospitality consultancy firms for another unique hospitality venture is part of the diversification plan.

Delhi Five-Star Plans Major Renovations

In what may be seen as gearing up for competition, a New Delhi luxury hotel has planned a major renovation. The management has allotted Rs 15 crore to give the 1998-built property a complete new look. The exercise was brought two-years forward.

The hotel’s management has planned a complete renovation right from landscaping, porch, lobby, tea lounge to all rooms and restaurants in a phased manner spanned over two-and-a-half years. The public areas will be done first and be completed by September 2004. An old area will be utilised to build an entertainment area which will have a quiet lounge bar and a hi-energy discotheque.

Matheran Resort Available For Management

A 22-room three-star property in Matheran is being made available for management by the owners. The hotel which commenced operations two years ago is positioned as a health spa to promote wellness and rejuvenation holidays. Spread over one-and-a-half acres, the resort features a large swimming pool with an open air jacuzzi and a natural rock waterfall, pool side restaurant, shopping centre and a health club offering Kerala Ayurveda and Swedish massage along with yoga and meditation.

According to an official at the owning company, the move for offering the management contract is to fully exploit and popularise the health spa concept and is aimed at enabling the company to concentrate on their flagship property. The 22-room resort was created to act as a buffer for the flagship property catering to the spillover in peak season. With an average occupancy of 40 to 50 per cent the management contract is aimed to further bolster this figure and popularise the health spa concept.