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.Back to Siolim House . Devigarh
Resorts . The Marari
Beach . The Brunton
Boatyard .
. Hotel de l'orient . The
Manor - Ananda-city club . Orchids
Hotel .
B
outique Hotels in India : The New Look
Customised, not standard. Intimate, not public.
Spacious, not cramped. Unique, not regular. And hence, boutique, not large.
These are a few reasons why world over boutique properties are all the rage. In
recent times, some of the finest boutique hotels have opened up in the country.
India Today Plus presents a review.
The name of the game is: do not compete, change the
rules. The emphasis is on luxury and providing an
ambience you will not find elsewhere. Here's a guide to
some of the best in different parts of the country.
For centuries, guests to India's golden state were received either at the large private residences or small inns, lodges and farmhouses akin to the pousadas and
quintas in Portugal. Now, these are back in fashion. Goa-based fashion
designer, Wendell Rodricks reviews three stunning boutique hotels in Goa.
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SIOLIM
HOUSE..............details
This is the real Goan experience. Sunrays filter through
the mother-of-pearl windows onto the draped, four-poster
bed. Above, the ceiling is crafted in wood and tile by
artisans who have carried their handwork through
generations. In the large room, your footsteps echo the
walls painted in local shell paint. Outside the window a
beautiful patio sparkles in the sunlight. Tiny birds
twitter a chorus alongside scampering squirrels. When I
move to the bathroom, it is large enough to waltz in. Am
I living a dream at the turn of the last century?
Welcome to Siolim House, a stately
manor in the best Goan tradition, beautifully and
lovingly restored by London-based Varun Sood who works
for Societe Generale Bank, and moonlights for pleasure at
Siolim House. Surely this hotel
should be featured in the French Relais et Chateaux
guide--it fits the bill perfectly. The Sood family have
my congratulations for having restored this magnificent,
seven-room extravaganza. When Captain Sood shows you
photographs of the estate before it was renovated, you
realise the enormous quantity of love, caring and respect
for Goan culture that has gone into the laterite and
plaster of this magnificent mansion. Here, life is as it
was in villages all over Goa 20 years ago. There is no
need for air-conditioning, no television and no minibar.
How wonderful! And wise! My grandmother, who hails from
Siolim, would have approved of Siolim House as heartily as I do.
In a 3,500-sq m-village setting, Siolim House is a 275-year-old property
that is open all year round. An old colonial Goan manor
house, it is one of the very few remaining in the 16-18th
century, Indo-Portuguese style of the casa de sobrado,
which preceded the casa de patio style. At one time the
house belonged to a governor of Macau, and still has the
porcelain china grills that the senhor brought from the
East. Later on, other members of the family were
administrators in Portuguese Mozambique, which is where
its other name 'Mosmimcar'--The Mozambican, comes
from.
Siolim House has seven bedrooms
(including two suites--Macao and Malabar with two large
bedrooms each) named after trading ports/areas of the
18th century. Each room or suite has attached, tastefully
designed, large bathrooms. There is a large garden with
bursting bougainvillea bushes and fragrant trees and a
pergola in what we call the ''secret garden'' and an
inner pillared courtyard with a mosaic fountain. There
are several large halls and a 12-m swimming pool.
It is well-priced, beautiful in its aesthetics, and
personal in its service. The restaurant is open only for
residents, and the Goan chef cooks only on order, thereby
ensuring the freshest produce of the land and sea around
the beautiful village of Siolim. You
can opt for an 'all meals' plan, whether on a full or
partial rental, or a bed-and-breakfast basis. If you
want, you can also travel along in the morning and
examine the catch from the sea. It is a place that would
be thoroughly enjoyed by that kind of person who knows
that luxury has nothing to do with hotel receptions,
glass atriums, piped music in hotel elevators, bell boys
with funny caps, coffee-shop menus, uniformed waiters,
check-out times and other such things, and has everything
to do with giving yourself the chance to really
relax.
From Siolim, you can visit some of
my favourite beaches: Mandrem, Morjim, Arambol, Keri
(with its secret coves) and Tirachol. Upriver, lie the
serene villages of Camurlim, Colvale and Revora. During
the day, play boule or badminton in the courtyard, go
cycling, or simply snuggle up with a book on Goan
history. If you want to experience a boatride with the
fishermen, a walk in the hills, have the true Goan
experience, you may have to know a blue-blooded Goan who
will open his home to you. Or, quite simply, you could
check into Siolim House and become a
part of a fast-disappearing lifestyle that exists only in
a typical Goan village. Siolim House
is what every hotel in Goa should be. It holds a very
special place in my all-Goan heart !
................................................................................................................................................................................
Siolim
House
Waddi, Copp. Wadi Chapel, Siolim,
Bardez, Goa.
Tel: (0832) 2272138, 2272941
Room rate: US $65-155 for suites including a
sumptuous breakfast.
Rupee rate as per day's conversion rate, local taxes
extra.
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As the heart of India's Golden Triangle, it was inevitable that Rajasthan would
produce some unique boutique properties. Pareena Thapar checks out the latest
jewel in the crown.
DEVI GARH RESORTS, UDAIPUR
..............details
No brochure can do justice to what Devi Garh Resorts has
to offer. For, it is truly been conceived to be a meeting
ground of contrasting elements. When you think of a new
resort in Rajasthan, you wonder how different can it be
from the innumerable palaces converted into luxury hotels
all over Rajasthan. But the element of surprise which
Devi Garh Resorts has weaved into its theme makes it one
of India's finest boutique hotels.
Conceived by Lekha Poddar, one of the original promoters
of the hugely successful Neemrana Forts, the 18th-century
Devi Garh Fort Palace in the village of Delwara is
situated 30 km on the outskirts of Udaipur. The Poddars
lovingly restored the 35-acre property over three years,
converting, what Anupam Poddar, Lekha's son who has been
involved with the project full-time, describes as a
'derelict ruin'. Gone are the 250 small, dark chambers
entwined in a haphazard manner over a multiplicity of
levels. When the huge doors of the haveli open, they
reveal spaces designed to be contemporary, to be
reflective of the minimal look of the millennium-design
philosophy. No attempt has been made to regain the royal
era. ''The idea was not to do a traditional place at all,
but show what modern India is all about,'' says Anupam
Poddar.
And you discover what a modern palace can look like as
you walk down the serene, luxurious spaces with a
backdrop of white marble. The beds, the tables, the
bathrooms--everything has been made of white marble. No
carpets, no paintings, no flowing curtains, no potted
plants either! Instead you are greeted with flashes of
colour framed against marble, through the lavish use of
semi-precious stones in each suite which has a different
theme. An all-suite resort, Devi Garh boasts 23 suites,
each designed with a distinct look with bathrooms almost
as huge as the rooms. It also has seven royal tents which
overlook an organically grown fruits and vegetable
garden.
During my stay there, I witnessed the visiting group of
foreigners truly go berserk trying to choose the best
suites. Finally, to make the most of their stay, they
simply decided to swap rooms with each other the next
day. Anupam takes us on a sightseeing trip of the
haveli--it takes you at least an hour to make a round
trip. Should we settle for the blue room with a stunning
tabletop in lapiz lazuli, or the marigold room with
marigolds painted on the bedroom wall, marigolds floating
in huge brass vessels next to a jharokha offering a
sweeping view of the Aravali hills, or the silver suite
with fossil and mother-of-pearl inlays in the jharokhas
and table tops?
For the ultimate in luxury, go for the Devi Garh suite
or the Palace suite--twin suites tucked away in a private
corner, facing each other across your very own private
and centrally heated pool in Udaipur green marble, where
you can sink into the chaise lounge carved out of stone
in the pool and read a book in peace. Even the pool has
been designed to look very modern, to contradict the
backdrop of the palace. Designed like a stepwell, the
flowing spaces around the poolside offer the perfect
setting for a candlelit dinner in the evening.
Truly, in keeping with the concept of a boutique hotel,
Devi Garh offers you the kind of personalised service and
choices which are amiss in a larger property. Take your
pick for a setting for a romantic dinner in the evening.
First enjoy your drinks seated on the comfortable
cushions on the floor, by the jharokhas on the outside,
overlooking the fountains in the garden below by the
poolside, then go on for dinner, maybe next to the pool
or perhaps in one of the rooms next to the bar on the top
floor, with candles lighting up the room and marigolds
decorating the table. It is delightful to discover the
hidden niches in the palace, and choosing your very own
romantic setting.
The breakfast, lunch and dinner menu changes daily,
offering a choice of Indian thali and Continental
five-course menu. The whole emphasis is on keeping the
Indian food simple, once again a departure from offering
the purely ethnic Rajasthani cuisine. In fact, everything
at Devi Garh Resorts has been carefully conceived to
marry the past with the future. So if you expected a
Mercedes pick-up from the airport, be prepared for a
surprise. It is going to be an Ambassador. The resort may
be contemporary, but everything has been designed to be a
reflection of India, using only Indian elements. Soon
Anupam plans to equip the humble Ambassador with a
minibar and a choice of CDs to choose from. So during the
one-hour drive to Devi Garh, you can chill with a glass
of wine and music of your choice. And when you want to
venture out for an all-day picnic and visit the nearby
places of interest, the driver will also act as your
guide and carry your picnic basket, complete with lunch
and plates.
At Devi Garh, there are no bills to constantly sign each
time you order something. At the end of the day, a
discreet update of the bill for the day will be placed in
your room for your record. And the breakfast and the
minibar in the room are complimentary. The music system
in the room comes with a library of CDs. Or do some
star-gazing from the terrace through a telescope. And
while you enjoy your drink at the bar--six small
inter-connected rooms--you can opt for a game of chess,
ludo, backgammon, all inlaid on the table tops, or play a
game of billiards. At the end of your stay, what you
would know is that this is how the maharajas of the new
world would have preferred to live.
................................................................................................................................................................................
Devi Garh Resorts
Delwara Village, Udaipur-313001
Tel: (2953) 89211-20
Fax: 89357 Delhi: (011) 372 2000
E-mail: reservations@deviresorts.com
Bookings can also be made through Park Hotels chain which has a marketing liaison with Devi Garh Resorts.
High-season Rate: September-April
Royal Tents................... Rs 4,500
Garden Suite .................Rs 8,250
Palace Suite...................Rs 10,000
Duplex Suite..................Rs 12,500
Devi Garh Suite..............Rs 14,500
Low-season Rate: May-August
Garden Suite .................Rs 6,000
Palace Suite...................Rs 7,500
Duplex Suite................. Rs 8,500
Devi Garh Suite .............Rs 10,000
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Tourism is now synonymous with this scenic part of India, and growing at a
rapid pace. One reason: its beautifully located hotels and resorts. Harish
Bijoor checks out two that are special.
THE MARARI
BEACH..............details
Mararikulam. A tiny fishing hamlet in Kerala, with a
whole expanse of a golden white beach all for itself.
That was all Mararikulam was famous for. Not anymore.
Mararikulam is now on the tourist map of India. Brought
into delightful existence by the Dominic brothers of the
Casino Group of Hotels. The Marari Beach Resort, a mere
hour's drive from Cochin, is a beautiful resort with 52
cottages set into the natural backdrop of the area. The
villas come in two guises. A Garden Villa that affords
you a garden, possibly a small water-body, and lots of
coconut, mango and cashew trees surrounding it. The other
is the deluxe Pool Villa, each with a full-size pool. The
seclusion makes it ideal for those who like to sunbathe
in the nude.
The resort has a quiet, little beach bar, not too
complete in what it offers, but nevertheless functionally
right. The palm-fringed beach is the prime attraction of
the place and solitude is the USP. As one guest exclaims:
''Thank God, this is not Goa!'' And that's precisely the
differentiation the management aims to capitalise upon.
Deck chairs, hammocks in-between the coconut trees and
the gentle sea-breeze make the destination that much more
perfect. Come evening, it's time to watch the sunset. The
fisher-folk are returning with their catch and life is as
tranquil as can be. Other activities offered at the
resort include a backwater cruise through the route of
the famous Alleppey Boat Race. The resort has a small
amphitheatre, which hosts Kathakali performances and
music recitals.
The biggest draw is the Ayurvedic health centre, run
professionally by Dr Jenson, a fully trained professional
who offers a range of therapeutic as well as rejuvenating
remedies. The herbs used in various massages are
painstakingly put together at the centre. I went through
two delightful massages. One was the 'Uzhichil', for
general well-being. One full hour of total surrender to
the machinations of expert fingers that assuage every
muscle and joint. The massage is followed by a session in
the steam bath. The second massage was more exotic, the
'Punnagathi Kizhi'. Small muslin bags filled with fresh
herbs and kept constantly warm by dipping in hot,
medicated oil simmering in a pan are rubbed onto the body
by a team of two masseurs. The feeling is divine and
words will not explain it.
The food is just right. The helpings are huge, and if
you, by chance, happen to order a Fisherman's Lunch, a
Beach Lunch or a Vembanad Lunch on any of the days you
are there, be prepared to be snowed in by huge portions
in six large bowls that you will find a challenge to
finish. The cuisine is both Continental and 'Keralan'. A
distinct feature of the resort is the Garden bath. The
bathroom is set just outside your room, in the open,
complete with a small enclosed garden and all modern
amenities.
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Marari Beach
Mararikulam, Kerala
Central Reservation: Casino Group of Hotels, Casino
Hotel, Willingdon Island, Cochin - 682 003.
Tel: (484) 668221, 668421.
Fax: 668001.
E-mail: casino@giasd01.vsnl.net.in
High-season Rate (October-March)
Garden Villa................. Rs 4,600 to 5,300
Private Pool Villa.......... Rs 8,500 to 9,000
Plus 15 per cent taxes
Low-season Rate (April-September 2000)
Garden Villa................. Rs 2,750 to 3,250
Private Pool Villa ..........Rs 5,500 to 6,500
................................................................................................................................................................................
THE BRUNTON BOATYARD
..............details
This is not a hotel by the traditional definition of the
term. Opened last year, the Brunton Boatyard is truly one
of its kind in Cochin. It is a boutique hotel that packs
in a punch of history. Put together by the Casino Group
of Hotels, this resort is certainly unique. As George
Dominic, managing director, Casino Hotels, says: ''Our
strategy is to be innovative. That is, if taking a
boatyard and making it a hotel is considered
innovative.'' Simply put their aim: what Raffles is to
Singapore, Brunton should be to Cochin.
Brunton Boatyard does not match the luxury of the Taj
Malabar, yet it is the most expensive hotel in the city.
You are here for a different experience. While Brunton
Boatyard has the company of people-cluttered locations
all around it, it also has the choppy green Arabian Sea
in its backyard. A spot where you can catch a friendly
dolphin prancing around with the boats that ply this sea.
The resort is bang in the heart of Fort Cochin, a place
with a history of spices, trading, fishing and, of
course, boat-building, all its own. What's more, Jew Town
is close by, the magnificence of a Portuguese town with
its quaint old buildings and interesting little
churches.
The Brunton Boatyard has only 26 rooms to offer. Most
other hoteliers would have built a 60-room resort. The
Dominic brothers have, instead, built lovely rooms, each
with a view, and have left a lot of space all around.
Space that lets you breathe. The public-utility areas are
equally spacious.
The carefully restored ceiling has punkahs, old
hand-operated fans made of wood and cloth. If you are
having a party out there, the hotel will gladly have your
guests being fanned by a whole host of 'Punkahwallahs'.
The resort boasts several restaurants. Lunch would be
typically at the History Restaurant that offers the best
in Continental and Kerala fare. Dinner at the Terrace
Grill is a blissfully noisy affair. Noises from the ferry
terminal, from the nearby bus terminus and, of course,
from the ships that pass by. Grilled seafood fare with a
substantial amount of pepper. The accent is clearly the
catch of the day, and the fish will be as fresh as they
come. The cuisine has a distinct taste of its own and the
chef is a jewel of the property. Breakfast will be at The
Armoury, which offers a lovely view of the delta and
overflows into the garden. Sit out there and enjoy your
evening tea.
The lobby area is full of the sepia history of the
place. Photographs and engravings of the history of Fort
Cochin. General manager Nandagopal Narayanan will proudly
tell you the story behind each picture that hangs on the
wall. The rooms boast a bathroom view as well. You can
soak yourself in one of their luxuriously large tubs and
open all those bay windows to relax and watch the life
around the sea go by. Large rooms and every modern
comfort in the best of traditional surroundings. A large
elevated four-poster bed in some of the rooms, a quill
and ink holder by your tableside, antique chests, and
other artefacts make up the boutique look of the rooms.
The view is mind-blowing, and if you are lucky, you will
have a view of the azure-green pool and the sea, both
together. A swim at sunset is a must-do-experience.
................................................................................................................................................................................
The Brunton Boatyard
Central Reservation: Casino Group of Hotels
High-season Rate (October-March)
Standard sea-facing room (Bed+B/fast).............. Rs.
3,500 to 4,500
Deluxe sea-facing room (Bed+B/fast)
..................Rs. 9,000 to 10,000
Plus 25 per cent taxes
Low-season Rate (April-September)
Standard sea-facing room
...................................Rs. 3,750 to
4,250
Deluxe sea-facing room
.......................................Rs. 7,500 to
8,500
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A holiday with a French flavour, and that too, right here in India. Pareena Thapar checks out the latest addition to the expanding Neemrana 'non-hotels' chain.
HOTEL DE L'ORIENT
..............details
You know you are transported to another world, when on
your drive from the airport to the hotel, you see cops on
the streets wearing 'Kepi', the special 'French' red cap
to be seen nowhere else in India. Pondicherry. A colony
of les Indes whose marvellous architecture on the French
coastline is now legendary. Reason enough for Neemrana
chain of 'non-hotel' hotels--who own some of the
country's finest boutique properties--to make a foray
into south India. Last month, it opened the doors of
Hotel de l'Orient, a mansion restored with furniture, art
and comforts unknown to the 18th century. In the
beautifully lit central courtyard of the hotel--under the
cool breeze of the neem trees glowing with fairy lights
twined right up to the branches--the select audience
invited was also treated to a dance performance by
Malavika Sarukkai on the auspicious eve of
Shivratri.
Like Brunton Boatyard, de l'Orient, is a city hotel,
designed like a museum, as a living place. Many a ship
sailed out of Pondicherry whose picturesque landscape and
colourful people had been romanticised by the Orientalist
painters. These works of art now adorn the stairways,
galleries and suites of the restored mansion. Each of the
10, extremely spacious suites derive their names from
former French comptoirs, loges and factories--such as
Surat, Masulipatam, Mahe, Yanaon, Cassimbazar and
Karikal. These suites are furnished with antique colonial
furniture made in teakwood and rosewood, painstakingly
sourced by Aman Nath and Francis Waczeirg, the dynamic
duo behind Neemrana properties.
Everything here transports you back in time: the lovely
old-fashioned light fittings, huge study tables and easy
chairs to lounge in for a mix of reading and siesta. Cool
sea breeze floats into the room through the doors which
have intricate woven canework on them, keeping both the
mosquitoes and the birds from entering the room. And when
you open the huge, high-ceiling windows to look into the
street below or the internal court, the fragrance of
flowers floats in to fill your senses with peace. My
favourite part of the suite: the huge eight ft x nine ft,
four-poster bed so high that it has steps to climb onto!
You can walk barefoot on cool, red floors or tread on the
striking Savonnerie durries specially weaved in
Jaipur.
In the evening, head for the terrace, to enjoy a drink,
from where you get a panoramic view of the sea. At
dinnertime, either have a table set here where you can
enjoy the sea-breeze or head for Carte Blanche
restaurant, which has a stunning collection of antique
maps of Pondicherry. Enjoy the fresh catch from the sea
in the unique Creole cuisine, which mixes Tamil spices
but with a French restraint. The chef, who has worked
with the traditional families of Pondicherry, has a
treasure trove of seafood recipes to choose from. Meals
come at fixed per head prices: breakfast (Rs 100), lunch
(Rs 250) and dinner (Rs 350).
In the morning, though the temptation to simply laze in
bed is strong, it is almost a crime to miss the lovely
walk along the long stretch of sea, just two blocks from
the hotel, past the old French colonial mansions. By the
time you are back at de l' Orient, you are ready for a
hearty French breakfast of Baguette breads, croissants
and breanche. The hotel organises daily excursions within
Pondicherry and to nearby places: you could go for a
morning excursion to Gingy Fort, 50 km away, Dakshin
Chitra and Mahabalipuram, or simply do your own thing:
discover virgin beaches situated north and south of
Pondicherry, spend a day at Auroville, visit the
beautiful churches, gardens and houses in the city, the
little villages nearby, and most importantly, shop! And
you can begin, the moment you step outside the hotel, by
visiting the home of Sisters of Cluny's across the road,
where you can pick up some of the finest works of
embroidery for your home. Casablanca, a lifestyle store
in Pondicherry makes you feel you are in Europe. Before
your bags are packed and you are ready to leave, mail out
postcards from de l'Orient where the magic of the past
wonderfully lingers on, when leisure was no idle man's
sin!
................................................................................................................................................................................
Hotel de l'Orient
Central Reservation: Neemrana Hotels, A-58, Nizamuddin
East, New Delhi 11 0013.
Tel: (011) 461 6145/8962, 462 5214.
Fax: 462 1112.
E-mail: sales@neemrana.com
Room Rates
Standard suites ......................Rs 1,500
Executive suites.......................Rs 2,000
Luxury suites...........................Rs 2,500
Plus taxes as per government regulations
................................................................................................................................................................................
Boutique hotels are not confined to traditional tourist spots. The metros are now the latest locale. Pareena Thapar checks in.
THE MANOR: ANANDA-CITY
CLUB..............details
Welcome to the Baron's home. And what else can that be
called but 'The Manor'? Set in the serene environs of one
of Delhi's poshest areas, New Friends Colony, it is an
unusual site for a hotel, which is largely targeted at
the business travellers. But it is perfect for The Manor.
A two-storey, 18-room hotel, at first sight seems like an
upmarket country club, which it was originally developed
to be in the 1950s, but now under the expertise of
Shirley Fujikawa and Vinay Kapoor (also the owner) of
UK-based Studio u+a, has been converted in 1999 into a
contemporary luxury hotel. In fact, beginning May, the
hotel has entered into a marketing-cum-management
alliance with Rafael Hotels--whose other property
includes 'Ananda in the Himalayas' at Rishikesh.
What sets The Manor apart is its distinct emphasis on
understated elegance and quietitude. A hotel so
international in its look that it almost feels you are
not in India at all. The distinct influence of Japanese
design in the interiors adds to the feeling of peace and
calm which envelops you the minute you step inside. The
fluidity of clean lines, the stark look, the simplicity
of form enhanced by minute details such as use of
Japanese form of flower arrangement and Murano lights,
contrast beautifully with slate-wall textures, backlit
Onyx panels and warmth of rich woodpanelling.
Hand-knotted carpets in classic colours and use of exotic
Indian hand-woven silk in earthy tones complete the rich
atmosphere. There is an absence of paintings and murals
on the wall surface. It is all about the new design
philosophy of the architecture of space, not to lose the
fluidity of space to decorative elements which distract.
No wonder then, The Manor is winning wide international
acclaim. The latest issue of CondÚ Nast Traveller
magazine has featured the hotel as one of the 21new
coolest places to stay in the world.
Apart from the wonderfully courteous staff and the
exceptionally efficient service of The Manor, the best
part of your stay here is going to be the delectable
cuisine. A feature which has been driving the glitterati
of Delhi to the restaurant at The Manor in hordes. The
cuisine is changed every three months, and soon the
European cuisine on offer will give way to a
Mediterranean platter. The Manor offers a choice of a
three-course and a five-course Continental menu to choose
from. The chef certainly deserves applause for the
food-styling skills he has taught his team. In fact, the
impressive background of the chef--who has served on the
Royal Orient Train of Gujarat, and at Zafferano
restaurant in London, and has also served as the
chef-in-charge for an Indian evening at the prestigious
Davos meet--explains the secret of the sumptuous cuisine
served at The Manor.
The other best feature of The Manor is its backlit Onyx
bar, which really reflects the spirit of the place.
However, the biggest drawback--the hotel does not yet
have a bar licence. Though the management is furiously
trying to solve the issue, given the quality and nature
of cuisine served at The Manor and the traveller it
targets, a glass of wine is sorely missed as you warm up
for the dinner, or want to seal a deal over drinks with
your business partners. If you can discount that,
everything else at the hotel will truly make you feel
like...I said it before, 'To the Manor Born'.
................................................................................................................................................................................
The Manor: Ananda-City
Club
77 Friends Colony (West). New Delhi-110065.
Tel: (011) 692 5151/ 7510;
Fax: 692 2299.
E-mail: manordel@ndf.vsnl.net.in
Room Rates
Executive Room .........................Rs 8,100
Club Room .................................Rs
10,600
Deluxe Room .............................Rs 11,700
Manor Suite............................... Rs
14,600
Discount up to 35 per cent for corporate clients
depending on total number of rooms/nights taken up.
................................................................................................................................................................................
ORCHIDS HOTEL
..............details
There is a special reason to include Orchids in this
feature. It is Asia's first five-star
environment-friendly hotel. Located at Santacruz (East)
near the airport in Mumbai, the hotel is extremely
popular with the international business traveller, not
only because of its location, but due to the unique niche
it occupies. Owned by the Kamat Group of Hotels, Orchids
is trying to set new standards of environmental
responsibility. And this philosophy reflects in
everything that the hotel does, right from its
architecture and interior design onto the minutest
details like the hangers provided in the wardrobes, the
slippers you wear in the room and the pillow on your bed.
No wonder then that the hotel has fetched for itself the
Green Globe award from London in 1998 and the Green
Hotelier and Restaurateur Environmental award last year.
So if you are all for the environment, Orchids provides
the right experience with its unique touches: your
newspaper arrives in recyclable cane baskets, the laundry
too is delivered in reusable cane baskets wrapped in
muslin cloth, and a special giveaway for the guest who
stays at Orchids: a basket containing a herbal pillow
which induces sleep, a bunch of neem twigs, two aromatic
oils, and five age-old herbs. All the passive energy
conservation elements of design have been woven into the
architecture of the hotel. The internal partitions of the
hotel are made of wall panels made from fertiliser waste,
instead of red bricks, and all these panels are reusable
which saves the trouble of curing, plastering and
recuring. What's more, the swimming pool located on the
rooftop with four ft of water body, acts as an insulator
from the heat. KoolDeck is applied around the swimming
pool deck to reduce the glare and the surface temperature
so that one can walk barefooted around the pool.
--Sangeeta Karia
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Orchids Hotel
Adjacent to domestic airport,
Nehru Road, Ville Parle (E),
Mumbai-400 099
Tel: (022) 616 4040 Fax: 616 4141
E-mail: info@orchidhotel.com
Website: www.orchidhotel.com
Room Rates
Deluxe Room......................... Rs 9,500
Executive Suite......................Rs 10,500
Club Prive Room....................Rs 11,500
Club Prive Suite.................... Rs 12,500
Orchid Suite.......................... Rs 16,500
Plus 20 per cent taxes.
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