Delhis sweltering heat is driving up business for nearby resorts which have interesting options for the rainy season The wait for rain has never been this agonising and while Delhi blisters and despairs for a massive thundershower,it might be the right time to consider a quick weekend break,free of power cuts,and close to home to spare the ordeal of travelling. Irrespective of whether we have a smashing monsoon or not,resorts close to the Capital are attempting to lure the weary Delhiite with interesting deals,cheap tickets and free spa packages thrown in. The Westin Hotels and Resorts,an hour from Gurgaon and 90 minutes from Central Delhi,is decadently luxurious,with acres of lush green lawns,swimming pool and a 24-hour gym. A destination for corporate conferences during the week,Westin is now aggressively focusing on the leisure traveller from Delhi and Gurgaon on weekends. For the monsoon,Westin has a special deal: Rs 7,999 plus tax per night in July and Rs 8,999 and Rs 9,999 for August and September respectively. Rates for food and beverages,and spa treatments are also 20 per cent less right now. The overall rate is almost 25 per cent cheaper than that in the same period last year. With the slowdown,the market is sluggish and,traditionally,this is a season of low occupancy,so were offering the best deal we can, says Vijai Singh,manager,Westin Resorts. The tranquil surroundings will be accentuated by a good rainfall,and Singh is hopeful of a shower bringing in the business. If it rains,Delhiites dont need to go to Goa or Kerala. This compares without the hassle of travelling, insists Singh. Meanwhile,the ultimate in a luxury weekend getaway,The Oberoi Raj Vilas in Jaipur,which has played host to Julia Roberts and Amitabh Bachchan,also offers a monsoon package. Emulating a fort,the gardens are resplendently old-fashioned,with a magnificent pool and the legendary Oberoi service at its best (every room has a personalised butler). The rack rate of a Premium Room at the Raj Vilas is Rs 35,000 plus taxes per night,but the monsoon package is priced at Rs 30,000 for a two-night stay, says Ketaki Narain of corporate communications,The Oberoi. This includes a free additional room for two kids and free transfer from the airport or the railway station. Closer home,bang in Gurgaon,the business hotel The Galaxy,popular among locals for their trendy restaurant The Monk and their spa,has a weekend package of Rs 8,555 for a standard room,while on weekdays,the tariff is Rs 15,000. Guests can avail of the sauna and steam,plus a free shiatsu massage, says Meghna Arora ,director,sales and marketing,Galaxy Hotel. For those who really want to experience a wet monsoon and travel to destinations like Goa and Kerala,among the airlines,Jet Airways has launched what they call Monsoon Magic: between July 15 and September 15,a ticket from Delhi to Kochi could cost as little as Rs 2,500 plus taxes. Jet has also worked out a deal with the Kerala Tourism,Jet2Kerala,catering to a range of price points,for premium to value travellers,and offering luxury properties,three-star hotels and houseboats to suit every budget. Now lets hope it rains down. For details call The Oberoi at 23890505,The Galaxy at 0124 4565000; Westin at 0124 4508888; log on to www.keralatourism.org
