Westward Ho

As the Metro pulls out of Janakpuri station,the areas new landmark emerges a tall white building that towers above the carpet of rooftops.

First came the malls. Now,luxury hotels make their way to West Delhi

As the Metro pulls out of Janakpuri station,the areas new landmark emerges a tall white building that towers above the carpet of rooftops. This is The Hiltons first stand-alone property in West Delhi,situated in the heart of Janakpuris business district,dwarfing everything else miles around. The 228-room five-star property opened around eight months ago,but it will soon have competition from other luxury hotels that have booked an address in West Delhi. The Radisson Blu has had a soft launch in Paschim Vihar,while in Rohini the Crowne Plaza is almost ready. In Dwarka and Subhash Nagar,Park Plaza and Premier Inn,respectively,are finalising their opening dates.

West Delhi has the right mix of value-for-money customers who are our major client base, says Ali Sharif,Managing Director,Premier Inn,one of the UKs most prestigious budget hotel chains. Once a resettlement colony,West Delhi is now undergoing a lifestyle makeover. The Delhi Master Plan 2021 has earmarked hotel sites in West Delhi. Land is cheaper here (R 200 crore for a three-acre plot) compared to South Delhi (R 600 crore for three acres), explains Syed Sherwani,President,Hotels & Restaurants Association of North

India. West Delhi being closer to towns like Rohtak and Kundli,has several pharmaceutical and manufacturing units,which comprises a mix of middle and upper middle-class families with high incomes. Together they are a promising client base for luxury products and services, says Sherwani.

The glass facade of the Radisson Blu glints in the afternoon sun amid the wasteland. Said to be Radissons first property with international standards in Delhi,the hotel has tailored itself for West Delhi. Since marriages and social functions are important here,20,000 sq ft has been allotted to banquet halls. Besides,we are opening a nightclub as well as separate party rooms, says Preet Inder Singh,General Manager of Radisson Blu,that will be fully operational by mid-March.

The Hilton is working towards similar goals. Ever since it opened,it has worked towards developing a clientele for its premium whisky lounge-bar,Malt and Co. The lounge-bar has Happy Hours every day,usually from 6 pm to midnight. Premium malts come with a 15-20 per cent discount. Janakpuri has lapped it up. We are trying to promote a culture of premium malts, remarks Rubal Chaudhry,General Manager,The Hilton.

The Crowne Plaza,Rohini,has a different strategy. Our chief attraction will be a 10,000 sq ft European themed spa,the largest in West Delhi, says Nalin Mandiratta,General Manager of Crowne Plaza,hoping to position his hotel as a wellness retreat. Hotel room rates in West Delhi are seductive. The Hilton charges around R 6,700- R 9,000 per night,compared to South and Central Delhi hotels that average R 9,000- R 13,000 per night.

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The change is visible. NRIs visiting their families in West Delhi are now checking into a five-star hotel than living with relatives,says Singh.

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Westward Ho

As the Metro pulls out of Janakpuri station,the areas new landmark emerges  a tall white building that towers above the carpet of rooftops.

As the Metro pulls out of Janakpuri station,the areas new landmark emerges a tall white building that towers above the carpet of rooftops.