Conrad Hotels and Resorts have launched their first property in Pune. Strategically located in the heart of the business centre, the hotel boasts of some unique features that are likely to make it a preferred destination for meetings, conferences and leisure gatherings. An interview with the GM:
Share with us some details of the hotel. What sort of inventory have you come up with?
The opening of Conrad Pune marks the entry of the luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand into India. We are a part of Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of 13 global brands. The brand is committed to providing global modern luxury and intuitive service in sophisticated and inspiring surroundings. It is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travellers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly intersect. Complementing the brand’s new international positioning ‘Stay Inspired’, Conrad Pune is the epitome of curated experience, services and sophisticated style. We are confident that the hotel has all ingredients to be the first choice of business and leisure travellers visiting the city as well as guests seeking to host exclusive meetings, private dinners or grand weddings and receptions. Located in the heart of the central business district near Koregaon Park, Conrad Pune offers easy access to Magarpatta, Kharadi, Hinjewadi and Pimpri-Chinchwad, as well as the airport. The hotel features 310 guest rooms including 20 suites that are among the largest in the city, six stylish dining outlets and what is expected to become the city’s most coveted meetings and events space ideal for exclusive social gatherings and business functions. Recreational facilities include the city’s first outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, a separate kids’ pool, whirlpool, 24-hour fitness centre, a full-service Conrad Spa and a salon.
What are the available F&B options?
The dining options at the hotel promise to become the city’s hot spots and include three innovative restaurants, a chic bar, a unique poolside café, delightful delicatessen and a lobby lounge. Coriander Kitchen, the all-day restaurant offers an interactive culinary journey with multiple- live counters serving a range of Indian, Asian and Mediterranean street food inspired cuisine. With a dramatic 40 feet fully-glazed wall overlooking an outdoor waterscape, this restaurant offers an inspiring venue for a breakfast meeting; and a leisurely lunch or dinner with friends, family or business partners or a quick bite with colleagues. Zeera is the speciality Indian grill fine-dining restaurant with a display kitchen and sweeping- wine wall. Koji, the Asian speciality restaurant, serves the best of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine.- The Asian-inspired chic Masu bar features a large sake wall, offering the ideal location for- cocktails with colleagues and business associates as well as family and friends. For guests who enjoy the outdoors, Kabana, the poolside café that serves a classic western- lounge menu and a selection of refreshing beverages and wines, offers the perfect setting. Guests can also recharge with a quick bite and a refreshing cup of tea at Pune Sugar Box, the- delicatessen that offers freshly baked pastries and savouries, as well as hand-made chocolates. It also features a live counter offering guests the choice of customising their order.
Given that Pune has a strong corporate base, what sort of capacity do you have in terms of hosting meetings and conferences?
Our hotel is poised to become the most sought after venue for exclusive meetings, private dinners and grand receptions. The 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space at the hotel features an eight thousand sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, seven boardrooms, dedicated entrance, indoor automotive lift, state-of-the-art audio visual technology, intelligent lighting, intuitive service and a range of inspired catering options.
What is the kind of positioning are you hoping to acquire in the city’s tourism landscape? Will you be focusing on the MICE segment in a more profound manner, or the thrust shall be on the leisure segment?
We are confident that our hotel will fast become first choice of business and leisure travellers visiting the city as well as guests seeking to host exclusive meetings, private dinners or grand weddings and receptions. Meanwhile, our dining outlets promise to become the city’s favourite haunts! In fact, the response we have received so far has been overwhelming!
What is your take on the state of hospitality industry in the city? How is the supply side coming up?
The pace of new capacity addition has rationalized and the city has experienced a steady and continual growth in demand. In having established itself as a reasonably priced hotel market with quality product offerings to host weddings, events and conferences in Western India, Pune continues to see an increase in events. Additionally, the long stay segment has experienced an increase driven to a large part by the IT/ITeS sector. According to industry reports, this trend is anticipated to continue.
Is there any special design element that has been incorporated in the construction of the property? Take us through some salient features of the property.
Conrad Pune presents a world of glamorous style with stunning Art Deco inspired interiors. Some highlights are 40 feet high ceilings, dramatic feature lighting, mirrored surfaces, and bold geometric shapes, dashes of striking colour and hints of lavish ornamentation. The hotel is equipped with the very latest technology. For instance, our ‘Intelligent / Smart Rooms’ sense the guest’s arrival and switch from energy saving mode to occupied activating the air-conditioning system, drawing curtains and adjusting the lighting to suit the time of day. We also offer the popular Conrad Concierge mobile app, which gives global luxury travelers the ability to customize details of their hotel stay before, during, and after each visit via a smartphone or tablet. Additionally for guests who seek inspired experiences, the hotel offers a more customized and curated collection of 1-, 3-, and 5-hour itineraries available at www.StayInspired.com and accessible via the Conrad Concierge mobile app. The hotel participates in Hilton HHonors, the guest loyalty programme for the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands. It is the only loyalty programme that allows members to earn Points & Miles for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates.
