In this issue

The hotel lobbies are evolving to suit the needs of the guests. The industry has to make not only design changes but also adopt new technology in the lobbies. Implementation of smart technology is gaining importance, particularly in the check-in process and more. Cover story finds out how lobby can provide better experience, offering personal touch, which is an essential element of the hospitality industry.
The changes in the hospitality industry may seem, at times, overwhelming. However, with the right approach hospitality managers can make the requisite changes to operations in order to take full advantage of the increasing demand for hotels. Business story discusses why it is important to gauge the new and future trends among the guests and their changing preferences.
The footfalls of high profile guests and foreign tourists have made hotels attractive targets for people to grab instant media attention. In the backdrop of such a precarious scenario, Feature story discusses how the hotel security has assumed prime importance in the business of hospitality.
Loyalty is of great importance in any enduring personal and social relationship. Management section explains the importance of guest loyalty in hotel business, offering an element of personalised touch to professionalism. The Operations story finds how future kitchens will address the need of higher productivity with cost effective operations, using the advance technology. F&B section elaborates on why room service sometimes becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. Housekeeping section finds what this turndown service is and is it really important to the guest.
I hereby sign off while wishing all our readers a very happy New Year. Let us hope that the New Year will make us more informed and knowledgeable to concertedly tackle the pressing problems of the Indian hospitality industry in a more holistic manner.

Roseate Hotels & Resorts to Open a Hotel at Noida International Airport

Roseate Hotels and Resorts part of Bird group, who operates 7 luxury hotels across India and the UK, has been chosen to develop an airport hotel at Noida International Airport after a competitive bidding process involving some of the leading international and national hospitality groups. The hotel will offer comfort, convenience and a sustainable experience to passengers and visitors.

1 min

India Exposition Mart Launches Expo Inn, Suites and Convention

India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML) Greater Noida, has launched Expo Inn, Suites and Convention, a 134 rooms business hotel which is a first of its kind stay option within a trade fair venue. Spread across 58 acres of land in Greater Noida, IEML has been successfully operating for 16 years with being awarded twice as the best convention centre.

1 min

IHCL Steps into Munnar

IHCL has signed SeleQtions hotel in Munnar, Kerala. A brownfield project, this hotel is a management contract with CRB Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd.

1 min

Woyages of a Lifetime by IHCL

IHCL has introduced 'Woyage', curated offerings to elevate the travel experience for women travellers. These first-of-a-kind, specially designed stay packages for women, come with added benefits and surprises.

1 min

Seclude Unveils Villas in Kerala

Seclude, known for building 'Hotels Home Style', has announced the launch of its new property in Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kerala, which is known for its serene backwaters. Aptly named \"Seclude - By the Lake\", the three-villa complex literally on Lake Vembanad, the longest lake in India and is inspired by the traditional architecture and design of Santorini, Greece that is admired worldwide for its whitewashed, blue-domed houses and resplendent seascapes.

1 min

Paper Moon Debuts at Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa

IHCL has introduced the Italian restaurant, Paper Moon in Goa. This marks the debut of the brand in India, which will bring alive authentic Italian gastronomic tradition. Located in the historic settings of Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, Goa, Paper Moon overlooks the historic 16th century coastal fort and the Arabian Sea, offering guests a culinary experience with a view.

1 min

Fortune Hotels Expands its Footprint in UP

Fortune Hotels, a member of ITC's hotel group announced the signing of a new property in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Furthering the national footprint, this new property will be Fortune's fourth hotel in UP

1 min

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Conferred the Excellence Award

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach is a sought-after destination in the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh. This property promises its true exclusiveness and unparalleled celebration drenched in its charm.

1 min

Larisa Hotels & Resorts Expand in Goa

Larisa Hotels & Resorts is opening another hotel in Goa after a fantastic response to its Morjim property. Larisa Ashwem is 2.5 acres of gorgeous Goa greenery and simple elegance, and promises the perfect blend of nature and luxury.

1 min

Suba Group Opens Comfort Hotel, Amritsar

Situated in the city of Golden Temple, the hotel allows travellers to experience everything Amritsar has to offer, from Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, and the Partition Museum. The closest airport to the property is Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport.

1 min

Pride Hotel Signs New Hotels

Pride Hotel Group has announced the signing of \"Pride Hotel Greater Noida\". The hotel, prominently situated 30 kilometers to the southeast of Delhi, is easily accessible to places of business, leisure, educational institutions, hospitals, and entertainment venues.

1 min

Sterling Holidays Unveils New Wildlife Resort

Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of its new wildlife resort in Pench National Park, Sterling Padam Pench, spread out across 5 acres, strategically located near the Turiya Gate which is at the entrance of the tiger reserve of Pench National Park.

2 mins

Hilton Debuts in Punjab

Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with Wondergrain Exports Private Limited to launch DoubleTree by Hilton Amritsar.

1 min

Orissa's Eco Retreat Returns Back

The Eco Retreats, Konark, one of the flagship properties of the Odisha Tourism is back, yet again, inaugurated by the Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik.

1 min

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited partners with Tata Power

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited is gearing up to roll out a nationwide sustainability initiative by catalysing electric vehicle (EV) adoption across cities.

1 min

IHCL Signs its 250th Hotel in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), announced the signing of its milestone 250th hotel in Saudia Arabia. The Taj-branded hotel is in partnership with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), who are responsible for the transformation of the historic city of Diriyah, The City of Earth, into a world-class mixed-use development. The hotel will be part of the Diriyah project, located in close proximity from downtown Riyadh, which envisions the location's development as an international cultural and lifestyle destination inspired by the birth place of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

1 min

Taj Amer Opens in Jaipur

Indian Hotels Company has announced the opening of Taj Amer, a new oasis of modern luxury in Jaipur. The hotel's design seamlessly blends contemporary elegance while paying homage to Rajasthan's traditional architecture and offers stunning views of the ancient Aravalli Range.

1 min

Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Courtyard by Marriott Aravali resort is ushering in this festive season with utmost merriment to offer its guests the ultimate holiday experience by hosting a Tree Lighting ceremony.

1 min

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Opens St. Regis Goa Resort

St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announced the opening of The St. Regis Goa Resort. The resort is a curated sanctuary between the Sal River and Arabian Sea near India's south-western coastal city of Goa, famous for its palm-fringed tropical beaches, historic Portuguese-era architecture, enticing seafood and distinctive culture. The St. Regis Goa Resort will feature the renowned hallmarks and vanguard spirit of the iconic luxury brand, such as its celebrated rituals, innovative cuisine and the bespoke St. Regis Butler service for guests.

3 mins

Hotel Lobby: The ideal spot for lobbying property's exclusiveness

Hospitality industry has to continuously adopt new ideas to attract the guests. Though a welcoming smile goes a long way, it is not enough to inject the \"wow\" factor in the welcome, which will make your hotel stand out from the other properties. With people's changing tastes it is imperative that hotels constantly keep up-to-date with their craving for something new and desirous. The first thing that a guest notices on entering the hotel is the lobby-its décor, facilities, et al. Thus lobby plays an essential role in the success of a property. Ashok Malkani tries to find out what brings exclusivity to the hotel lobby.

10+ mins

Hospitality Industry - Knowing The Future Trends

The hotel industry can be rough and tumble, but not if you have the right formula for success. The world is undergoing a major shift in decision-making and buying power, and it’s changing the hospitality industry. The only way to see continued success is to prepare for these inevitable changes. The varying and shifting mind set of the guests has to be gauged accurately to ensure the continuous popularity, recognition and reputation of the hotel. Ashok Malkani discusses about the need for the industry to gauge the new and future trends among the guests and their changing preferences for the success of the property.

8 mins

Secured Measures

We often forget few incidences in life that were even sometimes life threatening and become complacent over the period of time. Few incidences which have devastated the hotel industry in the past should never be forgotten, as a reminder for us to remain cautious. Security is of utmost importance for the hotel not only for the safety of the guest but also the reputation of the hotel.

6 mins

Room Service

To be served a meal on a tray in your bedroom is always a luxury. For most individuals at home this treatment is reserved for times when being pampered, while recuperating or as a special indulgence. In a hotel where you are a guest, away from home, often working hard to meet deadlines, room service sometimes becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.

6 mins

Creating a Mark in the Global Wellness Industry!

Asif Fazlani is a young Entrepreneur with a dynamic personality. He is a far-sighted individual with excellent and strong business acumen and development skills with hands-on knowledge of directing the activities of all projects. His strong acumen has helped to support the company's strategic alliances and devise marketing strategies. A mark of his leadership skills, Fazlani has won numerous accolades for the companies he manages.

4 mins

Unraveling Loyalty

Loyalty is of great importance in any enduring personal and social relationship. It is also equally important in businesses, and that includes hotel business too, though loyalty in business differs in nature and practice than the loyalty exercised in personal and social relationships. But for some special types of service sectors like the hotel industry, an element of personalised touch to professionalism always gives an edge. Therefore the issue of loyalty should be viewed holistically for the hotel industry at large, if it wants to thrive despite its numerous bottlenecks and impediments.

8 mins

Future Kitchens

Future Kitchens are addressing higher productivity with cost effective operations where introduction of new technology has revolutionised the food industry. There is an opportunity to bring a \"new approach towards technology based food service systems using the latest but tried technology\".

5 mins

Turndown Service

When doing a due diligence on any hotel property, assessment of its turndown service and its appreciation by guest inevitably becomes a point worth checking. However what is this turndown service and is it really important to the guest? If Housekeeping department in-charge of a leading hotel is to be believed, and there is no reason to not believe them, the service is as important and appreciated as any other star hotel service provided to make the guest feel special.

5 mins

Leading From the Front!

With more than two decades experience, Madhav Sehgal is a senior hospitality professional with expertise in leadership, entrepreneurial and networking skills coupled with astute business acumen and a proven track record of consistent delivery of core strategy and objectives. He is presently GM of Leela Palace Bangalore. With experience in multiple cities across India and a strong understanding of all micro-markets, holds equitable relationships in all segments while always ensuring the highest level of transparency and earning trust from all sources. Currently has led Leela Palace Bangalore to a rank of 1 of 6 in both ARI and RGI. He has always been leveraging segments and identifying opportunities in the highly dynamic and evolving market scenarios. Sharmila Chand in talk with him finds he is known for empowering and mentoring individuals on an ongoing basis and believing in leading by example.

3 mins

Read all stories from Hotel Business Review

Hotel Business Review Magazine Description:

Today hotel professionals in India are seeking innovative strategies to grow their business along with new ideas and opportunities and current issues that affect their companies. This includes strategies in managing successful hotel operations, knowledge of purchasing products and services and other business opportunities and know-how. They want accurate, reliable, unbiased information from a company they can trust. 
“Hotel Business Review” covers front and back of the house facilities and general hotel management along with regular features. All aspects of successful hotel management, with specific case studies reflect through the articles featured. Unlike other magazines aimed at the hospitality industry, “Hotel Business Review” retains its unique niche as the only magazine devoted exclusively to hotels.
Hotel Business Review - the first and only bi-monthly magazine exclusively focused on the Indian hotel business. The magazine provides exclusive editorial content with a specific objective to produce valuable information sources, to assist hotel executives in maximizing their business. It offers fresh information on leadership styles and management techniques to key decision makers in the hotel business. 
The editorial focus is on Trends, Business, Technology, Engineering, Equipment, Design, Food & Beverage, Sales & Marketing, Manpower & Training and Finance. 
The circulation of the magazine offers maximum qualified respondents with the highest volumes of purchases. The primary focus is on Corporate Management, Projects & Facility Planning and top-end Operational Management of the business. 
The readers are Owners, Directors, CEOs, Vice-Presidents, Corporate Heads (Chains), Project Managers, Facility Planners, General Managers, Executive Engineers, Materials Managers, Consultants; the key people seeking information to compete in the market place. The magazine serves hotels, resorts, spas, clubs and offices of corporates / franchise/ chains / developers / consultants / architects / engineering and design institutions.