Reimagining India’s Hotel Lounges: Why business hotels are enchancing their lounge spaces
We look at how business hotels in India are enhancing their lounge spaces and going beyond just offering exclusivity
For Louis Sailer, General Manager, The Leela Palace New Delhi, one of the major reasons why travellers prefer club lounges is “for the personalised services, tailor-made food and beverage choices and the fact that it’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of regular restaurants.”
Apart from being a haven for privacy seeking corporate travellers, lounges, today, play a key role in helping luxury hotels maintain a high room occupancy and strengthen customer loyalty. Parmeet Singh Nayar, General Manager – Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi says, “Lounges are a way for a hotel to reinforce its brand amongst modern travellers through ambiance, convenience, comfort and personalised amenities.”
A BUSINESS TRAVELLER’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Hotel club lounges are widely preferred among business travellers as it is their onestop shop for everything. “Club lounges
Lounges play a key role in helping luxury hotels maintain a high room occupancy and strengthen customer loyalty
serve as the most utilitarian option for business travellers, as all their needs are conveniently met in one location. A place to relax and work, they also make for a great change in scenery from stuffy boardrooms and meeting rooms. One can reserve a quiet place to work or simply to refresh, relax and leave the stress behind for a little while. Complimentary amenities like premium alcohol and food options only serve as an added bonus,” says Sameer Sud, General Manager, The Leela Mumbai that houses the Royal Club Lounge, an ideal space for a business traveller looking to have a sophisticated experience in the financial capital of India.
CLUB LOUNGE OVER F&B OUTLETS
As Dipak Haksar, Chief Executive of ITC Hotels & WelcomHotels puts it, “Luxury is all about providing exclusivity.”
F&B outlets at the hotel do not provide the kind of privacy a corporate client requires and the ambient sounds from neighbouring tables just add to the disturbance. Therefore, discerning guests especially corporate travellers, today, prefer club lounges over the widespread dining options.
“Corporate leaders are looking for a mix of multi-purpose spaces that transcend the traditional meeting or conference rooms at the city's most exclusive addresses. They prefer a more social space combined with luxurious amenities and bespoke services for networking with their business partners. Hence, the industry has witnessed a surge in the need for highend luxury spaces in the form of private clubs,” adds Haksar.
Besides, guests can indulge in a plethora of unique dining experiences at club lounges. A case in point is the Resident’s Lounge at The Oberoi, Mumbai that offers single estate coffees, artisanal teas, gourmet cookies and a dedicated à la carte snacks menu available through out the day. Complementing this, is the special cocktail hour every evening for enjoying premium spirits with hot and cold canapés.
AN EVOLVING CONCEPT
e demand for hotel lounges is on the rise in India — guests are ready to shell out more money to seek exclusive and sophisticated services. is, in turn has led to hotel brands revamping their club lounge experience into a more re ned and user-centric programme. Expressing her views on this changing concept, Aneesha Ratra, Director, Equus,
e St. Regis Mumbai said, “As clubs shi away from many of the formalities of club life, they are also establishing new features that add value for long-standing members and attract potential members.”
“Club lounges today aim at appealing to the sensibilities of young discerning business heads or entrepreneurs who value their time and have an eye for luxury. Whether it’s encouraging them to view a sport/game over a big screen at the club or simply work out in between meetings, the clubs aim at providing maximum support to its members to help balance an integrated work-life setup,” adds Ratra.
e inclusion of health and wellbeing in hotel lounge services is the latest trend in the market. e lounges are bringing in the aspect of wellness, with gym, yoga and other wellness facilities for guests to participate in.
O ering packaged deals with club lounge access is also on the rise — So tel Mumbai BKC o ers a Club Room package that comes with several perks, which one can avail at the Club Millésime lounge.
Equus at e St. Regis Mumbai also o ers varied and customised packages where members can conduct their meetings over power breakfasts or bento box lunches specially curated based on the guest preference.
Today, a huge emphasis is also given on the overall décor and set up of the lounge. Hitesh Sangwan, Director Food & Beverage,
e Leela Ambience Gurugram says, “Lounges are not limited to happy hours, cocktail evenings, breakfast sessions, etc, it is an exclusive venue o ering sleek couches, selection of books, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, private concierge services etc. Lounges are not only limited to business travellers but are also catering to the families and leisure travellers with bespoke services.”
Club lounges today aim at appealing to the sensibilities of young discerning business heads or entrepreneurs who value their time and have an eye for luxury