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Not in the clouds, but a walk quite high in the sky...
It is Mumbai’s tallest five-star hotel. More vertical than horizontal, The Westin Mumbai Garden City is housed in a 32-storey tower with a powerful view of the city’s landscape.
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A stay here means…
First and foremost, a heavenly sleep on the Heavenly Bed. This bed put Westin on the map in 1999 when it was launched and caused other hotel chains in the US to spruce up their bedding. Sink deep into the snow-white cocoon with its “10 layers of comfort”. And we counted! There were four wraps on top, three layers of pillows behind and a few mattresses. “There is a lot of science behind it,” says Nancy London, vice-president, global brand leader, Westin.
A simple back-to-basics concept. And the sleep? Divine.
The 269 spacious rooms located on levels 19 through 32 are all fitted with 46-inch LCD screen TVs. There is another touch of cloud nine with the Heavenly Bath (a customisable shower and spa bath with multiple head-showers and volume control).
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Dining dens…
Start from the lobby level, which has the Prego Italian restaurant, more fun than fine dining. Then zip up to the 18th floor for an Indian experience at Kangan. The breathtaking view will make you forget the food but only momentarily, till the waft of the Indian spices beckons. Or stay in super health as you sample the chain’s signature SuperFoodsRx breakfast at Seasonal Tastes, the Asian and international all-day dining stop. It is based on the diet that incorporates “superfoods” like apples, kiwis, salmon, blueberries and dark chocolate. “The signature SuperFoodsRx breakfast is high in nutrients and antioxidants. It’s a new-age fad that’s catching up,” says Prashant Sabne, pastry chef at the Mumbai hotel.
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There’s more...
At The Eighteenth, a lounge, as the name implies on the 18th floor. On the fourth floor is the recreational zone housing WestinWORKOUT, the fitness centre. As you shed calories on the treadmill, get inspired by a view of the surrounding green belt. Next door is The Heavenly Spa with nine treatment rooms that opened in early April. And Splash, the poolside bar and restaurant.
Rajarhat roadmap
Westin will work on a similar model, when it opens doors in Rajarhat, minutes from the airport, in 2012. And another plus for the airborne is the helipad on its roof!
There are currently four Westin hotels in India (Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Gurgaon) and three new properties that will open over the next two years (The Westin Gurgaon in August 2010, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat and The Westin Jaipur InfoTech City in 2012).
E-mail Q&A with Vincent Ong, director, brand management, Sheraton & Westin:
How does Starwood view Calcutta from an investor’s point of view?
Calcutta is a strong market and is expected to continue its strong performance. We expect continued growth of the city and hence demand for hotel rooms is likely to remain strong.
How many rooms and suites will the twin towers at Westin Rajarhat have?
The key count is 323 with approximately 10 per cent suites. The hotel will be located on one tower. The other tower is planned for residential purposes.
What about dining and entertainment options?
There will be an integrated hub consisting of restaurants, lounges and other entertainment facilities alongside The Westin Kolkata.
Why a rooftop helipad and what else can business travellers look forward to?
The helipad will provide convenience to business travellers for whom time is critical. At one facility, they will be able to meet with customers, conduct business and meetings, as well as enjoy some leisure time at a wide choice of recreational and entertainment facilities.
Will the Calcutta Westin experience be similar to that in Mumbai?
Yes. Westin Hotels & Resorts changed the travel industry forever with the 1999 launch of the Heavenly Bed, an icon that inspired countless imitators and started the hotel-bed wars. We believe in preserving wellness in travel. Like all our hotels, there will be wellness-focused innovations at WestinWORKOUT, our signature White Tea scent, and SuperFoodsRx breakfast menu. At Westin, we want our guests to leave feeling better than when they arrived.
What rates would you be looking at in the price-sensitive Calcutta market?
The sales and marketing plan will be developed in accordance with the market situation and in line with the Westin brand position nearer the date. Westin is a well sought-after brand and will be popular with customers within India as well as from outside India.
What are the terms of the partnership with Shristi-Hotel, an arm of Shristi Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd?
Shristi is the owner developer and Starwood would manage the hotel.
Do you plan to bring any more brands to Calcutta soon?
We are considering developing our brand footprint in this market and are in various discussions to introduce our other brands into the market in the future.
