Three years ago, Vikram Singh Chauhan (the Rajput is very particular about keeping the Singh) landed in Calcutta with a mission — to open The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat. He was the right man for the job — having opened 13 hotels prior to this, at seven of which he was general manager. However, this project in Calcutta proved to be the most challenging. “My friends would ask me if I was building the Taj Mahal!” he grinned.

Now that the Shristi-Marriott

tie-up hotel is open — in some measure thanks to FIFA which had booked rooms for the U-17 World Cup —  the otherwise reticent Vikram (he’s sparingly seen in social circles) is raring to go. A t2 chat a week after the Rajarhat hotel opened on September 24.

When you came to Calcutta from Bhutan (after Le Meridien Paro and Thimphu) three years ago, what was the brief given to you?

That we were opening the first Westin in the eastern part of India and the eighth in India, the second largest with 314 keys after The Westin in Hyderabad, which has 427 keys.

Why was Calcutta chosen to build the second largest Westin?

I think the brand realised that presence was due for a long time here and saw the opportunity that four years down the line, there would be a shortage of rooms. They were looking for a hotel that provides banqueting space that complements the rooms. What happens is that mostly hotels have large inventory but smaller venues so we wanted to put a hotel together which meets both requirements so well that it becomes a destination.

Is there a shortage of rooms in the city? If yes, in which segment?

Yes, there is. I think in all segments. That’s why hotels are adding more inventory. So what happens is that all this while, because of lack of space, the conferences which were not coming to Calcutta, are now talking about coming here. Like the global business forum Horasis Asia Meeting is going to be hosted in India for the first time. It is being hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at our hotel in November.

Three years ago, a FIFA may not have thought of coming to Calcutta if we didn’t have so many rooms available.

What is your immediate vision for The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat?

Our immediate vision is to ensure that we present  The Westin Way of hospitality to Calcutta. We are a unique hotel in our own right — tallest hotel with unmatched views that make you see Calcutta differently. And of course to bring success for the brand and the owning company (Shristi Group).

What kind of positioning are you looking at in the market?

We are looking at corporate travellers. We are looking at becoming a wedding destination. We are looking at becoming the largest MICE hotel. Because inventory and banqueting both are supporting the hotel, we have the ability to fit into all segments really well.

For weddings, we have 14,000sq ft of pillarless banquet space in The Westin Ballroom. And we have more than 40,000sq ft of spacious outdoor areas. The hotel can accommodate around 700-800 cars… so from the wedding point of view, we are apt. We have a good mix of Indian and international food. Our executive chef Henning Leue brings in European expertise and executive sous chef Ravish Mishra brings in Indian. So I think we are looking at picking up a pie from each segment.

What are your long-term plans for the hotel?

To turn this hotel into a destination for weddings, conferences, corporate meetings and FITs (Free Independent Travellers).

Which is your favourite corner in the hotel?

The gym on the third floor because of the view. Especially at night, when the city lights come on.

There are many new hotels this side of town. What is the key to stay at the top of your game?

In my opinion, you can make hotels of gold and diamonds but service plays the most important role in bringing guests back. Guests don’t look at the structure of the hotel, they see if the hotel is flexible with their needs and if they feel at home. So 100 per cent focus is going to be on service.

Under the Marriott-Starwood umbrella now, there are a large number of rooms in the city (The Westin + JW Marriott Kolkata + ITC Sonar). Is there any collaboration?

For all large events, we work together so that business stays within the group. We have our share of targets but we come together when there’s a big piece of business available.

Karo Christine Kumar
Picture: B. Halder