The lobby of the Radisson Blu Hotel

Guwahati, July 30: A top international chain will open the first five-star hotel of the Northeast in September, with the likes of actor John Abraham already anticipating its launch.

Those in the Northeast and from outside the region looking for the best standards in hospitality will have to look no further once the five-star hotel opens its doors.

The 196-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Guwahati, located on National Highway 37 bypass at Gotanagar, aims to redefine hospitality and provide the best in comfort in the Northeast.

The Dharampal Satyapal Group has set up the Rs 220-crore hotel and Radisson will run it.

“We will open our doors to guests in September and offer 85-100 rooms to start with. We have started taking reservations,” Arindam Mitra, director (sales and marketing) Radisson Blu told The Telegraph.

Mitra said they would try to provide the finest experience to guests and contribute to the growth of the region.

The region has been chasing the dream of having a five-star hotel ever since Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy said in 2006 that the Northeast must have one.

Radisson will have a big advantage, as it will be the first international brand to run a hotel in the region before others complete their projects.

“We are aiming at 55-60 per cent occupancy in the first year itself, which is a challenge,” Mitra said, adding that efforts are being made by the chain to market the hotel overseas as well.

The hotel will have 16 floors and spread over six acres.

Abraham, the co-owner of the North East United Football League, had seen the hotel last month and had made enquiries regarding its opening.

The hotel will have three restaurants. Café B-You, the coffee shop, will have regional and global cuisine. Nest Asia is the Asian restaurant and Reign is the lounge-bar with a great collection of beverages.

The rates for a standard room will be Rs 7,500 and a suite will cost Rs 25,000 plus taxes. As far as food supplies are concerned, poultry items will mainly come from Shillong and regular vegetables will be bought locally.

Naveen Singh, the executive chef, said the hotel would promote regional cuisine, which has huge potential.

“A lot of effort is required to promote the cuisine of the Northeast, which has got lots of diversity and we will do all that is required,” he said.

There is a meeting space of over 8,000 square feet and a banquet facility for over 600 guests.

The conference and meeting space is backed by wi-fi, new age infrastructure and a fully equipped business centre.

A 30,000 square foot lawn and the poolside lawn will provide space for weddings and social gatherings.