Butlers, discounts…Hotels pack in delights for Games visitors

NEW DELHI - High-end hotels have lined up much more than a warm welcome for Commonwealth Games visitors! Awaiting them are discounts at spas, personalised butler services, complimentary access to clubs, theme-based cocktails and culinary delights as part of special packages.

By Sugandha Pathak

While a few five-star hotels have come up with varied tariff rates for rooms and other facilities targeted at tourists who are here for the Oct 3-14 event, others are still designing the packages.

The ITC Welcome Group of Hotels has planned a package which includes discounts at their spa Kaya Kalp and Commonwealth Games special package from Wednesday till Oct 18.

The package rate starts from Rs.17,500 plus taxes and the services included are buffet breakfast, two-way airport transfers and Rs.1,000 credit on food and beverage per night.

The Taj Group of Hotels has a variety of tariff discounts on their rooms to suit the guests’ needs.

“In our special Commonwealth Games package, the Taj club rooms will cost Rs.27,000 plus taxes, executive suites Rs.45,000 plus taxes and Taj club executive suite Rs.55,000 plus taxes,” Taj hotels director of public relations Kirti Dhingra said.

“Complementary access to our clubs (jacuzzi, health club, sauna, etc) is also planned. Also, a 24-hour personalised butler service at the Taj Mahal and Taj Palace hotels,” she said.

Dhingra added that the Ambassador Hotel (one of the hotels of the group) will have relatively cheaper priced rooms with the executive rooms for Rs.20,000 plus taxes and superior rooms for Rs.18,000 plus taxes.

The Shangri La, apart from designing special tariff rates for its rooms, is concentrating more on the food and beverages (F&B) section. The hotel’s Island Bar will telecast the Games during the sporting extravaganza.

To live up to the sporting spirit, the hotel’s cafe Uno gives a stadium-like feel and will have a 24-hour service for serving hard and soft beverages.

“While the theme-based dcor of the bar gives a stadium-like feel to the place, there is also an exclusive theme-based cocktail menu and a selective list of wines,” a public relations official from the Shangri La said.

“We have also introduced exotic salads, a variety of continental and Indian snacks, a delicious line-up of desserts and culinary creations by our chefs,” he added.

The Imperial Hotel is offering specially-designed packages for single woman travellers apart from the discounted room tariff package for the Games which starts from Rs.12,500.

“Special luxury rooms are provided for our single lady travellers to make their visit delightful and a safe experience. This would include buffet breakfast, in-room internet and personalised airport pickup,” said Vijay Wanchoo, senior vice president of The Imperial.

“Other added features are in-room check-in, a dedicated lady traveller corridor, 24/7 service by lady staff and special amenities for women,” he added.

The hotel also has various discounts on long and extended stays.

Other hotels in the city like the Oberoi and the Park have also come up with similar discounts and special tariff rates for the Games.

Thousands of athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories will participate in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games - the biggest sports event to be hosted by India since the 1982 Asian Games. Thousands of foreign tourists are also expected in the country to witness the event.

(Sugandha Pathak can be contacted at sugandha.p@ians.in)