Anupam Poddar is all set to open two new hotels, ten years after Devi Garh. He brings the same distinctive aesthetics to all his endeavours. Priyanka Joshi comes away charmed
A first-time visitor to Anupam Poddar’s house-cum-office in New Delhi’s posh Sunder Nagar may be forgiven for being more than a little overwhelmed at the art objects scattered around. But Poddar is in no mood to talk about his fabled art collection — he and his mother Lekha Poddar are acknowledged to have the largest private collection of contemporary Indian and southeast Asian art. Boutique Hotels, of which he is director, is expanding — two new hotels will open in August — and it’s all about ‘serious work’ for now, Poddar smiles, as he whisks out his laptop.
Devi Ratn and Devi Rasa, as these are called, come a full 10 years after the opening of Devi Garh, the heritage, suites-only hotel and resort near Udaipur whose meticulous restoration, minimalist design and excellent service have earned it many awards.
“Devi Ratn is a 63-room property near Jaipur and Rasa is a tented resort consisting of 40 luxury tents,” says Poddar. With the Commonwealth Games scheduled in October, Poddar is confident of attracting at least some of the crowd that’ll come to Delhi for the Games. “Travel agents are already getting bookings for the new properties, although I would prefer to remain conservative on this year’s projections.”
He might sound modest but Poddar knows well that Jaipur, a four-hour drive from Delhi, is a natural extension of the tourist itineraries of most Westerners. And so Poddar hopes the new properties, in which he has invested about Rs 120 crore, will break even in three and a half years. “Rasa should break even faster as the initial investment is lower,” he goes on, “But we expect the week before and after the Commonwealth Games to be the busiest for us.”
If a tent in Jaipur is not your idea of a five-star getaway, then you might be pleasantly surprised by Devi Rasa. “Don’t be fooled by the tents. They are not only eco-friendly, but also made from fabric that shuts out UV rays, is fire-proof and heat resistant. Once inside, it feels just like a room, perhaps better,” Poddar says. As for the designs, the 35-year-old hospitality entrepreneur has added his own distinctive touch by roping in different crafts and materials in the architecture, drawing from his passion for contemporary art. “It was possible because every material is available, as well as people who can work with them. Also, it’s affordable.”
He knows he is experimenting with Rasa and Ratn but quietly says that he hopes to set new standards in the hospitality sector, both in India and internationally. “Being able to be part of the design process of the hotels is almost like creating an art work itself,” says Poddar.
Spread over nine acres, the design of Devi Ratn employs the colours of the nine gems. “It is a modern interpretation of Indian aesthetics. We played with architectural ideas from the Jantar Mantar and added a contemporary touch that guests can appreciate. All 63 suites at Devi Ratn are celebrations of textures, patterns, latticework and color,” he says.
While the design evokes Rajasthan, it manages to steer clear of the cliched aesthetic idiom. “We rejected ideas like having myriad wall colours in rooms, so typical of Rajasthan.” Poddar has also added details such as a kitchen garden to supply the hotel kitchens with organic produce. Poddar is all praise for architect Aniket Bhagwat, a friend — the latter did the landscaping at Devi Garh— who worked on both recent projects.
Poddar got involved in the Devi Garh project in 1996 — 12 years after his mother bought the 18th-century fort and four years before it opened in 2000 — armed with an MBA from the European Business School, London, and a stint in Cornell University, doing a Professional Development Programme in hotel management. It was styled keeping in mind what a palace would be like if there was one today, says Poddar about the much-vaunted design of the property.
The 250-year-old structure was a series of small, dark interconnected chambers, infested with bats and birds, recalls Poddar, when they acquired it in 1984. “The edifice required extensive restoration, and conservation organisations were called in to preserve the building. It was only after the strengthening and restoring were completed that the actual work of converting it into a luxurious and elegant hotel began,” he says.
Poddar’s contribution wasn’t limited to the design and architecture. “I involved myself with getting the right professionals to run a premium property such as Devi Garh. And instead of going for experienced hands, as a newer hotel would typically do, I hired young professionals who had fresh ideas,” claims Poddar. He even created a management training programme for Devi Garh, a hotel with just 39 rooms. “Service was one of the most important attributes that set us apart from the others. We look forward to doing the same with Rasa and Ratn.”
While Boutique Hotels will focus on fine-tuning the two new properties in the coming years, Poddar is planning bigger things for the future. “We are already discussing future projects, possibly one in Kerala. But since each project takes a few years from start to finish, there will be a short gap before we open a new hotel.”
As with everything he does, the Kerala property will not be “just another hotel”, Poddar insists. His plan is to replicate the state’s street views, along with elements from nature and some contemporary art installations as well. “It will be a chic, up-market, village-themed property. For the art, we will have invisible sound sources and light installations that will enliven things.”
