Jharkhand to get its first five-star hotel

HOSPITALITY: A country liquor manufacturer is set to launch the Radisson brand in Ranchi.

Nandini Gupta, executive director of Jagmohan Lal Gupta Estates Private Ltd, could not believe her luck when Carlson Hotels Worldwide (Asia- Pacific) agreed to lend its Radisson brand-name to the five-star hotel that her company was building in Ranchi.

Radisson is the upscale, full-service brand in Carlson's portfolio. With the Radisson tie-up, the family-run company, which has a robust country liquor business in the state, will not only make its debut in the hospitality sector but enter with the backing of a major international brand.

Carlson has signed a management franchisee agreement with the Ranchi company. This means that apart from lending its brand name, the hospitality major will also assist in management of the property. The 118-room hotel is due to open in April 2010.

Gupta cites several reasons for why the company agreed to set up a five-star property in Ranchi. For a start, the current hotels (with 40-50 rooms each) are operating at full occupancies.

"In fact, there is a shortage of rooms. Ranchi is rocking," she says. To be sure there is significant industrial activity in the state and the high-end business traveller halts at Ranchi.

The economy in the state capital is buzzing too, and that's evident from Imax, PVR and Fun Republic multiplex brands' foray into the city.

"The Reliance shopping mall is already here and Big Bazaar is operating next to our hotel site," informs Gupta.

Ranchi is a tourist destination as well since it is located 650 metres above sea level, and is known for its cool climate, waterfalls, and hummocks.

Located five kilometres from the airport, the luxury hotel will feature a host of facilities geared towards business guests, including a fully-equipped business centre, 24-hour wireless Internet access and a banquet hall with state-of-art conferencing facilities.

The list of recreational facilities includes a health club and spa, a swimming pool with a deck and bar as well as a lounge, bar, discotheque and an all-day dining restaurant, among other things.