Health on the menu of hotels

The global wellness 'fever' has caught the fancy of luxury hotels in Bangalore, with many revamping their existing menus to serve up a healthy fare.

In recent years, India, and particularly Bangalore, has become a hub for medical tourism, thanks largely to the presence of a number of world-class hospitals. Industry estimates peg the number of tourists visiting India for medical treatment to be 1 million by 2012, of which Bangalore will host roughly one-third.

Luxury hotels in the city already have a steady clientele of medical tourists from many countries. In addition to that, these hotels have adopted wellness initiatives for their guests.

According to the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) committee member and area director of Taj West End P K Mohankumar, the hospitality industry has been "at the forefront of the wellness movement, across the globe".

"Business travellers spend nearly 15-20 days away from home. Many are very conscious of what they eat and drink. Hotels are now increasingly laying emphasis on low-fat, low-calorie food," he said.

Apart from adopting international health and wellness standards, hotels in Bangalore now use organic ingredients, and have introduced low-fat, low-calorie items, sugar-free desserts, customised menus for diabetics. They have appointed qualified gym and yoga instructors.

Royal Orchid Hotels' breakfast menu, for example, offers vegetable and fresh fruit juices, steamed dishes and sugar-free beverages.

According to senior vice-president - operations Anil Kaul, "Due to increased incidents of health disorders, many of our guests request low-salt, low-sugar preparations according to the diets prescribed by their doctors."

The Leela Palace Spa offers a range of massages, aromatherapy and detoxifying body treatments for its guests.

At ITC Windsor Sheraton, air quality is constantly monitored. "Our 'Oxygene' instrument infuses oxygen into the air whenever the carbon dioxide levels increase," said regional manager (south), learning services, Rohit Mallick.

Le Meridien's restaurant has a large salad counter and offers oil-free and steamed food. "We also make items on request like the simple khichdi, if the customer craves for home food," said a spokesperson.

e-Inn, a newly-launched business class hotel near Electronic City, has made wellness its USP. e-Inn does not serve meat or alcohol, and does not permit smoking. It has a limited inventory of aerated beverages.

The parent group Akkayya Consultancy Services plans to set up over 100 such hotels across Karnataka over the next 10 years.