Fairfield by Marriott Hotels in India
Marriott International says it has reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture with SAMHI Hotels, a hotel and investment company based in New Delhi, to launch Fairfield by Marriott, a new hotel prototype designed specifically for the growing Indian business traveler segment.
The venture is expected to bring 2,500 guest rooms and approximately 15 moderate-tier hotels to India by 2015 in markets such as Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.
[ Also Read: World’s “Highest” Hotel in Hong Kong ] [ Also Read: Would You Prefer to Stay in a Green Hotel? ]“With a burgeoning middle class of more than 200 million people, yet very few branded moderate-tier hotels to serve them, India presents a powerful growth opportunity for Fairfield by Marriott,” said Navjit Ahluwalia, senior vice president of development in India, Marriott International.
“With its expertise and relationships in the Indian market, plus the strong track record of its seasoned hospitality executives, SAMHI Hotels is an excellent partner for this venture.”
[ Also Read: Hotel Room Costs Same as 7 Years Ago ]Since opening its first hotel in India in 1999, with the Goa Marriott, Marriott has expanded its portfolio there to include the Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott, Renaissance, and Marriott Executive Apartments brands.
“With a focus on moderate-tier hotels, Fairfield by Marriott fits into the core strategy for SAMHI,” said Ashish Jakhanwala, managing director SAMHI Hotels. “Our choice of Fairfield was driven by the fact that Marriott has developed the brand and product for the Indian market based on extensive consumer research.”
[ Also Read: Sahara India Pariwar Acquires Hotel in London ]The 155-room Fairfield by Marriott prototype is a customized version of the company’s Fairfield Inn & Suites brand, which was created in 1987 and has grown to more than 660 properties throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Unique features of the new Indian prototype include:
- A three-meal-a-day restaurant will serve authentic Indian cuisine and select Western menu options. The restaurant will feature a buffet, à la carte menu and private dining rooms.
- An expansive lobby with a bar lounge and 24/7 Market for drinks and snacks.
- Ample meeting room space to conduct business.
- Two modern, fresh décor palettes inspired by the rich colors of the peacock and Indian embroidered textiles, and by spices of saffron and turmeric. Indigenous stone, wood and textiles will be used throughout the hotels.
- Guests will also enjoy modern technology, an exercise room, and the attentive service.
“To design Fairfield by Marriott, we started where we should—with the upwardly-mobile Indian business traveler,” says Shruti Gandhi Buckley, VP of the Fairfield by Marriott brand. “We believe we’ve developed a hotel prototype that is culturally relevant, meeting our guests’ unique needs around hotel living, dining, and socializing.”
Formation of the joint venture is expected to happen in the second quarter of 2011. It was announced Wednesday, April 6.
