Indian newspapers report sluggish hotel bookings for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from October 3 to 14, 2010, but the Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi has gone ahead and announced an early October opening.
However, it intends to launch with only 150 rooms of the planned total of 260 rooms and a few restaurants.
The hotel, located in the prominent Diplomatic Enclave, along Africa Avenue and Vinay Marg, will be fully operational by year-end. Then, besides the additional guestrooms, the full complement of F&B options will be activated. Restaurants serving Indian, Italian, Japanese and Continental specialties and two bars will be available.
Leisure facilities include a spa by ESPA, gym and rooftop swimming pool. Meetings can take place in the 538sqm grand ballroom and several function rooms.
Less than two months from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, hoteliers in India's capital are reporting far lower than expected room bookings, and have talked about slashing rates during the period. A tourism ministry official told the Times of India that the jump in bookings, expected to take place this month (August), "hasn't happened yet, and if the trend continues, it could be worrying".
Earlier, tourism drumbeaters predicted about a 100,000 visitors would arrive in Delhi for the event, although recent hotel information now shows the number may be much lower.
The new hotel is Leela Hotels' second in the Indian capital, after the Leela Kempinski Gurgaon in March 2009 (see news). After Delhi, the Leela Group will move on to opening its Chennai property and start work on its Agra project.
For more details, visit www.theleela.com
Margie T Logarta
