BACKGROUND

A public-private partnership between the Government of India and Dubai-based Emaar Properties was formed to build the two entities of Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The property managed by AccorHotels opened in 2006 as Hyderabad’s foremost centre for MICE movements.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre means business. I check-in rather early in the morning along with a group of delegates from Deloitte. The lobby design is simple and the reception in front of a glassed mural faces the entrance. The partially carpeted area with sofas and tables serves as an informal meeting lounge. An iMac corner with two computers is on the left besides a pathway that leads to the hotel’s patisserie Le Café and Hyderabad International Convention Centre. Diagonally ahead from the entrance is Novotel’s signature all-day diner: The Square and the poolside. Towards the right is the hotel’s O2 Spa and In Balance Fitness (centre). Hyderabad International Convention Centre, the hotel’s inseparable extension is a state-of-the-art meeting facility.

WHERE IS IT?

In HITEC City (The Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy City) that houses headquarters of bigwigs such as Facebook and Microsoft. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is a 45-minute drive away.

ROOM FACILITIES

I stayed in a Standard Pool room (28sqm) on the sixth floor that faced the hotel’s poolside and outdoor area. The room is basic with an understated luxurious feel. Decorated in shades of brown, it has a mounted LCD television alongside a lounge area with two sofas dressed in tan upholstery. Facilities across room categories include a minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, a safe deposit and convenient workstations. Designed to cater specially to its business travellers are the hotel’s Premier rooms (28sqm) that provide access to the buffet breakfast at Novotel’s Premier Lounge, one-way airport transfer and evening cocktails amongst other discounts and services. Guests staying in suite categories — Junior (80sqm), Executive (80sqm) and Deluxe (83sqm) —can also avail of these benefits. 

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

The Square serves an array of international cuisines round the clock, however its Hyderabadi biryani is exquisite. I visited during the “Telangana food festival” that gave me the opportunity to taste the state’s specialities. The restaurant’s burgers and pizzas are supposed to be excellent, however the salad bar that I indulged in didn’t seem half as bad. La Cantina is the hotel’s Mexican restaurant that serves succulent tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Chef Joga Rao prepared a range of dips alongside nachos that popped different flavours on my palate. Its patisserie Le Café prides itself on its desserts while The Bar, its lounge hosts live-bands alongside some interesting cocktails.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES 

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre’s state of the art Hyderabad International Convention Centre is known for its world-class meeting spaces that invite delegates from the world over. It offers a sprawling 6,480 sqm-pillar-less hall, that can be partitioned into six. It is also equipped with a 16-feet built-in rear projection screen, 37 meeting rooms, boardrooms, VIP lounges, 16 registration terminals, speaker preparatory rooms, state-of-the-art sound systems, translation booths and a balcony area that projects additional seating.   

LEISURE FACILITES

In Balance Fitness is the hotel’s fitness centre while O2 Spa (and salon) offers business travellers a chance to reinvigorate after meetings. There is a jogging track, a bicycle hiring facility and an outdoor swimming pool alongside La Cantina, making it quite the spot for casual meets. The hotel’s concierge can tailor make tour packages for those interested in seeing Hyderabad.

VERDICT

An obvious and convenient choice for the business traveller and companies looking to host conventions and conferences in Hyderabad, aiding its position as India’s foremost MICE destination.

HOW MANY ROOMS?

287 — 129 Superior rooms, 106 Superior pool rooms, 21 Premier rooms, 16 Premier pool rooms, 11 Junior suites, 2 Executive suites, 2 Deluxe suites

HIGHLIGHTS

Its sprawling pillar-less ballroom and La Cantina’s luscious Mexican dishes.   

PRICE

Prices for a mid-week stay in November started from 8,000 per night for a Superior room.

CONTACT

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Kavuri Hills, Kondapur, Hyderabad; tel 040 6682 4422; novotelhyderabad.com