Possible To Be Luxe, Green And Viable?
Can a luxe resort retain its identity as an eco-conscious property and yet remain a viable property for its promoters? Amruda Nair, Joint MD and CEO of Aiana Hotels and Resorts LLC, tells Vinita Bhatia why it is not as impossible as its sounds.
When Amruda Nair, Joint MD and CEO of Aiana Hotels and Resorts LLC, started the brand as a global hospitality entity that was experiential and destination specific, it was essential that it held its own identity in the vast universe of hotel brands. While a global spirit and Indian soul would be its calling card, her partner Qatar-based Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani and she were equally keen that the brand played an affirmative role in the environment and community in which the hotels operated in.
Announcing the launch of their first property in India, Aiana Munnar – A Moonriver Resort, earlier this year; the duo solidified their commitment to offer locally relevant design and authentic experiences. Scheduled to open in Q4 of 2016, this resort is a niche all-suite villa resort spread across 20 acres of lush greenery.
DESIGNING THOUGHTS
Aiana Munnar was designed by Alex and Tsarina Vacha of Moonriver Resorts, who brought to the table their expertise in design along with a commitment to preserving the natural environment. Talking about the design process, Tsarina Vacha, Director of Moonriver Resorts recalls how in a terrain with dominant three dimensional slopes and height differences of over 60 meters between the highest and lowest points, preservation of the natural contour was most sacred.
“At Aiana Munnar, this has been respectfully preserved whilst placing the structures. For this, a very expensive and time consuming technique of cutting the slopes into pockets with wide retaining walls was deployed. Structures were located within these after allowing the settlement and consolidation over two monsoon seasons. Fragmentation of the blocks and the massing of buildings were dictated by the natural contours of the land. All cut edges were covered with geo textiles and planted over to lock in the soil and prevent erosion in future,” Vacha added.
Other efforts to preserve the natural landscape included building around the ancient trees that existed on the site and retention of thousands of plants that are natural to the habitat for use in future landscaping. In addition, three natural springs discovered during construction were left undisturbed. The plan is to use the fresh water available to feed all the pools in the resort. This aside, local stone that was available from the boulders that were blasted nearby for the expansion of the Pallivasal dam was used for almost all the hard surfacing at the resort.
Amruda Nair, Joint MD and CEO of Aiana Hotels and Resorts LLC
CURATED EXPERIENCES
The dedication to stay true to the local setting extends to guest experience as well. Murlidhar Rao, Senior VP-Operations, Aiana Hotels and Resorts said that the Aiana Munnar will regularly offer carefully curated guest experiences delivered by local artisans. “The responsible attitude of the brand extends to employees and local communities in which we operate and we are committed to preserving the environment through sustainable operations,” he added.
This means that Aiana Munnar will feature dining experiences, ranging from an all-day dining restaurant offering local and international cuisine, to a lobby lounge offering a curated selection of gourmet coffees and fine leaf teas. The Ayurveda-inspired spa, set in the verdant surroundings, offers a well-thought approach to wellness and relaxation.
While brand philosophy and Nair’s personal vision has driven the development of Aiana Munnar’s sustainable design and service ethos, it is also supported by the belief that today’s traveler is willing to pay a premium for ‘responsible tourism.’ A World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 2012 Tourism in the Green Economy Report states that ‘Tourist choices are increasingly influenced by sustainability considerations’.
It therefore makes sense that a new-age hospitality brand would want to provide savvy travelers with hospitality 2.0 experience. Government agencies, both at the central and state levels, are more than happy to lend a helping hand to give eco-tourism a boost. So Nair’s optimism on Aiana Munnar becoming a popular luxury destination soon does not seem so misplaced.
In short, it looks like it is indeed possible to go green and yet stay in the black!
