Seeking a break from the monotony of pandemic life, Sharli Gelda checked into Ramya Resorts & Spa Udaipur this August. She now calls it her go-to place in the city, after finding the service to be on-point, the staff courteous and all COVID-appropriate precautions being followed religiously at the property.
Tanya Sharma loves frequently Udaipur regularly as a traveller. During her third visit to the city this June, she chose to stay at Ramya Hotels & Spa Udaipur for a four-day staycation. She, too, was impressed by the stringent COVID protocols followed by the property. Another thing that caught her attention was the consideration that hotel associates showered on her.
This is the kind of customer feedback that keeps the property’s director, Parth Khamsera, motivated. With the luxury travel industry seeing a robust turnaround, he is confident that superlative guest satisfaction will underscore the survival and revival for boutique resorts, especially as they try to hold their own against other established hospitality chains.
“Owned and managed by Khamesra Brothers, Ramya Resort & Spa, Udaipur has consistently been the preferred choice for international travellers. Guests from North and South America, Europe, the UK and Scandinavia countries comprised 30% of our clientele during peak season, which starts from October and goes on till February,” he stated.
However, with the suspension on scheduled international commercial passengers, Khamesra shifted the property’s focus extensively on domestic travellers. And this strategy proved to be bang on the buck.
INDIAN TRAVELLERS GET A WARM WELCOME
Consumer preferences have evolved significantly in the past 18 months. Having discovered domestic destinations, more affluent Indians are seeking distinctive, exclusive and high-end experiences while travelling within the country. Millennials, especially, have displayed a willingness to splurge on premium and luxury stays for their weekend getaways and short haul trips. This has helped the luxury travel and hospitality business to recover faster than other categories in the hospitality sector.
Khamesra pointed out that as a destination Udaipur has always attracted domestic travellers, but it has getting renewed attention from Indians. To capitalise on this interest, Ramya Resort & Spa, Udaipur is attempting to carve a niche for itself in the city’s hospitality landscape by highlighting its serene locations and guest-attuned services.
“While our property is inspired by nature, our services are inspired by the famous Rajasthani hospitality, while our décor has Thai – Balinese architecture,” Khamesra stated. “We offer many open-air private spaces to guests, which ensure their privacy along with vistas of green escape. Our hotel also houses a widespread kid’s activity and play area, fitness centers surrounded by nature on all sides along with our high-grade hospitality.”
One of the key reasons why travellers are inclined to stay at luxury properties is because they believe it can offer them enhanced safety and exclusivity. Once again, Khamesra is delighted that Ramya Resort & Spa, Udaipur checks this box as well.
“Our luxury property’s key USPs include privacy and tranquility. It is full of green escapes, natural pathways, gardens, three big swimming pools and uniquely curated guest areas inspired by the elements of Earth,” he explained. This includes Bhoomi fine dining restaurant, Agni private lounge, Vayu grand lawn, Jal deck and Antriksh sky lounge. Some other spaces are inspired by the joys of life, including Utsav banquet hall, Baithak board room, and Raj, the Ayurveda-inspired luxury spa.
WELL AND GOOD
An Amex Trendex survey of consumers across seven countries found that that 81% value the freedom to travel more now than they did before the pandemic. Another 68% revealed that they are likely to base their next vacation around improving their well-being.
With ‘wellcations’, or vacations geared towards improving one’s wellbeing, gaining priority on most travelers’ lists, Ramya Resort & Spa, Udaipur has started offering personalised and exclusive wellness experiences. It has on-call experts including a yoga teacher, ayurvedic doctor and nutritionist. Its comprehensive wellness approach includes offers signature massage therapies that is based on an individual’s health complaints and condition.
The property also created its own stress management programme, ‘Ramya Unwind’, which is curated to help guests lead a well balanced, healthy life by reducing stress and relaxing the mind. This customised plan embraces a holistic approach combining Ayurveda, Yoga and organic meals to help the body rejuvenate naturally.
Exercises are conducted in the open-air so guests can soak in the vibrancy of nature in its abundance. “We prepare bespoke and nutritionally balanced meals, as part of our designated wellness offerings,” Khamesra stated. He added that the property will soon get a Zen garden, mini indoor golf course and an infinity pool, so guests have more avenues to explore nature at leisure.
The hotel is also adding close to 80 new luxurious rooms along with more open spaces attached to the rooms. Talking about these changes, Khamesra explained that this is the perfect opportunity for independent properties to adjust their hotel products and marketing strategy to tap the growing leisure and luxury travelers. From a personalised approach to human-like experience when engaging with guests, no step is too small or trivial.
