- Since the Westin Pune has gone through a remarkable revamp with its new launches in the past 6 months, what was the basic intend/ideology behind the same?
The Westin Pune Koregaon Park has been curating unique experiences for 13 years; since its
maiden voyage it has been one of the first luxury hotels in Pune presenting a host of
offerings to our guests. However, with the changes that have taken over the city in the past
few years it was imperative for us to revamp the property to keep up with the city’s need
for exploration of luxury spaces. Success is never final. A lot has changed post pandemic and The Westin Pune is here to keep up with the luxury game
- How did the hotel manage its hospitality services with the upgrade?
To manage such a complex project effectively, it was vital to gather as much information as
possible about the existing conditions and have a clear vision. The key was to maintain
upgrades in phases. The business levels through the pandemic were low; a calculated and
well-timed decision to upgrade facilitated a smooth process. The idea was to give the guests an elevated experience and a better product. With a low demand trend, it was easy to steer towards curating more personalised guest experiences.
- Has there been any impact on the pricing structure or any hike in the room charges
after the addition of these amenities?
The business has been unpredictable and inconsistent since the pandemic. With the
continued fluctuation in business trends, our pricing structure has been market-dependent.
Ranging from studio apartments to terrace suites, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park has 9
room categories offering various amenities for a more customised guest experience, each
room category is differently priced.
- Will we be noticing a similar set of revamps amongst other branches of the Westin?
Marriott International has robust processes set in place for the refurbishment of its
properties. These are time bound and each property is required to undergo changes to keep up with the market and customer requirements. With these in place, there is a constant revamp happening for all Marriott properties.
- How did the hotel manage its revenue during tough times like Covid?
Revenue opportunities were limited during the pandemic and we had to adapt, improvise
and set new strategies for various revenue streams. Given the nature of the pandemic, the
priority for travellers and hotel guests was making safety and hygiene a priority.
There was a major emphasis on takeaway and delivery from our F&B outlets. There was a
much greater focus on cost optimization and profitability with a significant emphasis on
demand generation.
Our efforts in offering our guests unique experiences without compromising on the aspect
of safety and hygiene made us adapt to new ideas like hosting intimate suite parties for
small groups, curating customised experiences for guests and the highlight was setting a pop up restaurant experience for guests in the room.
- Give us a brief on The Hotel’s new spa, café, fine dine and ballroom upgradation?
As the market opened after the pandemic hiatus, the upscale revamp demonstrated our
commitment to creating new benchmarks. The 277 keys hotel aimed to set a new
benchmark for luxury with a refreshed main porch, lobby and banquet space.
The Jewel is truly a one-of-its-kind ballroom with a permanent bar, a live station & a buffet
counter. Equipped with three meeting rooms, this luxurious space has easy access to the lawn and ballroom, with an added provision to a projection of the celebration on a screen in the pre-function area.
We also launched a high-end lounge – Asilo. A golden offering amongst tropical
environments that offers breathtaking views of the city while you sip on signature cocktails
and unwind into the night with curated gourmet food offerings that combine
Mediterranean food with an Asian flare. Inspired by art & nature, and the arrival of spring,
the interiors are designed with gorgeous cherry blossoms to reflect the process of renewal
and spark newness.
The Market, our in-house fine dining restaurant, is an innovative restaurant that stays true
to the luxurious haven’s Eat Well philosophy at The Westin Pune. The Market has evolved
into a destination for Asian cuisine skillfully curated by Chef Vikram Khatri, Director of
Culinary and has opened its doors completely to the world of Asian gastronomy, in a space
that has been designed for each live kitchen to have a unique identity and dining zone
within the outlet itself.
- In what ways does the hotel aim to bridging the gap further between Pune city and
luxury in the next 2-3 years?
In meaning, we see little gap between Pune and luxury. On the contrary, Pune hosts some of the top luxury brands in the city – Versace, Trump etc; you name it and Pune’s got it. The
void between the two is quite linear. With new trends coming in every other day and brands
striving to keep evolving, the industry is in to catch up with what’s sheering.
