Great holidays get three new destinations

Deepak Ohri, CEO of lebua Hotels & Resorts, the Bangkok-based luxury brand that operates distinctive hotels, fine restaurants and stunning bars, has literally pulled off a coup that is set to introduce new standards in hospitality in India. 

Earlier this year, lebua Hotels & Resorts has taken over management of three stunning properties in Rajasthan. 

The three properties have been re-branded as Devi Garh by lebua, Udaipur; lebua Resort, Jaipur and Lebua Lodge at Amer, Jaipur respectively. More properties under the lebua stable are on the cards in other Indian destinations like Kumaon and Goa.

‘All my life I wanted to spend money or make other people spend money,’ says Deepak Ohri while talking of lebua’s ambitious expansion plans in India. The company’s hotel collection includes Bangkok’s best performing luxury properties as well as Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua, an exquisite lakeside property in New Zealand. lebua is also considering hotel management contracts worldwide in city and resort destinations and plans to increase its footprint to major international locations.

Devi Garh by lebua is a heritage hotel located in an 18th century Devi Garh palace in village Delwara. It was the royal residence of Delwara until the middle of 20th century. Located 28 kms. from Udaipur the fort palace has been aesthetically restored into a stunning property with an ancient exterior and luxurious interiors . The herb and vegetable garden provides some fresh ingredients to the hotel kitchen.

The design of lebua Resort in Jaipur is inspired by Jantar Mantar, the Royal Observatory of Jaipur built in 1728 and has a series of extraordinary shapes and structures. It also boasts of a 20,000 sq. ft. spa which offers a fusion of Indian and Mediterranean well-being.

The lebua Lodge at Amer on the outskirts of Jaipur has forty white canvas tents in a valley by the walls of the historic Amber Fort built in the 16th century. It offers very distinctive but local experience. The restaurant serves lot of local delicacies like lal maas with options for pool-side dining and bonfire. A stylish outdoor black pool besides the majestic Amber Fort wall creates an unique atmosphere lebua Hotels & Resorts is also planning an air charter service catering to clients across three countries- India, Thailand and New Zealand.

Several other Thai and international hospitality brands are looking at entering India in the near future. The Dusit Devarana, a tie-up between the Dusit Group in Thailand and the Bird Group in India are expected to open their 50 room boutique hotel in New Delhi early next month. Several other properties are in various stages of development.

The Indian traveler is surely spoilt for choice of locations and attractive price points to suit every budget.

(Suvendu Banerjee is President and CEO of Business Images, one of India’s leading PR and Communications agencies and can be reached at Suvendu@businessimages.info)