More Room(s) in Pune

Pune has catapulted to the forefront as a business destination during the last five years. At the beginning of this decade, the only foreigners I saw in Pune came here for spiritual enlightenment or yoga. Many wore robes of the Osho commune or stayed as paid-guests near Pune's famous yoga institute. Now, most visitors are here clearly for business reasons: Americans, Europeans and Koreans with their laptops and Blackberries.

Until recently, upscale lodging options for business travellers were limited. The city got it's first five-star hotel when the Blue Diamond opened in 1970. At this time, there are only three five-star hotels:

>> The Le Meridien: The most lavishly built of the three; the food in their restaurants have gotten better too; the rooms haven't been refurbished in some time.
>> Taj Blue Diamond: Smaller in size, but great service; good Chinese restaurant; newly refurbished rooms.
>> Sun N Sand: Not part of a well-known chain; good service and good restaurants.

There are a few other four-star hotels that are good enough (if you can't get a room in the five-star category):

>> Pride Hotel (now part of the Best Western group, has been recently prettied up)
>> Gordon House (boutique hotel; problem: it is located within a Cineplex; only works if you are a movie addict)
>> Aurora Towers (good location in the middle of Pune's MG Road shopping center; recently prettied up too)

In the last few years, demand has outstripped supply. Bookings have to be made months in advance and room rates have gone sky-high (up by 40% in 2006 alone). Together the five-stars in Pune only have about 500 rooms.

However, change is in the air. The following hotels are under construction and will open in the 2009-2010 time-frame:

1. Hyatt Regency, 325 rooms, Kalyaninagar
2. Holiday Inn, 175 rooms, Balewadi
3. The O by Orchid (new luxury boutique brand), 112 rooms, Koregaon Park
4. Westin, 277 rooms, Koregaon Park
5. Courtyard by Marriott, 210 rooms, Sasoon Road
6. Courtyard by Marriott, 153 rooms. Hinjewadi
7. Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 426 rooms, ICC
8. JW Marriott, 250 rooms, Airport Road

There are new options for the budget traveller too:

>> Lemon Tree - In addition to their hotel in Hingewadi, they are building another one near the Railway Station (they have taken over the old Amir Hotel here).
>> Taj's Ginger is building their second hotel in Hinjewadi. They already have one in Pimpri.

And now there are some good Serviced Apartments too:

>> Oakwood Residence
>> Royal Orchid Golden Suites
>> Seasons Apartments

Overall, Pune will add 4500-5000 additional rooms in all hotel categories by 2010-11 according to Knight Frank Research.