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Bombay awaits the launch of Marriott Renaissance

Rakesh P Sharma

Bombay, the commercial capital of the country, will soon have a new five star hotel. The US-based Marriott International is expected to start its five star hotel - Renaissance Mumbai Hotel and Convention Centre - soon. With construction work keeping the schedule, the hotel is expected to have soft opening by June 2001. Last year, Bombay has seen the addition of two new properties, the Le Meridien at the international airport and Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartment at Powai Lake. While ITC's Grand Maratha at the international airport had a soft opening in January 2001.

Marriott International is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2000 operating units in the US and 55 other countries.

Headquartered in Washington DC, Marriott International has more than 143,000 employees. It owns and manages hotels across different brands such as the JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton and Renaissance. Marriott had brought the Renaissance chain of hotels in 1997 at cost of $1 billion.

Marriott is also a leader in the long stay chain with 303 properties and TownePlace Suites- a mid-price, extended stay product. All these brands have been successful in the US. Marriott has been recognised this year as one of Fortune magazine's "100 best companies to work for" and "most admired companies in America."

The 288 room Renaissance Mumbai Hotel and Convention Centre has been set up on the banks of Powai Lake.

Says John Toomey, director marketing for Marriott Executive Apartment and Renaissance, "What differentiates Renaissance from the current crop of hotel is the fact that it is attached to the biggest convention centre in the western part of the country."

The hotel's attached convention centre is spread over 60,000 square feet. The majestic Grand Ballroom, measuring 13,000 square feet can accommodate upto 2500 guests.

Adds John, "The initial response to the convention centre has been encouraging as we have started booking major conventions."

Renaissance will be playing host to the Travel Agents Associations of India convention in September 2001. The Neurocon 2001, an international conference for neuro-surgeons will also be held at Renaissance in December 2001."

In India, the Marriott chain has introduced three brands -- JW Marriott (5-star deluxe hotel), Marriott Executive Apartment and Renaissance (business hotel).

John says, "Within a short period of two years, Marriott will have three properties in Bombay and we are looking at India very seriously."

Marriott is also setting three hotels in Madras and the work has already commenced.

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