Star Hotels To Foray into Three-Star Segment

Jyoti Koul - New Delhi

Star Hotels Ltd is planning to open at least two three-star hotels within two years. The company, which has to its credit the introduction of Mexican food to India through Rodeo's in Delhi, is also planning to take this specialty brand to other locations across the country

“We are planning two to three hotels shortly. The new additions will be all three-star hotels, which will be more or less like apartments. The idea is to provide decent and comfortable stay,” said S M Shervani, managing director, Star Hotels Ltd.

The company has already identified land for one of its hotels in Sector 18 Noida. However, the other modalities are being worked out. Besides Delhi, the company is keen to move to the newly formed state of Uttaranchal. The approximate investment in its hotels will be Rs 75 crore. For the independent restaurants, the company will franchise them at a cost of Rs 75 lakh for one restaurant. A franchise package has been worked out. Currently, Star Hotels is operating two Mexican restaurants in the Capital besides two hotels in Nainital and Allahabad and a posh guest house in Delhi.

Sherwani said, “We would like to move to other metros like Mumbai with the Rodeo but there are problems. Since we are into authentic Mexican food, there is one main centralised kitchen, where the food is prepared by chefs who have been flown in from the Mexico. If we move to other places, the kitchen will be a difficulty. Still, the impossible is always possible.”

At present the company is promoting its restaurants in Delhi through Mexican food festivals like the ‘Khana Mexicana’. “We organise these food festivals twice in a year and have chefs flown in from Mexico to assure our guests that food is authentic. The ingredients are also imported. All my efforts are geared towards promoting Mexican food. I want to be known as someone who introduced Mexican cuisine to India,” said Shervani.