Now Shimla Gets A Choice

Anindita Chattopadhyay - New Delhi

The ever-burgeoning hotel market in Shimla sees the addition of another prestigious address to its long list with the opening of Quality Inn Himdev. The property, opened shortly after Qutub Hotel in Delhi (the first Clarion brand property in India), is in line with the expansion plans of Choice Hotels India, which aims to open 30 properties by the end of this year.

The centrally-heated 72-key property with well appointed rooms has a multi-cuisine restaurant, coffee shop, a well-stocked bar, travel desk and home theatre.

It also offers adequate drive-in parking facility - a rare luxury in Shimla hotels - and the convenience of complimentary transfers to the mall (which is out of bound for traffic), bus terminus and railway station.

Promoted by Samora Hotels, owned by architect Rajinder Diwan of Delhi, Himdev will be positioned as a business hotel, yet target the family segment as well.

"The property has been designed to address the needs of both business travellers and families on vacation. Ideal for residential conferences, the property offers the most modern business center facilities, extensive meetings and conference halls and direct dial telephone and data port facility in room. We'll soon add a modern health club and fitness centre," said Sunil Mathur, COO, Choice Hotels India.

The addition of the 13th Quality Inn property now gives Choice a presence in nine leisure destinations across the country and in all important hill stations of north India.