Vinita Bhatia: WHEN THE BUSINESS HOTEL RISES WITH A DIFFERENCE

Uniqueness, be it in terms of service offerings, additional amenities or environment sensitivity, is helping major business hotels stand apart in the crowd

- Vinita Bhatia

Think business hotels, and the image that crops up in one's mind is of properties that promise high-speed wi-fi connections, proximity to key commercial districts and a cropped lunch menu for the visiting professionals who are constantly on the go.

However, do business hotels have to limit themselves to these services? Apparently not. The new tribe of business hotels goes beyond functionality to offer personalisation with a wee bit of warmth and character. After all, just because you are on a work trip does not mean everything around has to be serious.

Here is a look at some of the business hotels in the country that have gone the extra mile to ensure that they have something different to offer.

DIFFERENT SHADES OF GREEN ITC MARATHA ITC

Hotels is among the greenest hotel chains globally to receive the maximum number of LEED Platinum Certification for its properties, as per US Green Building Council (USGBC). One of these properties is ITC Maratha, Mumbai, which has been investing in planet-positive sustainability practices, including carbon-neutral meetings.

Its green banquet aims to reduce the carbon footprint of corporate events, with offerings like organic and locally produced food and zeromile Sunya Aqua filtered bottled water. Its meeting rooms are optimised to use natural light and meet electrical demand through wind and solar energy. The hotel claims to have near-zero waste generation by reducing, reusing and recycling the solid waste generated.

Atul Bhalla, area manager of west and east, ITC Hotels India, and general manager of ITC Maratha, says, “We calculate the overall carbon footprint from meetings and events, then take a carbon offset credit on it. We take the annual reading and purchase the credits for the same.”