Hotels of Historic Significance and Their Classification PDF

Preview

Summary

Hotels of Historic Significance and Their Classification...

Description

Hotels of Historic Significance and Their Classification

A heritage hotel is an older historic structure that has been restored and transformed into a luxurious hotel. The hotels make an attempt to treat their guests like kings and queens. 'Heritage Hotels' refers to hotels that operate within palaces/castles/forts/havelies/hunting loges/residences of any size constructed prior to 1950. The exterior, architectural details, and overall construction should all have distinctive characteristics and an ambience consistent with the area's traditional way of life. Generally, no alteration should be made to the architecture of the property being considered for this category. Any addition, improvement, renovation, or modification to existing structures should adhere to established architectural styles and construction practises, blending the new with the old. Following expansion/renovation, the newly constructed area should not exceed 50% of the overall constructed (plinth) area, which includes both old and new structures. Swimming pools, lawns, and similar facilities will be excluded from this category.

Some of India's most significant heritage hotels:

There are numerous heritage hotels located throughout India, which we will cover below:

The Imperial, New Delhi:

The Imperial, New Delhi, established in 1931, is a luxury hotel in India's Janapath neighbourhood. It was once known as Queensway and was located near New Delhi's Connaught Place. It was the city's first opulent big hotel. Today, it is home to the city's biggest collection of colonial and post-colonial art and antiquities, as well as a museum and an art gallery. The hotel opened in 2015 and was designed by D.J. Blomfield, an associate of Edwin Lutyens, who also planned the new capital of the British Raj, New Delhi, which opened the same year and is housed within Lutyens' Delhi. The Imperial was built by S.B.S. Ranjit Singh, the son of R.B.S. Narain Singh, who was decorated by the British Raj during the 1911 Coronation Durbar, during which New Delhi was named the new capital of India, replacing Calcutta. Between 1996 and 2001, the hotel was rebuilt by its General Manager and Vice President, Mr Harvinder Sekhon. The Imperial hosted the Queen of the Netherlands, Hollywood celebrities and actresses, adventurers, and tycoons throughout his term. Additionally, he opened six restaurants and bars, including "Spice Route," "Patiala Peg Bar," "1911 Restaurant and Bar," "Daniells Tavern," and "San Gimignano."

Fort Madhogarh :

Fort Madhogarh is located in Madhogarh Village, 42 kilometres (km) south of Jaipur on the Jaipur-Agra route (NH 11). Fort Madhogarh was erected about 400 years ago by Madho Singh Ji and rebuilt and converted into a heritage hotel in July 2000 by Thakur Bhawani Singh Ji. Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II married into the Madhogarh dynasty and bestowed Madhogarh upon Thakur Pratap Singh Ji, a Rajput of the Bhati clan. Fort Madhogarh is a 400-year-old property constructed by Madho Singh, a Rajput of the Kachava Clan.

Just as the fort's plasters began to peel and stone slabs began to crumble under the ravages of time, the family of Thakur Bhawani Singh, the fort's fourth generation direct descendant, could not bear the fort's collapse. When he saw his magnificent fortress deteriorating, he set out to convert it into a family-run heritage hotel. When it opened as a hotel in July 2000, the fort promised visitors a mystical experience.

Taj Connemara

The Taj Connemara was previously known as the Imperial Hotel and was built in 1854 by Triplicane Rathinavelu Mudaliar. It was renamed Albany in 1886 after being leased to two further Mudaliar brothers, and reopened as The Connemara in 1890, named after the then-Governor of Madras from 1881 to 1886, Robert Bourke, baron of Connemara, an Irish county. It later became a Spencer's hotel. Eugene Oakshott, proprietor of Spencer's, a small shop near Anna Circle at the time, purchased the hotel and its nine acres in 1891 to establish a showroom. Oakshott desired to modernise Spencer's and chose to construct one of Asia's largest department stores. In the 1930s, James Stiven, director of Spencer's, began modernising the hotel in 1934 and completed the project in 1937. When it reopened in 1937, it was given an art deco makeover. Geoffrey Bawa designed the tower building and connecting pool in 1974. The hotel was acquired by the Taj Group of Hotels in 1984. In 2008, historian S. Muthiah published A Tradition of Madras that is Chennai—The Taj Connemara, in which he reproduces an advertisement from 1880 in which the hotel, then known as The Imperial Hotel, promises "extensive premises... cool and equipped with every convenience" and wines from the "celebrated house of Messrs McDowell & Co." The book has a unique collection of images of old Madras roads, buildings, hotel interiors, and hotel tariffs dating all the way back to 1939.

According to Muthiah, the British considered Connemara to be one of the world's top hotels. Taj Connemara features 150 guestrooms, including 141 double rooms and nine suites. The hotel features five meeting rooms, including a ballroom with a theatre-style seating capacity of 400 people and a cocktail capacity of 600 people. The hotel's conference room can accommodate up to 30 guests theatre style.

Hotel Palace Retreat Arki :

Retreat Hotel Palace Arki is located in India's Himachal Pradesh in the western Himalayas. Arki was established as the capital of Baghal by Rana Sabha Chand around 1650 A.D. Baghal was founded as a sovereign kingdom by Raja Ajai Dev in the early 13th Century A.D. Raja Ajai Dev was a descendant of the famous Parmar King Bhoj Dev of Malwa, who ruled the entirety of northern and western India in the early 7th century, including Sind and Punjab up to the west of Bihar. Hotel Palace Retreat Arki caters to leisure tourists and transit travellers passing through Arki Fort Palace on their way to other hill stations such as Shimla, Kullu, Manali, and Dalhousie. It is also a delightful country hideaway for residents of Shimla, Panchkula, and Chandigarh looking for a weekend or day trip. The view from the Cliffend Bar-n-Café terrace is particularly stunning at night, when the lights of neighbouring towns and villages illuminate the hills.

The Bissau Palace Hotel :

The Bissau Palace Hotel is a heritage property in the Indian city of Jaipur. It was constructed in the nineteenth century as the

residence of Raghubir Singhji, a royal lord. It is located just outside the fortifications of Jaipur's ancient city, a short distance north of Chand Pol (an entrance gate to the old city). It is located approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) northeast of downtown. Originally constructed in the nineteenth century during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh (1803–18), the structure functioned as the nobility Raghubir Singhji's palace. The Shekhawati estate was once home to Bissau's rawals. In 1977, the palace was transformed into a hotel. It is now a heritage hotel in Jaipur's old market neighbourhood. The Bissau Palace Hotel features a curving entry facade, checkerboard-patterned flooring throughout the enclosed space, and wooden floors in the lounge. There are 36 rooms, several of which include one-of-a-kind bed fittings and ornamentation, as well as antique furniture and artefacts. A portrait depicting the Maharaja of Bissau with his courtiers sits above the palace's fireplace. Swords that were used in encounters with Muslims are also displayed on the palace's walls. A wood-paneled library filled with antique literature is adjacent to the sitting room. Along with traditional Rajasthani items, there are other showcases displaying jewellery, swords, elephant sculptures, vases, and photographs - including a tiger shikar scene and Lord Mountbatten's visit to the royal family of Bissau. The hotel features three restaurants, one of which is on the rooftop, and during buffet dinners, Rajasthani traditional dancers perform. The entrance to the Bissau Palace Hotel is circular. The grounds include a well-kept garden that is home to numerous bird species. Other amenities include a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Bolgatty Palace :

Bolgatty Palace is a former Dutch palace in India, located on the island of Bolghaty near Kochi, Kerala. This charming home, erected in 1744 by Dutch businessmen, was later expanded and planted. The edifice served as the Governor's residence for the Dutch commander in Malbar until 1909, when it was leased to the British. During the British Raj, it functioned as the residence of the British Governors and as the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. When India gained independence in 1947, the palace was declared state property and was eventually turned into a heritage hotel resort. Bolgatty Palace presently boasts a swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, an ayurveda centre, and daily Kathakali performances, making it a popular holiday destination for both domestic and international visitors. There is a Shiva temple here that is the first of its sort in Kerala.

The Beach Bungalow:

The Bungalow on the Beach is an 18th-century Danish colonial residence that once belonged to the Governor of Danish India, Opperhoved, then, upon their departure in 1845, to the colony's British administrator. The Danish East India Company constructed the fort adjoining Fort Dansborg in what was originally a pepper trading centre in Tranquebar, now known as Tharangambadi, in Tamil Nadu, India. Tranquebar is a Danish term that originated from the indigenous Tamil term Tarangambadi, which translates as 'place of the singing waves'. The bungalow was acquired by Neemrana Hotels in 2000 and reopened in 2004. Neemrana Hotels also operates two further heritage hotels in town, Gate House and Nayak House.

The Cecil Hotel:

The Cecil began modestly in 1883 as a one-story house called Tendril Cottage, which was home to Rudyard Kipling. Rudyard Kipling is said to have visited the mansion where he wrote his novels, including "Plain Tales from the Hills," which was inspired by Shimla. Mohan Singh Oberoi arrived in Shimla in 1922, when the Cecil was run by John Faletti following a succession of owners. Thus began the establishment of an enduring legacy. Mohan Singh Oberoi swiftly progressed through the ranks and developed a solid rapport with Mr. Ernest Clarke, the new manager. Bahadur Rai Mohan Singh Oberoi acquired the Cecil in 1944 as part of the Associated Hotels of India takeover. The Cecil quickly became the address to which everyone desired to be seen. The hotel's charm was enhanced by the hotel's legendary Balls and Floor shows, as well as Lola, the dancer. The hotel closed in 1984 for substantial renovations and rehabilitation and returned in 1997, restored to a state worthy of the Oberoi's former magnificence.

Devi Garh Palace :

Devi Garh Palace is a heritage hotel and resort located in the village of Delwara. It is set in the 18th-century Devi Garh palace. From the mid-18th century through the mid-20th century, it served as the royal home of the kings of the Delwara principality. Devigarh is located in the Aravalli hills, 28 kilometres northeast of Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is one of the three primary entrances to the Udaipur valley. The New York Times ranked it one of India's top luxury hotels in 2006, while Frommer's Review described it as "the nicest hotel on the subcontinent," adding that "Devi Garh is more than gorgeous; it is inspirational." It was featured in the 2008 Lifestyle Channel Discovery Travel and Living series, 'Dream Hotels,' which spans

five continents. The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur and Rambagh Palace in Jaipur were the other two Indian hotels to make the list of 55.

Hotel Diggi Palace :

Diggi Palace, renamed the Diggi Palace Hotel, is an Indian royal palace in the city of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan. Although it has been converted into a heritage hotel, a portion of it remains occupied by the royal family, which also operates the hotel. Since 2006, the annual Jaipur Literature Festival has been held here. The former haveli is owned by the Thakurs (Khangarot Rajputs) of Diggi, a Thikana or estate located 40 kilometres south of Jaipur and formerly a part of the Jaipur state. Since its construction in the 1980s, each of the Thakurs has contributed to the current structure, which was partially transformed into a heritage hotel in 1991 by current proprietors Thakur Ram Pratap Singh Diggi and his wife, Jyotika Kumari Diggi.

Hotel Elgin:

The Elgin Hotel in Darjeeling, formerly known as The New Elgin, was erected in 1887 and served as the summer house of Cooch Behar's Maharaja (King). It is a heritage hotel located in Darjeeling, a Himalayan hill resort. Built in 1887 around a garden, the hotel has been extensively renovated to return it to its former splendour while preserving its history. The hotel was restored to its original condition using Gouray Douglas etchings, William Daniell lithographs, period Burma Teak furniture, oak floor boards and panelling, and original fireplaces. The Elgin Hotel is just a short walk from the famous Darjeeling Mall and the Raj Bhavan (Governors House). A well-

stocked library, a games room, and a children's activity centre are available.

Falaknuma Palace :

Falaknuma Palace is one of India's finest palaces. It was originally possessed by Paigah Hyderabad State but was later acquired by the Nizam of Hyderabad. It is located in Falaknuma, 5 kilometres from Charminar, on a 32-acre (13 ha) plot. It was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, Hyderabad's prime minister and the Nizam VI's uncle and brother-in-law, Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Bahadur. Falak-numa translates as "Like the Sky" or "Mirror of the Sky" in Urdu. The grand reception chamber, which features frescoes and gilded reliefs on the ceiling, is one of the palace's attractions. The ballroom features a two-ton manually controlled organ that is supposed to be the world's only one of its kind. The palace is comprised of 60 sumptuously designed chambers and 22 expansive halls. It houses one of the best collections of Nizam treasures in the world. Falaknuma is home to an extensive collection of priceless works of art, including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts, and books. The palace's jade collection is regarded to be one of a kind in the world. The renowned dining hall can accommodate up to 100 guests at a time. The chairs are crafted from carved rosewood and upholstered in green leather. The tableware was plated in gold and crystal and accompanied by fluted music. The table is 108 feet in length, 5.7 feet in width, and 2.7 feet in height. The palace features a library with a facsimile of Windsor Castle's carved walnut roof. The library possessed one of India's best holdings of the Quran. Numerous oil paintings and portraits of important individuals adorn the landing's walls. Additionally, the Falaknuma Palace houses the world's largest collection of Venetian chandeliers, with 40 138-arm Osler chandeliers installed throughout the palace's rooms. Until 2000,

the palace was privately owned by the Nizam family and was not generally open to the public. Taj Hotels began rebuilding and refurbishing the palace in 2000. In November 2010, the restored hotel reopened. Ornate furniture, handcrafted tapestries, and French brocade were used to embellish the rooms and halls. The interiors feature English and Venetian chandeliers and beautiful frescoes, as well as outdoor terraces filled with priceless artworks, statues, furniture, manuscripts, and books. The palace features a 101-seat dining hall that is regarded the world's largest, as well as the Durbar Hall, which is adorned with finely carved wooden ceilings, parquet floors, walnut furniture, and handcrafted details. The hotels listed here are some of the best examples of heritage hotels located throughout India.

Classification of historic inns:

There are three types of heritage hotels: (1) heritage, (2) heritage classic, and (3) heritage grand.

Patrimony:

This category will include hotels established prior to 1950 in Residences/Havelies/Hunting Lodges/Castles/Forts/Palaces. A minimum of five rooms should be provided by the hotel (10 beds). The distinguishing characteristics of this type of hotels include their general characteristics and ambience, as well as their alignment with the overarching concept of heritage and architectural peculiarity.

This category will include hotels built prior to 1935 in Residences/Havelies/Hunting Lodges/Castles/Forts/Palaces. The hotel should have at least 15 rooms (30 beds). The particular characteristics of this type of hotels include the requirement that the overarching concept of heritage and architectural distinction be reflected in the general features and environment. At the very least, the hotel should provide one of the following sporting amenities.

Heritage Grand:

This category will include hotels in residence, havelies, hunting lodges, castles, forts, and palaces built within the last century. A minimum of 15 rooms should be provided by the hotel (30 beds). The unique characteristics of this type of hotels require that the overarching notion of heritage and architectural distinctiveness be reflected in the general features and environment. However, all public and private places, including rooms, should be attractive and well-decorated. At least 50% of the rooms should be climate-controlled (except in hill stations where there should be heating arrangements). Additionally, the hotel should provide at least two of the following sporting amenities.

Dimensions of the room and bath:

There are no minimum or maximum room or bathroom sizes specified for any of the categories. However, when giving the sub-classifications 'classic' or 'grand', the overall ambiance, comfort, and imaginative adaption will be evaluated.

Sporting Facilities:

The hotel's ownership vests included a swimming pool, health club, lawn tennis, squash, riding, and golf course. Apart from this, credit would be provided for auxiliary athletic amenities such as golf, boating, sailing, fishing, or other adventure sports such as ballooning, parasailing, windsurfing, safari trips, and trekking, as well as indoor activities.

Cusine des hôtels historiques: The hotel should serve regional food. Classic of the Past The hotel should serve traditional cuisine but also include four to five things that closely resemble continental cuisine. Grand Heritage The hotel's menu continental fare.

should

include

both

traditional

and

Administration

The hotel may be managed and operated by members of the owner's family or by professionals. However, categorization in one of the following categories will be determined by the property's overall standard. The hotel's level of service and the years of expertise of the owner/staff would be evaluated.

4General Characteristics

There should be sufficient parking for automobiles. All public spaces and areas, as well as guest rooms, should be well kept and supplied with high-quality carpets/area rugs/durries, furniture, and fixtures that are tasteful and consistent with the traditional lifestyle. If carpeting is not available, the flooring should be of high quality (This is not to suggest that old and original flooring whether in stone or any other material should be replaced unnecessarily). Guest rooms should be clean, airy, pest-free, and devoid of moisture and musty odours. They should also be moderately sized, with adjoining bathrooms equipped with modern amenities (e.g. flush commodes, wash basins, running hot and cold water, etc.). There should be a well-appointed lobby and/or lounge with high-quality furniture and separate ladies and gents cloakrooms with attractive fixtures.

4Infrastructure:

A re...