Aiming to become the luxury hotel of choice in Delhi and NCR, JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity offers a diverse range of services to cater to both leisure and MICE By Archana Sharma
Styled with sophistication and elegance, the Marriott brand pursues excellence and is continuously driven to challenge the status quo and anticipate its customers’ changing needs with new brands, new locations and new guest experiences. “The JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, launched over a year ago, upholds its history and core values; as at the end of it, it is only our principles which make us who we are,” believes Antony Page, general manager, JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity. Initially trained as a chef from London, Page had worked with many international brands and has been with the Marriott brand since 2005. In June 2014, he joined the Aerocity Marriott property.
Located at a seven minute drivable distance from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and between Central Delhi and West Delhi, with just 15-20 minutes drive from each side, the property enjoys its position as one of the most secure hotels. “Aerocity has its own advantages. There are some cities in the world where traffic can be a major challenge especially when you are rushing to the airport,” opines Page. He also believes that the symphony of services, measurable intuitive services delivered in a luxurious environment are some of the USPs that sets them apart from the rest.
With a room inventory of 480, which they achieved in June 2014, Page believes the hotel to be a special corporate hotel, when the need arises for it. “MICE is making up for an enormous amount of our rooms and creating a revenue stream. However we haven’t lost sight of our leisure guests especially since we are also used as a drop off point by international leisure travellers opting for the Golden Triangle – finishing with Delhi again before going to the next destination,” he adds.
Since its inception, the property has faced numerous challenges right from the construction stage to the post completion phase, with major security concerns being expressed. “Due to the unfortunate incidents in the past years and the geographical location and close proximity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, there have been some additional measures required to be fulfilled by us like bullet proof heavy glass. However, our security measures are in accordance with the global standards and we are constantly updating the systems,” informs Page.
Diverse offerings
With a variety of cuisine being offered at JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, Page believes that the property is a great meeting place for groups as it provides more variety to people with different tastes and preferences. The Delhi Baking Company (DBC), a combination of bakery with a coffee house and retail store in one outlet, is a delicatessen as well as a meeting place with freshly baked products. “Apart from specialising in chocolates and high-end grab-and-go products, the cafe offers varied packaged gourmet products, baked goods, coffee and culinary products,” mentions Page. K3, showcasing cuisines from Tuscany, Canton and India, with three kitchens in bistro style, enables live interactions with the chefs. At Akira Back, eponymous with its celebrity chef, one can enjoy a multitude of delicious Japanese and Korean cuisine. “This restaurant takes inspiration from the old back streets of Tokyo and repackages it into a contemporary design envelope for a delightful experience, which is healthy and contemporary with a collection of Sake to be served cold,” he adds. “Additionally, we offer several restaurants, bars and lounges on-site as well as a fully equipped gym, spa and outdoor pool. One can discover a sense of rejuvenation, tranquility and relaxation at the Quan Spa and enjoy world class facilities at the gym,” informs Page. The JW Lounge and Oval Bar, designed exclusively, offer an array of food and beverages items with high end whiskey and old world wines.
Highlighting the varied needs of different travellers, Page believes that the property is well equipped to handle both leisure as well as MICE. “Plush bedding, upgraded bath amenities and 40-inch TVs are just some of our distinct amenities, which can be enjoyed by both. Spacious work areas and wireless high-speed Internet access facilitate business travellers’ needs as well. Having quick and efficient Wi-Fi also provides for the Gen Y’s need to remain connected at all times, unlike the previous generations,” he says.
Also understanding the requirements, needs and demands of the guests, Page opines that JW Marriott as a brand has given back space to its guests. “The hoteliers gave up designer furniture that took up space, and opted for far more sleeker, more refined, more user friendly furniture to allow guests feel more comfortable in the room. The size and finish of the rooms enables the JW Marriott brand to provide a refined and user friendly environment,” he reasons.
Prospects and trends
Aiming to become the luxury hotel of choice in Delhi and NCR, Page states, “Being only a year old, we faced some initial problems and delays, however, we are now hitting the space where we can put ourselves amongst the top five or six luxury brand hotels in Delhi.” Looking at enhancing their business by over 45 per cent in the second year, Page states that even with all the issues faced by the property, the occupancy has been quite remarkable.
They are also planning to take the larger MICE groups in 2015 and hold lesser weddings in comparison to 2014. “We are looking at targeting the growing MICE segment by holding more international and pan India conventions and conferences in the hotel and also having corporate ties as they are showing more traction. However, we will still be organising smaller functions as they are a major component of our catering segment,” he reveals. The property can host elaborate events with the help of their eight state-of-the-art function rooms totaling more than 24,000 square feet including the Grand Crystal Ballroom.
Speaking about the role of technology, Page states, “Social media plays a major role in almost all our interactions with the guests as we want to ensure that we communicate and answer all the queries coming in directly, apart from the ones which we receive via OTAs.” For instance, the Marriott mobile app allows guests to check-in according to their own schedule and informs the hotel about their arrival so that the guests can avail the pick up services without any delay.
