A new 167-room hotel in the southern port city of Kochi will increase Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio in India to three properties. The upscale hotel company of Swiss heritage presently operates Moevenpick Hotel Bangalore and has already announced plans for a spa resort in Dharamshala.
Moevenpick Hotel Kochi, a contemporary hotel with futuristic design elements, is located on the national highway bypass road around six kilometres from the city centre and 25 kilometres from Cochin International Airport. Among the six outlets are a speciality Keralite restaurant and a Pan-Asian dining venue, as well as a sky lounge bar and a modern pub. The hotel is scheduled to open towards the end of 2014.
Business facilities include an executive club lounge, complemented by meeting rooms and a banquet hall for 500 guests. Along with a trendy swimming pool area and health club, the landmark tower property will also be home to an impressive multi-level spa. An Ayurvedic treatment zone, yoga studio, reflexology chambers, hammam, whirlpool and salon will be highlights of the urban wellbeing destination.
Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer of Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts for Middle East and Asia, underscored the significance of organic growth in the sub-continent for the company. “India has tremendous potential for further growth in the domestic and international travel segments. Last year, revenues from domestic tourism rose by 5% and that figure is expected to increase to 8% during 2014. Considering this along with the country’s planned infrastructure developments, we’re keen to continue expanding our existing portfolio in India by including additional key cities,” he said.
The management agreement was signed with ITMA Hotels India Private Ltd, an associate company of Jomer Properties & Investments.
“This is our first hotel venture and choosing a partner with a proven track record was an important decision. We’re delighted to conclude this agreement and look forward to having the property managed as a Moevenpick hotel, with the associated advantages of global distribution reach and international brand recognition,” said Jose Mathew, owner of Jomer Properties & Investments.
Moevenpick entered India in 2011 with the opening of Moevenpick Hotel Bangalore, a contemporary business destination with several leisure, dining and entertainment facilities. The company also plans to open Moevenpick Dharamshala Resort & Spa, an exclusive 124-room resort in the Northern Indian Kangra Valley.
