High-end travellers are spoiled for choice
TRAVELLERS with a taste for
luxury are spoiled for choice in
India, with some of the world’s
best hotels and restaurants on offer.
Operators have noted an increase in
high-end travel to the subcontinent,
with a steady growth from already
strong demand.
Shameema Desai Kajee, manager
of JetStar Tours, says the operator
has always had a high volume of
luxury travellers visiting India but
has noted that the market is still
growing. She says this has a lot
to do with the impressive range
of luxury options available, from
luxury trains to upmarket beach
resorts, exotic heritage hotels,
sprawling backwater resorts and
world-class spas.
“Most of the top hotel chains in
the world, such as St Regis, Ritz
Carlton, JW Marriott, Oberoi and Taj
Hotels & Resorts, have properties
in major Indian cities, offering
accommodation that surpasses the
expectations of the luxury traveller.”
Affordable luxury is one of the
main reasons South Africans are
opting for high-end stays. “With
its vast diversity, India caters for
clients who are seeking that special
experience, but without breaking
the bank in the process,” says
Annemarie Lexow, sales manager
of Travel Vision.
Top luxury experiences
Annemarie says a luxury train
experience is one of the best
ways to see the country. She
recommends the Palace on
Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on
Wheels, The Deccan Odyssey,
Maharajas’ Express or the Golden
Chariot.
She says in northern India, she
would recommend the exclusive
spa and wellness resorts for
repeat luxury customers. “Many
of these retreats are in the
Himalayas; the treatments are
known to be world-class and the
natural scenery is breathtaking.”
In southern India, she
recommends the houseboats
on the backwaters for luxury
travellers and also a stay at the
Kumarakom Resort and Spa in
Kerala. Other particularly good
choices are the Oberoi Rajvilas,
Ananda Spa Himalayas and the
Oberoi Amarvilas Agra (about
1,3km from the Taj Mahal).
Shameema agrees that Oberoi
Vilas properties are popular with
South African luxury travellers and
adds that the Taj properties are
also a great choice. “The Taj Lake
Palace in Udaipur and Taj Mahal
Palace in Mumbai will always
be popular choices for South
Africans. We have also found that
hotels like St Regis in Mumbai
and Leela Palace in Delhi are now
gaining in popularity.
“One of JetStar’s favourite
properties in India would be the
Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur
which was built in 1835 and
was once the residence of the
Maharajah of Jaipur. Although
most luxury hotels in India make
you feel like royalty, from the
moment you enter the grounds of
the Taj Rambagh Palace you feel
that you are being transported
to a bygone era steeped in
opulence and extravagance,” says
Shameema. She says, during low
season you can get away with
paying half the normal room rate.
Three great add-on activities
1. Kerala houseboat cruise (South India)
Annemarie Lexow of Travel Vision
says cruising the backwaters in
Kerala in one of the beautifully
handcrafted houseboats is a mustdo
activity. Originally, these boats
were used to transport food but
they have been transformed into
luxurious floating hotels, some
complete with air-conditioners and
modern bathrooms. Houseboats
can be rented for a few hours, or
overnight.
2. The Buddhist temples of Ladakh (North India)
The majority of Ladakh’s residents
are Buddhist and, despite the
rugged landscape, temples have
been built throughout the region.
There are dozens to explore –
some perfectly preserved and
others in ruins. Visitors can go
on a guided tour of the region
and see the sacred sites while
learning more about Buddhism.
When visiting a temple, tourists
will need to dress conservatively,
ensuring arms and legs are
covered, and must take off their
shoes in prayer areas.
3. The Elephanta caves
Annemarie says the Elephanta
caves on the island Elephanta
in the Arabian Sea, just off the
coast of Mumbai, are a Unesco
Heritage Site and worth a visit.
Known as Gharapuri, or the city
of caves, there are two groups of
caves to see: five Hindu caves
and two Buddhist caves. In the
Hindu caves, there are a number
of sculptures dating from the 5th
to the 8th centuries.
The latest hotel openings
Mumbai has opened
its first ‘Smart Hotel’ –
Urbanpod. Instead of rooms,
the property features pods,
described as offering luxury
accommodation on a budget.
The hotel features 140
pods, with various upgrades
including suite pods, private
pods, and exclusive ladiesonly
pods. The Classic Pod
fits one and offers baggage
lockers outside the pod,
complimentary breakfast
and shared bathroom
facilities. Each pod has a TV,
complimentary WiFi, power
socket, two USB ports, mood
lighting and a safe.
W Hotels has opened its
first property in India –
W Goa, on Vagator Beach.
The hotel features 160
rooms, including villas,
chalets, a ‘Marvelous Suite’
and an ‘Extreme WOW Villa’
(W Hotels’ take on a
presidential suite). The hotel
includes a Spa by Clarins,
Spice Traders destination
restaurant, the Kitchen Table
all-day restaurant, the WET
deck bar, the Living Room and
WOOBAR, and the Rock Pool
nightclub. Its 4 645 sqm of
function space is due to open
at the end of the year.
Mumbai has opened its first
24-hour floating hotel – the
AB Celestial. The five-deck
ship can host 660 guests and
has a crew of 110. It features
a sky deck, dining lounge,
coffee shop and banqueting
hall.
Radisson Blu has opened
a new hotel in Jammu, the
winter capital of Jammu and
Kashmir. Known as the City
of Temples, Jammu serves as
a gateway to one of the most
popular pilgrimages in India,
as well as several temples.
It offers 119 rooms and
suites with modern amenities
targeting both corporate
and leisure travellers, such
as 24-hour in-room dining,
a business-class lounge,
business centre, swimming
pool, spa and fitness centre.
It includes several dining
options, such as the speciality
Ambrosia restaurant, and
offers more than 2 323 sqm
of flexible meeting space.
Radisson Blu has also
opened the Radisson Blu
Atria Bengaluru in the capital
of India’s Karnatake state,
Bengaluru, also known as
the Garden City. The city
is considered a popular
business destination, and
is also known for its parks
and nightlife. It features 167
guest rooms and suites with
modern facilities. The hotel
also includes several food
and beverage outlets, such
as the One Atria Café, or the
authentic Indian restaurant,
Tijouri. There is also a whisky
bar and tea and wine lounge.
It includes over 1 250 sqm
of flexible meeting space.
Other hotel facilities include
a business-class lounge,
business centre, swimming
pool, spa and fitness centre.
Lift-off for RwandAir’s Mumbai service
RWANDAIR launched its
new service between
Johannesburg and Mumbai,
via Kigali, on April 5. The
service operates non-stop
four times a week.
Both legs of the flight
are serviced by a Boeing
737-800. Return flights
start from R5 269,
including taxes.
“We are delighted to
enable new and seamless
connections between more
African cities and beyond
the continent, which goes
along with creating more
businesses and boosts
the various countries’
social and economic
development,” said John
Mirenge, RwandAir ceo.
Together with the newly
launched Harare service,
RwandAir now flies to
21 destinations.
Photocap: Colonial-style cruising
JetStar Tours is working on packaging special airfares
to India with a five-night Golden Triangle trip followed
by a seven-night cruise on the Ganges Voyager in
November, embarking from Kolkata. This 28-suite
boutique hotel on water brings luxury to Indian river
cruising, incorporating the traditional style of the British
Colonial era. The suites range from 24 sqm to 37 sqm.
Highlights of the tour will include Taj Mahal, Pink Palace,
Mother Teresa’s home, Matiari Village and Mayapur.
JetStar will also be introducing an Indian ‘glamping’
option for luxury travellers who want to do something
different, combining the nomadic lifestyle with all the
trimmings of a super-luxury stay (butler included). The
glamping camps will be in the best destinations across
India and timed with events and festival.
Take a note
India’s government is implementing a ban on liquor sales within
500 metres of state and national highways across the country.
This is likely to impact a number of hotels, with the Supreme Court
rejecting an exemption plea by the hotel industry. The ban took
effect on April 1, but establishments with valid liquor licences will
be permitted to continue operations until the licences expire, but
not later than India’s government is implementing a ban on liquor sales within
500 metres of state and national highways across the country.
This is likely to impact a number of hotels, with the Supreme Court
rejecting an exemption plea by the hotel industry. The ban took
effect on April 1, but establishments with valid liquor licences will
be permitted to continue operations until the licences expire, but
not later than September 30.
Six incidible specials
1.Perfect Destinations is
offering a Golden Triangle
and Mumbai tour from
R17 440pps. The rate
includes eight nights’
accommodation, meals
as per the itinerary,
flights from Johannesburg
to Mumbai (including
taxes) and return airporthotel
transfers.
The offer is valid until
September 30.
2.G Adventures is offering
a 15-day Essential India
package with rates
from R15 930pps.
The rate includes
tours and all transport
between destinations
and included activities
and specific meals. It
excludes international
flights and taxes, visas
and drinks. The itinerary
includes Delhi, Jaipur,
Dhula Village, Agra,
Alipura, Orchha and
Varanasi. Valid for set
departures on April 23
and June 18.
3.JetStar Tours is offering
a 12-day Golden Triangle
package with rates
from R22 999pps in a
double room. The rate
includes return airfares
from Johannesburg to
Jaipur International
Airport, internal airfare
to Mumbai, airport
taxes, 11 nights’
accommodation
in four-star hotels,
transportation,
sightseeing and
breakfast. It excludes
entrance fees (about
R1 100pp), lunch, dinner
and drinks. The itinerary
includes Delhi, Haridwar,
Jaipur and Mumbai.
Valid from April 15 to
June 20 and July 17 to
September 15.
4.Air Mauritius is offering
discounted return fares
on economy-class flights
from Johannesburg
to India. Flights to
Bangalore are from
R7 191; Chennai from
R7 087; Mumbai from
R7 211; and Delhi from
R7 986. Fares include
taxes and surcharges,
subject to change at the
time of booking due to
currency fluctuations.
5.Travel Vision is offering a
five-night Golden Triangle
special with rates from
R13 950. Valid from
July 17 to September
30. The itinerary
includes Delhi, Agra and
Jaipur. Rates include
return airfare and taxes
ex-Johannesburg, two
nights’ accommodation
each in Delhi and Jaipur
and one night in Agra
at four-star hotels, daily
breakfast, transfers,
sightseeing tours,
English-speaking guide,
entrance fees to sites,
elephant ride to ascend
Amber Fort in Jaipur
(subject to availability)
and all applicable taxes.
6.Wendy Wu Tours is
offering a fully inclusive
18-day Kerala and
Southern Highlights
package with rates
starting from
R66 480. The rate
includes international
airfares, domestic
transportation,
departure taxes and
fuel surcharges, all
accommodation, meals
entrance fees and daily
tours, and visa fees for
SA passport holders.
The itinerary includes
Chennai, Bangalore,
Hassan, Mysore,
Coonoor, Munnar, Periyar,
Kumarakom and Kochi.
Highlights include the
opportunity to explore
the colonial buildings
of Chennai; a visit to
Shravanabelagola, one
of India’s most revered
Jain pilgrimage sites;
a ride on the Ooty
Toy Train, a visit to
Periyar Wildlife Reserve
and a cruise on the
Kerala Backwaters in a
houseboat. Valid for set
departures on October 5
and November 2.
Did you know?
India is offering free pre-loaded SIM cards for all tourists arriving on e-visas. The SIM cards are being
provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and come loaded with INR50 (R10) talk time and 50MB
Internet data. Currently, the SIM cards are issued only to e-visa holders at Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi
International Airport (Delhi) and will later expand to all 15 international airports. Tourists only need to fill
out an information form at the airport Bureau of Immigration.
