DRNew Delhi: For those who have had the Holy City of Amritsar on their must-visit list, now is the time with Golden Sarovar Portico located just 10 minutes away from the Golden Temple. Just celebrating its first anniversary this November, the hotel is perfect to host intimate weddings, small business meets and everything in between. “We opened with half the inventory same time last year and have registered around 80 per cent occupancy,” says Karan Veer Siag, General Manager.
Recently Amritsar was in the news because AirAsia commenced direct flights from the Holy City to Kuala Lumpur. Spice Jet has also announced direct flights to Bangkok and Goa from Amritsar. The Heritage Street in Amritsar has really increased tourist footfalls to the city. The Golden Temple receives 1.25 lakh tourists everyday which is the highest compared to any other heritage destination in the country. The Wagah Border is also getting a good number of tourists. Soon a 73-member tourist police squad will be deployed in the Holy City.
More than 60 per cent travellers to the city belong to the pilgrim category but the business segment is also fast growing. Of late, Amritsar is attracting small-scale MICE groups also where corporates are trying to weave in business events along with an opportunity for delegates to visit the Golden Temple.
The 51-key Golden Sarovar Portico is one of the finest hotels in Amritsar. Located in the heart of the Holy City, the hotel offers best-in-class guest services, delectable cuisines and a fitness centre.
“The Golden Temple ensures fairly high occupancy around the year. About 50 per cent of our guests are pilgrims,” says Siag. The hotel’s room inventory consists of superior rooms, executive rooms, deluxe suites and a lavish presidential suite. Multi-cuisine restaurant Flavours and Chill, which is the bar, complete the F&B slate. “We will soon have a rooftop restaurant which we plan to open this winter. The Golden Temple can be seen from the rooftop,” informs the GM. Punjabis are foodies at heart and Amritsar has a good local food scene. If F&B cash registers have to ring, resident guests ought to opt for in-house restaurants for lunch and dinner when they have attractive dining options outside. This calls for creating new F&B experiences. “Our revenue contribution is about 50 per cent each from rooms and F&B, which is rather healthy,” adds Siag. The USPs of the hotel are its downtown location, proximity to the Golden Temple and the Sarovar brand of immaculate service.
“We are number three on TripAdvisor, just below Taj Swarna,” beams Siag who started his career with Sarovar in 2003 as a management trainee.
Amritsar has many homegrown and international hospitality brands. Golden Sarovar Portico focuses on product quality and superior service to ensure repeat guests. This is especially true for business travellers and female-only groups from Gujarat, Mumbai and Delhi who frequent the hotel.
The Holy City is fast emerging as one of India’s popular MICE destinations and Golden Sarovar Portico is offering an attractive 3D/2N (Day 1: Conference; Day 2: Golden Temple; Day 3: Wagah Border) all-inclusive package for promoting this segment. American Plan (AP) packages start from Rs. 5500 and MICE segment takes up about 25-30 rooms under double or triple occupancy.
Golden Sarovar Portico has four meeting rooms. Jade I and Jade II are capable of seating 50 pax each. Garnet I and Garnet II can accommodate 100 pax each.
The hotel does not have a swimming pool but this will be addressed if expansion plans move forward. “We are trying to secure land and should expand in the next six months,” confirms Siag. “This will take care of the pool, spa, kids’ play area and the like.”
For reservations: +91 183 515 1000 or gspa@sarovarhotels.com
