DRThiruvananthapuram: Tamara, a prominent hospitality group with properties in Kodaikanal, Coorg and Bengaluru, has made an aggressive foray into the Kerala market with the launch of their 5-star hotel O by Tamara. The hotel is the perfect destination for business and leisure, and boasts the biggest hotel Convention Centre in the state capital, at Aakulam.
O by Tamara is the brand’s first flagship property
Shruti Shibulal, who has grown ‘Tamara’ into a sought-after hospitality group, aspires to hit 1,000 rooms by 2025. She has hammered out a string of plans for Kerala, with upcoming projects in Alappuzha, Guruvayoor and Kannur, with a total investment of Rs 300 crore.
Announcing her plans to start their 152-room ‘O by Tamara’ here, Shruti Shibulal, CEO and Director, Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt. Ltd, told a press conference that the decision to initiate operations in Kerala was guided by the state’s considerable progress in tourism and IT sectors.
“Kerala is an evergreen tourism destination and has always attracted visitors from across the globe. We hope to partner with and contribute to the hospitality ecosystem in the state,” said Shruti. “Responsible Hospitality is the foundation of the Tamara group. My vision is to create a hospitality group that meets the highest standards of corporate governance, workplace ethics, sustainability practices and guest delight,” she added.
“We have diligently followed the green protocol right from the initial phases of the construction of the project,” said Shruti. The project is GRIHA-certified and the hotel is looking forward to receiving its GRIHA certification shortly. (GRIHA, the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, is a rating tool that helps people assess the performance of their buildings against nationally acceptable benchmarks).
Highlighting the key features of the hotel, including its 10,000 sq ft Convention Centre, the largest in Kerala’s capital, Shruti said the space can be used entirely or can be divided into two spaces of 7000 and 3000 sq. ft. The hall can accommodate up to 1,250 people in theatre-style seating and up to 500 people in round-table seating.
Located at the first floor with a dedicated elevator from the lobby, the 1809 sq ft Business Centre includes a lounge, a bar, a boardroom, and a 1400 sq ft conference room that offers customisable seating, accommodating up to 125 people in theatre-style and up to 75 in round table-style. The boardroom for formal business meetings, covering an area of 258 sq ft, can seat up to 12 members.
The hotel also offers a sprawling outdoor, poolside lawn of 7,136 sq ft located on the third floor of the hotel, ideal for outdoor functions with a floating crowd of up to 300-350 guests.
There are three categories of rooms: 301 sq ft deluxe and elite rooms and 729 sq ft suite room which includes a separate living room, powder room, and bedroom. The rooms are equipped with 43” HD smart TV, 24-hour high speed Internet, electronic safe, stocked minibar, walk-in shower, laundry services and sound-proof windows.
Apart from a 24-hour-room service for house guests, ‘O by Tamara’ has four luxury restaurants: an all-day diner called ‘O Café’ and LBV, the lobby pastry shop, are open. A stunning rooftop bar and grill, ‘Take Off’ as well as a Sports Bar, will be operational shortly.
A spa, equipped with five treatment rooms, steam, sauna, and jacuzzi, and managed by trained therapists and masseuses, a state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre, and an infinity pool are the other highlights.
In line with the Tamara Hospitality Group’s policy of giving back to the society, ‘O by Tamara’ also employs manpower from the local community.
Sarath Sankar, Head (Sales and Marketing), Tamara was present on the occasion. The media interaction was followed by a walk-through of the property.
Tamara Leisure Experiences
Tamara Leisure Experiences is a hospitality group built on the foundation of ‘Responsible Hospitality’
It owns and operates three brands, viz, ‘The Tamara’, ‘O by Tamara’ and ‘Lilac’:
1. The Tamara resorts: Authentic luxury experiences in unique locations. The Tamara resorts are located at Kodaikanal and Coorg. A third property, an Ayurveda-centric resort, is set to open in 2020 in Alleppey, Kerala.
2. O by Tamara: Modern, city-based hotels that offer outstanding hospitality. The first ‘O by Tamara’is in Trivandrum, Kerala.
3. Lilac: Efficient and comfortable mid-segment hotels. There are currently two Lilac properties in Bangalore. Three more hotels are set to open in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, as well in Kannur and Guruvayoor, Kerala.
4. Properties in Germany
The Group also owns the following properties in Germany: Holiday Inn Express, Guetersloh, Prizeotel Hannover and Courtyard by Marriott Wolfsberg.
