Starwood's 150th in APac committed to sustainable luxury. Friday, 16th October 2009 Source : Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The Luxury Collection opens 8th hotel in India as part of Starwood's long term strategic growth plans in Asia.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announces the opening of its 150th hotel in Asia Pacific with the debut of ITC Royal Gardenia, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Bengaluru, India’s third largest metropolis.

Owned by ITC Limited, the hotel features 292 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, tropical gardens, five world class restaurants and lounges, a state-of-the-art business center and a signature spa. 

Committed to sustainable luxury, ITC Royal Gardenia implements research and practices used at the platinum rated ITC Green Centre in Gurgaon, including energy and water efficient plumbing, solar energy, a rainwater harvesting system and zero solid waste, ensuring the hotel remains carbon positive and energy neutral. 

The opening of ITC Royal Gardenia marks The Luxury Collection’s 8th hotel in India, underscoring the brand’s continued expansion in the region as part of Starwood’s long term strategic growth plans in Asia. 

“We are excited to open our 150th Starwood hotel in Asia Pacific with the debut of ITC Royal Gardenia, underscoring Starwood’s long-term strategic growth plans in Asia Pacific.” Said Miguel Ko, Chairman and President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “We are also honored to continue our partnership with ITC, opening our eighth Luxury Collection hotel in India. India has our largest footprint of Luxury Collection hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and this new addition is a demonstration of our commitment to continue to grow the brand in a destination that is so rich in history, culture, colors and flavors.” Added Ko.

“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world's most enriching and desirable destinations, where nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “Offering guests a mix of sophisticated elegance, eco-luxury, stunning design and spectacular location, ITC Royal Gardenia adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection brand’s glittering portfolio.”

“An ‘eco responsible’ ethos is an inherent part of ITC system and in creating ITC Royal Gardenia, the challenge was to see how luxury and responsibility could be in harmony together. True luxury cannot stand alone, it needs to embrace and harness the elements and at the same time give back to nature. We call this responsible luxury. Bengaluru has always been India’s ultimate garden city and in our own small way, we hope to be able to give back to the city what time took away,” said Nakul Anand, Divisional Chief Executive of ITC Hotels Division.

Taking inspiration from Bengaluru’s numerous gardens and public parks, each of ITC Royal Gardenia’s 11 floors follows a design theme based on various elements of nature including earth, water, fire, stone, foliage and more.  Upon entering ITC Royal Gardenia’s wind-cooled atrium lobby, guests are enveloped in a stream of natural sunlight and tropical gardens created by the hotel’s vast windows, high ceiling and over 175,000 plants.  Designed to grow vertically, the indoor gardens are soil free and use a state-of-the-art drip irrigation system to preserve water and energy.  All of ITC Royal Gardenia’s plants have been grown locally, helping to sustain local communities.  Envisaged to exemplify the mood of an unhurried past, a dynamic present and an exciting future, ITC Royal Gardenia offers a lush oasis in the midst of Bengaluru’s bustling business district.

Dining at ITC Royal Gardenia indulges the senses offering a mix of authentic Indian and international fare.    Guests are invited to enjoy dinner at ITC Royal Gardenia’s signature Indian restaurant Kebabs & Kurries, featuring locally grown ingredients and indigenous Bengaluru flavor or at West View Pavilion, where they can enjoy Mediterranean-style grills.

The hotel’s 24-hour all day dining restaurant, Cubbon Pavilion, offers international cuisine and local delights. The décor and architecture of the Lotus Pavilion echoes the spirit of Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and is the perfect setting to experience Bangalore's great weather, while sipping on a hand- crafted beer with a selection of tapas or hors d’oeuvres. An exceptional destination for business travelers, ITC Royal Gardenia features more than 1756 square meters (approximately 19,000 square feet) of meeting and event space all equipped with the latest state of the art technology. 

Located at 1 Residency Road in Bengaluru’s upscale central business district, the hotel overlooks the century-old Bangalore Club in the very heart of the Garden City. The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries including the Gritti Palace, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Grand Bretagne, Athens; Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills; and the Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki.