IHG Announces Opening of First Crowne Plaza in Pune

InterContinental Hotels Group, announced the opening of the first Crowne Plaza in Pune - Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre. The 173-room hotel will operate under a management agreement with The Advantage Raheja Group and has been rebranded from an existing property (Courtyard by Marriott).

Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre lies in the Koregaon Park district located right in the heart of Pune. Situated only a 20 minute drive from the airport and nearby key local businesses, venues and attractions, this hotel is ideal for hosting business travellers who need convenient access to the city while utilising ample space for large corporate meetings and events.

Designed to truly make business travel work, the hotel will undergo an extensive refurbishment to upgrade guest rooms, public areas, restaurants and meeting space. Furniture and fittings and other interior elements will be enhanced to create more inviting dining options and engaging spaces for both business and social interactions. Commencing June 2016, the refurbishment is anticipated to be complete early 2017 and the hotel will remain fully operational during this time.

The hotel is equipped with 24-hour business services and meeting facilities as well as 11,800 sq. ft. of banqueting space. It also features a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre and a newly designed swimming pool, as well as a rooftop restaurant and lounge that are designed to keep guests productive, connected, rested, and refreshed during their stay.

Shantha de Silva, Head of South West Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group (see photo) said, “Over the last few years, Pune has established itself as one of the key commercial hubs of the country and so is a great market for the hospitality industry. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has been recognised globally as a reputable meetings hotel brand for the last 30 years and is the perfect brand to meet the needs of corporate travellers and the growing MICE business in this city. We’re delighted to be partnering with the Advantage Raheja Group on this hotel and look forward to offering business ready services to our guests here.”

Deepak Bhagwandas Raheja, founder of The Advantage Raheja Group said, “Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre will be equipped with the latest technology, quality furnishings and modern meeting facilities and I have every confidence it will be the number one business travel hotel in the city. Pune is expanding along its eastern and western peripheries and gradually transforming into a major tech and biotech centre so it is the perfect destination to develop a quality hotel that caters to the needs of corporate travellers. We’re pleased to be developing a leading business branded hotel with a global player like IHG; the company’s global distribution networks, loyalty programme and portfolio of preferred brands makes them the perfect partner to take the hotel to the next level. We look forward to welcoming our guests with the service and unique amenities they have come to expect at a Crowne Plaza.”

IHG has 27 hotels open across four brands in India including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express with 41 hotels in the development pipeline as of figures on March 31, 2016.

Photo: Shantha de Silva, Head of South West Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group.