Unique Radisson experiences at Khajuraho and Shimla

Radisson Jass Hotel Khajuraho is ideally located close to the historic Khajuraho Group of Monuments, considered as one of the ‘Seven Wonders of India’ and regarded as one of India’s most popular tourist attractions. The impressive Pandav Falls is located less than an hour from the hotel.

While the Radisson Jass Hotel Khajuraho offers many facilities to enrich your stay in Khajuraho; Radisson Jass Shimla, in the Himalaya Mountains, boasts a convenient location near the historic City Centre and inspiring views from its rooms and suites. 

In an interview with BW HOTELIER, Vikas Kapoor, VP Operations, Radisson Jass Hotel Khajuraho and Shimla responds to some interesting questions.

While Khajurao is any tourist’s dream destination, Shimla has its own old world, may I say ‘old world classic raj hill station’ charm that keeps pulling back discerning guests and then a decent word of mouth endorsement does the trick. Having said that, what makes Radisson Khajuraho and Shimla distinct from other hotels in these two locales?

Radisson Hotel enjoys a setting of remarkable beauty as it stands imperiously and dominates the hilly horizon of Shimla amongst the beautiful pines and deodars and majestic views. Radisson Shimla enjoys a reputation for combining the traditions of centuries past with the comfort, services and amenities of the present. With an unrivalled position, the hotel has an inviting atmosphere and outstanding facilities and cuisine. The hotel is ideally suited to all travellers alike as it is situated in the heart of Shimla. 

Perhaps Radisson Jass Khajuraho is a reminder to witness one of the world’s great artistic wonders. The hotel is situated on six acres in the midst of the vast open countryside with gentle undulating landscape and clean, fresh unpolluted air. The hotel offers unmatched quality complemented by a wide array of world class facilities. Nature has bestowed its fullest possible gifts on Radisson Hotel Khajuraho with beautiful lush green ambience. In fact, the unique experiences of both the properties attract the guests again and again.

What’s the typical guest profile at your properties and what in your view appeals to them most for the locations and your hotels there?

Mainly our guests are leisure travellers with a quest for enjoying the serenity of nature. Shimla adorned by a comfortable climate through the year and yes the chill and charm snow fall makes it more attractive, the beautiful sunset views, a walk amongst the majestic pines and the bliss that one experiences; a traveller cannot resist but comes again and again to experience it!

Whereas Khajuraho has its own charm for traveller, the temples, the village experience, the tiger safari; what else would one wish for? The majestic rocks of Raneh falls or the mystic beauty of Pandav falls; Khajuraho has a charm and mystery of its own.

Moreover, the tempting cuisines and matchless services by the skilled team also aids in attracting customers who want to enjoy the world class services offered at both of our hotels. Also, the traveller feels more satisfied and safe at our place as we come with a brand promise to keep them happy, healthy and safe.

Food, in general, has to be a good draw for any traveller in India. How have your F&B offerings evolved over the years to keep getting your guests back?

Much of the clientele today is well travelled and knowledgeable and their expectations are very high. They want creativity, visual appeal and taste to remain unhindered by restrictions. Keeping this in mind our F&B at both the locations have evolved itself to exceed the guest expectations. We have transformed hotel spaces into F&B spaces. Right from the Good Wood Bakery at Radisson Shimla to the Temple Dhaba at Radisson Khajuraho, there are variety of palette tickling delights at various locations in the hotels. For example, enjoy a delicious breakfast and evening dinner at the terrace of The Café Valley Vue Restaurant that serves sumptuous multi-cuisine delicacies, situated next to majestic deodars and pine trees… where traditional Himachali cuisine is served. In Khajuraho, guests’ favourite dining experience is near the pool side in the greens, where local Bundeli cuisine is an added attraction. One can enjoy the bliss and beauty of nature with the love expressed by chefs in their delights at both the places.

What are the drivers for your properties apart from rooms, is it F&B, banquets, weddings or for that matter MICE? Do share with us a pattern and what has changed after the lockdown.

It is a conglomeration of all these. As a hotelier, the focus area for rooms and, F&B area in a hotel is same. But one has to know that rooms have limitations whereas food and beverage doesn’t. With focus on introducing F&B latest trends and guest inclination, it gives a unique experience to customers. Therefore, we are constantly focusing on upholding the unique essence of our branded offerings, which is today rated highly by food connoisseurs from all over the world. Also, Khajuraho is emerging as a wedding destination. Due to the uncertainty of the changes in customer needs after the epidemic, we have reviewed their existing service offerings so as to adapt to the changes in customer experience. The number one consideration post Covid-19 is on health and safety which translates into hygiene and sanitation issues of the hotel. The key is to provide physical evidence of the hotel’s concern for health and safety. 

The focus is on clinically clean rather than aesthetically clean. Food menus are choices of Table d’hote menus each day instead of a full à la carte menu.

What’s more to cope with the sudden increase in demand without sacrificing service quality, hotels can plan ahead for manpower scheduling, assess bottleneck in service delivery, allocate resources and maintain cash flow through pre-sales.

What will be the top five critical factors which will drive hotel sales in 2021?

After the pandemic’s most acute phase, our thrust will be ‘Highlight Safety in Hotel Marketing & Guest Communication. One of the biggest trends within hotel marketing is linked to the increased need to highlight safety measures and hygiene within the marketing content and guest communications. After all, travellers need reassurances that you take the threat of COVID seriously and are taking steps to keep them as safe as possible. 

Understanding the guest’s demands (and booking pattern) - as a profitable hotel business is not high occupancy, rather it is more REVENUE. 

Guest segmentation: Targeting all types of customers for your hotel is a waste of time and money. Therefore, segmenting and pitching the right set of guests is important. 

Using Metasearch to our advantage: When people like a property, they look it up on it on Google, TripAdvisor, Trivago, etc. to get more information about the property. This is an excellent opportunity for us. Therefore, we will add our hotel website on Google My Business listing so that a customer can go to our website and explore the options of booking directly with us. 

Repackage rather than discount: Rather than slashing rates, which can be difficult to recover from financially, instead create unique and appealing packages, add-ons, and upsells.