New golf resort for Le Meridien in Nepal

Phased opening on schedule to start November

The first phase of Le Meridien Kathmandu will open in the Nepalese capital this November, fulfilling the luxury hotel operator’s long-held ambition to play a key role in the diversification of the country’s tourism product.

Set in the 470-acre site of Kathmandu’s city’s Gokarna Forest, a former Royal hunting reserve, the 100-room resort property will encompass the country’s only 18-hole golf course – a par-72 course designed by Gleneagles Golf Developments of Scotland.

"As well as a unique championship standard golf course on their doorstep with views of the Himalayas - hotel guests can also try some of the other local nine-hole courses, opening up opportunities for dedicated golf tourism in Nepal," said Russel Sharpe, regional vice president, sales & marketing, Le Meridien.

The hotel has been designed in the architectural style of the Malla period as seen in Kathmandu’s Durbar square. A series of interlinked blocks will be clustered around two restored heritage buildings, that include two spectacular tower rooms and two 117 sq metre ethnic Nepali suites.

The initial phase of the project will open with 16 rooms and a restored Hunter’s Lodge, providing ample facilities for golfers and guests. A further 68 rooms will be completed by summer 2002 and the balance later that year.

The completed complex will boast a heated swimming pool, health centre and gymnasium overlooking the forest, and prime conference facilities and business centre.

All air-conditioned rooms will be fitted with satellite television, Internet access, electronic safes, mini bar and tea and coffee making equipment, and 24-hour concierge and room service will be available.

"We will offer a unique sporting opportunity in Nepal, backed up by superior standards of comfort and service," claimed Sharpe. "While the country has faced difficulties in recent times, Le Meridien has long recognised the potential of such an exotic destination, one where cultural tourism, eco-tourism and soft adventure tourism can all be expanded."

He said there were limitless possibilities for expansion, particularly given the increase in air access in to the country with both Middle East and European carriers.

"As travellers grow bored with traditional holiday destinations, there is a great future for countries such as Nepal that offer a unique combination of natural and cultural assets – and our hotel will be fully in keeping with those criteria, complying fully with environmental and heritage guidelines."

The Kathmandu hotel is part of Le Meridien’s strategy to operate hotels and resorts in key cities throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is currently the largest operator of international branded hotel stock there, with six properties in India alone.

"Our strategy was to begin with a presence in all the key metropolitan gateways – which we have achieved with hotels in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune – but then our target expanded to include leisure destinations such as Cochin and Kathmandu, and we are also looking at resorts for Goa, Jaipur and Dehradun," said Sharpe.

The potential of the vast Indian subcontinent has long been acknowledged, but international hotel names have been slow to enter the field, in part due to standard business practices that have meant franchise operations were the traditional route for entry.

"Owners have been reluctant to give management contracts as they did not feel that there were benefits or advantages … but we have demonstrated that bringing in an international recognised name gives an edge to any hotel," explained Ashok Ummat, senior vice president, finance, for Le Meridien.

"As well as global standards, we also introduce programmes and systems that can drive higher rate business through established distribution channels."

As part of this strategy, Le Meridien has become the first hotel operation in India to set up a nationwide toll-free reservation system, and is already reaping the benefits with increased bookings for the outbound market.