New hotels in Delhi suburbs start off with a bang in the wedding season

The foyer still gives off the whiff of fresh paint and the lobby is resplendent with blood red orchids. A team of seven chefs and eight service staff has been deputed to the banquet hall at Park Plaza, Noida, specifically for the wedding rush that has just begun. Menus are being decided, décor options discussed and rates negotiated.

Upen Anand, F & B Manager at Park Plaza Noida, says bookings for the eight-month-old hotel have far exceeded his expectations. “We launched in January this year. In November, we’re booked for seven weddings,” he adds. At a starting cost of Rs 1,200 (per person, exclusive of taxes, drinks and other overhead expenses), the hotel can rustle up pizza ovens and live kitchen counters, and organize a party for several hundred people overnight.

The Pearl Ball Room at The Leela Kempinski in Gurgaon is another hotspot for elaborate wedding galas this year. About a week ago, the hotel organised a wedding function for an outstation party and the host booked 270 rooms for his relatives. “In a month’s time, we have organised close to 20 weddings. The proximity to Delhi and the airport has worked well for us and we have ample space to accommodate a sizeable number of people,” says Kunal Chauhan, F&B Manager of The Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon.

“Guests prefer to book rooms as well and stay in the hotel for all the functions, especially in the case of NRI weddings. We recently booked 40 rooms with banqueting for 600 people and for this month, we have a booking for 120 rooms and will be arranging a banquet for 1,200 people,” says Oliver Martin, General Manager, The Claridges, Surajkund.

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