South India is to get its first Ecotel property through a joint venture between Concept Hospitality Ltd (CHL) and Ceebros Hotels Pvt Ltd (CHPL). The former is a Mumbai-based management company which also represents the Ecotel certification on behalf of HVS, the latter is part of a Chennai-based real estate major, Ceebros Property Development Pvt Ltd (CPDPL). The unnamed property, which is expected to enter the Chennai hospitality market by the fag end of 2004, will be positioned as a four-star business hotel. It is located in the vicinity of the ITC Hotel Park Sheraton and Towers, on T T K Road, Chennai.

Confirming this latest development, Param Kannampilly, director, Concept Hospitality Ltd, said, “We have signed a 10-year management contract with the Ceebros Hotels Pvt Ltd for this property.” The agreement for the 100-odd rooms was signed very recently.

CPDPL decided to diversify into the hospitality industry sometime in 2001. It even went as far as setting up a new division christened Ceebros Hotels Pvt Ltd. In fact, Ceebros Hotels had initially firmed up plans to set up a 90-room four-star boutique hotel in 2002, however the project did not come through. N Subba Reddy, chairman, CPDPL, was not available for a comment on his diversification plans and the earlier hospitality project.

As per sources, it is understood that Ceebros Hotels in the ensuing years conducted a major study in their effort to identify the right hospitality product and partner to launch their maiden venture. Going ahead with the Ecotel branding and handing over the management to Concept Hospitality is the outcome of this study.

S Sukumar, general manager - projects, Ceebros Hotels Pvt Ltd, spoke to Express Hotelier & Caterer on the details of South India’s first Ecotel, “Work on the property has already begun. We are looking at making the Ecotel operational by the end of 2004. Total investment on the property will come to Rs 25 crore excluding the land cost. Land for the project has been acquired at a cost of Rs seven crore,” he informed.

As far as accommodation and other facilities are concerned, the hotel will feature three types of rooms, viz the regular rooms, executive suites and privileged floors (two floors of business lounges). The promoters are laying major emphasis on corporate conferencing and MICE generated business and therefore will incorporate eight facilities of various sizes into the floorplan. For food and beverage, the Ecotel will boast off three restaurants and a bar.