ITC Royal Bengal has completed three glorious years in Kolkata. ITC Hotels’ second property in the city after ITC Sonar, has become a landmark in the city and in the hotel industry across the country. On the occasion of its third birthday, The Telegraph chatted with Gaurav Soneja, general manager of ITC Royal Bengal, on the journey, plans ahead and other highlights.
How would you sum up ITC Royal Bengal’s last three years?
I just can’t believe how fast these three years have gone by. Kirtika is timeless, a city with a soul, it is a city of love. At ITC Royal Bengal, we are filled with gratitude for the love and patronage we have received from the people of this city.
The ‘one-of-a-kind’ experiences we have delivered in the last three years have been acknowledged and celebrated by many. The hotel endeavours to pay homage to the rich repository of intellect that has characterised Bengal through the ages. As we celebrate three years of ITC Royal Bengal, we welcome new paths of growth and prosperity. The pandemic brought with it unprecedented times for the hospitality industry. The past two years were challenging but we have bounced back stronger. Despite challenges, the hotel has stood tall in its glory and has come out more resilient than ever.
What changes have you seen in the property?
ITC Royal Bengal has manifested a truly global cosmopolitanism. It has become an iconic landmark. Our patrons often share pictures of the monumental edifice taken from aircrafts. Additionally, F&B is thriving! People of Kolkata are adventurous when it comes to exploring new cuisines. Dining out is not limited to weekends anymore. We are seeing bigger turnouts now that people are moving out of their homes.
This calendar year we will see the launch of Avartana and the expansion of Grand Market Pavilion. Avartana promises to bring to our guests an exclusive blend of traditional and progressive renditions of south Indian cuisine. Grand Market Pavilion is popular with our patrons for our expansive buffet so much so that there is always a wait.
ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar are the new entertainment destinations in the city with three new bars offering live entertainment. Our newly opened rooftop bar, Skypoint, offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, while The Brass Room hosts new-age bands which play jazz, blues, and western music and has a DJ. Skypoint, on the other hand, offers the best of retro classics played by the city’s finest bands. Soon-to-debut Highland Nectar at ITC Sonar will also have music as a component. In this calendar year we will open Club Prive, a membership-only club.
A glimpse into Club Prive
How has ITC Royal Bengal been a game changer in the hospitality industry?
With the decade-strong ‘Responsible Luxury’ as our guiding premise, we, at ITC Royal Bengal, are committed towards delivering world-class luxury experiences that address the most critical needs of wellbeing and safety through responsible practices. ITC Royal Bengal is a world-class offering that complements ITC Sonar, the luxury business resort. Accommodation benchmarks have been reset after the opening of ITC Royal Bengal and, of course, there is our unmatched offering in MICE and weddings and F&B. They celebrate the eternal spirit of the land with the warmth of Indian hospitality and the ethos of responsible luxury at their heart.
To what would you attribute the success of ITC Royal Bengal?
It’s not the brick-and-mortar but our people who have made our hotel reach where we are today. The warmth that ITC Royal Bengal has to offer to its guests is unmatched. Guests become patrons, and patrons carry our success forward. As we change and grow, the beliefs that are most important to us stay the same — putting people first, pursuing excellence, embracing change, acting with integrity and delivering enriching experiences in a sustainable manner.
Tell us about your three landmark events and the challenges faced while doing them...
ITC Royal Bengal addresses the needs of both business meetings and social events. Since its launch, ITC Royal Bengal is a preferred venue for all high-profile weddings and socials. Bengal Stateroom is the largest pillar-less hall in the city, spread over 16,400sq ft. ITC Royal Bengal has also been the venue of choice for many luxury automobile showcase events. Additionally, sports event launches have taken place here.
During the pandemic ITC Hotels launched Gourmet Couch, which brings home the culinary legacy of ITC Hotels’ finest cuisine from their award-winning Italian, Pan Asian and North West Frontier kitchens. At ITC Hotels, offering our guests experiences that are in harmony with the best environment and social standards is integral to our philosophy. Our ‘WeAssure’ initiative launched during this period is an industry first in enhancing hygiene and safety protocols within our hotels. Legendary standards in accommodation and chef curated menus offering the best from our kitchens combine to offer an unforgettable experience.
Pictures: ITC Royal Bengal
Most popular drinks and cocktails at the hotel...
The Share Market Chai at Darjeeling Lounge is a crowd-puller with its enticing strong flavours of prized Indian spices, popular with the locals. The Finishing Touch at The Brass room is a must-try. It’s our signature tropical and creamy cocktail, a tribute to mishti doi, which is also the key ingredient. Another recommendation is the Coconut Margarita, a refreshing drink, which combines the creamy body of coconut with rum, tequila or vodka. What makes it special is that the coconuts are grown in our gardens.
Three most popular restaurants in the hotel...
Grand Market Pavilion with its inspiration from the erstwhile Hogg Market is very popular among guests. The restaurant serves an immersive culinary experience. It’s always vibrant and bustling, showcasing the finest local, Indian and global fare. There is a first-of-its-kind dedicated section for North-eastern cuisine, representing all the eight states. Ottimo Cucina Italiana offers delectable authentic flavours to our guests, which come from experience of years of culinary mastery rooted in traditions from Italy. Royal Vega promises to offer the grand fare of vegetarian Indian food from the Royal Kitchens. The menus are seasonal. The Ritu Khasa is a must-try here.
Three most popular selfie backdrops...
The Grand Stairway at Royal Bengal takes inspiration from the grand winding staircases in mansions. Our grand staircase reflects a culture of exceptional enterprise. It resonates with the grand lifestyles of Bengal’s nobility. The ITC Royal Bengal architecture is so magnificent and iconic that it serves as a selfie backdrop and people tend to upload an image of the property while passing by. The views of the East Kolkata Wetlands from the rooms are breathtaking and often we see guests posting it on their social media platforms.