Taj Opens its 28th Gateway Hotel in Pune

Pune: Taj Hotels on Friday opened The Gateway Hotel Hinjawadi here and is looking at expanding the brand to tier II and III cities as well as overseas.

"We are happy to bring the Taj brand of hospitality to a second location in Pune. It is the full service upscale brand of the group. We are excited to be present in new emerging locations like Hinjawadi," Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Senior Vice President-Operations (West India) and Africa, Farhat Jamal told reporters here.

With the launch of this hotel, Taj Hotels has 28 properties under The Gateway Hotel brand, including one in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

When asked about the company exiting from its contract in The Gateway Hotel Jodhpur and Ahmedabad, Jamal said, "The industry is evolving. There are relationships that will continue and there are relationships that may not continue over a period of time. You bring in more members in the Taj family. We are happy to nurture those relationships. Some people who are knocked out are knocked out".

The Gateway Hotel Hinjawadi Pune, which is in association with Paranjape Schemes (Construction) Ltd on an eight-year extendable contract, features 150 rooms, including 6 suites. 

"The hotel is an ideal option for business travellers as well as guests looking for successful conferences. A unique offering would be the availability of night conferences, considering the timing of the IT and BPO industry, a first in the city," The Gateway Hotel Hinjawadi General Manager Albert Rebello said.

The company is planning to soft launch The Gateway Hotel Ajmer on November 30 and another one in Corbett soon. Established in 1901, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest group of hotels, comprising 97 hotels in 61 locations across the country with an additional 16 international hotels.