SRINAGAR: In the backdrop of political uncertainty and to the annoyance of environmentalists, Jammu & Kashmir got its first five-star hotel on the hilltop at Karalsangri in Nishat. Built by Saifco Hill Crest, the new hotel will be managed by the international chain, Taj Group .
After lesser luxury hotels like the Lalit and Centaur Lake View on the banks of Dal Lake, Saifco Hill Crest Hotel, spread over six acres on the hilltop overlooking the Dal Lake has 89 rooms and six suites, including a 2,500 sq feet presidential suite. Besides, it has restaurants, spa, fitness centres, banquet facilities and a business centre.
"It took us more than two decades to complete this hotel with state-of-the-art facilities. There were many glitches along the way after it was conceived in the early 1980s," said Altaf Ahmad, partner, Saifco Group. It was only after they got into an agreement with Vivanta, a brand owned by Taj group's upscale chain, that things fructified.
"It was impossible to think that the hotel could be ready in 2010 summer when there was widespread unrest. We also had the final facelift of the hotel stopped. But now we are ready," Ahmad said.
Owing to its location on a hilltop surrounded by forests, and overlooking the Mughal gardens, the Dal lake and historical monuments around it, former governor Jagmohan had its construction stopped in 1986 for environmental reasons.
Work began again in stops and starts during Farooq Abdullah government in 1987 with Saifco getting favorable court orders.
The owner of Saifco group of industries, Saif-ud-Din, said, "The plan to build a hotel at Kralsangri was conceived by Sheikh Abdullah. Its foundation stone was laid by Farooq Abdullah and it was inaugurated by his son, Omar Abdullah."
Addressing concerns of environmentalists Saif-ud-din said the hotel area is polythene free and a no-smoking zone. Union energy minister Farooq Abdullah, who was present for the inauguration, said the hotel came up after facing a plethora of problems including insurgency. "It will help boost our tourism sector," he said.
1 comment:
Surprised to read that Taj is the first in J&K? Because I went to Srinagar in Auguts last year and stayed at Lalit grand palace which is a 5 star hotel.
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