The 16th Andaz to open in the world sets unusual service standards in the NCR. It's all about welcoming the guest to your home, says Heddo Siebs, GM of Andaz Delhi.

THE ANDAZ Delhi opened its doors to guests today, becoming the first in India and the 16th Andaz to open worldwide. The Hyatt Luxury lifestyle brand hopes to bring in a different approach to hospitality with a more relaxed and stylish service and atmosphere.

The hotel, in New Delhi’s Aerocity will have 401 rooms, including 45 suites as well as 129 serviced apartments when it is fully operational. As of now, 240 rooms and suites are operational. The hotel also has a unique attitude towards its F&B outlets which are treated like independent entities and AnnaMaya, the main outlet emphasises on consciously sourced ingredients and local artisanal products. Due to open later is the Hong Kong Club, a multi-level Cantonese evening destination with a bar, club and lounge.

BW Hotelier spoke exclusively to Heddo Siebs, General Manager, Andaz Delhi, the man who has been in the city for two years now overseeing every minute detail of the project with a fine tooth comb, on the launch and what the brand hopes to achieve. Here is an excerpt from that interview.

“Welcome to Andaz Delhi”, Siebs began by telling us adding that he was very happy that the lifestyle brand of Hyatt had finally opened in India.

“I think it's great that we’ve come with such a different product, which gives guest more opportunity to choose what they really want to do and what they really like,” he said.

Everything in the hotel is different right from the way the guests are picked up from the airport in the lovely HM Ambassador cars. “Our guests do recognise that there is no uniform in the hotel and the feedback is also very positive. It's also about how warmly heartfelt the welcome is, from a very young group of people,” he added.

“The hotel looks and feels very contemporary and modern, with art which has been made for the place, created by Rajiv Sethi. We are really trying to transport you to where you realise what Andaz is all about,” he says.

“I think we managed to create something where the young people also feel very comfortable and I think Delhi and India is ready to have something different, where it doesn't need to be so formal and strict,” Siebs said about the style of functioning, adding that of course there were frameworks in place, but the service doesn’t have to be stiff and butler like.

“I think what Andaz is really about welcoming the guests into our house and that's why we don't want uniform. Let's be honest, the best service guests can have is when you welcome your friends and family at your house. You know what they like to eat, you know what they like to drink, it's going to be a great experience from the bottom of your heart. We are trying to recreate just that here, it's about sincere service, because that's where we can make a difference,” he said adding that people would recreate the building and interiors of the property, but it was the attitude of the hotel which could not be replicated.

“What is different about an Andaz is the true culture of the people. Everybody can build a nice new hotel. But to get all the details right is where you make a difference. It's not just buying the hardware and creating a shell, it's all the details, which make the difference and make up the Andaz story”, he concluded.