BW HOTELIER spoke to General Manager Rohit Dasgupta to understand the developments in the Ahmedabad market, how his industry experience strengthens the hotel and his strategy going forward

In the Ahmedabad market is a hotelier with 25 years of qualitative experience and expertise in guest service excellence, revenue management, hotel pre-opening and new projects, hospitality training to a diverse workforce and profit centre operations with luxury hotels in India. Rohit Dasgupta, currently holding the position of General Manager at Renaissance Hotel Ahmedabad started his career with Hilton in New Delhi and has worked with The Oberoi Group, Taj Hotels and Resorts, The Imperial and Radisson Hotels.  

BW HOTELIER spoke to Dasgupta to understand the developments in the Ahmedabad market, how his industry experience strengthens the hotel and his strategy going forward. 

Excerpts: 

Ahmedabad is India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, making it not only economically but also culturally significant. Why should one choose Renaissance Ahmedabad while visiting the city for business or leisure?

With a strong heritage of over 600 years, Ahmedabad a Heritage City by UNESCO, a prime city in Gujarat, stands strong along the banks of the Sabarmati River. It’s an architectural, art and crafts and cultural hub and is well known for its vibrancy. The rich handicraft and architecture of the city are widely known. 

Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel is a modern icon that exudes a charm that enriches any stay in Ahmedabad. Ideally located in Ahmedabad's commercial capital, our premium five-star hotel is near GIFT City and local landmarks. Living up to the brand philosophy of ‘Discover this Way’ of Renaissance Hotels, the Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel, encourages guests to experience and discover the local culture, taste, and flavours with curated offerings complimenting their stay which is perfect for both business and leisure travelers. 

‘We Pursue Excellence - Our dedication to the customer shows in everything we do. Marriott’s reputation for superior customer service dates back to J. Willard Marriott’s original goal for his business: “good food and good service at a fair price.” We take pride in the details—every day, in every destination worldwide.

Our rooms and suites offer plush bedding, modern technology, and spa-like bathrooms for serene escapes in the city. A rooftop infinity pool and fitness center allow you to collect yourself and take in the moment. Guests can choose from eclectic dining options including Pan-Asian restaurant - KURO, versatile Sunday brunch at R Kitchen and Mill & Co. for freshly brewed coffee and flaky pastries as well as flavorful mocktails, sandwiches and snacks. This cozy coffee shop is ideal for meals on the go. 

In addition, the hotel is the heart of unique events featuring bespoke event venues including a boardroom and beautiful outdoor lawn, one of the largest of its kind in Ahmedabad. Guests can also enjoy the Infinity Pool and the hotel’s Fitness Centre available 24 X 7 with guided assistance. You can further make the most of your stay as a Marriott Bonvoy Member.

Your industry experience includes various roles at leading hospitality groups like The Oberoi, Taj, The Imperial and the Radisson Hotel Group. How do you think your 25 years multi-faceted experience helps you strengthen Renaissance brand position in the city’s hospitality market?

My passion for hospitality was born from my enthusiasm to travel and discover new cultures, mixed with the energy to build unique and responsible businesses. Luxury hospitality offers a rich field where you learn from a variety of specialties including culinary, spa and wellness, strategy, marketing, revenue growth, as well as room management. I truly enjoy engaging and interacting with guests, creating bespoke experiences that will ultimately leave a “lasting memory”. Continuous transformation is required to succeed and that would be one of my strongest competencies: I have constantly adapted ways of working, leadership, and organization ahead of business needs. Every success my team has achieved can be attributed to a proactive refresh of the way we deliver value to our guests. 

Gujarat, recognised as a leading industrialised state, has been poised in the national growth narrative. Ahmedabad has taken center stage with its indomitable spirit of enterprise by being strategically located and is the pride of rapid and inclusive development in the last two decades. All are dedicated to enabling a new aspiration for the people of India, born out of this development. 

Our endeavor at Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel is to establish a viable and sustainable business ecosystem, enhancing the hotel’s key catchment area, creating hotel infrastructure in accordance with projected traffic, ensuring safe & efficient hotel operations along with a brand promise of being a pleasant experience for our guests at Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel.

In recent years, Ahmedabad's business and industry landscape has expanded with growing investment and tourist footfalls. How do you see the developments and what’s your strategy to increase your market share?

At Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel we analyze the business performance on a daily and monthly basis to know where we currently stand: to help have the agility to define our bottom line and revenue streams to marketing efforts and online review scores. It is crucial that the right rates strategy, marketing calendar, dates for promotions, and group offers. Our teams work meticulously to create an accurate and personalized road map for each month that will help guide our sales strategy in the right direction.

We place Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel’s best and most differentiating aspects at the forefront of our website and social media accounts so potential guests can start their experience before they even arrive for their stay. As part of the Renaissance brand experience, we provide a unique guest experience that becomes a part of our hotel’s value proposition. 

Has the state’s art, culture and heritage-inspired the property’s offerings? How?

The design philosophy of being rooted to the soil, Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel draws inspiration from the two rivers Sabarmati and Narmada along with the iconic architecture of the Vavs – or step-wells and vibrant culture and colours of the kites which come alive during the Uttrayan festival. All these portray the grandeur of Gujarat. The intricate handicraft & the vibrant culture of Gujarat find expressions through the latticework, detailed motifs, in-room embellishments & art across the hotel.

Please tell us about your Summer Staycation at the Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel.

The staycation at Renaissance offers a range of delightful offerings. Guests can begin their day with a complimentary breakfast and indulge in a delightful hi-tea for two adults. For lunch or dinner, savor a specially curated menu designed to tantalize your taste buds, and a complimentary room upgrade depending on availability.

Children, aged below 12 years, will receive a complimentary stay and breakfast, making it a perfect family getaway.  Enhance your family bonding experience with complimentary taste panels led by our talented chef. Additionally, kids will have the opportunity to participate in 30-minute cooking sessions with our chef. They will learn exciting culinary skills while having fun in the kitchen. Guest will enjoy a 20% discount on food and beverages, as well as laundry services. This way, they can indulge in delectable meals and enjoy a hassle-free stay while saving some extra money

What are your expectations for this summer holiday season?

After experiencing an unprecedented travel season last year, this summer is anticipated to be another remarkable one, with individuals eagerly embarking on journeys to discover new destinations or revisit their favorite ones. Despite the scorching summers in Ahmedabad, we anticipate a significant influx of staycations and travelers from other cities in Gujarat converging in Ahmedabad. Additionally, we expect Ahmedabad to serve as a hub for travelers venturing to the Gir Lion Reserve, Statue of Unity and various other tourist attractions.

Overall, we are eagerly anticipating a delightful summer filled with exciting adventures and memorable experiences.