Heritage Hotels in India
Besides Real Estate, the Hotel industry is also booming in India. I have always felt, Heritage Hotels are a very good way to preserve and restore old architecture, as well as leverage them. India already has a heritage of doing this in Rajasthan and many other places.
I would like to see this tradition continued elsewhere, as the travel and tourism industry in India takes off at a grand scale in the upcoming years.
A recent restoration project that I experienced was Pieve a Pava in the village of San Giovanni d’Asso in Tuscany. With an Etruscan foundation, medieval catholic heritage on top of it, the property has been beautifully restored by Carol Vanwonterghem, and recently turned into a bed & breakfast. Every bit of detail cared for, and with a strong sense of respect for the history and soul of the house, Carol’s work of art is truly moving. [Website: www.pieveapava.com.]
Another beautiful restoration project that I saw during my recent trip to Italy is La Posta Vecchia, in the ancient port town of Alsium, near Rome. Built over Etruscan ruins, they have preserved artifacts in an underground museum, much like Jerusalem, while a beautiful villa sits above.
[…] Meanwhile, you have been reading my very personal story, As India Builds, lamenting India’s relentless architectural destruction. In this story, for the first time, I have talked about my own history, which perhaps explains some of my extreme and unapologetic sensitivity to design and style. [Two follow-on pieces to these are, India’s Real Estate Boom and Architecture, and Heritage Hotels]. […]
Hi Sramana - Yes, as you observe, the Heritage Hotel scene in India is active. Rajasthan leads the pack, having started years ago. Notable new entrants are Goa & Kerala. Over the last 3 years, we have tracked down over 300 Indian heritage hotels and listed them on HolidayIQ. Recently, our research team has discovered old palaces & havelis converted into hotels in unlikely places such as Chattisgarh & Kumbakonam.
There has been a major increase in the demand for Hotel rooms in India in the past couple of years. Many Hospitality brands in India and abroad have recognized this and have taken the initiative to bridge this gap.
I guess one company I am aware of that does good work is Welcom Heritage Group. Its a group that has provided Heritage properties a collective business model as well as a platform. Neemrana Hotels is another success story that one should look at.
A little incentive for preservation of old buildings /houses will help the cause.
I have stayed in Welcome Heritage Group’s Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling. It is getting progressively unimpressive, unfortunately.