The hospitality industry has taken rapid strides forward in 2022.
After coming across references to the “circle of life” on multiple occasions, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself experiencing the same. In a previous article (Above and Beyond), I mentioned my regular hospitality sector interface with the Accor brand hotels and their vertical- transportation (VT) facilities at myriad locations beginning with the Al Marjan Island Resort and Spa during a trip to Dubai. This was followed by my stay at the ibis Nashik during my visit to that city for an article on the funicular trolley installed to vertically transport pilgrims to the Saptashrungi temple (Spiritually Uplifting).
I was then invited to attend the opening of ibis Mumbai Vikhroli in Mumbai and elaborated on the same in the aforementioned article published in this publication’s first quarter issue of 2022. Now, while filing articles for the final quarter issue of 2022, I find myself covering yet another opening — ibis Bengaluru Hebbal, which marks the 21st ibis hotel in India.
Strategically located opposite Manyata Tech Park, ibis Hebbal Bengaluru is straddled between the IT hubs of Outer Ring Road-Whitefield and the Bengaluru airport. It is a quick 30-min drive from the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (18 km), and the well-known Bengaluru CBD area. M.G. Road is only 12 km away, and Bengaluru City Railway Station is 13 km away. The hotel is in proximity to some popular tourist attractions and other places of interest in Bengaluru, which contains a healthy mix of metropolitanism and tradition.
Commenting on the opening, JB Singh, president and CEO, InterGlobe Hotels, said:
“This is the fourth ibis hotel in the city, and our designers have done an exceptional job curating this unique lifestyle product to match the needs and demands of the new-age travelers. With every new hotel, we strive to provide our guests with unique experiences through innovative design, best-in-class amenities and our commitment to providing the highest level of service. ibis Bengaluru Hebbal has been designed with our ‘New Generation’ theme, which features highly dynamic, colorful and lively public areas, as well as a uniquely crafted authentic dining experience.
“The rooms are specifically designed to reflect the history, culture and heritage of the city. With the launch of our most recent properties, ibis Bengaluru Hebbal and ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, we are elated to say that we have raised the bar for quality accommodation in the country. We will continue to further push our design boundaries by bringing in global experiences to appeal to the discerning, design-conscious youth of today.”
Puneet Dhawan, senior vice president — Operations, Accor India & South Asia, said:
“The 21st ibis property in India, located in Hebbal, Bengaluru, has begun operations, demonstrating the brand’s robust growth and popularity in the country. With an exciting pipeline, our select service portfolio is also driving momentum for growth in the region. ibis Bengaluru Hebbal is a perfect blend of custom designs and user-friendly technology.
“Located in the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India, the aim with the new ibis is to meet the evolving needs of travelers with our renewed lifestyle approach and loyalty programs. The city is known to attract both business and leisure travelers, and this launch will provide them with a comfortable stay with a dynamic atmosphere to suit a globetrotter’s tastes. We are excited to offer the best in the segment option to cater to our consumers planning to visit Hebbal.”
Irfan Khatry, general manager, ibis Bengaluru Hebbal, said:
“Bengaluru is expanding at a fast pace, and with ibis Bengaluru Hebbal, we aim to cover another micro-market in the city. To cash in on this growth trend, we are pleased to announce the launch of the fourth ibis in Bangalore to attract business travelers in the area. We offer all the contemporary amenities and fascinating hospitality experiences that will make every guest’s stay a memorable experience.”
As always, my attention was primarily drawn to the two Toshiba elevators, which made it possible for me and those gathered for the opening to move easily between floors. By utilizing the space efficiently and effectively, ibis Bengaluru Hebbal, like its predecessors across India, has set a great example by facilitating the guests and making their stay comfortable.
The layout of the lobby is designed in a way that the two Toshiba elevators are conveniently accessible to guests. The “heart and key” elevator design catches the attention of passersby, making them easier to find.
Both elevators provide a smooth ride while being fast enough to minimize wait and travel time, whether traveling to the eighth-floor gymnasium or the upper floor rooms with dazzling views of the city below.
During the 20th ibis Mumbai Vikhroli launch, I quizzed J.B. Singh about the emphasis given to the VT aspect in their hotels. He emphasized that quality is fundamental when choosing this aspect for all of their properties. He said, “We work with the best elevator brands. With buildings getting higher, we feel it is an important aspect to focus on.”
On this positive note, we now look forward to the next ibis launch in India, as well as experiencing its unique hospitality and facilities, including the all-important VT.
About the Hotel
The eight-floor ibis Bengaluru Hebbal features 154 comfortable rooms with large windows, sleek TV panels and the much-loved Sweet Bed by ibis. The new-age rooms are designed to ensure comfort, featuring a couch that can be used as a third bed, a lounge chair or a mini-workstation. The hotel design balances style and functionality, showcasing amenities that meet the needs of new-age travelers who prioritize both work and leisure. The colorful and trendy aesthetics reflect the vibrancy of the ibis brand.
Drawing inspiration from the essence of the city, a local flavor has been specially curated for the rooms with custom destination wallpaper. The rooms depict various local elements such as elephants, a tribute to the Mysore Dasara festival of Karnataka; Hase Chittara, a folk art form and an intricate wall painting traditionally created by the tribal women; the Mysore Palace, known for its impeccable roof art, tiles and intricate mosaics; and paintings of the royal family and Bidri, a renowned metal handicraft that derives its name from Bidar, and the design shows Bidriware techniques and style. Miaja, an interior and architectural design firm from Singapore, built and designed the chic and lively public areas, combining western aesthetics with elements of Indian folk art.
The hotel features progressive technology, including digital menus in the restaurant, mobile check-in and access to over-the-top (OTT) entertainment channels in the rooms, making it the ideal choice for business and leisure travelers. The interactive and pleasing public spaces are sizeable and expansive with fantastic external views that guests and visitors can enjoy all day long.
To provide a holistic experience, ibis Bengaluru Hebbal has the signature multi-cuisine restaurant Spice It with an interactive fireless kitchen and delectable local flavors served 24/7, a lively bar and a cozy corner for book lovers with a mini library. Keeping up with the needs of business travelers, the hotel also offers a 24-h operational fitness center with a beautiful view, two boardrooms and fully equipped convertible meeting rooms. The ground floor also has a music station with an exclusive #ibisMusic playlist as part of the brand’s global collaboration with Spotify.
About ibis
Since 1974, ibis has been a trailblazing brand, open and welcoming to all. ibis hotels are beloved by travelers and locals for their contemporary style, vibrant social hubs, rooms that feel like home, lively bars, satisfying dining options and easy mobile check-in experience. The brand is known for its passion for live music, offering guests playlists curated for every mood and access to exclusive gigs with up-and-coming musicians. No matter where in the world a guest may travel, ibis always feels like the right place to be. With more than 1,200 hotels in 65-plus countries, ibis is recognized across the globe as the leading brand in economy hospitality. ibis is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group counting more than 5,300 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL (Accor Live Limitless) a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
In India, the brand is present across 13 cities: New Delhi, Gurugram, Kochi, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Nashik, Pune, Kolkata, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa and Hyderabad. ibis is known to be a no-frills budget offering from Accor group, which provides quality service.
About InterGlobe Hotels
InterGlobe Hotels is a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and Accor Asia Pacific. It was established in 2004 to develop a network of ibis hotels throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Through its constant commitment to innovation, efficiency and collaboration, InterGlobe Hotels has built and operationalized a chain of 19 hotels in 13 cities and will have a portfolio of 23 operational hotels with more than 4,000 keys by 2024. InterGlobe Hotels has challenged conventional wisdom by rethinking and reimagining the hotel experience and implementing operational excellence to offer its guests truly exceptional services. The company currently has properties in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Pune, Nashik, Jaipur, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi and Coimbatore. InterGlobe Hotels has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and accolades, including the Golden Peacock Award for Risk Management, IGBC Green Champion Award and the AON Commitment to Engagement award.
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