Sahara group forays into hospitality sector

The Sahara Group made its foray into the hospitality industry with the launch of Sahara Star, a five-star deluxe hotel-cum-tourist hub near Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Santacruz on Monday. The hotel has 223 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, including 13 suites. This will be further increased to 412 rooms including 19 suites.

Tagged as the hotel with the world’s largest pillar-less and clear-to-sky dome, Sahara Star has a circular design with guest rooms, sound-proofed due to the hotel’s proximity to the airport, facing the inner courtyard. There are also has landscaped gardens are located inside the hotel.

The Sahara Star was launched at a glittering function which was attended by a star-studded guest list. This is the first venture announced by the Subrata Roy-owned Sahara Group after its exit from the airlines industry this April, when Naresh Goyal’s Jet Airways acquired Air Sahara for Rs1,450 crore.

“Mumbai is experiencing a strong economic resurgence and is attracting a whole new set of business and leisure travellers. Sahara Star, a dynamic leisure and business hotel, represents the most individualised hospitality experience. It is poised to offer traditional Indian splendour with contemporary Western elegance, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities. Blending a touch of comfort, modern efficiency and warmth, we cater to the changing needs of our guests,’’ said, Vivek Kumar, CEO, Sahara Star

However, when asked about the investment that the Group had made in the re-development of the Centaur Hotel, which is now Sahara Star, Kumar refused to comment. “I can’t divulge any details about the total investment because the project is still in progress,” he said.

According to sources, the Group plans to launch 24 such hotels, including one in Nagpur, within the next one year. ‘’We have land in 92 places across the country, which we would like to develop for our new venture,’’ a Sahara Group official said.

Set to open in two phases - Curtain raiser and Magnum Opus -Hotel Sahara Star will have nine specialty restaurants and bars. The central courtyard features a 55,000sqft tropical lagoon and a 4,000sqft marine aquarium. The hotel will also feature presidential boardrooms and ‘Ila’ - the Sahara Spa and Wellness Centre.