All over the world there is a trend to focus on heritage even as the hotels try to provide the best of modern facilities and amenities.
But doing this is not always easy or even possible, especially when upkeep and refurbishing is concerned. A combination of will, investment, motivation, and market- identification and destination profile is necessary. All these do not come to all.
The owners and other stakeholders must be sensitive and knowledgeable on what and how to do this. Not be stingy with purse strings is one important element, even as revenue streams need to be created.
Lucknow, in the north Indian State of Uttar Pradesh, is steeped in history and heritage. The Le Bua hotel in the city of Nawabs, as Lucknow has been known, is doing much to offer authentic experience to the guests, says general manager Kalpesh Agarwal, who has moved to Lucknow, after much exposure and experience in the gulf areas and Bhutan, among other places.
He and his team, backed by the owners and the company, are ensuring that the 1936 built bungalow offers the best of experience. The property was refurbished in 2016 and has today become well known for cuisine, comfortable stay and warm attentive staff ensure personalised service.
Connecting with the guests and providing memorable experience, is our USP, says Kalpesh.
Executive Chef Mohsin Qureshi, after much research and passion, has developed tempting dishes, both for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food loving guests.
Le Bua Lucknow has 41 rooms, or rather inviting suites offering the best of modern amenities. Old cars in attendance and trained, motivated staff have made the hotel much in demand. This Heritage bungalow has been artistically restored, maintaining its blend of modern hospitality and traditional ethos, merely a 30 mins drive (14 kms) from both international and domestic airport.
Each room is a chic interpretation of historical facets paying subtle homage to heritage. All 41 rooms are individual and represent a stunning piece of art, reflecting quintessential Lakhnavi heritage of living spaces opening onto courtyards and terraces that will take each guest back to an era when Lucknow was synonymous with an ostentatious lifestyle nurtured in its sprawling kothis and havelis.
Weddings is another segment, being targeted by the hotel as also small corporate meets. Banquets, in the well-appointed venues, have added to the life in Lucknow.
Unlike Varanasi or Agra, Lucknow has not attracted many foreign tourists but now hotels like Le Bua and the Taj, as also other properties are keen to invite guests to experience the city and the area.
Tornos, an agency to promote Lucknow, led by Prateek Hira, is doing much to tell of history, food and feel of the destination.
Bangkok-based Le Bua has another property in Corbett National Park and few more may come up, encouraged by the success of the Lucknow and Corbett properties.