The Taj and the Trident reopen today

Back on their feet less than a month after the terror attacks

 
Sprucing up: Taj Mahal Hotel staff decorate a Christmas tree in the lobby on Saturday, the eve of the hotel’s reopening.

Mumbai: Terror-torn luxury hotels — The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and the Trident — will reopen their doors on Sunday after a gap of less than a month.

At a press conference here on Saturday, Rattan Keswani, president, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, told the media that the Trident would have 100 rooms occupied on the reopening day and its restaurants — India Jones, Frangipani, Opium Den and the Verandah — already received reservations calls.

In the wake of the attacks, the hotel sought expert help in upgrading security. “We have hired the best security consultant,” Mr. Keswani said.

Although he did not divulge the extent of spending on security upgrade, he said it was quite a lot. He spoke of the likelihood of the presence of armed guards and barricades at the entrances.

“The hotel will have large baggage scanners. Every piece of hand baggage will be checked, metal detectors will be in place at every entrance and there will be an identity check. However, these surveillance and security measures will be as “unobtrusive as possible,” he said.

The restoration of the Trident cost the Oberoi group, which manages the Oberoi and Trident hotels, about Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 lakh.

Of the two, the Oberoi suffered heavy damage and will reopen only after an estimated time of seven months. No decision on its reopening has been taken so far. The assessment process is likely to get over in 15 days, said Mr. Keswani. The restoration of the Oberoi will cost Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 50 crore. The insurance company, New India Assurance, already released Rs. 25 crore, he said.

Now the Trident’s lobby, the main affected area, sparkles — its unblemished look healing the discomfiting memory of the horror. Twenty-two guests and 10 staff lost their lives at the Trident and Oberoi, said Mr. Keswani.

According to Mr. Devendra Bharma, Executive Vice-President, during the attack, 135 guests were evacuated from the Oberoi and 316 guests were evacuated from the Trident. Guests dining at the restaurants were also evacuated.

He also said the hotel saw cancellations up to 30 to 35 per cent. However, this was true not just of this hotel, but in hotels all over the country. Moreover, this being the holiday season, the number of foreign guests is anyway low.

According to a Taj press note dated December 17, “268 rooms will be available, which include nine suites and six club rooms. The evening of December 21 will also see The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower reopening its world-renowned restaurants and eateries on the dot at 7.30 p.m., including The Zodiac Grill, Souk, Masala Kraft, Aquarius, Shamiana, Starboard and La Patisserie. Also reopening will be the Rooftop Rendezvous Banquet Hall and the Chambers.”

Both the Taj and the Oberoi have set up funds to help those affected by the attacks — the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust and the Oberoi Care Fund.