13th August 2019
Having renovated of 108 bedrooms across its two London hotels – the 313-bedroom St James’ Court, a Taj hotel, and adjacent 85-bedroom Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences in SW!. Victoria/Westminster – the India Hotel Company Ltd (IHCL) is now focusing on its F&B offering.
IHCL will replace its Bank & Zander restaurant at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate with an all-day brasserie designed by Conran & Partners, while the group’s first UK Chambers private members’ club will open in the next eight months.
Digvijay Singh, area director UK, said the club would be “less formal” and “more about networking” than in India. IHCL also plans to launch its House of Ming Chinese restaurant brand in London.
The group confirmed it is looking for additional opportunities in central London, Birmingham and Manchester.
The group announced the development of a third hotel last year, a 108-bedroom property at London’s Heathrow Airport which will operate under its upscale brand Vivanta, set to open in 2021.
Founded in 1903 with the opening of the Taj Mahal Palace in Bombay, IHCL is one of India’s largest hospitality companies and operates 170 hotels.
Alongside Taj and Vivanta, IHCL also operates the budget Ginger brand; there are currently no plans to launch the Ginger brand in the UK.