CELEBRATION -- 9 ::

NILGIRI HOTELS ARE BUSY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY AND CRICKET WORLD CUP

P S SUNDAR

                        The Nilgiris district and Ooty have always been a favourite destination for honeymooners from across the country.     Foreigners link Ooty with romance!

Consequently, the hotel sector holding investments crossing Rs 200 crore in the district, uses Valentine’s Day as a business hub.

“This year, Valentine’s Day comes on Saturday followed by Chinese New Year on Monday.  Besides, ICC World Cup cricket celebration has also started.  So, hotels are hosting Big Screen display spiced with cricket-linked drinks and eats.   This weekend is tellingly busy as many hotels are reporting full-house”, N Chandra Shekar, Secretary, Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association, told me.

Hotels are utilising Valentine’s Day as the platform to launch new long-term packages for sustained business.   “We have announced three gifts to tourists and residents.  Besides hampers to couples partying with us on Valentine’s Day, we are launching on that day a new DJ Club which will welcome dancers every Friday and Saturday nights form now", Sudarshan Motwani, Managing Director, Orchid Square Boutique Hotel, Coonoor, said.

"We are launching monthly and quarterly membership for professionally guided sessions separately for gents and ladies at our Gym.  Third, beginning this Valentine’s Day, women using our Ayurveda Spa called ‘Nilgiris’ will enjoy concessions and the much-needed pick-up and drop by hotel car”, Motwani disclosed. 

Gem Park Hotels and Resorts Ooty has announced special cuisines to celebrate Chinese New Year at its new-look Jade Garden Chinese restaurant. Alongside, it has launched Cricket celebrations.  “We have hosted Big Screen at all vantage points including the lawn where guests can watch World Cup cricket matches live.  To spice up the spirit, we have drinks and starters named with cricket-style”, Gem Park’s Resident Director Ismail Khan said.

"The drinks have been named ‘Between the stumps, Dhawan’s Dance, Sydney Special, All Rounder, Hit Wicket, lbw, Not Out, Morkels Fast Drink, Fun at Melbourne and Steyn’s Time Pass’, " said Food and Beverage Manager  B R Pradeep Kumar.

"The starters are named ‘All-time Dhoni’s Favourite, Virat’s Kozhi (chicken), Mitchelle Starc’s Yorker, Dhawan’s Disguise, Anderson Slide, Sharma’s Sixer, Smith’s Veggie, Suresh Raina’s Sweet Drive, Rohit’s love and Ashwin’s Favourite’," said Executive Chef R Surendran. 

Article in The New Indian Express -- Feb 14, 2015::