Lonavala to have Taj resort soon

MUMBAI: Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which runs Taj group of hotels, has entered an agreement with Wilds and Water Developers, a part of the Pune-based Kakade Group, to operate a new Taj resort at Lonavala near Mumbai through a management contract.

Under its new MD & CEO Puneet Chhatwal, IHCL is perusing an asset-light model to expand its network. And, this contract is in line with this strategy.

“We are delighted to partner with the Kakade group in bringing our latest leisure offering to Lonavala. Consolidating our presence across key leisure circuits has always been our focus, and Lonavala presents the right opportunity as a getaway for travellers in and around Mumbai and Pune,” said Suma Venkatesh, executive vice-president, real estate & development, IHCL.

The Taj-branded resort at Lonavala will have easy access through the Mumbai-Pune expressway. To be located along the waters of Lake Pawana and amidst hills, the resort will span over 30 acres of land and have 150 guest rooms, a specialty restaurant and a bar.

“We are proud to partner with the iconic Taj brand and bring their famed hospitality to Lonavala. With this partnership, we (along with our development partner, David Lazarus), aim to create a first-of-its kind Taj resort in Maharashtra and provide a unique experience to our customers,” said Vikram Kakade, director, Kakade group.