SilverNeedle plots Asian expansion, includes India
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A new hospitality company has arrived on the Asian scene promising a new breed of modern, consumer-friendly hotels.
SilverNeedle Hospitality, which is owned by India’s Nadathur Group, has major expansion plans across the Asia Pacific region with a targeted inventory of 10,000 rooms in the next five years. This major roll-out will comprise a mix of both white-label properties and SilverNeedle’s new upscale hotel brand, NEXT, which will focus on user-friendly accommodation with the latest technology. NEXT hotels will typically be 150-200 rooms in size, with features including free Wi-Fi, self-service business centres, and a ‘neighbourhood lobby’ concept, with recognised F&B brands contracted to operated within properties.
Geographically, the new properties will be split evenly between China, Southeast Asia and the Indian Sub-Continental, with the Sri Lankan city of Galle likely to see the first NEXT following the signing of a joint venture agreement with the Sunshine Group, which will eventually see five SilverNeedle properties developed on the Indian Ocean island. The company has also acquired plots of land in the Indian cities of Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune.
Speaking exclusively to Travel Daily at ITB Asia this week, SilverNeedle’s President, Bill Black said that his company was trying to provide what the modern traveller really wants.
“When we designed the rooms for NEXT, we wanted to get rid of those things that aren’t essential and create a more open-plan concept. So we took about the bathtub and replaced it with a really good shower unit. We also recognise that most business travellers stay alone, so we have an open-plan bathroom which can be partitioned if necessary. We removed the working desk and replaced it with a new moveable unit, which includes multiple power connections, and which guests can use either in bed or while seated. Technology is a key KPI for the brand,” Black explained.
The company’s city hotels rooms will be approximately 26-30m