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India Today Travel Plus
May 2010 Issue
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India Today Travel Plus
May 2010 Issue
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India Today Travel Plus
May 2010 Issue
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May 2010 Issue
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New Indian Express (Indulge)
8th Jan 2010
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Business Line
14th May 2010
02
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Meenakshi’s Madurai
124
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Meenakshi’s Madurai
128
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Jade
Meenakshi’s Madurai
129
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Inbox1305
March 2010 Issue
26
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March 2010 Issue
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March 2010 Issue
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Environmental Industry Story
Just for women
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24
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Environmental Industry Story
Just for women
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26
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Financial Chronicle
5th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Financial Express
5th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
News Today
6th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Rajasthan Patrika
6th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Mathrubhumi
7th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Economic Times
7th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Musalman
7th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
New Indian Express
7th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
The Hindu
8th May 2010
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Grand Luxe rebranding
Travel Talk
June 2010 Issue
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Heritage Madurai New Year Celebration
The Hindu (Metro Plus)
31st Dec 2009
Check it out, what's hot and happening today in the city with SOMA BASU and T.SARAVANAN
SPECTACULAR Fun filled moments PHOTO: G.MOORTHY
If the Christmas night's dinner reservations in the city's major hotels last week are any indication, then
tonight too is the time to rock. Not only is the hospitality industry brimming strong and riding high on
new year celebrations this winter, the star hotels are fast getting blocked as enquiries and requests for
reservations continue to pour in.
“The response is amazing. And so we are also going full blast to make it special for our guests,” gushes
Neranjan Morais, Executive Chef, Hotel Heritance. He has been working till past midnight this entire
week given the full occupancy at the boutique hotel and expects a crowd of 300-plus who will “Blast
thru to 2010”.
“With a colonial theme given our property's setting, We are offering elaborate menus and good music,
cultural programme, magic show, lucky draw and fireworks. And of course we have our brand name
too,” says Raj Sekhar, Executive Chef of The Gateway. He too after last year's bleak tourist scenario is
overwhelmed by the numbers this season.
Confident
“There is a lot of corporate movement along with family gathering happening all around. This has
motivated us to bring in creativity and innovation. Especially after a relatively bad year, the industry is
brimming with confidence. Besides, the conservative city's dining culture too has vastly improved and
we are in a position to experiment new avenues,” shares V. Arul Murugan, Food and Beverages
Manager, GRT Regency.
Echoes the F&B Manager of Hotel Fortune Pandiyan, Ramesh Metla: “Recession has slipped into
amnesia and the mood is buoyant. With positive energy surrounding us, we are expecting a 100 per cent
increase in everything, the celebrations, revenues, gate crashers.”
Of course the entry to the “Egyptian Allure” at Hotel Fortune Pandiyan is restricted to 200-odd couples.
“We can easily have more guests in our space but we want people to enjoy and not get lost in the
crowd,” adds Mr.Metla. The event is being organised by the Rotary Club of Madurai Metro, where you
can zoom back in time to ancient Egypt. The organisers promise an authentic and traditional ethnic fare
complete with Egyptian food, music, vendors, statues, pyramids, desert oasis, water fountain, palm tree.
Guests are encouraged to dress as per the culture, a la Cleopatra or a mummy or an archaeologist or like
Egyptian Gods.
And once all the games are over with over 150 prizes thrown in, an Egyptian feast will await the party
hoppers. Chicken kebabs, fried zucchini and falafels, hummus and pita bread, potato and cabbage salad,
baklawa or pyramid shaped desserts.
If Egypt doesnt lure you, then a midnight date with nature might. For next door, Hotel Sangam has
attempted to move closer to nature with its “Jungle Rumble” for their New Year eve show. The fun show
managed by CN Event and Entertainment and anchored by Jennifer of Hello FM will have Siva
Karthikeyan of Vijay TV fame leading 'Manada Mayilada' stars Neepa and Niwas team and the show also
features ‘Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva' fame Vinoth.
“The cuisine will be truly exotic, as we have planned to lay out a gastronomical variety including seafood
grills and preparation with quails apart from the regular and popular dishes,” promises Dhiraj Vijayan,
Corporate Chef, Sangam Hotels.
If you cross the bridge over Vaigai, then a spectacular bash is waiting to unfurl at the Heritance. Put on
your dancing shoes and let your hair down under the open sky to the blend of electrifying music from
commercial, hip-hop and trance all night long by master spinner, internationally renowned DJ Ricky Vans
Pall, known to set the stage on fire with his performances in Bangkok, London. Gyrate to his sizzling
remixes of popular desi tracks as you enjoy a gala buffet dinner, fun and fames, loads of entertainment
and fireworks.
Or else sail on the GRT ship and usher in the new year with a multi-entertainment bouquet that includes
video karaoke, mimicry, magic, sand art, games show, dances, games stall, colour mehendi, tattoo and
balloon shooting besides of course the multi-cuisine spread of mouth watering delicacies.
A live orchestra, comedy show by film fame ‘Bonda' Mani and ‘Halwa' Vasu, lavish buffet, exciting games
for children, couple and women, unlimited surprise gifts and spectacular firework display is billed for the
evening at Hotel Germanus. The event will be anchored by film actor Deva Darshini.
Encouraging
“The heavy flow of foreign guests is very encouraging for us. We have planned our celebrations in a
grand manner and are stacked with plenty of surprises for the visitors,” says S. Senthilnathan, General
Manager, Hotel Germanus.
The Star Residency, Royal Court, The Madurai Residency, to list a few others, will also spread a lavish
buffet dinner accompanied by a night full of variety entertainment programmes including live music,
magic show and games packed with prizes. At the ongoing Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and
Industry's 'Trade Fair' at the Tamukkam grounds, New Year celebrations will be marked with a music
performance by popular singer of yesteryears M.S. Rajeswari.
But thats not all, even the big and small, new and old restaurants spread across the city are nowhere
behind in making their guests feel special on this occasion.
Take for instance, the recently opened Chopstix -- it is laying out its largest Chinese cuisine called the
“Emperor's gala dinner” with 50 new items that include unlimited momos. This will be followed by a
week's celebration themed the Shanghai night.
The Bamboo Garden will offer exotic a la carte like squid preparation and satays.
The Mahal Restaurant located at the heart of the city offers elaborate spread of non vegetarian dishes.
Dine in to taste the biryanis and prawn preparations.
No entertainment programmes in these popular eateries but the evening will be made special with a
different menu.
Now whatever you call, the new year's eve or the old year's night, be sure to see out the year with style.
And return happy with loads of prizes and surprises from these extravaganzas. In other words, simply
rock on! The party bug has hit the town, so just raise the bar this new year, if you are inclined that is. Or
just cool off early in front of the host of TV shows in the privacy of your drawing room.
CELEBRATIONS GALORE
Hotel The Gateway, Pasumalai (6633000, 2371601); Rs.3,500 per couple, Rs.2,500 single and Rs.1,200
for children below 12
Hotel Fortune Pandiyan, Alagar Koil Road (2537090/4356789): Rs.3,300 per couple, Rs.500 for children
between 5 and 15 years. Special dinner buffet also available at the multi-cuisine restaurant for Rs.700
plus Tax.
Hotel Heritance, Kochadai (2385455); Rs.2,900 per couple, Rs.1,500 single and Rs.800 for children below
12.
Hotel GRT Regency, Palanganatham (2371155);Rs.2,500 for couple, Rs.1,500 for singles and Rs.1,000 for
children between 5 and 12. The new year special buffet also available at its indoor multi-cuisine
restaurant "Aaharam" for Rs.599 net per person and Rs.399 net for kids below 12.
Hotel Sangam, Alagar Koil Road (4244555); Rs.2,750 per couple,Rs.1,250 for stag and Rs.1,000 for
children between 5 and 12 years.
Hotel Germanus, Bypass Road (9360383641/9843052733); Rs.2,250 for couple, Rs.1,500 for stag and
Rs.500 for children between 6 and 12 years.
Hotel Madurai Residency, West Marret Street, (4380000, 9842923431); Rs.999 for couple, Rs.599 single
and Rs,299 per child
Hotel Star Residency, Anna Bus Stand (4343999); Rs.999 for couple, Rs.499 for single adult and Rs.249
per child
Hotel Royal Court, Opposite Railway Station (4356666); Rs.555 net for adults and Rs.275 net for children
below eight years.
Chopstix Restaurant, K.K. Nagar (4000602/4000604); Rs.550 per adult and Rs,300 per child.
The Mahal Restaurant, Town Hall Road (2342700, 2342790); Rs.300 per person.
Publication
Date
Heritage Madurai Chinese Buffet Dinner
The Hindu (Metro Plus)
6th March 2010
Publication
Date
Heritage Madurai Idly Vada Festival
The Hindu (Metro Plus)
6th March 2010
Pamper your tastebuds with exclusive South Indian variety of hot idlis and spicy vadas offered with
different side dishes like the Sri Lankan fish curry, mutton sukka, chicken chettinad, paneer butter
masala and mushroom curry
Venue: Hotel Heritage, 11 Melakkal Main Road, Kochadai
Date: June 5 and 6
Time: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Phone: 2385455 and 90030 43224
Publication
Date
Cultural Heritage Tour
The Hindu (Sunday Magazine)
14th March 2010
Publication
Date
Cultural Heritage Tour
Outlook Traveller
April 2010 Issue
Publication
Date
Cultural Heritage Tour
The Hindu (NxG)
13th May 2010
Publication
Date
Cultural Heritage Tour
Hindustan Times – Live Mint
6th June 2010
Publication
Date
Cultural Heritage Tour
Discover India
May 2010 Issue
Publication
Date
Cultural Centre Inauguration
The Hindu
31st March 2010
Ray Klinginsmith (third from left), Rotary International President Elect (2010-11), looking at a loom on
display at a cultural centre, which he inaugurated in the city on Tuesday.
A cultural centre to showcase the country's rural art forms and lifestyle was inaugurated at the urban
luxury resort Heritance Madurai by the Rotary International President Elect (2010-11) Ray Klinginsmith
here on Tuesday.
Guests would get an opportunity to draw rangoli, weave using a loom, learn to wear a sari, make flower
garland, cook ethnic dishes and learn pottery. This centre would replicate the village life of India, one of
the very few countries left with a vibrant and prosperous rural community, said S. Thiagarajan, Chief
Executive Officer, ETL Infrastructure Services, whose subsidiary, ETL Hospitality, runs the resort.
India's high growth rates were fuelled partly by its high savings rate, which was perhaps next only to
Japan. While urban areas had 27 per cent savings rate, rural area had 40 per cent.
Rich history
Addressing the inaugural function, Mr. Klinginsmith said that he was born in a farm and grew up in a
rural setting. However, while they had only a 150-year-old history, India could boast of a lineage of more
than thousand years.
In Pudukottai soon
Shankar Menon, chairman, Sri Lanka-based Aitken Spence Hotels Management, which is managing the
resort, said that this centre was a precursor to a hotel coming up at Pudukottai that would reflect
Chettinad culture.
One more resort was likely to come up in Coimbatore.
K.R. Ravindran, Rotary International Director, said that promoting such places was part of the Rotary's
work. Srinith De Silva, General Manager, Heritance Madurai, spoke.
Publication
Date
Cultural Centre Inauguration
Business Line
1st April 2010
An eco-friendly luxury resort – Heritance Madurai – will soon have a Chinese health spa. The Rs 8-crore
initiative will be ready by September-October and the infrastructure is being built as prescribed by
Chinese doctors, according to Mr S. Thiagarajan, Chief Executive Officer, ETL Infrastructure Services Ltd,
whose subsidiary ETL Hospitality, runs the resort. — Our Correspondent
Publication
Date
Cultural Centre Inauguration
Dina Malar
31st March 2010
Publication
Date
Cultural Centre Inauguration
The Hindu
31st March 2010
The huts in the Culture Centre of the Hotel Heritance, Madurai. Photo: A. Shrikumar
The new hot spot in a city star hotel, writes A. SHRIKUMAR
If you are a long time Madurai-buddy, a walk down any arterial road might help you sense the new
nip…from zipping vehicles to scaling buildings, swelling streets and a perennial public inflow, the
universal ‘urbane’ label is sticking onto the city. But does that mean the city’s old image is getting lost in
the suave-stir? If so, then the ‘cultural village’ inaugurated at the ‘Heritance’ hotel on Tuesday comes as
a salvage.
Hospitality
As an endeavor to display the true Indian hospitality, the Hotel has attempted to lend an overall novel
experience of being in a country-side environment and knowing the rich heritage of the region.
Nestled in the lush greenery of the hotel complex, the ‘village-replica’ is a whole 10,000 square feet,
innovatively done composition of essential village elements, rendering a resplendent rural backdrop.
With thatched roof-huts, bright ochre-red mud, elaborate ‘kolams’ and ‘thoranams’, the village is all set
to be more than mere fascination for the hotel guests, especially foreigners and the NRIs.
“Madurai is one of the oldest living cities in the world with a known history of more than 2000 years and
undeniably, an inseparable part of this lauded legacy is the folk art forms native to the region. In an
attempt to make people aware of this rich heritage, the cultural centre is designed to depict a typical
rural scene, more like a Chettinad village. Apart from the visual experience the guests can also get a
practical try-out of the various indigenous craft forms here”, beams, Mr. S. Thiagarajan, the Managing
Director of ‘Heritance’.
Handpicked artisans
Artisans from various villages have been handpicked and roped in on contract basis to showcase their
products at the centre. There are six huts portraying the various quintessential aspects of the Indian
villages, each named interestingly, where the tourists can have a hands on encounter.
Be it the delicate work of knotting flowers into garlands or the complex process of weaving a sari, one
can learn it here, at the ‘Mari poo kadai’ and the ‘Kandasamy tharikoodam’. “In fact, foreigners are more
interested in our culture and value it more than us. Trying upon the handloom would give them an idea
of how much hard work goes behind the intricate borders of a silk sari and how developed is the skill in
our country, with even illiterate people doing it” explains, Mr. K. Vedhamuthu, a silk weaver from
Thirubuvanam in Kumbakonam district.
“We have been doing pottery since many generations and I have bagged many awards too. I think being
here would help me boost my business and give an impetus to my skill, teaching foreigners about this
rich village craft” feels, Mr. Chandrahaasan, a potter from Tattuvanchery in Tanjore district.
Try out your cooking skills
The guests can also try cooking ‘kuli paniyaram’ and ‘appam’ on the ‘Viragu aduppu’ at the
‘muniyammal idli kadai’ and the charming terracotta urns and clay-made ‘Ayyanar horses’ are displayed
at the ‘Kali paanai kadai’. Or if you just choose to sit back and chill, then ‘Karuppayya club’ is ideal,
where the regional flavours of traditional chettinad cuisine may captivate one, along with the punchy
sonorous village songs, that may linger long.
In the middle of these huts, there is a circular platform where folk dance shows like ‘Mayilattam’ and
‘Karagattam’, folk music renderings will be performed. Coir made cots and ‘thinnai’ look alikes are
provided in the sitting area for enjoying the show the real way.
With all these to its forte, the ‘Heritance’ Madurai’s cultural centre, is first of its kind in the city to look
back into her rich past and provide travelers and vacation enthusiasts a holistic experience of life in the
South. Well, if you are bogged down by the busy city schedule, a day by the bucolic ambience might
restore you back to your best!