Back in 2013, Mumbai got a spanking new hotel which was Shangri-La’s entry into the Mumbai market. Although it was competing with Four Seasons on one side and ITC Grand Central on the other, both about 10 minutes away. And then, Shangri-La left the hotel management only 9 months after, for reasons unknown. The hotel was being managed by the owners themselves as the Palladium Hotel ever since.

Word on the street has been that this hotel was a prime suitor to be flagged as India’s first St. Regis hotel. However, a lot of people were in the know but no one would confirm. And this has been the chatter since February 2014. However, things have been changing at the hotel over the past few weeks, and this was a sign that a new hotel management was going to take charge soon. Since I drive by the hotel almost every day and I’m inside the hotel a few times too, it was hard to miss the changes.

An official confirmation just came through this afternoon however, and I first read it on the Conde Nast Traveller website:

St Regis Hotels & Resorts has announced its India debut with the St Regis Mumbai, which will open in place of Palladium Hotel. The Lower Parel property is currently undergoing extensive refurbishing and will fly the St. Regis flag by the end of this year.

Other people in the know put the timeline at Q32015, which may as well be possible. Further, via the CNT again:

The 38-floor St Regis Mumbai will feature 386 guest rooms, including 60 suites. Culinary offerings will include an all-day dining restaurant with a wide range of gourmet selections from around the world, four specialty restaurants, a club lounge and three bars. Guests will also be able to sip the signature Bloody Mary cocktail, born at the flagship St Regis New York in the early 1900s.

For Starwood, this will be their third Mumbai property after the Westin and Four Points they already operate in Mumbai. I would be very curious to see how they handle the ITC Grand Central which is a business hotel almost in the vicinity, and participates in the SPG loyalty program and is also flagged Luxury Collection. Not to forget, there is Ritz Carlton coming up a little distance away too!

Anybody excited, or is it just me?

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