GLOBAL UPDATE what ’ s hot
Le Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi
DINNER
The Leela Palace New Delhi , billed as the most expensive hotel ever built in India , now offers some dining options to match : outposts of Le Cirque and Megu .
Both restaurants are revenue-sharing agreements with the hotel . The Leela Palace ’ s Megu is the first Indian location for the Japanese restaurant , which serves modern Japanese cuisine in a setting that blends ultra-modern design elements with ancient Japanese art .
The hotel also brings Sirio Maccioni ’ s Le Cirque to Asia for the first time . “ India
CHILD ’ S PLAY
Young guests at some Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Asia are finding a monkey or construction worker on their plates thanks to the brand ’ s new “ Power Bites ” menu .
“ Children have constant sources of entertainment in the form of iPads , phones and games ,” says Peter Drescher , Mövenpick vice president of food and beverage , Middle East and Asia . “ We have to be
IS SERVED
equally entertaining with our food .”
That ’ s not to say the meals are all play . They use low-fat ingredients ,
has emerged as one of the most important business and leisure destinations globally ,” Maccioni says . “ Through our association with The Leela , we aim to bring a luxury dining experience consistent with international standards of excellence to this expanding and discerning clientele in India .”
In keeping with that , the menu features some Le Cirque favorites from New York as well as a selection of vegetarian dishes in the French-Italian style for which Le Cirque is known .
lean meat , no saturated fats and lots of fruits and vegetables . For instance , carrots become interactive in a dish that encourages kids to paint on a glaze .
Drescher says the program involves little added cost , as the ingredients are already part of the market list . “ There is a minimal cost of printing the menus ,” he notes . “ This we ’ ll recoup with the revenue . We like to give our little guest a positive and meaningful reason to dine with us .”
Hardev Singh
Three ’ s company
It ’ s a new day for Marriott International in Doha , Qatar , where the company has opened three hotels within a twotower complex . The 257-room Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel , 204-room Courtyard by Marriott Doha City Center and 123-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Center are the first properties for each brand in Qatar .
Marriott has no investment in the property , but has a management agreement with owning company Artic , says General Manager Oliver Kahf .
The hotels share the first seven floors of the 48-story buildings , which include three lobbies , nine restaurants and bars , meeting space , a health club and a spa ; the buildings are also connected to the City Center Mall . Despite the shared space , though , each of the hotels has a distinctive feel and look . “ Being able to cater to different guests or budgetary requirements puts the hotels in a unique position in Doha ,” Kahf says . “ Our sales team is working aggressively to target prospective customers through media , reader boards , B2B interactions and trade shows .”
12 HOTELS January / February 2012 www . hotelsmag . com