Centara to Open in Indian Himalayas
Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced the December 22 grand opening of its second overseas property, the Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort, which is located at Himachai Pradesh in India.
The new opening follows closely on the launch of Centara's first venture overseas, the Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa in the Maldives, which opened on 1 December this year.
Operated by Centara under a management contract, the Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort is the first under the new Centara Boutique Collection brand to open outside of Thailand.
“The fact that we have opened our first two overseas properties within such a short interval illustrates the strength of our rapid expansion programme,” says Gerd Steeb, President of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “We have also opened 2 new properties in Thailand during this year and have a schedule for further openings at home and overseas during 2010.”
Centara Hotels & Resorts currently has 21 hotels in Thailand and is in the process of opening a further three. Mr Steeb says that Centara has a target for increasing the number of properties to 65 within the next five years.
Located at a height of 5,200ft amongst the pine trees of the Shivalik Valley in Himachai Pradesh, Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort is only 3 ½ hours by road from New Delhi and 35 minutes from Chandigarh International Airport.
The final stage of the journey is a 10-minute cable-car ride to the resort, providing a panoramic view of the beautiful countryside. The cool, clean air and verdant forests make this region ideal for trekking and for enjoying nature at its unspoiled finest, while the resort, spread over an area of 20,000 square metres, offers extensive leisure and recreational facilities and is suitable for independent travellers, couples and families alike. The resort and spa comprises a collection of 15 colonial inspired buildings linked by pathways for easy walking or travel by buggy.
With just 62 guest suites, the resort is designed to a scale that provides both intimacy and privacy. Each of the suites is 75 square metres in area and has its own private terrace, allowing beautiful views of the valley. There is an integral spa that provides luxurious traditional and modern treatments including aromatherapy and therapeutic massage, with 12 private treatment rooms including Turkish Hammam and Ayurveda rooms and six yoga pavilions. An outdoor heated infinity pool has two heated Jacuzzis, and there is a fitness centre. Other facilities include a beauty salon, a library and a resort shop. Wireless and internet access is available and there is a business centre.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
