Swiss hotelier moves into India

(Swissotel)

Luxury hotel chain Swissotel has launched its first property in India as it continues to push into new markets.

The Swissotel Kolkata opened this week as a five star hotel offering 147 rooms and suites in the centre of the city.

Guests can enjoy a rooftop swimming pool that boasts views of the Kolkata skyline and eleven suites, each of which has an outdoor whirlpool.

The food and beverage options include four restaurants and bars, including a Swiss cafe, rooftop lounge and speciality Indian restaurant.

The hotel adjoins the City Centre New Town mall, a luxury boutique mall that opened in 2009 and has defied the odds (along with a then-underdeveloped location) to become a successful shopping destination in the city.

The mall includes an Apple Store, Sony Center, Levi's, Adidas, Samsonite and Inox outlets.

Swissotel recently announced a second Eastern European hotel, in Kiev and opened its first property in the Middle East in October 2009, demonstrating that it clearly sees developing countries as key to its long-term business.

Carlson, Hilton and Marriott are all planning significant expansion into the region.

http://www.swissotel.com