Inspite of COVID, Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd is on an expansion spree. Celebrating a decade of success a year before the pandemic struck the group today manages 80+ hotels spread across 60+ locations within India and abroad under the brands – The Fern, The Fern Residency, The Zinc Hotels and Beacon. While Gujarat has 20 hotels it’s closely followed by Maharashtra which has a presence of 18 hotels. Of these The Fern An Ecotel Hotel, Lonavala has been gaining much appreciation for its quality of rooms, tantalizing F&B and certainly the exemplary service.
“I am so happy by the excellent response and reviews. Being in close vicinity Lonavala as a destination is quite popular for both Mumbaities and Puneties, especially during this pandemic time when people don’t want to travel far. Also it being a hill station has an added advantage,” said Ramesh Kumar Gupta, General Manager, The Fern Lonavala.
Located just off the Western Express Highway (the name of the hotel is visible as one drives from Mumbai-Pune or vice versa) this luxurious hotel is spread over 2 acres with the famous Valvan Dam clearly visible. The hotel is close to Lonavala market, with easy access to the major sightseeing attractions in and around Lonavala and Khandala.
Arriving at the hotel we found the hotel following most of the norms laid out by the government. The lobby is quite spacious with the restaurant adjacent to the lobby and easily accessible rest rooms. The clean washrooms in the lobby caught my wife’s attention. With COVID concerns my wife commented that it would be a great stopover for those commuting (and don’t want to stay back) on the expressway for a hygienic tea/lunch/dinner break.
“We try to follow all the COVID 19 guidelines and our priority is to make guests feel safe and comfortable. Right from check in to sanitized rooms with clean linen, social distancing in restaurants and even at events,” said Ramesh Gupta.
With an 80 inventory the rooms are quite spacious offering city and green landscape views. The options include Winter Green Room, Fern Club Room and Hazel Suite. Our room had a nice bathtub and a spacious living room. The housekeeping staff was quick and prompt. The hotel also has ample parking space.
The hotel offers all-day dining with option of ale carte and buffet at Glass café restaurant. The breakfast spread is quite good and the lunch and dinner is quite a wide spread with fusion of Indian Chinese and Continental dishes. The service in the restaurant was excellent and the staff was very prompt and polite. In case guests prefer not to come down due to COVID the hotel is kind enough to offer customized lunch and dinner. The hotel has an amazing chef and most of his dishes were yummy.
The swimming pool with Jacuzzi looked tempting but were closed due to COVID regulations. There was a wedding on the previous day of our arrival but all protocols were followed. “We are one of the largest wedding and MICE destination in Lonavala. Once the restrictions are taken our hotel is bound to be the biggest attraction, especially our lawn and poolside location, for any wedding/MICE related activity in Lonavala. We have several event locations and at any given time we can cater to almost 1500 guests if all our venues are used simultaneously. Truly hoping COVID disappears soon,” said a smiling Ramesh Gupta.
He further added, “There is great potential for Lonavala as this hill station can certainly do with additional inventory even upto 500 + rooms. For our own hotel I think even if we add 100 rooms we will be able to generate business.”
Over all I felt it as an excellent place to unwind during COVID – an ideal staycation.
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