With acumen in property management and operational efficiency, Makesh V Raj, GM of Gokulam Grand, Kozhikode, a 5-star hotel in the city’s central business district, has honed his skills overseeing all aspects of property management, maximizing financial performance, guest satisfaction, and staff development. He continues to leverage his core competencies in leadership, budget management, strategic planning, revenue management, and business development. With Gokulam Grand, Kozhikode fast becoming a force in the local market, we thought it ideal to interact with the vibrant and energetic GM.

What are the unique features of your property?

Naturally the location. Conveniently located in the heart of Kozhikode with a shopping mall adjacent to it, as well as easy access to key business hubs, shopping areas, and tourist attractions, making it ideal for both tourists and business people.

Add to this our luxurious accommodation that includes spacious, elegantly designed rooms and suites with modern amenities, ensuring comfort and sophistication for both business and leisure travellers.

With state-of-the-art meeting rooms and grand banquet halls ideal for weddings, conferences, and social events, we have become the first option for MICE in Kozhikode. We also have a fully equipped fitness center, spa, and rooftop swimming pool designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.

What are your top priorities when it comes to the guest experience, and how do you measure and track guest satisfaction?

At Gokulam Grand, “We Care” — that’s our motto. Apart from high standards of cleanliness, safety, and security, with 24/7 surveillance and professionally trained staff, we aim at delivering personalized hospitality, ensuring comfort and providing a seamless stay experience. Maintaining safety and security, and continuously improving based on guest feedback and by taking timely action on feedback are a priority.

How do you plan to elevate your F&B offerings, especially healthy options?

Our culinary excellence is the talk of the town. We have multiple dining options offering a blend of local Malabar delicacies, pan-Indian cuisine, and international flavors, including a rooftop restaurant with panoramic city views.

We plan to elevate our F&B offerings by introducing more healthy options, including calorie-conscious dishes, vegan and gluten-free items, organic ingredients from local farms, live salad counters, cold-pressed juices, and traditional Kerala cuisine prepared using healthier methods. Structuring the menu with more local items, well-balanced flavors, and choices for all kinds of guests.

What about MICE and banqueting?

We offer comprehensive MICE and banqueting facilities, ideal for corporate events, conferences, weddings, and social gatherings. Our venues are equipped with modern audio-visual technology, flexible seating arrangements, and customizable décor options. Dedicated event coordinators ensure seamless execution of events, whether large-scale conferences or intimate celebrations. Our rooftop venue can accommodate up to 1,500 guests, ideal for grand celebrations and large-scale gatherings. We also feature two banquet halls, each with a capacity of up to 300 guests, a smaller hall that can host up to 120 guests, and three well-appointed boardrooms with a maximum capacity of 20 guests each — perfect for intimate meetings and executive discussions.

What about sustainable practices in your hotel?

That’s been a major focus by our MD across all our hotels. The key areas include:

• Guests are encouraged to hang towels or display room cards if they prefer not to have them replaced daily, helping reduce laundry loads.
• RO filtered water is provided instead of packaged drinking water to reduce plastic waste.
• Instead of single-use sachets, the hotel provides bulk dispensers for shampoo, shower gel, and lotion.
• The housekeeping team uses green-certified cleaning solutions throughout the property.

Looking ahead, what strategic priorities and initiatives are in the pipeline?

We are excited to introduce an international concept permit room. On the rooftop, a specialty fine dining restaurant is set to open soon, offering guests a unique flavor of Malabar, fusion cuisines, and other international cuisines.

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