RESTRICTIONS on the import of fabrics threw an unexpected spanner in the works for The Sanchaya, a luxury resort that was slated to open in Bintan in 1H2013.
Styled as a grand colonial estate with lush landscaping and original furnishings and offering bespoke luxury, The Sanchaya will now welcome its first guest on November 1 this year (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 30, 2013).
Estate manager, Murlidhar Rao, told TTG Asia e-Daily that the booking function would go live on the resort’s website on July 1 and trial stays would be conducted in October.
“The delay was not due to insufficient funds. The Sanchaya is all about bespoke luxury, so everything in the estate is customised, from the fragrance to the dinnerware. We will even have an exclusive blend of tea by Ronnefeldt. It is not an option for us to buy fabrics off the shelves. So when we realised that we were not allowed to import fabrics, we had to send our designers to meet with local manufacturers to make what we need, ” Murlidhar said.
“We are not just another all-villa resort; there are many of these around. We are an estate and we want to evoke the elegance and grandeur of sprawling governor residences in India. Guests can play games like croquet and lawn bowls and indulge in English high tea, for instance,” he said, adding that an activity concierge will create programmes for guests.
Room rates are expected to begin at US$660 plus taxes, and will include express immigration and custom clearance at Bintan ferry terminal, transfer, breakfast, Wi-Fi access and maxi-bar access.
The Sanchaya will leverage its membership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Secret Retreats to reach out to travellers and travel consultants, aiming for a 35 per cent sales contribution from travel consultants, 11 per cent from international wholesaler and 44 per cent from direct bookings.
Explaining the importance of travel consultants, Kris Marthin, director of sales and marketing, said: “Statistics from the latest visitor survey conducted by Bintan Resorts International shows that 32.5 per cent of travel arrangements were made through travel (consultants) while 29.5 per cent were made direct through hotels. We will continue to (build) a good relationship with travel (consultants) from across Asia.”
The property will also court high-end, small-sized meeting and incentive groups for its weekday business.
