Mumbai-based Travel India Marketing has launched a 60-room standalone serviced apartment in Malad at an investment of Rs 15 Lakh. The company has commercially opened three apartments and will open the rest within six months. It has 25 apartments with a combination of three and four bedrooms. It is targeted at corporates especially long stays in and around the Malad area and from Mindspace, a business park which houses more than 200 companies. The rooms will be offered at promotional rates of Rs 3,500 per night till January 1, 2009, after which the tariff will be Rs 4,500 and above. The apartments have three or four rooms, a balcony, a common hall and a lobby area. There will be 24-hour butler service and home made food will be provided based on requirements.
“Service apartments are gaining popularity in Mumbai. There is always a room crunch in November every year especially for long stay guests. Also, companies are cutting down on the cost owing to the recession. Serviced apartment is the next best alternative. There are 9,000 rooms in the five-star category alone in Mumbai which is expected to increase to 11,000 by 2011.