A Home Away From Home

Apartments available for rent in Bombay

Amidst the trees surrounding the Vihar Lake and the Powai gardens stands a tall and classy building that houses hotel apartments called The Residence.

Strange as the concept seems, it is the first of its kind in the country, a feasible option for businessmen on long stays in the city. "We've been staying here since the very beginning. Before it was completed," says Marc Lanneau, a representative of Chicago Pneumatic Ltd. The Residence as this hotel apartment complex is called, promises all the amenities that a hotel and a home could provide. Hence it is known as an apartment hotel.

Built and operated by Indian construction giants, K Raheja, The Residence lies six kilometres from Sahar International Airport, in Powai. The idea of apartment hotels came into being in 1995. Since then , "the response has been excellent," claims Jagdish Saigal, the general manager.

What makes The Residence special is that it offers a self contained apartment equipped with a kitchenette, a bedroom, a furnished living room and a bathroom. Apart from double room and studio-type apartments, The Residence also has a 24-hour restaurant, a games room, a launderette and a playground for children within the complex.

The minimum length of stay required to hire such an apartment is one week. However accommodation for less than a week is based on availability of apartments.

Shades of green and brown greet the eye when you enter an apartment. At a glance they are clean and tastefully decorated. However, when the heavy drapes are pulled back, a view of the hutments below is revealed. The living room is complete with sofa set, dining and work tables, televisions and telephones. The bedrooms have large wardrobes and double beds. The kitchen is supplied with a cooker, crockery, cutlery, an electric kettle and other such amenities.

If the residents don't wish to use the kitchen, they can use the buffet service at the restaurant, at an extra cost. And if guests choose to cook a meal in the apartment, then they have to bring along their provisions. But these can soon be bought at the all purpose shop, which is to be started in the near future.

Transport, doctors, secretarial services are all provided on request and The Residence claims to cater to every need. "Anything can be arranged as per the request of our clients," says Saigal. He goes on to add, "We intend to include other facilities such as a health club and a swimming pool."

But amid this comfort and luxury lie a number of unanswered questions. What makes The Residence different from a hotel? Is it more economical than a hotel? And above all, why Powai as the location?

The fact that it allows its guests the comfortable feeling of being "at home", though they are living in a luxury hotel is what makes The Residence different from a hotel. And considering that apartments of similar size are much more expensive to rent and maintain in Bombay, an apartment hotel is economical.

Lannneau's wife Yolande, vouches for this. "I quite like it," she says. "We had been shifting from one five star hotel to another until we heard of this place. Five stars are very expensive. Besides because of their carpets there is always a stench and a lot of dust. Here there is a special atmosphere. They know you and what you want. You can feel at home."

So, why a way out suburb like Powai? Saigal answers the question. "Our survey told us that there is plenty of business in the area." The Residence does lie within proximity of the Sahar International airport, and industrial areas like Seepz, MIDC, and LBS Marg. The management claims that business is booming with a 95 per cent occupancy. They have a clientele like Airclub, Larsen and Toubro, Hoechst and Ganesh Energy on their list of patrons.

Lanneau's wife is quite pleased with the service. But she adds, "I spend a lot of time and money just going for a swim to the Leela. We could really do with some entertainment here." The Residence, it seems, in its attempt to serve as a home and hotel has not yet got around to fulfilling the entertainment needs of its guests.

This dissatisfaction is voiced by another guest, Stella Vannatto. Stella, along with her husband Bruce Vannatto, an engineer for Airclub, have been staying at The Residence since May 1996. "I like the place," she says, "But for a young mother with a child there are not too many things to occupy myself with."

"The facilities are inadequate," feels Vannatto. "There is no swimming pool, squash or tennis court here. Since my husband is away at work all I can do is watch television."

Until a health club comes up, guests are unable to exercise, "We had to ship our exercise equipment down, but it is not enough. Also there is no one who can help look after Nicholas, my son. I need someone who I can trust. Sometimes I like going to the disco with my husband and his friends. But it is quite a long way off. And also the bar that they have here still hasn't begun to function," complains Vannatto

The Residence proves convenient only for those who have business around the area. Says Lanneau, "I spend approximately two and a half hours going by cab to my office." While Vannatto comments, "Besides the lack of facilities, I also find I cannot take a walk outside because children from the neighbouring hutments defecate outside and the stench is suffocating."

But while these things seem to bother her, Vannatto feels the idea of apartment hotels is a good one., "I definitely think this is a great place for people who come here on long contracts and who like to cook their own food. My husband is pleased that The Residence offered us such a good deal compared to five star hotel rates."

For those residents who have private or hired transport, traveling is absolutely no problem. For those who don't have such facilities there are two ways to get to the hotel apartments. The Residence, which lies on the Saki Vihar road, before the NITIE, lies on the Central Railway line, therefore it is convenient to take a train from Victoria Terminus station, alight at Kanjur Marg station and take a rickshaw or a taxi. On the other hand ,if you are travelling by the Western Railway then alight at Andheri station on the east side and take a rickshaw or a taxi from there.

The daily rent for a one bedroom apartment is Rs 2,500 for Indian passport-holders and accommodates two persons. An extra adult is charged Rs 350 and an extra child (below 8 years of age) is charged Rs 100.

A two bedroom apartment costs Rs 4,300 per day and accommodates four persons. The taxes currently applicable are 10 per cent luxury tax on the room, 13 per cent sales tax on food, 10 per cent hotel expenditure tax on the total bill, all of which will be charged extra.

Fast Facts

• The Residence
  Saki Vihar Road
  Near NITIE
  Bombay, 400087
  Tel # 91-22-5779100
  Fax # 91-22-5792195
• No of apartments: 100
• Check out time: 12.00 hours
• Furnished, self-contained apartments with living room and bedrooms. Facilities include colour television, music channel, attached bath, telephone with direct dial facility, air conditioner, iron and board, fridge, cooking range, kitchen pack, toaster and electric kettle. Services provided include laundromat, money exchange, and safe deposit lockers.