The Hindu Business Line : GRT scouting for properties in Hyderabad, Bangalore

Talking to presspersons at the launch of the Temple Bay beach resort, Mr T. Nataraajan, Chief Executive Officer, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said that this would be the next phase of expansion for GRT.

The company, which operates three hotels in the city, relaunched its beach resort `Temple Bay' in time for the domestic tourist season.

The beach resort was acquired by the GRT group for Rs 6.90 crore from the India Tourism Development Corporation in February 2002 under the Government's disinvestment plan. Though the hotel did not close down completely for renovation, it had not been marketed actively, he said. Now, the company plans to come out with packages to woo the domestic tourists during the summer months.

During the cooler months, the hotel will cater mainly to the foreign tourists.

Since this property is close to Mahabalipuram and the monuments it has been popular with tour operators from the 1960s, he said.

The tariff ranges from Rs 3,500 for single occupancy to Rs 9,000 for double occupancy.

After the acquisition, the company has invested Rs 12 crore into landscaping, renovation and refurbishing. Temple Bay is situated 55 km away from Chennai on the East Coast Road. The hotel is located on a 49-acre property of which 18 acres have been developed. The hotel has 72 rooms, two conference rooms and a multi cuisine restaurant called the Santa Maria. The second restaurant, The Wharf, a seafood speciality restaurant is to be launched shortly.

The hotel has an infinity swimming pool, which gives an impression of blending with the sea, and a sunken bar.

The company has tied up with the Ayush division of Hindustan Lever Ltd and the Coimbatore-based Arya Vaidya Pharmacy for Ayurvedic treatment.

The Temple Bay is the third hotel of the Rs 36-crore GRT Hotels & Resorts Ltd, the other two being the GRT Grand and the GRT Radisson.

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