I was researching India's [ Images ] Industrialists when I met Mohan Singh Oberoi (1900-2002) for the

first time. It was 1982, he was no longer a young man. Courtly as always, he offered to make my job easier. He would write a note on himself, which I could use as background material. The note arrived a week later and lay among my notes for the next twenty years. As the managing editor of The Smart Manager, it gives me immense pleasure to publish this short autobiography as a tribute to India's greatest hotelier. The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, owns and manages thirty hotels and five luxury cruisers across six countries under the 'Oberoi' & 'Trident' brands. The activities of the Group include airline catering, management of restaurants and airport bars, travel and tour services, car rental, project management and corporate air charters.

I was born on August 15, 1900 in a small village, Bhaun in district Jhelum, which now forms a part of
Pakistan. The story of my life has been, in many ways, a dramatic one -- full of difficulties and hardships, in earlier days and later a spectacular rise to the position I now hold. But this was not achieved without incessant toil and a daily fight against tremendous odds. Yet it was a challenge to prove myself. When I look back to those days, as I sometimes do, in moments of leisure, I am thankful that I was able to accept this challenge and make good. These reflections also make me feel humble for I realise it was with God's help that I achieved what the world calls 'success.' My father, Shri A S Oberoi was a contractor in Peshawar, who died when I was only six months old. The family consisted of my mother and myself. My earlier days were spent in the little village of my birth. I began my education at the village school. Later, I was sent to the nearby town of Rawalpindi and enrolled in the DAV school from where I matriculated. After this I went to Lahore [ Images ] to join college and passed my Intermediate Examination. My studies were cut short as our already meagre finances began to dwindle. This was a moment of anxiety in my life as I realised that my qualifications would not get me a job. However, at the suggestion of a friend, I went to Amritsar [ Images ], stayed with him and took a course in shorthand and typing. There was still no job for me on the horizon and I decided to get back to my village, where it would be easier to live than in a big city. There followed a point of waiting and frustration. My uncle helped me to get a job in the Lahore Shoe Factory. My work was to supervise the manufacture and sale of shoes. For a while, things looked brighter but the star of ill luck was still in the ascendant and soon the factory was closed down for lack of finances and I was compelled to return to my village.

In India the importance attached to marriage is beyond all reason. Here I was penniless, jobless and almost friendless, but in spite of these very real disadvantages, my marriage was arranged with the daughter of Shri Ushnak Rai, who belonged to my village. I think my bright looks may have influenced my father-in-law. I like to think that in spite of other shortcomings I was a smart lad and he probably assessed that I would make good. The days immediately following my marriage were spent with my in-laws in Sargodha. On my return to Bhaun, a virulent plague epidemic had broken out. My mother told me that since I could not do any-thing to help in such a situation, I should go back to Sargodha and not risk my life. Plague, in those days was a terrible killer and people naturally dreaded an epidemic, which often wiped out villages. Sadly, I left full of apprehension about my future. In this mood of depression, I saw an advertisement in the local newspaper for the post of a junior clerk in a government office. With Rs 25 in my pocket, which my mother had given me, I left for Simla to appear for the examination. Unprepared as I was, I was unable to pass. This did not lessen my depression. My time was now spent walking around Simla and rambling in the countryside. Being the summer seat of the government of India, the town itself was full of high-ranking officers and members of the Viceroy's Council. But the hillsides, beyond officialdom were beautiful and there were many walks where one could be alone with one's thoughts. One day, as I was passing the Hotel Cecil, I suddenly had the urge to go in and try my luck. Those were the days when this hotel was one of India's leading hotels, high class and elegant. It was owned by the line of Associated Hotels of India. As I entered, I found the manager himself in the foyer. I did not know who he was but one becomes bold in the face of difficulties. I had nothing to lose, so I went up and asked if I could have a job in the hotel. The manager was a kindly English gentleman named D W Grove. I was also given the post of billing clerk at Rs 40 a month. Soon, my salary was raised to Rs 50. At my request, on the plea of being married, I was also given living quarters. These were situated on the outer periphery of the hotel and were very humble indeed. When my wife joined me in Simla, we started to settle down in our modest home. Here we were faced with the necessity of cleaning the place ourselves. The quarters were in a bad shape and far from clean, but we were thankful to have a roof over our heads. We had to whitewash the walls ourselves, causing blisters on my hands and the consequent discomfort and embarrassment for me in the hotel work.

Soon after I joined the Cecil, there was a change of management. Mr Clarke succeeded Mr Grove as manager. For the first time a small piece of luck came my way. My knowledge of stenography helped me take over the post of cashier and stenographer to Mr Clarke, and thus began my grounding on how hotels run. I worked and maintained an interest in my job. The fact that I knew my efforts were noted encouraged me. It was while I was working in this capacity that Pandit Motilal Nehru came to stay at the Cecil, which was his usual place of residence when he came to Simla. He was then leader of the newly formed Swaraj Party but known throughout the country for having renounced a princely law practice to participate in the Freedom Movement with Mahatma Gandhi [ Images ]. Panditji had an important report, which needed to by typed speedily and with care. I sat up all night to complete the report and when I delivered it to him the next morning, he took out a hundred-rupee note and handed it to me with a word of thanks. I am an emotional person and had received little kindness in my short life. This gesture of Panditji's brought tears to my eyes and I quickly left the room. I could not have guessed then that I had met the father of the future prime minister of India, and that I myself would be one day a Member of Parliament during his leadership. One hundred rupees, which the wealthy throw away, was for me a fortune and made a big difference in my salary. So high was the purchasing power of the rupee that I was able to buy a wristwatch for my wife, clothes for our baby and a much needed raincoat for myself. In 1924, Mr Clarke decided to go into the hotel business for himself. His contract with the Associated Hotels of India had just ended. He obtained a catering contract for the Delhi [ Images ] Club and asked me if I could join him. I readily accepted the offer. My salary was now Rs 100. The Delhi Club contract was only for a year and Mr Clarke soon began looking around for new business. The Carlton Hotel in Simla was in liquidation. Mr Clarke was eager to lease it but guarantors were required. Here I was able to help and thus discharge a part of the moral debt, which his kindness and consideration in the past had placed upon me. I approached some of my relatives and friends who had means to assist with their co-operation. The Clarkes Hotel in Simla was opened. After five years, Mr Clarke decided to retire and sell out the hotel. He made me an offer saying he would prefer someone who could maintain the tradition and efficiency of the hotel to run it. Acceptance meant that I would have to mortgage my few assets and my wife's jewellery in order to raise the necessary funds. However, I did not hesitate long.

The opportunity seemed almost a Godsend, as we Indians are a superstitious people. I took over the proprietorship of Clarkes Hotel with the help of a kind uncle who had stood by me in the past. I was now established in the Hotel business. It is a strange coincidence that nearly every turn in my life has been associated with an epidemic of some sort. In 1933 there had been a cholera epidemic of vast proportions in Calcutta (now Kolkata [ Images ]). The Grand Hotel had been closed ever since, as more than a hundred foreign guests had died. People were afraid to visit Calcutta. I happened to see the advertisement placed by the liquidators and immediately decided to take over the hotel if I could get in on low leasehold. The price asked was Rs 10,000 rent a month plus compensation for the goodwill. In return I demanded compensation for the ill will generated by the hotel. The rent was then dropped to Rs 7,000 a month. I agreed to this figure and had the place cleaned up and refurnished. With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Calcutta was full of troops. The British Army was frantically trying to find accommodation. I immediately improvised 1,500 beds for the troops at Rs 10 per head for board and lodging. I also appointed Mr Grove, who had been my first employer at the Cecil Hotel where he had engaged me on Rs 50 a month, on a monthly salary of Rs 1,500. Taking over a cholera-ridden hotel had been a landmark in my career. The fact that I converted it and helped the Army in the time of stress and difficulty had come to the notice of the government. In 1941, I was awarded the title of Rai Bahadur by the government of India in recognition of the services to the Indian Hotel Industry. From now on my good luck was assured and gradually I went on increasing the scope of my activities with, I hope benefit to many and much fulfilment to myself. Everything I did prospered. In 1943, I bought out the controlling shareholdings of Associated Hotels of India Limited from Spencer & Company borrowing capital against the security of shares of the same company. In this way, I gained control over a big chain of hotels with establ-ishments in Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore, Muree and Delhi. I employed as one of my general managers, the son of my former boss in Simla, Mr Falleti. The wheel had turned a full circle. I gradually added more hotels to my chain in Darjeeling, Chandigarh and Kashmir [ Images ]. I began to think of building my own hotels, and the first attempt was a small hotel in Gopalpur-onSea, in Orissa. India was now independent. Horizons had widened. I began to feel the world was my oyster -- that I could succeed in anything I attempted. Fortunately, I also realised that it was not good enough to keep launching new ventures if old ones were allowed to suffer. Too often efficiency and high standards once established are taken for granted.

This is a great mistake and my constant aim has been to preserve the reputation of my hotels at the highest possible level. This pays many kinds of dividends. I was elected President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India in April 1955, and in 1960. I was created President of Honour of the Federation for life. My thoughts turned to politics. India was forging ahead. By the grace of God any my own continuous efforts, I had established myself in the profession of my choice. I felt I must enlarge the scope of my activities. My main interest was building India amongst the top-most countries in the hotel expertise, also providing employment for improving the quality of life and helping the young. I contested the Rajya Sabha election in 1962 and was successful. In 1967, I stood for the election for the Lok Sabha and won with a majority of over 46,000 votes -- not a bad record for a newcomer in politics. I was able to open the Oberoi Intercontinental Hotel in 1965 -- a joint venture with Inter-continental Hotels Corporation and Pan American. Before this event could take place there were years of work and what sometimes seemed innumerable difficulties. The reward for my labour comes through the fact that this hotel has become one of the most prestigious establishments in India. My hotels continued to expand. Some people refer to them as my Empire. A hotel is a small nation in itself and a chain does perhaps merit the name of Empire. This empire is not an imperialistic one, but rather based on the idea of rendering service. This has always been my wish and my endeavour. The latest additions are in Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka [ Images ], Nepal, Gulf Area, Egypt [ Images ] and Africa. I must not forget to mention the 550 rooms Oberoi Sheraton in Bombay, going up to 30 floors -the tallest building in India. This has been no mean achievement for the village boy, who left his plague infested village in search of a job.

Mohan Singh Oberoi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi (15 August 18983 May 2002)

[1]

was a renowned Indian hotelier,

widely regarded as the father of 20th century India's hotel business, was the founder Chairman of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, India's second-largest hotel company, with 35 luxury hotels in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Egypt, Australia and Hungary
[2][3]

A centenarian, he is acknowledged for putting the Indian hoteliering on the global map by successfully establishing noted hotel brands like Oberoi and Trident worldwide [4]. he was revered in his later years as a far-ranging visionary who provided a modern structural model for South Asia's tourism and hospitality services industry [2][5].

He was awarded the one of India's highest civilian awards the Padma Bhushan in 2001.

Early years
M S Oberoi was born in Bhaun, a minor village of Jhelum District (now Chakwal District), Punjab. During the partition of India, Punjab was divided between Pakistan and India, Bhaun became part of Pakistan. When he was six months old, his father, a contractor in Peshawar, died, leaving his mother with few resources. After attending schools in his village and nearbyRawalpindi, he passed the Intermediate College Examination in Lahore, but was unable to continue attending classes because of lack of finances. Instead, he learned typing and shorthand and, in 1922, started his hotel career with a low-paid billing clerk position at Shimla's The Cecil. He was working there as a bell boy, within two years, he assisted the Cecil's manager, Mr. Clarke, in purchasing The Carlton Hotel (renamed Clarkes) in Shimla, and ten years later, in 1934, upon Clarke's retirement, he gathered all the family resources to purchase the hotel. [edit]The

start of a hotel empire

Oberoi Grand Hotel in Calcutta, acquired by MS Oberoi in 1938

After another four years, in the aftermath of a cholera-epidemic-caused business downturn in Kolkata, M. S. Oberoi was able to negotiate favourable terms in taking over the management of the city's Calcutta Grand Hotel. The hotel, formerly a palace of luxury, had been empty for years, since the death of over a hundred foreigners who were guests during the outbreak. The hotel was refurbished and the following year, 1939, at the start of World War II, 1500 beds were made available to the British Army, as thousands of troops filled Kolkata [6]. By 1941, M. S. Oberoi was becoming well known in the hotel business and, in recognition of his services to the industry in time of war, Indian authorities bestowed on him the title of Rai Bahadur. In another two years, he became India's first modern hotel magnate by taking over the controlling interest in the Associated Hotels of India (AIH) [1], which owned top hotels in the entire region, including Delhi, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore, Murree and Shimla's Hotel Cecil, his first place of employment twenty-one years earlier. [edit]Role

as politician and business statesman

As India became independent, M. S. Oberoi built additional hotels, while expanding his base holdings. In 1948, he established 1948, East India Hotels now known as EIH Ltd., whose first acquisition was the Oberoi Grand Hotel in Calcutta [4]. In April 1955, he was elected President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India and in 1960 was endowed as the President of Honour of the Federation for life. He also participated in legislative politics by winning

elections to theRajya Sabha for two terms, first from April 1962 to March 1968 and thereafter again from April 1972 to April 1978, he was also elected to the Fourth Lok Sabha in April 1968 and remained a Member of that House till December 1970 [7]. One very notable hotel industry milestone came in 1965 when, in partnership with international hotel chains, he opened the Oberoi Intercontinental in Delhi, India's first modern five-star, worldclass hotel. [edit]Revered

centenarian

Throughout his later life M. S. Oberoi received numerous honours and awards, both from the Indian government and private organizations and came to be seen as an emblematic figure in transformation of modern India. Upon his death, extensive tributes poured in from the country's business community. Almost all publications indicated M. S. Oberoi's year of birth as 1898 and his age at death as 103. In his own autobiographical sketch - How M S Oberoi became India's greatest hotelier[8], however, he gave 1900 as his birth year, a fact attesting to his having lived to 101. However, in his New York Times obituary, the date is given as 1898 and the following was written: "He was 103, although for years he said he was born in 1900 because he did not want to be seen as dating from the 19th century." [edit]Oberoi

Group

The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, now employs about 12,000 people worldwide and owns and manages about thirty hotels and five luxury cruisers. Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, ranks amongst the Top 10 Hotel Spas Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East of the Travel + Leisure magazine. [9], and also Rank 3rd in Best Hotels in Asia in 2007 [10]. Other activities include airline catering, management of restaurants and airport bars, travel and tour services, car rental, project management and corporate air charters. The Group has a number of hotels worldwide, latest hotel additions being in Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Egypt and Africa.

The Oberoi Group

The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, operates 28 hotels and three cruisers in five countries under the luxury Oberoi and five-star Trident brands. The Group is also engaged in flight catering, airport restaurants, travel and tour services, car rentals, project management and corporate air charters. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is synonymous the world over with providing the right blend of service, luxury and quiet efficiency. Internationally acclaimed for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, Oberoi hotels and resorts have received innumerable awards and accolades. A distinctive feature of The Groups hotels is their highly motivated and well trained staff who provide exceptionally attentive, personalised and warm service. The Groups new luxury hotels have established a reputation for redefining the paradigm of luxury and excellence in service amongst leisure hotels around the world. Trident hotels are five-star hotels that have established a reputation for excellence and are acknowledged for offering quality and value. These hotels combine state of the art facilities with

dependable service in a caring environment, presenting the ideal choice for business and leisure travellers. At present there are nine Trident hotels in India. These are located in Mumbai at Bandra Kurla and Nariman Point, Gurgaon (Delhi National Capital Region), Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Cochin, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur. The Oberoi Group also operates a Trident hotel in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The last decade has witnessed the debut of new luxury Oberoi leisure hotels in India and abroad. In India, these hotels include The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur; The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas; The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore; The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur. Overseas, the new hotels include The Oberoi, Lombok in Indonesia, The Oberoi, Mauritius and The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt. The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser, Egypt was launched in 2007. The Groups commitment to excellence, attention to detail and personalised service has ensured a loyal list of guests and accolades in the worldwide hospitality industry. Recognising the importance of quality training in hospitality management, The Oberoi Group established The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development in New Delhi in 1966. Today, this institution is considered amongst the best in Asia with approximately 100 students graduating each year. The Oberoi Group is committed to employing the best environmental and ecological practices in technology, equipment and operational processes. The Group also supports philanthropic activities that range from education to assistance for the mentally and physically challenged. The Group is also a keen contributor to the conservation of nature and of cultural heritage.

Business hotels overview

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is synonymous the world over with providing the right blend of luxury, warm service and quiet efficiency. Internationally recognised for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, the business travellers acknowledge Oberoi Hotels & Resorts as amongst the finest.This was reaffirmed recently in Cond Nast Traveler, Business Travel Awards, a readers poll of business travellers, in which Oberoi Hotels & Resorts was rated the best hotel chain in the world (outside the United States). The Oberoi Hotels are located in key metro cities of India and are renowned for their contemporary design complemented by impeccable service and downtown locations that is close to the business and shopping districts. Located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gurgaon and Bangalore they are recognized amongst the leading hotels in these cities.

The Oberoi, New Delhi

The hotel reflects the capital citys spirit in a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary sophistication. Recognised as a pioneer amongst luxury hotels in India, The Oberoi New Delhi was the first hotel to feature 24 hour personal Butler service. It's exquisite interiors, impeccable service and fine cuisine combine to make it amongst the most graceful and elegant downtown hotels in Delhi.

The Oberoi, New Delhi is ideally located in the city center near government offices, shopping, financial and business districts. The Hotel is a 30 minutes drive from the Airport and within a few minutes distance from the international exhibition grounds of Pragati Maidan and many Embassies. The Oberoi New Delhi offers an exciting range of dining options which include a rooftop Oriental restaurant, a celebrated all day dining restaurant offering the best in world cuisine and an Italian fine dining restaurant. The hotel is also home to India's first and Delhi's most popular state of the art gourmet store. The hotel's 24-hours Business Centre offers many private meeting spaces with a focus on comfort and convenience. Unrivalled in meticulous appointments, refined design details and impeccable service, it offers the best of modern technology. Extensive conference and banquet venues provide an ideal venue for larger events and meetings in Delhi. The Oberoi Spa, regarded as one of the best luxury spas in Delhi, provides a sanctuary of peace in the heart of the city. Highly skilled therapists provide a variety of treatments and programs ranging from the best in ancient Ayurveda to Aromatherapy. The hotel also offers indoor and outdoor heatedswimming pools and a state of the art fitness centre. The hotel rooms offer a panoramic view of the Delhi Golf Course on one side and of Humayuns Tomb, Delhis premier heritage site, on the other. The award winning hotel is ideal for business travel or leisurely holidays to explore the cultural wonders of Delhi.

The Oberoi, Mumbai

Located in the citys prime business and shopping district of Nariman Point, The Oberoi, Mumbai has been completely redesigned to be the ultimate destination for contemporary style and luxury in the city. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the hotel welcomes you with space and serenity. Luxuriously appointed guestrooms have been meticulously planned with a host of innovative features using the latest technology. The Oberoi, Mumbai is located on Marine Drive, the famed boulevard along the coast in South Mumbai. An hour's drive from the airport and only minutes away from the business, financial and entertainment districts, the hotel is also well located to visit the citys tourist attractions. The hotel offers a rich variety of dining experiences ranging from an all day dining

restaurant serving global cuisine, to an Italian Restaurant and a signature Indian restaurant under the direction of a Michelin starred chef. An ideal location for business meetings and conferences in Mumbai, venues range from private meeting rooms at the 24-hours Business Centre to the conference rooms on the top floor of the hotel offering sweeping views of the Arabian Sea. Recreational facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, a fitness centre and a full service Oberoi Spa. The Spa and the Fitness Centre are open 24 hours. Complemented by Oberoi Hotels legendary service delivered by caring staff, The Oberoi, Mumbai is the ideal hotel for discerning business and leisure travellers.

The Oberoi, Bangalore

The Oberoi Bangalore, is located on MG Road, which is the heart of the business, financial and shopping district of Bangalore. This Luxury hotel is characteristic of the 'Garden City' of Bangalore, due to its abundance of greenery and prize winning landscapes. The hotel is conveniently connected to the major IT business park locations such as Embassy Golf Link, C.V.Ramannagar, Manyata, Whitefield, Electronic City and is 15 minutes drive from the Vidhan Soudha (Legislative assembly) and other government offices. Recognised as a pioneer amongst the luxury hotels in Bangalore, it is an oasis of calm in the heart of the city centre. All the tastefully appointed rooms have large balconies that overlook the beautiful gardens or offer a view of the swimming pool. The award winning restaurants at the hotel offers a variety of dining experiences ranging from international and Indian cuisines to authentic Thai and Chinese dining experiences. The bar, with a view of the lush green gardens, is the perfect setting for a quiet evening drink. The city centre location also makes the hotel an ideal conference and meetings venue. The venues range from private meeting rooms at the business centre to large conference halls for seminars. Recreational facilities include an outdoor swimming pool amidst swaying palms and frangipani trees, a fitness centre and a full service Oberoi Spa. The Oberoi Bangalore, with its luxurious interiors and downtown location, combines all the charm of a boutique hotel with state of art technology to make it the preferred hotel for business as well as leisure travellers.

The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata

The Oberoi Grand, fondly referred as the 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. This heritage hotels neo-classical facade and grand pillared entrance mark a successful fusion of classical Victorian and traditional Indian style and reflect the citys colonial history. Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand combines classic architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities, offering guests an oasis of tranquility amidst the bustling city. The hotel features elegantly appointed rooms, equipped with all modern facilities blending uniquely with the colonial architecture. The hotel is located in the main business and shopping district of Kolkata (Park Street, BBD Bag, and Chowringhee) and is in walking distance from most corporate and government offices. It is also conveniently located close to major convention centers, legislative offices, banks, Consulates, Deputy High Commissions, Chambers of Commerce and clubs. This ideal location makes the hotel a perfect base for the business and the leisure traveler.

The dining options at the hotel provide a great opportunity to savor cuisines from around the globe. Recreational facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a full service Oberoi Spa. The city centre location makes the hotel an ideal conference and meetings venue. The options vary from a spectacular ballroom for large conferences and smaller meeting rooms for business gatherings and seminars. A 24 hour business centre fully equipped with modern facilities includes a meeting room along with secretarial services.

The Oberoi, Gurgaon

New Delhi Capital Region, India Now Open
Towering Corporate headquarters dot the city of Gurgaon, evidence of its growing importance. Amid the competing structures is a place that provides welcome respite with an island of Height, Light and Space - The Oberoi Gurgaon. Forest green, ocean blue and a striking jewel box providing just the relief from the world outside it. The hotel is located in the prime business and shopping district of Gurgaon in the New Delhi National Capital Region and is a 15 minute drive from Delhi International Airport. The hotel is also within easy reach from the New Delhi city centre, major sightseeing destinations and most of the entertainment, shopping and recreation hubs in Gurgaon city. Featuring the most spacious accommodation in any business hotel, the 202 guest rooms and suites are planned with a host of innovative features. The rooms feature landscape windows that bathe every room with abundant daylight offering a view of the serene reflection pools and landscaped gardens. A 24 hour personal butler service and select suites with private heated swimming pools are only some of the features unmatched amongst luxury hotels in Delhi. The Oberoi, Gurgaon offers a range of gourmet experiences that encompasses cuisine from around the world. Options range from an all day dining restaurant featuring five interactive show kitchens, and alfresco seating on teakwood decks extended onto the reflection pool to an Indian coastal cuisine specialty restaurant. A delicatessen, bar and the country's only exclusive Cigar Lounge complete the culinary experience. The hotel is well designed to be the only choice for conferences and meetings in Delhi and Gurgaon with extensive conference and banqueting facilities that can accommodate up to 1000 guests in a range of indoor and outdoor settings. Some of the recreational opportunities at The Oberoi, Gurgaon include larger than an Olympic size outdoor pool, heated in winter and the first 24 hours spa in Delhi to revitalise your body and soul at any time during the day or night. Space, serenity and Oberoi Hotels' legendary service delivered by caring staff make The Oberoi, Gurgaon the only choice for discerning business and leisure travellers.

The Oberoi, Dubai

Opening third quarter - 2012 The Oberoi is located in the heart of Business Bay, Dubais new business district. With views of Dubai Creek, the hotel is only a few minutes from the city centre. The 250 spacious rooms and suites feature floor to ceiling windows that bring a refreshing sense of height, light and space. Dining options include a multi cuisine restaurant with an interactive show kitchen, a contemporary Pan-Asian that is best described as infinite. The hotel combines contemporary design, luxurious interiors and Oberoi hotels' legendary hospitality. restaurant and an Indian specialty restaurant. The roof top bar offers the perfect end to a Dubai day with a view