Pioneered of heritage hospitality and delivering something different to each guest with its 18 magical properties to the date, the unique seed of Neemrana was sown in 1991 under the wise hegemony of Late Francis Wacziarg and Aman Nath. The Neemrana founders wished that every guest’s little joys and discoveries be different in each property because people travel primarily to live out the difference. That is why; the hotel chain continues in the rooted, experiential tourism that the non-hotel hotels offer.
THE VISIONARIES
Aman Nath
Aman Nath, Chairman always innovates and adds his magical touches to all the heritage hotels under the Neemrana brand. He is a historian by education but from an early age he has painted, written poetry practiced graphic design and copywriting for several advertising campaigns. He has sold everything from beer and jeans to housing colonies and even India. He has co-written/authored fourteen illustrated books on different aspects. As an inveterate traveler after walking 400 km to Mount Kailash and sub-Antarctica Aman has contributed to several travel magazines.
LATE FRANCIS WACZIARG
Late Francis Wacziarg, co-chairman, Neemrana Hotels Pvt. Ltd. with an eye for people and an ear for music, intuitively made India his home when he arrived in 1970 after completing his MBA in France. He worked in the French Trade Commission in Bombay and then opened the BNP branch in New Delhi. What began as a project soon grew into a heritage hotel empire. Late Mr. Francis Wacziarg was a founding member of INTACH and a trustee on IFA. Wacziarg and Aman Nath co-authored The Painted Frescoes of Shekhavati. In 2014 they were given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ministry of Tourism for pioneering heritage tourism in India.
SERVICES ON OFFER
Neemrana hotels cater to a diverse clientele – travellers seeking authentic and historical experiences, honeymooners, couples who visit for pre-wedding shoots, families, friends celebrating milestone birthdays or a casual reunion, backpackers, fancy motorcyclists, pet lovers, birdwatchers, conference organizers, Corporate that are looking at unique destinations for their offsite and more. Neemrana Fort-Palace which was once a tragic ruin now splendidly restored with India’s first thrilling zipline, palaces stepped over 14 levels with 77 rooms/suites, 3 conference halls, hanging gardens, private courts and balconies to romance. Two outdoor pools (one heated) with a rejuvenating spa and health club, an intimate area for young toddlers and the adjacent Neemrana eco-farm which grows organic food for our farm to fork luxury.
DIFFERENTIATING FACTORS
What set Neemrana apart and still does was the fact is that none of the hotels were built to be hotels. Each building was in a state of decay and ruin and had been lovingly revitalized by the team. The hotels span from the 14th to the 21st century and each hotel is a complete destination in itself. “At Neemrana, we have a very strong focus on the heritage and experiential aspect of hospitality, which inherently is a local characteristic. We take pride in the fact that the majority of the team is from the local village and has been trained by Neemrana to run their local heritage with pride,” states Aman Nath.
A GLIMPSE OF INDUSTRY
Hospitality continues to be one of the most dynamic industries in India today. The trend has moved gradually from consumerism to experiences. All age groups are travelling and one of the major challenges for all heritage hotels with a local workforce continues to be the challenge of grooming the team and in recruiting skilled manpower to cater to the requirements of the diverse clientele. Indians, in particular, are much more interested in discovering their heritage – this is a huge trend that Neemrana pioneered and an opportunity for all the heritage hotels.
SUCCESS SECRET OF NEEMRANA
Apart from the fact that they began early, Neemrana holds the most magical and unique heritage properties. There is a very young and talented team that is always working round the clock to enhance the guest experience. The best part is that people at Neemrana always put their selves in the guests’ shoes and view the same situation from the guests’ perspective. Focusing on organic growth, both at the macro and micro level has always been Neemrana’s credo for manageable growth. An approach where talent is built from within, an organizational structure that rewards talent, and management that executes a responsible growth strategy, keeps Neemrana on a solid footing!
THE CORPORATE ETHOS
At Neemrana, people are free to express their ideas and to discuss their problems/ grievances to arrive at innovative solutions. There is also the concept of a non-hierarchical hierarchy which helps the flow of communication and resolving conflicts that may arise.
BUILDING LONG TERM CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Neemrana keeps the guests engaged through different social media platforms by keeping them updated and this further enhances their connection with Neemrana Hotels. ‘Friends of Neemrana’ is one of the initiatives that keep loyal guests constantly in touch with the team and helps them understand guests’ needs and create special experiences for them.
FEATHERS IN THE CAP
Over the years, the Company has won several awards recognitions:
- National Tourism Award for Deo Bagh, Gwalior in 2016-17 and 2017-18 for the Best Heritage Hotel (Classic Category)
- Outlook Traveller Award for the Best Heritage Hotel 2018
- Outlook Traveller Award for the Best Destination Property 2017
- Hall of Fame Award for The Glasshouse on the Ganges, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand and the Deo Bagh
- CSR Health Impact Awards for the Health Awareness Campaign of the year 2017.
