In Conversations with Varun Mehrotra, Director of Sales and Marketing, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center

How is “Sheraton Grand Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre” placed in the Southern Market?

Sheraton Grand Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre is strategically positioned in the Southern market as a premier destination for business and leisure travelers. With its luxurious accommodations, state-of-the-art convention facilities, and convenient location in the vibrant Whitefield neighborhood, the hotel caters to the discerning needs of both corporate and leisure guests.

What offerings do you have for the high-end customers?

For high-end customers, Sheraton Grand Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre provides exclusive services and amenities such as personalized concierge service, access to executive lounges, and premium room options. The hotel strives to create a luxurious and memorable experience for guests seeking a higher level of comfort and sophistication.

Service expectations of a business guest, Convention Guest & Wedding Guest are different. How is your hotel prepared to service all the market segments?

Understanding the diverse needs of business guests, convention attendees, and wedding guests, the hotel has tailored its services to meet each segment’s expectations. With dedicated business and convention facilities, as well as wedding planning services, the hotel ensures a seamless and personalized experience for all guests. The service expectations of a business guest, convention attendee, and wedding guest vary significantly from each other. Our hotel is adept at catering to these distinct market segments by offering specialized and tailored services. For business guests, we provide dedicated facilities for meetings and conferences, ensuring a professional environment that makes digital connectivity and presentation conduction a breeze. Convention attendees benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and expert event planning services, creating an experience that enriches their goal. Wedding guests enjoy personalized wedding planning services, from decor and catering to venue management and the arrangement of stay options for guests, making their special day truly memorable. This tailored approach ensures that each guest segment receives the attention and services aligned with their expectations.

Food is a foremost decision maker for the customers today, while selecting a hotel. Is your hotel looking at gourmet as a pulling factor or a USP. What is your offering in F&B for the Guests to experience?

Sheraton Grand Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre recognizes the importance of food in the overall guest experience. The hotel positions its food and beverage offerings as a unique selling point, providing a diverse range of gourmet options across its restaurants and catering services, appealing to the varied tastes of its guests. Our culinary landscape is a fusion of global flavours and local delicacies, ensuring a gastronomic journey that caters to a wide range of tastes. Whether one craves the familiar comfort of international cuisine or the rich tapestry of local dishes, our restaurants are curated to satisfy discerning palates. For those seeking a more casual dining experience, our establishments offer inviting atmospheres that foster a relaxed and laid-back ambiance. On the other end of the spectrum, we boast fine dining options, where every detail, from the presentation to the service, is meticulously crafted to elevate the overall dining experience.

One prominent highpoint is the expertise of our expat chef, whose culinary mastery adds an international flair to our offerings. Their creative touch and commitment to culinary excellence

contribute to the unique and refined dining experiences available within our hotel. We are also coming up with our upcoming new Indian restaurant “Zarf”.

Moreover, our restaurants are not exclusive to hotel guests alone. We extend an open invitation to individuals who wish to indulge in our culinary delights, creating a welcoming space for walk-in customers. Whether it’s a casual meet-up, a special celebration, or a desire to explore a new dining experience.

MICE & Wedding market offers great opportunity for the hospitality. But today, events are becoming more complex and demanding. How is your hotel equipped to handle this dynamic market?

The hotel is well-equipped to handle the dynamic MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding markets. With state-of-the-art convention facilities, experienced event planners, and customizable packages, Sheraton Grand Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre ensures a flawless execution of events, meeting the evolving demands of clients in these markets. In the ever-evolving MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding markets, our hotel stands out with its adaptability and advanced amenities. Our meeting and convention facilities are designed to meet the increasing complexity and demands of modern events. Highly experienced event planners work closely with clients to customize packages, ensuring that every detail of MICE events and weddings is meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. This capability positions us as a preferred choice in the dynamic MICE and wedding market.

Hospitality market in Bengaluru is becoming very competitive with more brands entering into the city. Do you think it is going to impact your customer base and change the guest profile mix.

While the hospitality market in Bengaluru is competitive, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre remains confident in its ability to maintain its customer base and adapt to changing guest profiles. The hotel continuously innovates and invests in guest experiences to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. Bengaluru’s robust business ecosystem, marked by the presence of numerous tech giants and startups, positions it as a prime destination for corporate events and business-related activities. This bustling landscape creates a consistent demand for quality accommodations, and our hotel strategically aligns itself with the city’s reputation as a business hub. The seamless integration of our state-of-the-art facilities with the city’s business landscape ensures that we are well-equipped to host a myriad of business and tech-related events. Moreover, Bengaluru’s allure extends beyond business, with a rich cultural scene that enhances its appeal to leisure travellers. The city boasts a vibrant amalgamation of traditional and contemporary cultural experiences, from historic landmarks to eclectic dining and entertainment options. This diversity makes it an ideal destination for those seeking a well-rounded travel experience, further contributing to the buoyancy of the hotel industry. The competitive landscape of the hospitality market in Bengaluru has indeed expanded with the entry of more brands. However, Sheraton Grand Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre is confident in its ability to uphold its customer base and adapt to evolving guest profiles. Our commitment to continuous innovation and substantial investments in enhancing guest experiences ensures that we remain a preferred choice amongst our patrons. By staying ahead of industry trends and guest preferences, we aim to not only retain our customer base but also attract new guests seeking unparalleled hospitality in a competitive market.

On a Personal note, Varun’s :

• Hobbies – Sports and Punjabi music
• Favourite Travel Destination/s – Singapore
• Favourite Food – North Indian cuisine
• Life Mantra – Work hard, party harder