Esthell Group launches Rs 50-crore village resort in Tamil Nadu

Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Sept.23 (ANI-Business Wire India): The Chennai-based Rs. 100 crore Esthell Group of Hotels, one of the reputed hospitality players in the city with a three-star hotel at Adyar, is now launching Esthell Village Resort, a Rs 50 crore resort at Thirukazhukundram near Mahabalipuram.

Esthell Group is planning to increase its total project base to Rs 300 crore by 2011-12 by constructing a high-tech mall at Rs 100 crore in Velachery and a three-star hotel at Rs 50 crore in Trichy. It has a land bank of about 40 grounds in Velacherry, and has identified land for its hotel project in Trichy. Esthell Village Resort is a part of this expansion plan.

Esthell village resort is situated at Eagai village amidst an extent of 30 acres of fertile land with a total built up area of 70,000 sq. ft.

The village resort consists of 40 lake-viewing individual units fitted out with all amenities and facilities at par with international hotel standards. The common facilities of the resort include 9000-sq-ft., swimming pool, yoga and mediation center, nature trails and pathways, multi cuisine restaurant, mini bar and mini pool, stadium and arena, board room, and a dormitory block. There is a separate block for service and workers to house managerial as well as general staff.

Talking to media about the village resort, S. Xavier Britto, Founder Chairman, Esthell Group, said that the Esthell Village Resort is expecting to register revenue of Rs 10 crore of billing in the next three years.

In a phased manner, the group is planning to build another 80 accommodation units including mangrove farm houses, floating units, and individual houses and suites modeled on the village houses of Tanjore, Chettinadu and Kerala. Mangrove units would be located partly below ground level, to take advantage of earth berm effect and reduce use of power.

“The key factors that are driving the resorts business in recent years include: increasing affordability, renewed interest in rural tourism, and life style changes in favour of long-haul stays at themed-tourist destinations,” said Britto.

Since, it enjoys proximity to OMR, and ECR, the resort aims to attract everyone who wishes to enjoy tranquility.

Talking about the contributions of the village resort to the local economy, Ms Vimala Britto, Managing Director, said, “We believe that our village resort will considerably increase the inflow of large number of tourists and guests from different regions to Thirukazhukundram. Besides, the resort would contribute to the growth of local tour operations, employment opportunity for people in villages around the resort, employment for local cultural artisans, display and sale of local traditional handicrafts, and general business accentuation for villages around.”

Highlighting the eco-friendly initiatives of the resort, she said that at present there are about 4000 trees such as mango, coconut, teak etc. “We are adopting several eco-friendly measures such as zero discharge of rain and storm water, aqua ducts to recharge ground water, sewage and effluent treatment plant, solid waste management system. And we are using solar power for lighting for paths and internal roads, and water heater system.”

As for the future plans, Mrs. Britto said that Esthell has plans to develop the lake for tourist promotion and employment generation without affecting its eco-system. “We are planning to introduce fish cultivation within a certain cordoned area, introduce non-mechanized boating such as coracle, kayak and pedal boats, lake side parks, with sensitivity to retain the natural ambience and atmosphere,” she said.

Esthell Group of Hotels is promoted by S. Xavier Britto and Vimala Britto. The group owns and operates several business establishments and educational institutions including the Indev Group and the St. Britto’s Group of schools. (ANI)