Patu Keswani plans to expand The Lemon Tree Hotels chain aggressively by adding 2,000 rooms in the next two years. In a slightly time, he plans to have an inventory of 8,000 owned rooms by 2015.
The development especially comes after the world’s largest pension fund managers, the Netherland based APG with assets of nearly $400 billion dollars chose the company for its first Indian investment. In two part investment the fund took a 5.6 per cent stake in the hotel chain and set up a joint venture called Fleur Hotels which will own and manage hotels.In another development, online travel portal TripAdvisor has recognised 14 properties of the hotel chain with the Certificate of Excellence. Moreover, Lemon Tree Hotel, Indore and Red Fox Hotel, Jaipur have received the Traveler’s Choice Award 2012 by TripAdvisor. Saurabh Nandi, Chief Marketing Officer, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, "The survey results are an indication of how the brand meets consumer needs in a relevant manner. Guests experience us as fresh, spirited and find our service very friendly and genuine. The credit for this record performance in the Traveller’s Choice survey goes to the team at all our hotels." The Certificate of Excellence was awarded to Lemon Tree Premier in HITEC City, Hyderabad; Ulsoor Lake, Bengaluru; and Leisure Valley, Gurgaon. Similarly, Lemon Tree Hotels in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad; Hinjawadi, Pune; Bengaluru; Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon; Navrangpura, Ahmedabad; Chikalthana, Aurangabad as well as Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, Goa were also recipients of the certificate. At present, Lemon Tree Hotels is the fourth largest player in the segment with nearly 2,000 rooms and 18 hotels. The company which was started in 2002 is one of the fastest growing hotel chains in the country.
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