Discover how The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace blends international standards with the rich tapestry of Hyderabad’s culture to create unforgettable guest experiences
Words by Sakshi Dhingra
How do you balance maintaining The Westin’s global brand standards with incorporating local Hyderabad culture and flavour into the guest experience?
At The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, my role involves striking a balance between maintaining the hotel’s global brand standards and incorporating the vibrant local culture of Hyderabad into our guest experience. Upholding our global brand standards is crucial for ensuring consistency and delivering the high-quality service our guests expect. These standards, which cover everything from our service protocols to the Westin Wellness Pillars, are integral to defining the Westin experience.
However, Hyderabad’s rich cultural heritage and unique traditions offer an opportunity to enhance our guests’ experience in a way that resonates more deeply. To achieve this, we blend local elements with our global standards, incorporating Hyderabad’s vibrant culture into various aspects of the guest experience—from personalized local amenities in the rooms to distinctive food and beverage offerings.
We also train our staff to deliver our signature Westin hospitality while embracing local customs and courtesies. This approach ensures that our guests receive both the consistent quality of service expected from The Westin and a memorable experience that celebrates the essence of Hyderabad. By thoughtfully integrating local influences with our established brand standards, we create a unique guest experience that honours both Westin’s global identity and Hyderabad’s rich cultural tapestry.
What unique challenges does the Hyderabad market present for a luxury hotel, and how do you address them?
The competitive landscape in Hyderabad, with numerous luxury hotels striving for attention, requires us to differentiate ourselves through personalized service, unique cultural experiences, and exceptional quality. We navigate the dynamic business and tourism demand by employing flexible pricing strategies and dynamic marketing campaigns while fostering strong local business relationships.
Addressing cultural sensitivity, we integrate local customs into our services and decor and train our staff to respect cultural nuances, ensuring an immersive experience. The city’s infrastructure and traffic challenges are mitigated through reliable transportation options and detailed guidance on navigating the city.
Additionally, we are committed to sustainability, implementing eco-friendly practices and communicating our green initiatives to guests. By proactively addressing these challenges, we ensure that The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace delivers a superior and memorable experience amidst the complexities of the Hyderabad market.
In what ways does The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace collaborate with local businesses or artisans to create unique experiences for guests?
At The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, we actively partner with local businesses and artisans to offer our guests unique and authentic experiences that reflect the richness of Hyderabad’s culture. A prime example of this collaboration is our partnership with a local Kangan maker, which demonstrates our dedication to supporting and celebrating regional craftsmanship. By featuring these traditional Kangan artworks as decor in our Indian specialty restaurant – Kangan, we provide guests with a tangible connection to the city’s cultural heritage.
In addition to our work with Kangan artisans, we engage with local businesses to curate exclusive experiences for our guests. These include guided tours of historical landmarks, cultural events, and personalized shopping excursions, all designed to immerse guests in the vibrant traditions of Hyderabad. Our dining options further enhance this experience by featuring local chefs and culinary experts who serve authentic regional cuisine and specialty dishes, offering a true taste of the city’s dynamic food scene.
Through these partnerships, we not only enrich our guests stays with memorable, local experiences but also support and promote the local community. This approach creates a meaningful connection between our guests and the vibrant culture of Hyderabad, ensuring an authentic and memorable visit.