Sunday, October 19, 2008

Doubletree by Hilton Vizag.....someday...and another cultural experience!





For those of you wondering how our first hotel in India is coming......Slooooooooowly! For those of you who saw the first set of pictures I took in August on my inaugural trip, not much has changed...besides having to go there to assess the status of the hotel, a huge part of my job is establishing relationships with the owners. Many of you will recall my telling you that the owner, Sarat Kumar Reddy, wanted to open the hotel on the date of his father's birthday, October 15th...I had promised him back in August that I would be in Vizag for his father's celebration....no matter what. Opening the hotel on his father's birthday was Sarat's dream, but it was clear to me back in August that we would not open the hotel.....but I was going to be there for him. There was a ceremony scheduled that day, but it didn't involve a ribbon cutting...it involved another "Puja". Now this was my second puja and there were many familiar aspects ....remember ...no shoes.....and a priest....alot of chanting, flowers, incense, candles, gods, more flowers.......and something unfamiliar....sitting on the table were two clear containers with two different liquids in them...and one of those little spoons! Now keep in mind that I am standing in this room, watching intently at everything happening, which is easy to do when you don't know what is being said....I don't know if he was singing the Hindi version of "How Great Thou Art" or what, so all I can do is observe.....when the priest picked up the container with the "milky, cloudy, liquid" and then saw Sarat form his hands into a cup......I admit I was having second thoughts, but I couldn't back out at this point.....OK..."second thoughts" is being nice...I was thinking "Oh Shit, what am I about to drink"? I watched Sarat drink the liquid from his hand, then he rubbed the remaining liquid in the palm of his hand through his hair. I say to myself.."OK, I got this down....cup hands.....drink liquid (I was worried about making a slurping sound, and then rub the remaining through my hair...I can do this", but I am still a little nervous. Well obviously I am still around to write my blog; so I didn't die or get deathly ill, but my story can't stop there.....Brace yourselves....I executed the task at hand flawlessly, but did not take into account that rubbing liquid through my hair would have different results than Sarat, who has a thick hair.....yes.....the liquid as it turned out was coconut juice with something sprinkled in it.....but it did not stay in my hair......it ran down my forehead! Yes.....another "cultural" experience for Lloyd in India.....I am guessing that Gandhi has the same problem.....so I wore the coconut droplet that reached my left eyebrow with pride....and I had to do so because the ceremony was not over....Have any of you stopped laughing yet?? So then we were given something to eat, which was sweet.....I think it was called "ghee"....Indian clarified butter with sugar.....it tasted better than it looked....almost like a praline flavor without the pecans. Well...when the ceremony was over , I excused myself and wiped the droplet inconspicuously from my brow...but i had strands of hair and flower petals plastered to my head....because coconut juice is sticky....and I had to walk around like this all day long! Well here are a couple of pictures of the hotel.....like I said, not much has changed and I estimate that the hotel will open sometime at the beginning of March. The last picture is of "Sonny", at least that is what I think I heard them call him.....he sleeps just outside the door to the temporary office at the project site. I miss you Murphy!

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi when the recruitment is getting started. I am interested in applying for Front Office Manager

V.BHASKAR.RAO said...

Hai i am from Vizag,present working inHyderabad.I wish to join you as Asst F/B Manager

Pavan said...

hi can we see some more of pics , its amazing that vyzag has boomed so much in having that international property setting up , im happy for vyzag and wish it starts ealry , i may join for food and beverage

ravi said...

hi i'm ravi working in hyd want to apply for sous chef once if the recritment starts

Unknown said...

hi im ashok saripalli . presently im working in hyd. i would like ti join as a cdp in dpt of pastry.

Anonymous said...

hai its naresh
i worked before in hilton egypt i love to work there can u giveme the information when do the recruiting will be starting , my mail naresh_11985@yahoo.co.in,ph 9491726671

Unknown said...

HI I AM PURSUING MBA IN VIZAG WITH SPECIALISATION OF FINANCE&MARKETING.I WANT TO DO PROJECT WORK IN HILTON.

Anonymous said...

I have seen the project pics they are very nice & Looks like very huge project. No doubt it will be a landmark of vizag verry soon and i wish u all the best...

jekki.satishkumar@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi I am Anup working in Goa want to apply for Assistant Restaurant Manager or Restaurant Manager once the recuritment starts.

Commando's Thoughts said...

Hai i am from kerala presently staying at vizag. i wan't to join as a Guest Relation Executive in this hotel.
and...i m a student of IIHM vizag pursuing BHM final year
my id is vipin.jetin@gmail.com

ANTHONY said...

Hai I am ANTHONY,working in PIZZAHUT vizag as ARMT .Wishing to join ur group and do some great achivement for the company

shankar said...

Hi this is Shankar pursuing BHM final year from IIHM Vizag.I am happy to find such a nice personality who is interested in collecting different things and sharing with others as i do...
I would like to get some more info. about such collections.
my email durgashankar.t@gmail.com

Unknown said...

hai im ramesh dv presently working for novotel hyd airport in the preopening team i have completed my 1 year in this hotel in the bar and i also worked for itc park sheraton as a waiter for 3 yrs , kn im intersted to work for preopening hilton vizag so pls let me kn the details in f&b service
thank you

Unknown said...

hai im ramesh dv presently working for novotel hyd airport in the preopening team i have completed my 1 year in this hotel in the bar and i also worked for itc park sheraton as a waiter for 3 yrs , kn im intersted to work for preopening hilton vizag so pls let me kn the details in f&b service
thank you

Unknown said...

hai im ramesh dv presently working for novotel hyd airport in the preopening team i have completed my 1 year in this hotel in the bar and i also worked for itc park sheraton as a waiter for 3 yrs , kn im intersted to work for preopening hilton vizag so pls let me kn the details in f&b service
thank you

vikra.m said...

hi my self vikram i want to join ur property as hk superviser

Unknown said...

Hello Sir,

Great Improvement . Wish you all the best for such a fantastic Property's growth. Hope it will come up soon .

Chandan
RSM
chandan.chanchal@gmail.com
+91 9880456800

Anonymous said...

Dear Sir
I am Swaran Ch. Panigrahi now working with TRIDENT,Bhubaneswar(Priviously TRIDENT HILTON) as a Guest Associate. I want to be a part of your group.
swaranchandra@gmail.com
09778537055

Unknown said...

Respected sir,

I am vinay kumar Working as Hr Executive in Peacock Information Technologies. From Nov.2008 to till date. My educational qualification is MHRM from Andhra University. Before that i completed 3 yrs diploma in HMCT in Hyd . and Bachelor of Tourism Studies from IGNOU. My intention is work in Hotel Industries. So, please consider fro the same.

Lloyd said...

Jamana, please contact me via email......llauland@gmail.com and provide me some contact information and I will be happy to follow up on your desire to work in the industry. I cannot help if i do not know how to contact you.

Unknown said...

respected sir my name is debasis nayak from alliance institute hotel mgt. i m interested in housekeeping my no. is 09966380486

Unknown said...

hello sir, this is SAYANTAN BASU ROY FROM KOLKATA.I AM A HOTEL MANAGEMENT FINAL YEAR DEGREE STUDENT.i have undergone 6 months iet in taj gate way vizag.i also worked for THE IMPERIAL PALACE in rajkot for 4 months as a commie 3 in kitchen at TANDOOR DEPARTMENT.
I WANT to make my career in production department if possible in this hotel
my contact number is 09051328591

Lloyd said...

Mr. Roy,

I have passed your comment on to the GM and HR Director at the hotel and someone will be calling you. Thanks for your desire to work for us.....it is going to be a fantastic hotel.

Unknown said...

hi this praveen reddy would like to join hilton vizag in f&b division.e-mail:reddy4uu@gamail.com

Lloyd said...

Thanks for you interest in the job Mr Reddy.... will forward your contact information to the GM and HR Manager at the property

Anonymous said...

Hi am dinesh would like to join as a F&B Executive in your double tree family at vishakapatnam. I am curently working in Leela Kempenski Goa as a F&B team leader for more than two years and my hotel industry experience is three years .contact no:-9860125127

Anonymous said...

Hi am Naresh would like to join as a F&B Executive in your double tree Group at vishakapatnam. I am curently working in Leela Kempenski Goa as a F&B team leader for more than two years and my hotel industry experience is three years .contact no:-9923845485

Lloyd said...

Dinesh and Naresh, I have sent your requests to the GM of the hotel who will have someone getting in touch with you.

Thank you both for your interest.

saroj said...

i want to join your hotel my area of instrest is f&b service.

Anonymous said...

hi i m vijay i am a fresher iwould like to join food production.please send me required information at:gangawar@gmail.com

Lloyd said...

Vijay,

I have passed your information on to the hotel. Someone will follow up with you shortly.

Thanks

Lloyd

Anonymous said...

hi, i am presently working in hyd,looking for the post of ARM.When the recruitment are going to start.
thanks
hariom.

Sravan Kumar said...

Hai sir when is the recruitment going to start ???I am very much intrested in working in your hotel.I have done my master,s in Human Resource from andhra university.Are there vacancies in HR department??? I have 10 months of experience in FMCG(The Hindustan Coca-Cola Company).PLs inform me sravan_005@yahoo.com,9985164648

Lloyd said...

Hariom.......please send some contact information and i will have someone follow up,

Lloyd

Unknown said...

Hi Sir im S.Mahiapl Jain and i have cumpleted my mba and presently working with ITC(fmcg) in vizag and im very much interested in joing your hotel in marketing and sales divison.So intimate at mahiactive@yahoo.co.in about the interview dates.

srikanth damarla said...

HILTON IS THE BEST PROPERTY IN THE WORLD OF HOTELS CAPTURING HUGE MARKETING SHARE IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH IT.IAM FRESHER AND LIKE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH HILTON.
JOBS CAN B FORWARDED TO MY MAIL srikannth57@yahoo.co.in
iam intersted in front office and house keeping

Unknown said...

Hi Llyod ,

I really liked the way u wrote your cultural experience at vizag hotel,u wrote so realistic way that while reading your blog i got the extact picture of that time.

I liked your last picture of "sonny" ..looking at that picture even i missed "misshi"

Thanks&regards,

Sankalp Sharma

Pavan said...

hi,

Iam a bit more eager to join in F & B ,and looking forward for vishakapatnam,iam a hotelier with 8 yrs experiance in F&B ,presently working as Asst Manager in food and beverage , in one of the reputed 5-star property in hyderabad,

thanks

Unknown said...

Good Morning sir,
My name is Syed Afaque Hussain. I am from Kolkata. I have completed my graduation in hotel management(BHM) from IHM-KOLKATA. I have also 20 weeks industrial exposure training from Grand Intercontinental,Goa. I am looking for job in F&B services department as HOT/OT. If possible please let me know. My e-mail id is syed_afak@rediffmail.com/hussain786afaque@gmail.com and my contact no. is 9804184110

Syed Afaque Hussain said...

Good Morning sir,
My name is Syed Afaque Hussain. I am from Kolkata. I have completed my graduation in hotel management(BHM) from IHM-KOLKATA. I have also 20 weeks industrial exposure training from Grand Intercontinental,Goa. I am looking for job in F&B services department as HOT/OT. If possible please let me know. My e-mail id is syed_afak@rediffmail.com/hussain786afaque@gmail.com and my contact no. is 9804184110

Anonymous said...

hi lloyd,

Anonymous said...

Hi Lloyd,
I am Sridhar from hyderabad,i read your blog.I like the real experiences and your imagination.you described india as your motherland.

would like to know when are the recruitments starting.my number is 9703826868

Anonymous said...

hi lloyd,

how ru

i am sridhar from hyderabad,would like to know when are the recruitments starting.my number is 9703826868.

Anonymous said...

hi

Anonymous said...

respected sir
i want to join your establishment, in f&b department. so i wait for your response

Unknown said...

My name is JABIR M.A
FROM KERALA
I HAVE 3YEAR EXPERIANCE FOR F&B SERVICE
IAM INTERSTING IN YOUR ORGANIZATION

srikanth damarla said...

sir,
is hilton property in vizag started to recruitment ?because i was sentented the mail address of new sheraton property hr mail address.is hilton starting in vizag?if so how can i apply

BRIJ said...

hello,sir/madam
I am brijesh solanki and now i am studing in third year of hotel management and tourism from annand institute of management science/gujarat. i have completed my 6 months industrial training from "THE PRIDE HOTEL/NAGPUR".so i need job in your hotel so please give me this opprtunity.
or inform me on brijesh.is.solanki@gmail.com or my mobile no:09228132850
thanking you.

Anonymous said...

Respected Sir,

Greetings Of Day !!!!!!!!

My name is Ch Govind Rajan. I am from Jamshedpur. I have completed my 4 years graduation in hotel management(BHM) from Acharya Instuties of Management Sciences From Bangalore. I have 5 & 1/2 years Exp . Presently working in Fortune Hotel Centre Point By ITC Welcom Group. I am looking for job in Front Office department .

Warm Regards

Ch Govind Rajan
Qtr# 5, O road, Bistupur, Jamshedpur
Jharkhand
09835507357
rajan_2882@rediffmail.com

sunnyraj said...

hiii im rajesh done my bhmct in 2009.being a fresher ...im interested in f&b production..looking for an opportunity to work in a good property where i can learn some work n also meet my minimum expenses..its a v good news that hilton is coming up in vizag...could somebody tell me when will be the recruitment starts? my phone no is 9985868806

Unknown said...

Hi I just want to know does the hotel on operation or still under project.

Unknown said...

Lloyd ur blogs are interesting to read. I just want to update you that the language spoken in vizag is Telugu and its not hindi everywhere in India.

Anonymous said...

hello sir ,this is prabhanjan singh having 4Yrs. bachelors degree in hospitality management with good knowledge in indian cuisine .5yrs..experience working in a 5* propoerty westin hotel as a commi-2.mb.no.9160490965,e-mail-prabhanjan_singhleo@yahoo.com