‘Classic’ experience in Manipur

The Classic Hotel Imphal, part of Classic Group of Hotels, recently raised the bar on hospitality by modernising its 52-room property on a sprawling three-plus acres of land in Imphal with an aim to attract more tourists not just to the state of Manipur but the entire North East region.

With improved air connectivity to the capital city of Imphal, Manipur is now a lot more accessible and hotel chains in the state are raising the bar on hospitality to attract more domestic and international visitors.

Classic Group of Hotels, one such hotel chains, which established The Classic Hotel Imphal as the first modern hotel in the state in 2009, currently owns two more hotels in Imphal. Of the two later additions, Sendra is an island on the famous Loktal Lake, while The Classic Grande became a member of Radisson Individuals in March 2021.

Radisson Individuals is Radisson Hotel Group’s newest affiliation brand, which claims a certain standard of service and quality for customers.

Talking of The Classic Grande’s association with Radisson Individuals, Dr Th Dhabali, Managing Director, Babina Group, the parent organisation that owns and operates hospitality of the Classic Group, said, “I am sure this association will take Classic Group to a new height and that we will be able to imbibe the best international practices in all spheres of operations and guests’ services.”

The Group recently refurbished The Classic Hotel Imphal, a 52-room property on a sprawling three-plus acres of land in the heart of the state capital. As part of the hotel’s modernisation plan, state-of-the-art facilities were put in place at the hotel’s three conference rooms, which are named after iconic flower and animal of the state. Siroy Hall, for instance, is inspired by the rare lily of the same name and it has a capacity to host 50 people. Sangai Hall derives its name from an endangered sub-species of Eld’s deer found only in Manipur. The hall can accommodate over 200 people. Singarei Hall, inspired by Coral Jasmine flower, which is a flower with folklores around it, can hold over 20 people.

The premise is dotted with a beautiful lawn at the front and back and the structure of the building provides plenty of light and open air. “We have been fortunate about hiring the right people, who are receptive and proactive. They have become our brand ambassadors over a period of time. We are watching the current COVID wave and hope that when things settle, tourists come to Manipur,” says Naoba Thangjam, Director, Classic Group of Hotels.

The Northeast has all the ingredients to become a niche tourist destination in the near future. The eight states of the Northeast offer an experience of a different kind. The added bounty for them are the aesthetics and colourful festivals that take place around the year. The state of Manipur is once again in the limelight with the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who doled out multiple developmental projects for the state, including better connectivity with other states in the region.

Ezejourney Tourism keeps its group sizes between 15 and 20 people. Srivastava has not found that to be difficult. “But if we have fewer than the critical number required, tours will still be operated,” he adds.