LADAKH’S FIRST LUXURY 5-STAR HOTEL MICE TO THE NEXT LEVEL TAKES 11,562 FT. AT
As one of the most sought-after tourist hotspots and a rapidly emerging MICE destination in India, The Grand Dragon Ladakh offers state-of-the-art conference facilities and diverse leisure options. Join Danish Din, Director, The Grand Dragon Ladakh, for an insider's look into the extent of MICE possibilities at this breathtaking property.
Ladakh is a cold desert nestled within the majestic Great Himalayas, flanked by the imposing Karakoram and Zanskar mountains. It showcases breathtaking scenery, crisscrossed by several rivers like the Indus, which sculpt deep valleys, dramatic gorges, lakes and glaciers, including the renowned Pangong Lake and Siachen Glacier. This stunning panorama serves as the backdrop for The Grand Dragon Ladakh, one of the first luxury hotels in Leh, Ladakh, established in 2007. Owned and operated by the esteemed Abdu family of Leh, the hotel boasts over 50 years of expertise in extending warm hospitality to travellers exploring this remote corner of the world situated at 11,562 ft.
Pioneering Luxury
Addressing the proud heritage of the hotel, Danish says, “It was the first to offer facilities and services on par with international standards, and since its opening, it has been credited as the pioneer in showcasing luxury standards to the hospitality sector in Ladakh. It is also Ladakh’s only certified five-star, international standard hotel.” Open year-round, this artistically designed hotel
showcases indigenous architecture and features paintings by Gulam Mustafa, the first modern artist of Ladakh.
Only a five-minute drive from Leh Airport and a short walk from the main market, the hotel offers luxurious accommodations with unobstructed views of the Himalayas. With 76 rooms, it offers all modern comforts infused with the renowned Ladakhi warmth. The luxurious, spacious rooms with breathtaking views of the Stok Kangri mountains offer high-end in-room facilities like Nespresso coffee makers, humidifiers, TWG teas, Kronokare paraben-free amenities, floor heating in rooms and bathrooms as temperatures in Ladakh in winter go down to minus 25 degrees Celsius. Special precautions are advised upon arrival due to the high altitude and oxygen cylinders are available in all rooms and vehicles.
The hotel also features a fully equipped wellness centre with a gym and an upcoming international-class spa. It offers diverse dining options, including local, Indian, PanAsian, and European cuisine. Zasgyath offers all-day dining, while Solja serves as the Tea & Coffee Lounge. BBQ and bonfire events are hosted on the hotel's lawns, while a speciality Pan Asian Restaurant is soon to be unveiled.
MICE Services
The Grand Dragon Ladakh offers comprehensive amenities to the business traveller, including in-room Wi-Fi, separate sitting areas in all suites for meetings, a boardroom accommodating up to 20 people,
a dedicated breakout session lounge, a well-equipped business centre and a stateof-the-art banquet hall ideal for national and international conferences. Danish highlights, “In April 2023, The Grand Dragon Ladakh hosted the Youth G20 Summit, accommodating over 70 delegates from different countries and Indian government representatives for three days. Beyond the official sessions, the hotel organised a gala dinner, a musical evening, and a local artefacts exhibition.”
The hotel gardens offer a stunning mountain backdrop for outdoor events. Additionally, Ladakh's landscapes are perfect for team-building activities like rafting, cycling, trekking, or picnics by the Indus River.
From hosting a G-20 summit to launching automobiles, the team at The Grand Dragon Ladakh is trained to provide the requisite support for arranging special themed events, evening soirees with bonfires, and local cultural shows. The hotel’s F&B team provides extensive catering choices for up to 200 pax. The hotel can help to curate packages as per client requirements, both within the premises of the hotel or offsite in Ladakh. The hotel has a close network of local and specialist vendors and works with Ladakhi freelance interpreters for multilingual requests from international guests.
Beyond Business
The Grand Dragon Ladakh serves as an ideal base for post-MICE events, offering day trips to explore ancient monasteries such as Hemis, Thiksey, and Alchi. Guests can also embark on overnight journeys to experience the surreal landscapes of Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley, and Lamayuru or partake in adventures like the acclaimed Chadar Trek and snow leopard expeditions. In Leh activities can include a variety of cultural tours, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, and wildlife safaris. The hotel offers unique experiences such as Ladakhi script calligraphy classes, local cultural shows, BBQs, bonfires, and riverside picnics.
Experience Ladakhi Culture
Danish articulates, “The Grand Dragon Hotel is an ode to the famed Ladakhi pride in the land’s ancient cultural heritage. Its architecture incorporates the famous Rabsal tradition of Ladakh, visible in the window treatments and balconies and the resplendent hand-carved colourful traditional Ladakhi frescos. The imposing entrance in intricately carved wood, ubiquitous in Ladakhi palaces and mansions, welcomes guests to the portals of the hotel.” He also points out, “Paintings by my uncle Gulam Mustafa, the first modern artist of Ladakh, adorn the walls of the property, reflecting his deep feelings for Ladakh – the emotions of people and the fragrance of the land. They provide an insight into the local culture of different tribes, imposing mountain panorama, traditional buildings, majestic palaces, stupas, and homes of Ladakh.” At The Grand Dragon, every room has elements of Ladakh be it in the artefacts, décor or traditional ceilings. In addition, guests can indulge in traditional Ladakhi cuisine, and enjoy local produce like yak cheese and apricots. The cultural shows offer guests a deep dive into Ladakh's rich heritage.
Sustainable and Responsible Goals
The hotel prioritises sustainability by minimising one-time plastic use, offering artisanal water in glass bottles from its bottling plant, and providing paraben-free, bamboo in-room utilities. It encourages linen reuse, utilises non-toxic laundry detergents, and promotes biodegradable consumables and local ingredients like buckwheat, sea buckthorn, yak cheese, and apricots for farm-to-fork dining. The hotel has practised stringent wet waste management for over a decade, sending leftovers to the "Live to Love" animal shelter at Nang. The hotel supports local community development by training Ladakhi youth in hospitality careers.
Offering a potent combination of luxury, stunning natural beauty, and adventurous spirit, this exclusive, contemporary retreat provides a serene getaway for discerning travellers. Lijo John, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, provides insights into crafting the ultimate Maldivian experience - The Standard style.
Nestled in the Raa Atoll on Huruvalhi island, a seaplane ride from Male, lies The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives. The hotel enjoys an idyllic location surrounded by a vast lagoon and is close to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which provides a glimpse into Maldives' stunning underwater marine life.
The Island Experience
Explaining the lay of the land, Lijo says, “Our Island oasis is a perfect, romantic escape for friends and families alike. Each of our 115 pool villas, overwater or settled on the beachfront, has its own private lounge deck and plunge pool. Villas have large bathrooms equipped with oversized bathtubs overlooking disco balls.” They have direct access to the lagoon, ocean, or beach, depending upon their category and location on the island. Hints of bright colours and shiny disco balls add a touch of whimsy to the indulgence of the resort decor. The luxuriously appointed Standard Spa provides peaceful relaxation with amenities such as a communal hammam, aroma steam rooms, and aerial yoga sessions. Culinary delights abound with diverse dining options, including all-day dining at Kula, authentic Maldivian cuisine at Guduguda, sunset views at the overwater Izakaya Beru Bar, and fiery beachfront BBQ at BBQ Shak.
Among the popular activities, the sunset cruise is a crowd favourite, promising an unforgettable experience of a Maldivian sunset along with the added excitement of dolphins leaping into view at any given moment. Guests can choose from a wide range of water activities, such as snorkelling in the protected house reef, boating, and deep diving, among others. The inflatable water park is available all year round and is located in the shallow waters of the turquoise lagoon with enough slides, obstacles, walls, and rafts for a perfect day of water play. The overwater Beru Bar beckons visitors with its Japanese Izakaya menu and a massive glass dance floor under the biggest glittering disco ball. The in-house Lil' Shark Kids Club takes care of little guests and keeps them entertained.
Lijo highlights the guest demographic: “It is one of the few resorts to attract a highly diverse mix of guests. In 2023 alone, the resort welcomed visitors from over 90 different nationalities. On any single day of the year, over 40 different nationalities are on the island. It is a perfect place to make new friends.”
Unique Luxury Offering
Guests can experience the thrill of owning their own island through the resort’s Island Buyout option, where they can immerse completely in customised luxury for a couple of days for special occasions or exotic weddings, as the resort aims to transform their dreams into reality. They can also reserve the intimate 'Baby Island' for exclusive starlit occasions, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience of having a secluded island all to themselves.
Indian Guest Preferences
Addressing the importance of India, Lijo emphasises, “India ranks among the top 10 feeder markets for The Standard Maldives. Indian visitation to the hotel is all year round, and demand peaks coinciding with
long weekends, wedding festivities, and honeymoon seasons. The resort welcomes leisure, group, business, and MICE travel.”
The popular choice of accommodation for Indian guests is the expansive overwater villa with private pools perched over the endless Indian Ocean accompanied by the floating breakfast experience. Guests treasure the hotel-organised photoshoots, creating lasting memories of their stay. Most importantly, under the guidance of an Executive Chef from India, the culinary team consistently surpasses the culinary expectations of Indian travellers. They cater to vegetarian and Jain dietary preferences with ease, readily preparing staple and favourite Indian dishes upon request.
“The resort offers tailored packages designed specifically for the Indian market, featuring options for three nights and four days. These packages include various meal options, ranging from breakfast and dinner inclusive to a
premium all-inclusive option. Exclusive complimentary offers for Indian travellers include one floating breakfast per stay, one boat excursion from the choice of a sunset cruise, dolphin cruise, or sunset fishing, and 30 minutes of complimentary photoshoots,” explains Lijo.
India Dynamics
Talking about the demands of the Indian market, Lijo says, “India is a complex market with varied needs due to its market size, regional diversity, and customer requirements. We understand and accommodate requests to ensure an unforgettable experience. For special occasions, such as honeymoons and wedding anniversaries, extra care is provided with our compliments - we offer a three-course romantic dinner on the beach, bubble baths set up in the villa on oversized bathtubs, and a Love Platter - a special dessert arrangement to celebrate the special occasion.”
Stringent Eco-Friendly Values
The Standard Maldives has been distinguished as a level three sustainable resort by leading travel agents worldwide, embodying sustainability as its core ethos from inception to current daily operations. The key priority is to maintain and protect the island's natural integrity. The resort primarily operates on solar energy, utilising it to power 80 per cent of its consumption. The resort implements regular waste management and recycling procedures and cultivates local vegetables and sources produced locally to reduce its environmental impact. With a firm commitment to environmental conservation, the resort adopts a strict 'No to Plastic' approach, favouring glass bottles, paper straws, and eco-friendly packaging. The Standard Maldives actively engages in socially responsible collaborations with neighbouring local islands, fostering mutually beneficial relationships to ensure positive contributions to the local island community.