Cynthia Rodrigues

The Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences promise its guests superlative luxury and the comfort and warmth that only a home can provide

The concept combines the best of both worlds. Superlative luxury and the comfort and warmth that only a home can provide have come together in a special package called the Taj Wellington Mews, Luxury Residences.

So far Indian Hotels has catered to businessmen and tourists through its luxury, leisure and business hotels. With the Wellingdon Mews, it has narrowed its focus to Indian expatriates, NRIs and consular staff.

The idea emerged four years ago when an increase was seen in the long-stay numbers at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and the Taj President. The figures indicated that the number of people whose jobs or inclinations were bringing them to Mumbai for intervals ranging anywhere from three to six months, and sometimes even longer, was quite large. If these people could be offered well furnished homes that combined the privacy, comfort and space of a private residence with the amenities and services of a luxury hotel, it would solve their problem and open up a whole new market for the company.

The reasoning was that hotels, no matter how luxurious and comfortable, are not looked upon by guests as home. There are some things that a hotel simply cannot offer guests as it is run along set guidelines to which a long-term residents may not be able to conform. People do not have the gratification of doing things the way they want to, of leaving things around and being able to put their feet up and relax.

K. Mohanchandran, general manager, Taj Wellington Mews, Luxury Residences, says, "A hotel does not have the flexibility of multiple living units or of allowing a person to cook. There is no place to unpack or to put your stuff around. So we decided to come out with a service department which would allow some of these things to be made possible for our guests."

Enthused by the concept, the company set to work. It did not have to look too far to find the ideal location for its first luxury residence. The 2.6-acre plot of land that houses the Wellington Mews had been on lease with Indian Hotels for nearly 100 years, according to Mohanchandran. Various departments of the company had operated out of the space. Realising that there would be no better location than this piece of prime property, the management decided to use the space to develop the service apartment complex.

In its distinctive way, the Taj sourced the best resources and put them together. A team set out to study the layouts and features of about 10 to 12 apartment complexes in Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai, places that were home to a large number of expatriates. The learning gained through this research helped the Taj to hone its own concept of luxury residences.

The design of the building was done by an American firm called John Portman Associates. The architects worked around the seemingly unwieldy shape of the plot of land to come up with a stunning design that catches the eye and grabs the attention. "The plot was wedge-shaped, like a slice of pizza," says Mohanchandran. "In order to combat the angularity of the plot, the architects came up with a circular design. The building itself is a solid rectangle, but once you're inside and when you're looking at it from the outside, there's no way you will be able to make that out."

English firm Richmond designed the interiors, giving the apartments a very contemporary, young look. The flats were given an individual look, although a thread of commonality was maintained right through. Long-term residents who had booked the place for two years were allowed to bring in some of their own furniture and soft furnishings and given greater flexibility to suit their convenience.

That the concept has appealed to its audience is clear from the fact that 64 of the 80 apartments, which include studios and one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, have already been leased. Some of these apartments have balconies. Some also come with maid's bedrooms with attached bathrooms.

The Taj Wellington Mews certainly offers its residents the best of both worlds. Besides having a place to call their own, the residence also offers them room service, a laundry service and a daily housekeeping service. Each apartment comes equipped with a kitchenette, cutlery and crockery, an oven, a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher etc. Elegant furniture, a flat screen TV, home theatre, broadband and Wi-fi internet access are all part of the deal. "If you're coming into Mumbai on a posting, you could literally come in with your suitcases," says Mohanchandran.

Residents may buy their groceries from a store on the premises or ask the concierge to get them something from outside. A deli-cum-coffee shop and convenience store, the Weli Deli, offers a selection of pastas, sauces, cheeses and imported meats, besides ready-to-eat foods and household items such as dishwashing liquid, detergents, soaps etc. The Wellington Mews has a day care centre on the facility and also arranges for pet walking services.

Additionally, in order to reassure its predominantly expatriate residents that it has their best interests at heart, the Wellington Mews worked hard to ensure a security-enabled building. "We installed close circuit television cameras everywhere, both in the main building and in the spa building," says Mohanchandran. "Our basement parking is access-controlled. When you lease an apartment, you get a radio tag that allows you to track down you car. Access between the buildings is restricted by the same key that opens the apartment. So unless you have a resident key you can't come into the main residential complex."

The Wellington Mews also houses a fitness centre, a jogging and walking track, swimming pool, and an open air play area for children. A fully equipped business centre, a lounge with an attached bar where residents can entertain visitors and the Jiva spa feature among the other facilities on the premises. Jiva is India's first authentic spa model, woven around the ancient Indian elements of Ayurveda, yoga, holistic therapies and meditation. Located in an adjacent building, it spans 4,800 square feet and offers a range of therapies designed to refresh and rejuvenate.

The combination of all these facilities has grabbed the attention international travellers and ensured a steady stream of residents at the Wellington Mews. The average length of the lease today is about six months and the longest lease so far is almost three years. The commitment, service and high standards that have made the Taj a formidable name in hospitality are now forging the reputation of the Taj Wellington Mews.


Uploaded on August 8, 2005