GVK launches luxury lounge at T2 of Mumbai International Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport's (CSIA), Mumbai Terminal T2 recently opened its all new luxury lounge for its first/business class travellers. The'GVK Lounge' was inaugurated by Dr. GVK Reddy, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, GVK.  A first of its kind common luxury lounge in the country, the GVK Lounge is unlike other global and Indian airports, which usually have different first/ business class lounges for different airlines. Spread across an area of 30,000 sq. ft. in two levels, the GVK Lounge has a total capacity to accommodate 440 guests at any given point in time. It hosts some innovative facilities and latest technologies in the form of concierge services, smoking zone, F&B, bar, luxury spa, shower area, relaxation area, library and a business centre, in keeping with MIAL's ideology of encouraging product, service and design innovation to complement the overall ambience, design and architecture of the new terminal T2.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. GVK Reddy, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, GVK, said, "At GVK CSIA, it has been our continuous endeavour to enhance traveller delight, and the new GVK Lounge at T2 will successfully take this effort to new heights. The lounge reflects a kaleidoscopic vision of the dreams of India and the pulse of Mumbai, and is themed to give the travellers a blend of world class local ambiences at the airport. We are confident that the travellers will relish the service experience offered in the GVK Lounge. Airlines can now offer a unique and luxurious lounge experience to their discerning passengers and the "pay per use” concept means no upfront investments and lower operating costs for airlines.”

CSIA has awarded the lounge concession to a partnership between Travel Food Services (TFS), the leading food and beverage operator in the travel sector, and Performa, a gategroup company and a worldwide leader in designing, managing and servicing of airport lounges. Commenting on the occasion, Sunil Kapur, Chairman, TFS said, "We have worked closely with the team at GVK MIAL to embody the vision of the Airport into our lounge experience for travellers, and are confident our partnership with Performa will create a true benchmark. Airlines flying from the Airport will be able to offer their premium passengers an unmatched experience that will provide an inestimable value to their patrons. On entering the lounge, passengers will glimpse a combination of design that is of the highest international standard but still epitomises the spirit of Mumbai; experience superlative service & care from our highly trained professionals; a one of a kind gastronomic journey; and a basic philosophy of making the lounge experience a reflection of the authenticity, warmth and character of Mumbai.”

Beat Ehlers, Managing Director, Performa (gategroup's lounge service brand) said, "We are elated to be working together with our partners GVK and TFS for bringing together the best of both worlds to create an unrivalled customer service experience for premium travellers through unique service, culinary excellence and an exceptional lounge concept based on personal interaction, warm and professional service and a solid understanding of the guest mind-set and product knowledge, delivering nothing but the best.”

Grand Décor

Designed by India's celebrated fashion designer Sandeep Khosla and Mumbai's highly acclaimed architect Alfaz Miller, ABM, based on a concept by Softroom Architects, UK, the lounge section at Level 4 has a gold theme, while the silver theme flows through Level 3. Both the levels have been aesthetically designed with a range of variations seen in geometry, pattern and form. A sense of grandeur has been instilled in various elements starting from the texture with the use of colours and hues, and a layered approach with reflective surfaces adding to the tactile and visual appeal of spaces to establish the luxurious nature of the venue. The GVK Lounge also has strategic lighting display that draws inspiration from a rich palette of Indian light, filtered through the country's nature, architectural environments and celebrations. Selective palettes of amber, red and gold, dusk and water garden have been interwoven to offer top-notch world classes feel to the entire lounge space.
 
The exquisite Jali screens, stylish furniture, stunning, contemporary chandeliers and the signature glass peacock installation are all skillfully designed and beautifully hand crafted showcasing the best of India. The lounge is segregated in three different categories - First Class, Premium Class and Business Class.

On this occasion, G V Sanjay Reddy, MD of MIAL said, "The GVK Lounge is another effort by GVK to set new global benchmarks in the airport business. The concept of the common luxury lounge and the design and aesthetics sets new standards in airport lounges in the world.  We hope the premium passengers will enjoy this experience.”