Umed Bhawan Palace, built in 1902, showcases beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture. Designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, it later saw a new wing added in 1930 as a thoughtful extension.
OVERVIEW
Umed Bhawan Palace was built by HH Maharao Sir Umed Singh II of Kotah in 1902. The Palace is built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture – a style popularized in the late 19th century in India. Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, a pioneer of the style was commissioned to build the modern palace. An entire new wing was later added in 1930, as a gift to MK Bhim Singh II
CHALLENGES:-
A historic property located in the heart of a bustling tourist city, had been in operation for decades. However, over time, the property started to show signs of wear and tear. The rooms, while spacious, were outdated, and the guest experience was starting to feel less competitive compared to newer hotels in the area. Despite its prime location, Umed Bhawan was struggling to fill its rooms, and business had slowed considerably. The owners realized that to stay competitive in a market flooded with modern hotels, they needed a major renovation and a smarter approach to distribution
THE TURNING POINT: CONNECTING WITH A CHANNEL MANAGER
During the renovation, the hotel owners sought advice post searching for a Channel manager. The search recommended integrating a Hotel-Spider into their operations. A channel manager is a software solution that connects to multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, and others, ensuring real-time availability and pricing updates across all platforms for this property.
The hotel owners understood the importance of having a consistent and dynamic online presence. They decided to implement a Hotel-Spider to help them manage their listings across various OTAs and synchronize their inventory, pricing, and promotions in real time.
THE RESULTS:
- Increased Visibility: By connecting with popular and demanding OTAs through Hotel-Spider, Umed Bhawan rooms were listed on multiple platforms, reaching a much broader audience. The hotel saw a significant increase in online visibility, attracting both international travelers and locals who had not been aware of the renovation.
- Better Revenue Management: Hotel-Spider allowed the hotel to adjust room rates in real time based on demand, competitor pricing and special events in the area. This pricing strategy helped them maximize revenue, particularly during peak seasons and local events.
- Reduced Overbooking and Errors: Hotel-Spider automatically updated all OTAs with real-time availability, minimizing the risk of overbooking and double bookings. This streamlined the hotel's operations, allowing staff to focus more on guest experience rather than managing multiple systems.
- Improved Guest Experience: With more bookings and increased revenue, the hotel was able to hire additional staff, enhancing guest services. Visitors began noticing the improvements in the hotel’s ambiance, service and facilities. The hotel’s reputation soared as more positive reviews began to pour in.
- Revenue Growth: Within the first six months of integrating Hotel-Spider, the Umed Bhawan saw a 40% increase in occupancy rates in first quarter. Room sales skyrocketed and revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached an all-time high. The hotel also began seeing a strong return of repeat guests and more bookings from international travelers.
Conclusion:
The Umed Bhawan success story is a testament to the power of renovation paired with modern distribution technology. By investing in both physical upgrades and a robust channel management solution like Hotel-Spider, the hotel was able to revive its business, increase its visibility and provide a top-tier guest experience. Today, Umed Bhawan is once again a popular destination for both local and international travelers and its owners continue to reap the benefits of smart technology and a strong, updated brand.
