Taking luxury a notch up

Vijayawada, the metropolis of new State of Andhra Pradesh got its first international 5-star hotel Novotel Vijayawada Varun. Run by Accor Hotels, Novotel Vijayawada Varun is the 20th property of the group in India. 

The hotel was inaugurated by N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in the presence of Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France, V Prabhu Kishore, Chairman, Varun Group, Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer, India & South Asia, AccorHotels and TV Madhupal, General Manager, Novotel Vijayawada Varun along with other dignitaries.

Strategically located in the heart of the city, Novotel Vijayawada Varun is a 45-minute ride from the Vijayawada International Airport and a 20-minute ride from the Vijayawada railway station in a city rich in mythological history in Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is the commercial headquarters of Andhra Pradesh attracting both business and leisure travellers.

The city is also known as Bezawada by the locals and is home to popular attractions like Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Prakasam Barrage and Bhavani Island. Its proximity to the upcoming smart city and the de facto capital Amaravati makes Vijayawada an important destination for corporate travellers.

On the sidelines of the inauguration Jean-Michel Cassé, the Chief Operating Officer India and South Asia for AccorHotels talked about the 20th property and future plans of Novotel. 

Jean has been instrumental in the region to ensure AccorHotels’ continues growth momentum in India and South Asia led by the Group’s fervent focus on guests first and foremost, while performing strongly for its owners and investors.

About the growth that he sees in the new State, he says, “In Andhra Pradesh, we already have 3 properties (Novotel Vijayawada is our third property). We have started five years ago in Visakhapatnam with our partner Varun group to open Novotel Visakhapatnam, then two years later we started Bheemli Resort, which is managed by Accor and this is our third property in AP and we are very proud of opening it. It is not only the first international 5-star hotel in Vijayawada, but it is an amazing property developed by Varun Group and I am extremely happy about it.”

“Our vision is for the Novotel Vijayawada Varun to be a catalyst in the growth of Vijayawada, the business capital of the State, with exemplary service,” he added.  

A seasoned hotelier, Jean-Michel has over three decades of industry experience and a deep understanding of varied cultures, having worked across multiple international markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Sharing about his plans in the new capital Amaravati, he said, “We have exchanged an MoU with Varun Group in presence of Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu. We have signed the MoU for a convention centre and another hotel in Amaravati and we are very focused and interested to see that what the State has to offer.”

About new convention centre in Amaravati, he said, “We have planned to set up and manage a 5,000-seater convention centre in here, with a target of completing it in a year. A 200 key hotel will also be put up by the Varun Group in the new capital by 2022.”

“We started our first Novotel Convention Centre in Hyderabad about 12 years ago and it was akin to the vision of Chandra Babu Naidu. The convention centre in Hyderabad became a big business corridor. And we are planning to craft similar features and the same type of product offering of the highest international standards in Amaravati and make sure that the new convention centre becomes a hub of business in Amaravati.”

Widely recognised for his outstanding skills, expertise and contribution, Jean-Michel Cassé was awarded a Gold Bernache for Professionalism by the Chairman of AccorHotels in 2004. In 2007, he was conferred with the “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite”, a French honour for distinguished civil and military achievements by the erstwhile French President. By appointment of the French Prime Minister, Jean-Michel is also a special adviser of the French Foreign Trade and Vice President and General Secretary of the committee in India. 

Jean-Michel holds a Masters in Hotel & Tourism with a specialization in Services & Management. He is passionate about travel and discovering new cultures, and in his spare time, likes to unwind with yoga and music.