HotelChatter

The Aayu (inspired by the Sanskrit word for ‘life’) is the latest property of GHM hotels (best known for its Chedi brand, and that mysterious North Korean hotel you can’t stay at) and will have just 42 spacious suites, ranging from 65 to 155 square meters (700 to 1,700 square feet).

Interiors will be designed by Jaya Ibrahim, who previously worked on GHM properties like The Legian Bali and The Chedi Muscat. We like the look of the 50th-floor rooftop terrace with the seating areas and trees set within the water feature, but fear it could get risky after a few drinks. Being fifty stories up will make this Mumbai’s highest bar.

As a first for India, the hotel will have an outpost of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, bringing the total to 8 Ateliers around the world. To balance the French food at Atelier, a second restaurant will “showcase new generation Japanese cuisine” from a charcoal Robata grill, with homemade ramen noodle bar and sushi and sake counter, all overseen by another star chef, Hide Yamamoto.

Another trend you’ll be seeing here is a cigar and cognac lounge. Spa services will be available, but rather than a traditional set up, all treatments will be done in each guest’s suite. A swimming pool can be found on the top floor.

The Aayu is not the only GHM project in India: in 2015 the group will open The Chedi Qutub (New Delhi), integrating the 800-year old Qutub Minar, a Unesco World Heritage Site, in its design. The Chedi brand will expand further into Andermatt (Switzerland), Tamouda Bay (Morocco), Bali (Indonesia), Hokkaido (Japan), and Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) over the next few years. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about each of these.

[Renderings: GHM Hotels]