Delhi's Oberoi hotel to be shut down!

Delhi's iconic Oberoi hotel will be shut down for major renovation from April 1. It is expected to reopen by April 1, 2018.

It is a landmark in the heart of Delhi for the last 50 years and was built by the late M S Oberoi, who founded the group in 1934. The first two hotels that he had acquired, one each in Shimla and Kolkata, were existing properties.

The renovations of this hotel will be one of the longest renovation period for a marquee hotel in the country.

Earlier, Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai was restored at a cost of Rs 180 crore in less than 2 years time.

Let us take a look at the iconic building features:

• It is one of India's first luxury hotels and has many other firsts to its credit.
• It was the first hotel in the country to offer 24-hour in-room dining service, butler service and round-theclock laundry service.
• It introduced the concept of a 24 hour coffee shop — Cafe Espresso — in 1965.
• It contributed Rs 186.9 crore to the group kitty in the financial year ended March 31, 2015.