Patiala's Historic Ran Bas Transformed into Luxurious Boutique Hotel
Through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the Punjab government has converted the Ran Bas guesthouse, located in the historic Qila Mubarak of Patiala, into a boutique hotel. This effort aims to enhance destination wedding tourism within the state.
The boutique hotel managed by Park Group was inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. After the opening, it will be available to the public.The Chief Minister stated that this beautifully designed hotel, built on a PPP model, would set new standards for comfort, hospitality, and elegance.
Prior to the inauguration, he mentioned that it would become a sought-after location for destination weddings and various other events. He mentioned that the hotel would greatly enhance the tourism industry in Punjab, particularly in the historic royal city of Patiala.
Mann hoped that the tourists would have a pleasant stay and appreciate the state's warm hospitality. Initially, Ran Bass was a royal guesthouse situated in a section of Qila Mubarak, which was once a royal palace. The 10-acre complex, which used to house the royal family and included a Durbar Hall, has now been converted into a 28-room hotel, as stated by a government official.
The hotel has been leased for 30 years at an annual rate of Rs 35 lakh. The fort, situated in the historic part of Patiala, was in a state of disrepair before being designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. Subsequently, the Punjab government commenced its restoration efforts under the guidance of conservation architect Abha Narayan Lamba.
In 2018, during Amarinder Singh's tenure as Chief Minister, the property was handed over to the Park Hotels chain for development into a hotel under the PPP model. Amarinder is a descendant of Patiala's erstwhile royal family.
An official mentioned, "This is the inaugural luxury palace hotel in Punjab, and we are hopeful it will become a favored wedding venue. Despite this, there are worries about traffic jams in the narrow lanes of the old city, which already experiences significant congestion. Patiala isn't a commercial center, with most customers expected to be from the working class."
The officials added, "Nevertheless, our goal is to promote this property as a wedding tourism destination. We are already branding Amritsar as a city for destination tourism."