June 27, 2016 TnH Global

Indian company unveils “portable” hotels

Hirise Hospitality transforms old shipping containers into rooms

The Business Standard reports that the company is using recycled shipping containers to create the new rooms. The first such unit has already been launched and the company is planning to add another 2,000 rooms across India by 2018.

Hirise said it is able to work on 150 units at one time at its facility in Ahmedabad.

“These moving hotels use the concept of recycling and are environmentally conducive. They are built out of unused or discarded containers ensuring speedy construction without quality compromise,” said Tanmay Bathwal, managing director of Hirise Hospitality. “We source discarded containers, treat them using high quality rust-proof paints and refurbish them with three levels of heat insulation before decking them up with plush interiors to create portable hotel rooms.”

The company has already invested around INR200 million (US$3m) in the new facility and it plans to expand its existing capacity at the facility in future.

Currently, the cost of production is around INR1.5m per room, compared to the industry standard of INR4-5m per hotel room in the midscale segment. Room rates will be approximately INR 3,000 (US$44) per night.

“With Beetle Smartotels, we are stepping into a domain where no one has treaded before. We took a bold step forward and have tasted success ever since. We are successfully bridging the gap in availability of temporary, yet quality accommodation in a record time. All facilities required for the portable hotels are manufactured right here in Ahmedabad to ensure quality,” Bathwal told the newspaper.

News Source: Business Standard and http://www.traveldailymedia.com/india/