Ever worked like the proverbial ‘dog’ and lived like a king? Well that is a real possibility in a country like India as one of my German friends pointed out on a recent visit to the country. Most of his business centred around Rajasthan, and while it was sweltering heat and back-breaking business for most of the day, it was the sheer kingsize luxury of his accommodation that blew him away. Yes, he chose to stay at one of the many heritage hotels (converted palaces) that adorn the state of Rajasthan, and realised that unique accommodation could very well be the USP of a tedious business trip; an experience that is truly Indian. Very few business travellers have discovered the joys of retiring to ‘luxury’ at the fag end of a business day, but many more are sure to discover it as India is today marketing the ‘heritage’ concept with a vengeance. While Rajasthan may be the home to these heritage hotels, many other states in the country also offer a similar range of royal palaces and forts to choose from. Express Business Traveller highlights some of these ‘kingly’ accommodation options that are available to the business traveller as we continue in our quest to make your business trip a far more entertaining experience. In our hotel survey this issue, we take a look at some of the luxury ‘conventional accommodation’ that the city of Kolkata has to offer. And moving further East, the new business destination that has caught the world’s attention - China, we profile the country’s commercial capital city of Shanghai in all its new-found splendour. Kochi may not be the Indian commercial capital, but it has been a business destination to reckon with lately... one of the many jewels in this issue waiting to be discovered.

Sheldon Santwan



ehc@vsnl.com