Ambani Wedding turns a Goldmine for 5-Star Hotels in BKC, Rates Soar to Nearly Rs.1 Lakh a Night

Anant Ambani’s wedding leads to skyrocketing hotel prices and traffic advisories in Mumbai’s BKC area.

The pre-wedding festivities for Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and his fiancée Radhika Merchant have impacted hotel occupancy and prices in Mumbai. The two main hotel properties in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), where the wedding will take place, are fully booked. Rates have surged significantly, one hotel is charging ₹91,350 per night on July 14, compared to its usual price of ₹13,000 a night.

Due to a public event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex on July 5th & from July 12th to 15th, 2024, the following traffic arrangements will be in place for the smooth flow of traffic.#MTPTrafficUpdates pic.twitter.com/KeERCC3ikw

— Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) July 5, 2024

The grand wedding is set for July 12, at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, Mumbai. While there has been no official confirmation on guest accommodations, the soaring hotel rates in BKC and nearby areas suggest a significant influx of high-profile attendees.

Hotel Rates and Availability

Trident BKC: Rooms priced at ₹10,250 per night plus taxes on July 9, ₹16,750 plus taxes on July 15, and ₹13,750 plus taxes on July 16. No rooms available from July 10 to July 14.

Sofitel BKC: Room rates at ₹13,000 plus taxes on July 9, ₹30,150 on July 12, ₹40,590 on July 13, and ₹91,350 on July 14. Rates drop to ₹16,560 per night on July 15 and ₹13,680 on July 16. No bookings available on July 10 and July 11.

Despite the sold-out status at these hotels, rooms are still available at other five-star hotels such as Grand Hyatt, Taj Santacruz, Taj Bandra, and St Regis.

Hospitality experts note that hotels are typically sold out during high-profile weddings or major events like the wedding season in Delhi or the Aero Show in Bengaluru. These events also influence flight rates and last-mile transport such as cabs, with hotels often sold out or available at a 30% to 50% premium. Flights and taxis also tend to charge a premium during such events.

Traffic and Local Impact

In anticipation of the wedding, the Mumbai Traffic Police has issued an advisory for traffic restrictions around the Jio World Convention Centre from 1 pm to midnight, July 12-15, to avoid public inconvenience. Roads leading to the venue will have restricted access.

Celebratory Events

The wedding festivities began with a performance by international pop sensation Justin Bieber on July 5, captivating prominent figures from the entertainment and sports industries. The celebrations will continue from July 12 to July 14, featuring a series of events attended by numerous celebrities and distinguished personalities. The schedule includes the wedding on July 12, followed by ‘Shubh Aashirwad’ on July 13, where guests will receive divine blessings, and culminating with ‘Mangal Utsav’, the wedding reception, on July 14.

Office Advisory

BKC houses several Grade A office spaces, including One BKC and The Capital, with companies like Bank of Baroda, Indian Oil, Godrej BKC, State Bank of India, Diamond Bourse, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange, and WeWork. A senior employee in BKC mentioned that while no official work-from-home advisory has been issued yet, individual offices might issue advisories by July 8 or 9 due to potential disruptions from traffic diversions on July 12.

The Ambani wedding, a significant personal event, also impacts the city’s hospitality and transportation sectors. It underscores the influence of such high-profile occasions on local economies and infrastructure.