St. Regis, Goa: Upgrading and Rebranding an Operational Resort

HotelIndiaGoaProject managementCompleted

In 2022, Ascentis was selected by Ceres Hotels to lead the project to convert their Leela-branded resort in Goa into a world-class St. Regis with only partial area shutdowns.

Project Breakdown

Phase 1

Refurbishment of Lobby and Lobby Bar

Phase 2

Refurbishment of 103 rooms, two F&B outlets, conferencing spaces, BOH areas, and new pool addition

Challenges

Tight timelines

Phase one of the rebranding was scheduled to be completed in time for the holiday season. This meant that the hotel façade, lobby, and lobby need to be rebranded and refurbished to match St Regis’ standards within 4 months—an extremely tight timeline compared to industry norms.

Operational constraints

All renovation work had to be carried out while the hotel remained fully operational, requiring meticulous planning to minimize disruption.

Strict Brand Standards

Adhering to the stringent design and quality standards set by St. Regis, which demanded precision and attention to detail at every stage of the project.

Our approach

Our success began with a deep understanding of the client’s brief, ensuring that every aspect of the project—scope, cost, timelines—aligned perfectly with their objectives.

1. A Design-to-Budget Strategy

From the preliminary design phase, we developed a detailed cost plan to provide the client with full visibility into the budget required to achieve their vision. We adopted a design-to-budget approach, continuously validating the design against the budget at every phase. This strategy minimized surprises and ensured the project remained on track financially while meeting the client’s business objectives.

2. Managing Timelines and Guest Movement

Working on an operational hotel required careful coordination to ensure guest movement and bookings were not disrupted. Our meticulous planning of all construction activities was scheduled to minimize disruption, allowing for uninterrupted guest experiences. Safety was a top priority, and we maintained the highest standards to protect both guests and staff throughout the renovation process.

Outcome

Phase 1: Lobby and Lobby Bar Renovation: The preliminary redesign phase began in June 2022, with the lobby handed over to the client by October 2022—an extraordinary achievement given the four-month timeline,.
Phase 2: Refurbishment of 103 rooms and multiple public and BOH areas was completed in seven months, with minimal disruption to hotel operations.

The success of this project hinged on Ascentis’ integrated approach, where design decisions were consistently aligned with the budget from the start. Renovation work in live hotel environments brings inherent complexity. Delays and overruns are common, often driven by vague scopes, late-stage redesigns, and a lack of operational sensitivity. Our team brought the hospitality expertise and project leadership required to navigate these constraints without compromise.

By maintaining disciplined planning and real-time decision-making, we delivered to St. Regis’ uncompromising standards, on time, and within budget.Ascentis’ integrated project delivery approach and emphasis on designing to the budget at every stage was critical to the success of this project. Similar renovation projects often face delays and budget overruns due to insufficient planning, unbudgeted designs, and the complexity of working in operational hotels.

Balancing tight timelines with high-quality standards requires significant hospitality expertise and decisive project management to ensure that timelines are met and budgets are managed. Our ability to deliver the project within a compressed timeframe while adhering to the rigorous standards of the St. Regis brand underscores our leadership in the industry.