The Hindu : Front Page : A welcome fit for a king awaits Bush in Delhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

A welcome fit for a king awaits Bush in Delhi

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

All-time high security in and around Maurya Sheraton for the next three days

ALL DECKED UP: The scene in New Delhi on the eve of U.S. President George Bush's visit. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI: A day before U.S. President George W. Bush arrives here, Delhi's Maurya Sheraton Hotel is all decked up and ready to play host.

The hotel ceased all bookings from Monday and has been declared "out of bounds" for guests until March 3.

The visiting dignitary is expected to be put up in the Grand Maurya Presidential Suite constructed for the visit of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia this past January. Bigger, better and more opulent than the much- talked about Chandragupta Maurya Presidential Suite where the then U.S. President Bill Clinton stayed during his visit in 2000, the new suite reportedly is furnished in contemporary Indian style with soft white marble flooring and a glittering bathroom whose walls are studded with the mother of pearl.

The hotel authorities, however, refused to confirm details of the room and the floor that the visiting couple would be staying in.

The hotel, which now resembles a fortress, has an all-time high security cover and is also witnessing an intensive beautification drive that has ensured trimmed bushes and white sheets stretched across the green area opposite the premium luxury hotel.

While the visiting American team has booked all 600 rooms in the hotel, the authorities here claim that they aren't making any special arrangements or changes in menu for the visiting President.

Denying reports of any "special arrangements for the eminent dignitary'' hotel authorities said: "It isn't without reason that some of the world's most powerful people have stayed with us. Our hotel conforms to international luxury benchmark and is listed among the best in the world.''

Special passes have been issued to all Indian personnel who would be at the hotel on duty. Meanwhile, the American security team has surveyed and continues to keep a close watch on all departments of the hotel including housekeeping, maintenance, kitchen and laundry. Surveillance both inside and outside the hotel has been kept tight and no unlisted guests are being entertained.

Maintaining a strict silence over the menu prepared for the visiting President, hotel authorities said: "We have nothing special planned on the menu. We have no idea at the moment and only after his visit will we be able to talk about his likes and dislikes.''

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