Anshul Mehta on newly opened The Gate hotel: “We operated a profitable business during the pandemic”

With most industries now fully opened after the pandemic, BizAsiaLive.com caught up with Anshul Mehta, the Sales Director at the newly opened The Gate hotel in London. Mehta faced the biggest challenge of opening before the lockdown in March 2020. Despite this, the hotel has been one of a few that has remained profitable. We spoke to him about the past 18 months.

How does it feel to be fully back open after the pandemic?
Business is certainly picking up, but not to the levels of pre-pandemic. With international and business travel caught in the everchanging crossfire of quarantine rules and other COVID-19 restrictions, staycations in the UK became a significant driver of the occupancy gains that have emerged since the beginning of the pandemic.

While vaccination programs continue to expand globally, travel restrictions and new waves of the virus are still affecting many parts of the world including the United Kingdom.

Can you tell us about trading at the Gate during the pandemic?
Gate is a brand new build that opened on 24th February 2020, just before we all went into the national Lockdown. We have to adapt very quickly and think outside the box to drive in the business and sustain it ensuring we don’t have to close our doors. I proactively strategies to work with NHS, Scientists working on COVID-19 projects, the Local Government sector, Estate Agencies, Relocation Agencies, Law and Insurance firms.

With the strategies in place, we successfully operated a profitable business during the pandemic. Whilst ensuring the safety of our guests and staff during the pandemic, we delivered our utmost service which has resulted in reaching to the number 1 property on TripAdvisor among 2137 specialist lodging properties in London.

The Gate Apartments are modern and chic, boasting a cosy open-plan design with dark feature wallpaper and framed urban street artwork.

Do you feel any obstacles or challenges ahead after the pandemic and how do you expect to overcome these?
Like any new business opening, we were looking to position the Gate in the Market and the luxury lifestyle Aparthotel in the market and have been working on the ramp-up plans. After the pandemic, we have put a pause on all our key planning and activities due to the pandemic.

Tell us a bit about the hotel, amenities and location?
Located in London’s lively East End district of Spitalfields, The Gate Apartments provide serviced accommodation in the heart of U.K’s capital. Stroll down Brick Lane and stumble across quirky vintage markets, some of the best curry houses in the city and the boozy indoor crazy golf course Junkyard Golf. Grab a bite at Old Spitalfields Market, where stalls upon stalls line the hall serving food from chain restaurants and more unusual street food vendors.

The Gate Apartments are modern and chic, boasting a cosy open-plan design with dark feature wallpaper and framed urban street artwork. These stylish studios, one and two-bedroom apartments feature king-size beds, one bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Apartment facilities include a washing machine, built-in air conditioning, an in-unit safe, TV and free wireless internet access. Housekeeping services are provided once a week. Guests may make use of the on-site gym, restaurant, bar and café and available services include a 24-hour hotel-style reception, dry cleaning service and laundry service.

Why would you want people to see the Gate as the go-to hotel?
Luxury accommodation designed for you…

Benefitting from the characteristics of both a luxury boutique hotel as well as the added amenities of longer stay residences, The Gate provides every guest with their perfect home within the City. Every one of the 189 apartments at The Gate has been carefully designed to create a beautiful space that radiates style and is complete with carefully considered details that make each day feel luxurious. Make yourself at home with beautiful bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, state-of-the-art technology, and Hypnos beds so comfortable you’ll never want to leave.

Exquisitely designed with your comfort in mind, each one of our rooms has been carefully considered to ensure we meet the needs of every guest.

All of our apartments feature cooking facilities, black-out curtains, window seats, Hypnos beds, Nespresso machines, workspaces, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads and luxurious Le Labo toiletries.

Ranked #1 Specialty Lodging in London on TripAdvisor.

What’s your biggest unique selling point at the Gate?
· Lifestyle Aparthotel – Unique to the Market encouraging ‘Bleisure’
· Fully fitted apartments with dishwasher, Microwave, Oven, washer dryer, 2 hobs, Sofa and dining area
· Le Labo toiletries
· Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel, with a good number of plug points in the social communal area on the 5th floor.
· Exclusive Member’s lounge for all our residents
· Best of both world – Long stay along with minimum 1-night stay
· Boutique Tech Led Gymnasium with Peloton bikes
· On-site Security – Need key cards to go on any floor
· Pet friendly