Striking deals or simply chilling out at the exclusive corporate club

A slew of new facilities offer the perfect ambience to hobnob with business contacts, hire top brass or dole out pink slips; membership is mostly by invitation

Corporate honchos don't always strike high-profile deals, hire the top brass for their companies, meditate on investment ideas or play host to past contacts at five-star hotels. Today, you're quite likely to find them at one of those high-profile clubs that have come up across the country, signing the dotted line on  mega contracts, handing over an appointment letter or even doling out pink slips over snacks and a cup of tea. 

There are two types of clubs. One, the traditional sort called “the gentlemen club” typified by the likes of Delhi Gymkhana, Delhi Golf Club and Bengaluru Golf Club. These are the kind that have wannabe members waitlisted for up  to a staggering 35 years. In fact, there's a joke doing the rounds that the waiting period can be so punishingly long, that the membership ends up goes to the offspring of the original applicant. And then there is a new crop of elite business clubs that are part of established hotel chains or have come up as standalone services in the metros. But here too you can't just flash a credit card and secure a membership — you need to be invited. These business clubs usually offer corporate membership that cannot be assigned to any individual. The company to whom membership has been issued then nominates a representative who shall be considered a ‘member’ and be allowed to avail all the benefits and privileges of the club. Such is the case with Taj hotel’s ‘Chambers’, Four Seasons ‘The Club’, Oberoi’s ‘Belvedere’ or St Regis ‘Equus’ which is targeted at the corporate HNI. While the good old Chambers Club or The Belvedere have traditionally attracted industrialists, global hospitality chains such as Four Seasons, Mariott and St Regis are trying to woo the new generation of rich and famous with their versions of luxury clubs.

A brain child of Nimbus Communications' founder Harish Thawani, the Indus Club is a standalone luxury property in Mumbai’s commercial district, Bandra-Kurla Complex. Apart from offering conventional services in the area of business and social networking, membership grants one access to some of the greatest affiliate clubs across the world -- from Los Angeles in the west to Singapore in the east. You also get VIP hospitality at the world’s iconic events and eclectic and entertaining events at the club itself on weekends, says Harish Thawani. Membership is strictly “by invitation” and limited to CXOs, board members, company founders and promoters and creative influencers from the worlds of media, entertainment and sport. Says club member Harit Nagpal, MD, Tata Sky: "With four out of five CEOs of prominent companies its members, especially from the media/entertainment, BFSI and consumer industries, The Indus Club is now the preferred destination for C-suite  executives for business or to simply unwind."

Apart from the usual business amenities, lifestyle and entertainment options, fitness and wellness, the club has gourmet dining created by Master Chef Ajay Chopra (recently awarded ‘Celebrity Chef of the Year’ by BBC). “It redefines the idea of a luxury private members' club with its unique mix of business, lifestyle and entertainment elements. Sets the bar for others to aspire to,” says Harsh Mariwala, Chairman Marico, a member of Indus club.

Standard features of these uber luxury clubs include discount on food and beverages of its restaurants, preferential access to fitness centre, spa, swimming pool and local concierge services. But the best part is its set of exclusive events from champagne movie premieres to sessions by world leaders to wellness workshops.

At Mumbai’s Worli, another place where “entrepreneurs meet” is The Club at Four Seasons. Amongst other things, they offer discount on hiring of BMW limousine and complimentary usage of private cigar lounge. Then there is Taj Chambers which offers 25% discount on food and soft beverages, preferential rates on TAJ AIR bookings and concierge helps in ticketing, room and restaurant reservations, gifting and deliveries. The Global members of The Chambers get access to all seven Chamber clubs across the country.

Membership of Equus enables the member to be a part of networking events hosted by the hotel. Situated on level 36 with spectacular views of Mumbai city, Equus at St Regis hotel Mumbai is another place for the corporate HNI. The current profile of members ranges from CEO’s, business heads and young entrepreneurs to high profile achievers who expect unique luxurious corporate facilities available to them outside of their own offices, says Aneesha Ratra, Director- Equus. She adds that regardless of where their personal  corporate set up is situated, Equus offers them a beautiful private space which serves as a mid-way meeting place conducive for collaborations or discussions to suit their business needs with their precious time being  used to their optimum advantage. Members have an unlimited access to Equus lounge area to connect and collaborate with their contact or simply work alone out of the calm and serene atmosphere, at any time of day until 11 pm. Options of reserving meeting rooms in various capacities for conducting board room-like set up or private and confidential one- on-one closed door meetings. Ratra adds that access to the lifestyle amenities and wellness options such as swimming pool and gymnasium is always there, should the member like to combine his work with a recreational activity.

The Fee Structure
Name	City	Fee
The Club Four Seasons	Mumbai	Rs 7.5 lakh with annual charges of Rs 1.2 lakh
Equus Club, St Regis	Mumbai	Rs 8 lakh one-time, valid for 10 years for corporate membership with annual fee of Rs 1 lakh payable every year
The Indus Club	Mumbai	Initiation fee of Rs 10 lakh
The Chambers at The Taj	Mumbai	National membership for Rs 20 lakh plus taxes