First among its corporate clients were IDBI and Bharat Petroleum, which have taken rooms on lease for their employees. Reliance, ONGC, Ranbaxy, Rhone Poulenc, E Merck, Grasim Industries, ICI and Johnson and Johnson are its other regular clients. "We have 20 deluxe rooms, eight super deluxe ones, and four suites, apart from a luxurious bungalow. And we are adding 20 or 30 rooms because the demand is growing.Corporates have taken up rooms permanently by way of guest houses for their employees. IDBI will take up a couple of rooms beginning August 1, and we have just finalised a deal with Bharat Petroleum for a few more. Other corporates, especially pharmaceutical companies, are utilising our facilities to conduct training programmes," resort director Vippan Bajaj says. The two banquet halls measuring 3,000 sq ft each have proved to be a good location for company seminars because they can accommodate up to 300 people. They are equipped with audio-video systems, facsimile machines and electronic typewriters. Of course, families seeking a getaway close to the city are the mainstay of this holiday spot.

The air-conditioned Victorian-style rooms and suites at the resort are equipped with refrigerators, TV sets and VCRs. All rooms have an independent sit-out overlooking the swimming pool, which has an in-built bar and a water splash.

The Woods conducts swimming camps for children on weekends, and plans to tie upwith a multinational to host events involving kids this year. Today no modern holiday resort is complete without a gymnasium. So health freaks who need their workouts even on holidays will find exercise bicycles, weights and trimmers at The Woods.

What prompted Punjabi Ghasitaram to venture into the hospitality arena? Says Bajaj, "Well, we have been pioneers in the sweetmeat and savouries industry, and this is an affiliated business. We bought this piece of land with the aim of building a holiday resort. We thought it would be a good idea to make optimum use of this picturesque location and its proximity to Mumbai. We have applied for 3-star status which we hope will come through soon."