While I can understand that occasionally one might visit a library while on vacation, I had never realized that one might choose not merely one's destination but also one's hotel by virtue of access to legal information.
I'm not just talking about high-speed web access in a hotel room.
The Taj in Chandigarh is advertising a Law Library as one of the features that might attract visitors. See Taj Chandigarh Brings More Amenities For Hotel-Lovers On The Eve Of Completion Of Two Years
Reading down to the fourth paragraph:
The facilities like Wi-Fi Internet access, Business Centre, Two Meeting Rooms, Secretarial Assistance, Audio-Visual Equipment, Law library and Newspaper/Magazines of choice, Health Fitness Centre will be at the services of visiting customers.
Well, either lawyers are a big part of their clientele, or it is an interesting translation….
I'm always looking for another excuse – I mean reason – to visit Chandigarh, so I did a quick search of mostly Indian web sites on this one. Unfortunately I found some information supporting the "law library" claim, so I can't justify a personal trip to confirm. :)
It appears this is indeed a law library. Numerous travel web sites list a "law library" as among the business facilities available in this hotel, but the most convincing account is in a Taj Group press release (http://www.tajhotels.com/PressRoom/Newsletters/pdf/news/January%202005.pdf) issued upon the opening of the hotel in 2005, where a "legal library" is listed among the business facilities.
Interestingly, I also happened across this bit from Orient Express Travel (see http://www.orientexpressltd.com/adventure_delhi_acc.asp)
on the Grand Inter-Continental at Connaught in New Delhi, which has not only law books but apparently a whole club floor for lawyers:
"An international, five-star deluxe hotel where the standards equal the best – be it decor, concepts, service or food. A special aspect is the Law Club – a business floor dedicated to those from the courts, where the lounge library has the best books on law. The hotel has made news with its just-opened restaurant Woks.
Eight restaurants, bar, fitness centre, swimming pool, beauty parlour, barber shop, business centre, law club floor for legal professionals, banquet facilities for up to 500 pax in cocktail, executive club services."
Hmmmm….I wonder if they need a law librarian in that law library??
Fabulous – my India days go back so far that we stayed at a Dakh guesthouse run by the government in Chandigarh – the idea of a luxury hotel was preposterous.
And if any Slaw members are going to vacation in India, give me a shout off line.
Or me. Especially on shopping destinations. :)