The Taj group is bidding for a luxury hotel in New York. This follows its failed bid to acquire the 6-star deluxe The Carlyle in New York more than two years ago.

The hotel "is premium property", Taj group officials said but declined to divulge the hotel's name. They said the group could rope in a joint venture partner for the bid.

USA calling

The Taj group offer follows a failed bid to acquire The Carlyle in New York The group may rope in a partner for the bid Bid can be made on behalf of the parent company or through any of its subsidiaries

The Indian Hotels Company board met on Wednesday and approved making a non-binding bid. The bid can be made on behalf of the parent company or through any of its subsidiaries or associate companies.

The bid is in line with the group's strategy to expand its operations internationally, while focusing on premium properties. Also, the US is a major market for the Taj group.

If the bid is successful, it will be Indian Hotels' first acquisition in the US after it decided to take a relook at its entire portfolio a few years ago.

Earlier, the Taj group had exited from the US, after selling its two large hotels in Chicago and New York, as well as properties in Washington.

This was because the properties were not in line with the Taj standards and the image the group was trying to create for itself.

In 2000, the Taj group along with its joint venture partner, Rothschild Trust had made a bid for The Carlyle but the deal fell through because of differences in the acquisition price.

The group wants a presence in key international gateway cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Singapore as well as key international leisure destinations and in fast growing markets like China.

The Taj group is divided into four strategic business units comprising luxury, business, leisure and international divisions.