Category Archives: Hotels

Serena Hotels Africa, the premier collection of award-winning safari lodges and camps, city hotels and beach resorts across East and Southern Africa, is proud to announce a strategic partnership ARK Travel Group. As the official representative for Serena Hotels in India, Anjum Lokhandwala, Director, ARK Travel Group, will spearhead efforts to connect discerning Indian travellers with premium travel experiences in East Africa. Through this partnership, Serena Hotels Africa will now offer Indian families, honeymooners, wildlife enthusiasts, and premium travellers an insider gateway to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and beyond. A Bridge Between Continents From the cosmopolitan charm of Nairobi Serena Hotel to the historical shores of Zanzibar Serena Hotel  in Stone town, and the majestic wilderness of Kirawira Serena Camp in Tanzania.  Indian travellers will now have unprecedented access to handpicked journeys within the Serena Hotels unforgettable itineraries, which fuse cultural depth with world-class service. “India is not just a growing outbound travel market—it’s a community that appreciates heritage, family, and the richness of storytelling, all of which Serena embodies,” said Lokhandwala. “My goal is to help Indian travellers reimagine East Africa—not just as a destination, but as a soul-stirring experience. With Serena Hotels, we are offering more than premium getaways; we are offering journeys that leave an imprint.” A United Vision Ashish Sharma, CEO of Serena Hotels Africa, expressed confidence in the new partnership: “Anjum Lokhandwala brings unmatched insight into the Indian travel landscape. With her at the helm, we assure our Indian travellers a seamless brand experience. Joyce Wangui, Director of Sales, added: “Indian travellers are looking for more than sightseeing—they want immersive stories and meaningful connections. Through Anjum’s contribution, we are curating experiences that blend refinement with the …

At the Travel Wedding Show, Harkaran Singh, General Manager, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, emphasised on collaboration between hoteliers and wedding planners. “The main challenge arises when we are not on the same page. When we collaborate, the process is smooth and enjoyable. But when we find ourselves on opposite sides, that is when difficulties arise. Mutual respect is key, hoteliers must acknowledge the challenges wedding planners face, and vice versa,” Singh stated.

The Delhi High Court recently ruled that payment of service charges at restaurants and hotels cannot be imposed as a mandatory charge on customers’ food bills. It dismissed the petitions filed by restaurant associations challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines, prohibiting restaurants and hotels from automatically adding a service charge to customers’ bills.

As per JLL India report, as many as 38 branded hotels comprising 3,293 rooms were opened during Q4 (October-December) 2024. Additionally, December 2024 also saw signings of 99 branded hotels comprising 11,943 rooms with the top six markets experiencing year-over-year increases in both Average Daily Rate (ADR).

In a strategic partnership, IHCL joined hands with The Claridges Hotel New Delhi to unveil ‘Claridges Collection,’ which will also include the historic Connemera, Chennai and Blue Diamond, Pune. Claridges Collection is set to build its portfolio across the metro cities with a vision to reach over 20 hotels by 2030. “Currently, IHCL has 375 hotels in its portfolio, with 242 operational and 153 in the pipeline. It is also close to completing 25 new hotels this year.” said Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, IHCL.

Emphasising on bridging the gap between Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and the hospitality sector during HRANI’s  11th Conclave in New Delhi, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI, said, “The direct linkage between hotels, restaurants, and FPOs is a game-changer for both sectors. This model not only ensures high-quality farm-fresh produce for the hotel industry but also enhances farmers’ income.”

Novotel Group opens its 124-key Novotel Delhi City Centre in New Delhi, offering exceptional connectivity and convenience. The hotel caters to travellers seeking a seamless blend of comfort & eco-conscious design. Garth Simmons, COO, Accor Asia, said, “The opening marks another significant step in Accor’s expansion in India. It underscores our commitment to offering world-class amenities and sustainable practices, delivering exceptional experiences for both business and leisure travelers.”

IHCL has announced the signing of the Palitana Palace under the Taj brand in Palitana, Gujarat. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Taj has been redefining luxury for over 121 years and its recognition as World’s Strongest Hotel Brand and India’s Strongest Brand is testament to it. We are honoured to partner with His Highness Thakore Saheb Mandhatasinhji Jadeja of Rajkot to bring the Palitana Palace under the Taj brand. This addition reinforces our commitment to preserving India’s rich heritage and expanding our portfolio of Palaces, Havelis and Forts.” “As one of Gujarat’s revered destinations, Palitana holds immense potential for spiritual tourism. This also presents an opportunity for us to build the social and weddings segment in the region,” he added. Further to extensive restoration, the 65-key Taj Palitana will feature luxurious rooms and suites, offering a perfect blend of historical charm and modern luxury. The hotel will include an all-day diner, a specialty restaurant, a lounge, and state-of-the-art facilities such as a gym, pool, and spa. Catering to the growing demand for social and wedding events, the Palitana Palace will house a 3,000 sq. ft. ballroom, flexible meeting spaces, and outdoor lawns. In addition to restoring the Palace to its original grandeur, a collection of royal art and historical artifacts will be displayed within the property.

Speaking at their Delhi roadshow, Andrew Hartley, VP Commercial, Cross Hotels & Resorts, said, “India is a key market for us, and we are strengthening our brand awareness for Cross, Cross Vibe, Away, Cross Collection, Lumen and Kaura. Our goal is to increase the number of Indian guests by 40% by this year’s end, and we are achieving this through direct channels, forming strategic business partnerships.” The group last year witnessed 275% growth Y-O-Y from the India market, and they are now planning to grow from 28 to 100 hotels by 2030.

To strengthen its presence in the Indian market with its India Sales Mission 2025, Cross Hotels & Resorts started its three-city roadshow in India from 24 to 28 March in New Delhi, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru. The aim is to highlight the company’s expansion plans and new hotel developments in key destinations. A senior delegation of five people from Cross Hotels, including Chatchaya (Mai) Glaiprayong, Head- Global Sales, Cross Hotels & Resorts, Khata Sinhaseni, Cluster General Manager, Lumen Bangkok Udomsuk station, Nathkamolporn Pornanongyothin (Jum), Cluster Director- Sales & Marketing, Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin, Widy Antari, General Manager, Away Bali Legian Camakila, and Khata Sinhaseni, Cluster General Manager, Cross Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel attended the event, along with leading travel agents, tour operators and industry stakeholders. Through dedicated business meetings and networking sessions, the delegation aims to forge stronger partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration in India’s booming outbound travel market. The event highlighted the new property openings and discussed the company’s ambitious plans to grow its portfolio from 28 to 100 hotels by 2030. These developments reflect the company’s commitment to providing world-class hospitality experiences across Asia and beyond. Andrew Hartley, VP Commercial, Cross Hotels & Resorts, said, “India is one of our top three source markets, and we are targeting a 40% year-over-year growth from 2024 to 2025. This is the highest projected growth among all our regions. Indian travellers continue to choose our hotels across all our brands, reinforcing the importance of this market in our overall strategy.” “Our goal is to increase the number of Indian guests by 40% by the end of 2025, and we are achieving this through direct channels, expanding our distribution …