The luxury resort in Munnar, Chandy’s Windy Woods, secured 11th position in World’s Top 25 hotels list of Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award 2024. Windy Woods also got the No.1 position among top 25 hotels in India. The winners are selected from over 8 million hotels listed in the Worlds most trusted and largest online review platform Tripadvisor. Apart from the above awards Chandy’s Windy Woods is also ranked No.7 among Top Hotels in Asia, No 6 among World’s 25 Luxury hotels, No.4 among Asia’s Top 25 Luxury hotels and No.1 among India’s Top 25 Luxury hotels. Windy Woods Munnar is the only hotel from India found a place in the coveted list of World’s Top 25 hotels and that makes this achievement so special. Chandy’s Windy Woods is located at the most picturesque area of Munnar and its unique architectural design that merges with the landscape of that terrain. This ecofriendly design compliments with facilities matching international standards, highly personalised services considering likes and dislike of their individual guests, the high-quality food with authentic taste differentiate Chandy’s Windy Woods from others. This is not the first time that Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards are conferred to Chandy’s Windy Woods. In the years 2020 and 2021 Chandy’s Windy Woods was placed No.12 in the World and No1 in India for two consecutive years. Chandy’s Hotels and Resorts have two properties in Munnar. The first one, Chandy’s Windy Woods is a Five Star classified hotel having 48 rooms with facilities including Swimming Pool, Spa, Health Club, Multi-cuisine Restaurant, Wine and Beer Parlour and Conference Hall. The second property, Chandy’s Drizzle Drops is located at Top Station, which is a boutique resort having 12 …

An iconic hotel in the heart of Mayfair has delcare the appointment of an experienced Director of Operations – as it looks to ‘shake up’ its offering as a premier London destination with exciting plans for 2024 and beyond. DUKES London, one of the capital’s most renowned hotels, recently welcomed Dusko Babic as its new Director of Operations, who is already applying his more than 20 years of worldwide experience in providing guests with the highest degree of hospitality and customer service to take the hotel’s operation strategy into a new era. Having worked in operational roles within established hotels for many years, including in an EMEA Franchise Services Team overseeing a portfolio of more than 470 hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Dusko brings a wealth of experience to the position. His two decades in the industry have also seen him work closely with stakeholders, providing operational support and training, and coordinating processes and programmes for hotel portfolios. Dusko said: “I’m delighted to have joined such an esteemed team and venue and I can’t wait to apply my skills to elevate its offering even further. At DUKES London, we provide the very best of quintessential British hospitality in London and create unforgettable memories for our guests and team members. I am extremely proud to be one of the ambassadors for DUKES London and look forward to our phenomenal future.” The newly appointed Director of Operations has already set the wheels in motion by   announcing a new classic comfort menu in the DUKES Great British Restaurant. In addition, the luxury hotel will be launching a new afternoon tea offering in early May to be held in the British …

Imagine stepping into a hotel room and being greeted by breathtaking sunset views every evening. With the introduction of the world’s first sunset view rating system for luxury hotel rooms, Corona India makes sure you get the sunset you were promised. Now being piloted at a selection of luxury hotels including the CGH Brunton Boatyard, Niraamaya Surya Samudra and Brij Laxman Sagar located in Kochi, Kovalam and Pali respectively. Corona’s unique campaign around stunning sunset views is set to capture every traveller’s heart. Conceptualized in partnership with Digitas India, part of Publicis Groupe India, the campaign enables luxury travellers to check out the sunset rating of iconic hotels across the country on CRED Escapes, a luxury travel platform for India’s 1%. With nearly 90% of people in cities spending their time indoors, the allure of sun tourism has been on the rise. Recognizing this trend, Corona India set out to create a unique solution—a sunset visual quality rating system akin to a Michelin Star for restaurants. This innovative approach guarantees travellers the opportunity to witness nature’s wonder with certainty, transforming fleeting moments into cherished memories. Developed by an interdisciplinary team of atmospheric scientists and big data analysts, the rating system utilizes 43 years of historical atmospheric data from ECMWF and NASA to establish a new benchmark in sunset quality. The prediction model analyses various parameters such as location, wind speed, AQI and cloud cover to score the sunset quality from a hotel room on a 5-point scale. Vineet Sharma, Vice President Marketing & Trade Marketing, AB InBev India said, “We all believe in taking a moment from our busy everyday lives to enjoy the beauty of sunsets. If a hotel room can …

BWH Hotels is proud to announce the appointment of Medha Tiwari as Head of Sales & Marketing for the regions of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Medha brings over two decades of invaluable experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with renowned brands such as ITC, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group, Lalit Hotels, Interstate Hotels, and The Park Hotels. Throughout her illustrious career, Medha has consistently demonstrated her expertise in driving new business, providing exceptional customer service, and fostering strategic partnerships with stakeholders and executives to enhance commercial value. Her exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers, establish large-volume accounts, and ensure client retention and loyalty has been instrumental in her success. Medha’s leadership qualities shine throughout her track record of motivating staff members and transforming teams into record-breaking units. Her dedication to excellence, coupled with her integrity, character, and strong work ethic, has earned her widespread recognition in the industry. Medha Tiwari holds a Professional Development Programme from Cornell University in Strategic Pricing and Hotel Administration, in addition to an MBA from Amity University and a hospitality degree from the Institute of Hotel Management, Gwalior. She has honed her expertise in sales & marketing, revenue management, distribution, and branding over the course of her career.

Le Cordon Bleu, the globally renowned network of hospitality and culinary schools, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Thierry Le Baut as the Academic Director at its GD Goenka University campus. Chef Le Baut is a celebrated culinary maestro with a global reputation in hospitality, culinary arts, and pastry arts. As a veteran, he has led the kitchens of Michelin-starred establishments and spearheaded the Le Cordon Bleu Manila and Ottawa campuses as Executive Director, earning him international acclaim. As the new Academic Director at Le Cordon Bleu Gurugram, Chef Le Baut brings a wealth of experience and a passion for excellence that will elevate the learning experience to new heights. He is committed to nurturing students’ academic journey, fostering creativity, and instilling the highest standards of culinary and hospitality artistry. Under the expert guidance of Chef Le Baut, students will embark on a remarkable journey encompassing all elements of the culinary and hospitality world. Furthermore, his international experience will broaden the horizons of the students at the campus as he will be instrumental in creating pathways for exchange programs with over 35 LCB campuses worldwide. ”I am delighted be a part of Le Cordon Bleu, Gurugram as the Academic Director. With a comprehensive global experience and a strong commitment to excellence, I am excited to lead the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals towards unparalleled success. The Indian hospitality industry has immense potential, and I firmly believe that our students will play a pivotal role in shaping its future,” said Chef Thierry Le Baut. Ms. Kim Menezes, Vice Chancellor, GD Goenka University said, ”Chef Thierry Le Baut’s expertise and global experience will undoubtedly empower students to excel …

Skyview by Empyrean, a 22-acre mountain harbour that seamlessly blends premium hospitality, adventure, nature and luxury in Sanget Valley, Patnitop, Jammu & Kashmir, has established itself as the region’s architectural pride since it opened its doors to the public 5 years ago. The premium property’s six categories of rooms and suites as well as the 200-seater Pine View Banquet and its restaurants – Banana Leaf and the Skyview Café reflect nature-inspired decor themes and have kept alive local, traditional building and masonry techniques in some form or another. These sustainable, eco-friendly design themes have been given shape through the Sylvan form of architecture and the use of Jammu and Kashmir’s age-old, traditional earthquake-resistant and eco-friendly dhajji-dewari building and masonry concept. The Persian word ‘dhajji’ was used by carpet weavers to describe a quilt patchwork. ‘dewari‘ is the Persian word for ‘patchwork quilt wall’. Skilled masons of the region construct symmetrically shaped squares, rectangles, and triangles of light timber frames packed with masonry infills that are weather, sound and earthquake proof. Guests can experience the warmth and intricacies of the region’s rich heritage and culture in stand-alone rooms and suites overlooking the scenic Sanget valley with panoramic mountain views of the Shivalik range or expansive views of the property’s in-house world-class Gondola — India’s highest and CEN certified Gondola. The rooms and suites at Skyview by Empyrean take inspiration from the rich heritage and architecture of the region while adhering to sustainable practices. The 237 sq. ft Gondola View Deluxe Rooms and the 277 sq. ft. Gondola View Premium Rooms featuring unique dome-shaped roofs are inspired by the natural environment of the region, with the warm and cosy interiors lending the …

Sarawak Tourism Board is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated Rainforest World Music Festival 2024, set to be a transformative celebration under the theme ‘Evolution’. In its 27th edition, the RWMF promises an immersive experience that transcends music, incorporating responsible tourism, cultural celebration, and environmental stewardship. The festival lineup is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring a diversity that showcases 20 acts in total, made up of 68 international musicians from 14 countries across 6 continents together with 63 Malaysian artists. This exciting amalgamation of sounds and cultures promises to create a musical fusion like never before, showcasing the richness of global musical traditions right here in the heart of Sarawak. All the acts combined command a massive global fanbase of 12 million, comprising followers from Spotify and various social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook. Among the festival’s headlining acts is the Grammy and Golden Globe award winner Kitaro, a Japanese recording artist renowned for his groundbreaking electronic-instrumental music. Kitaro Live World Tour will be coming to the Rainforest World Music Festival for the first time to enchant and captivate audiences with his ethereal compositions and transport them on a musical journey like no other. Kitaro won his Grammy in 2001 at the 43rd Grammy Awards for Best Album in the New Age category. Alongside Kitaro, headlining at the RWMF this year from West Malaysia is none other than Dato’ Zainalabidin, known for his hit song ‘Hijau’ which has been around for over three decades. It was one of the first few songs in the country to be categorized under the genre of ‘World Music’ when the concept was still relatively new in Malaysia. Zainalabidin is …

Türkiye offers visitors a variety of holiday options in every season. One of the country’s most enduring attractions is its renowned Turkish bath and spa tradition, which has been integral to this geography since antiquity. Enjoying this bathing culture in Pamukkale, one of the world’s most stunning landscapes, is an unforgettable experience that can only be found in this remarkable destination… Pamukkale, located in western Türkiye, about 20 kilometres from Denizli, is a true natural wonder with gorgeous snow-white travertines and terraced pools that resemble frozen waterfalls.  Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the travertines appear as a field of clouds dotted with warm, aquamarine-coloured pools. Immerse yourself in these healing mineral waters and discover the captivating beauty of Pamukkale up close. An Enchanting Natural Wonder Considered a bucket list destination for many, Pamukkale is known for its beautiful snow-white travertines, formed by the interaction of oxygen and thermal waters. A perfect blend of history and nature, the Pamukkale travertines, with their mineral waters, are also believed to offer healing properties. Every year, people worldwide flock to this mesmerising destination, enchanted by the breathtaking landscapes and the potential for rejuvenation. It is important to note that most travertines are protected due to their delicate structure. Still, visitors can freely walk in some regions of the travertines containing small terrace-shaped pools. To preserve the travertines, guests must remove their shoes and socks before entering. The Ancient Healing Waters Adjacent to the Pamukkale travertines is the awe-inspiring Hierapolis Ancient City, also part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 2,500 years ago, King Eumenes II of Pergamon, enthralled by the splendour of the travertines, built a city near the site. Honouring Hiera, the wife of …

• Flights to Oradea, a precious hidden gem for city trippers, commence on 3 June • Athens returns to the network of LOT Polish Airlines LOT Polish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance and a leading airline in Central and Eastern Europe, continues its strategy of sustainable growth and adds two more European destinations to its global network. Flights to Oradea in Romania start on 3 June, while LOT Polish Airlines has now celebrated its comeback in Athens. Oradea is a Romanian city near the border to Hungary which can be described as a hidden gem for city trippers. It is steeped in history with roots reaching back to the ancient Romans and with fantastic architecture from the epochs of baroque and Art Nouveau. LOT Polish Airlines operates four times per week from its global hub in Warsaw to Oradea effective 3 June 2024. This service will be operated by Embraer E170 and E175 aircraft. From Delhi to Oradea in less than 12 hours  Travellers from India, who want to explore an amazing destination, which has not yet been discovered by many tourists, and therefore plan to include Oradea in their European itinerary, can even start their adventure there – thanks to the convenient flight service from LOT Polish Airlines from Delhi via Warsaw: Every Monday and Saturday, departure from Delhi at 8:00h, arrival in Oradea at 17:00h local time the same day; 11:30 hours total travel time including 100 minutes stopover in Warsaw Daily service between Warsaw and Athens A destination not be missed on a roundtrip through Europe is Athens and LOT Polish Airlines has now returned to the Greek capital. The Polish carrier is flying daily between …

STIC Travel Group has been appointed as the General Sales Agent for Celestyal Cruises in India. Effective immediately, STIC Travel Group will market, distribute, fulfill, and represent both dynamic and preformed travel packages for Celestyal, in addition to providing cruise-only services across India. Celestyal decided to cooperate with STIC Travel Group because the India region is an important market with great potential.Celestyal is convinced that with the newcooperation it will be able to accelerate furthergrowth in this region and at the same time offer new touring products to a wider audience leveraging STIC Travel Group robust distribution and technology platforms. STIC Travel Group has great experience in bringing together both cruise and tour whilst offering a comprehensive service, such as sales and marketing activities, service centres in the local language and much more. Isha Goyal, Executive Director & CEO of STIC Travel Group said, “We are very much looking forward to the cooperation with Celestyal and will support the cruise operator with our broad network in the tourism industry, most accurate market knowledge and profound marketing and sales know-how with all our strength”. Marios Polydorou, Vice President Business Development of Celestyal Cruises, said, “STIC Travel Group has decades of outstanding expertise in the cruise segment, making it an ideal partner for us.