Category Archives: Hotels

IRIS Reps announces its newest partnership with Barceló Hotels & Resorts, adding yet another prestigious name to its growing global portfolio. This exciting collaboration will place special focus on promoting Barceló’s stunning resorts in the Maldives and Thailand to the Indian travel trade. With a legacy of excellence, Barceló Hotels & Resorts is known for delivering exceptional guest experiences across its premium resort destinations. The group’s properties in Maldives and Thailand stand out for their blend of contemporary comfort, unmatched locations, and thoughtful service – ideal for Indian FITs, small groups, MICE, and celebratory travel. Alefiya Singh, Founder of IRIS Reps, shared her enthusiasm about the new partnership: “Barceló is a remarkable brand that perfectly aligns with our vision to bring high-quality international hospitality experiences to Indian travelers. We are particularly excited to promote their properties in the Maldives and Thailand – destinations that continue to be in high demand across various Indian segments. With our strong B2B network and local insights, we aim to create meaningful traction for Barceló in the Indian market.” Thibaut Biguet, Commercial Director at Barceló Hotels & Resorts, added: “India is a key growth market for us, and partnering with IRIS Reps gives us the right platform to reach and engage with the Indian travel trade. With their in-depth market knowledge and strong distribution channels, we are confident this collaboration will elevate Barceló’s presence in India – especially for our resort offerings in the Maldives and Thailand.” This partnership marks a strategic move for both organizations as they work together to enhance brand awareness, drive bookings, and create tailored experiences for the evolving Indian traveler.

M/s N V Hospitality, a respected hospitality firm based in Bhuj, proudly announces its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of properties, to develop a new hotel under the Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand in the heart of Gujarat’s Kutch region. The upcoming Ramada Encore by Wyndham Bhuj will be a greenfield development featuring 50 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, meeting facilities, spa, swimming pool, and a range of modern amenities tailored to today’s leisure and business travelers. The project is currently in the planning phase and is expected to open in 2028. Bhuj, a culturally rich and historic city in Gujarat’s Kutch district, is renowned for its vibrant handicrafts, desert landscapes, and architectural heritage. As the gateway to the Rann of Kutch, Bhuj attracts a growing number of tourists, particularly during the celebrated Rann Utsav festival. The city is well-connected by air, with direct flights to Mumbai and Delhi, and is easily accessible by road from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Gandhidham. Niraj Prakash Vazirani, Partner, M/s N V Hospitality, said: “Bringing the Ramada Encore brand to Bhuj is a meaningful step in our journey to enhance the hospitality offerings of the region. This partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts enables us to combine international standards with local culture, and we’re proud to contribute to Bhuj’s continued growth as a tourism and commercial destination.” Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, added: “Bhuj represents a significant addition to our network of emerging destinations across Eurasia. It’s a city that blends tradition, art, and resilience—and we’re excited to contribute to its evolution with a hotel that offers both contemporary comfort and …

Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is set to mark a major milestone with the opening of dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives — the group’s first all-inclusive lifestyle resort and its second Dusit-branded property in the country, complementing the luxury Dusit Thani Maldives. Set to soft open on 27 July 2025, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives is located on a pristine natural island just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Malé. The resort invites guests to experience a private escape defined by bold design, vibrant energy, and curated experiences, all thoughtfully crafted for modern travellers who value freedom, connection, and discovery in an inspiring setting. Fringed by a spacious lagoon and thriving coral reefs, the resort offers exceptional access to vibrant marine life and stunning dive sites — making it an ideal base for underwater exploration and ocean-inspired adventure. Blending beachfront charm with overwater serenity, the upscale resort features 127 spacious villas across seven distinct categories, ranging from 77 to 306 sq m. From tranquil beachfront retreats to expansive overwater sanctuaries, each villa is thoughtfully designed for modern comfort and style, with indoor-outdoor living spaces, private decks, and plunge pools in most categories. dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives also introduces a fresh and modern take on the all-inclusive concept, with à la carte dining across five distinctive venues, unlimited premium beverages, daily entertainment, and generous resort credits for personalised indulgence. Whether guests choose to unwind at Namm Spa, join beachfront yoga sessions, or sip island-inspired cocktails at the rooftop bar, they’ll find countless ways to connect, recharge, and play. From floating breakfasts and live DJ sets to snorkelling adventures and beach …

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, claims, “We are the largest hotel chain in India. Given our recent signings and the brand’s strong growth trajectory, India is set to become Marriott’s third-largest market globally within the next 2-3 years. By the end of next year, we expect to have nearly 250 operational hotels in the country. We are also on track to more than double our presence from 40 to 90 locations across India. Our focus remains on getting the right distribution and being in the right places.”

Le Méridien Hotels & Resort, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announced the opening of Le Meridien Ahmedabad. The hotel opens doors following the transformation of Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. Set in the heart of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, where centuries-old façades and bustling bazaars coexist with riverfront promenades and modern architecture, the hotel invites guests to experience Ahmedabad anew—through moments that are quietly luxurious and instinctively refined. This is a destination for those who seek not only to stay, but to soak in every moment of their travels. “We are excited to introduce the Le Méridien brand to Ahmedabad, bringing the brand’s essence of savouring the good life to global tastemakers and locals” said Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International. “Ahmedabad is a destination known for its rich history and thriving art, culture, and culinary scene, which makes it the perfect fit for Le Méridien. This hotel is a celebration of detail and design – inviting travellers to explore Ahmedabad with curiosity, in style.” The property features 164 guest rooms and suites, each designed with a calm palette, mid-century silhouettes, and bespoke accents that nod to Ahmedabad’s textile legacy and architectural landmarks. Poised as the visual anchor, the bespoke lobby art is an ode to the rich heritage of Ahmedabad representing a confluence of movement, culture, and life – inviting guests to explore Ahmedabad’s layered legacy at a single glance. Celebrating the city’s identity as the once textile capital of India, the design elements of Le Méridien Ahmedabad pay homage to the local craft and its deep ties to the Sabarmati River. In a poetic gesture, slender panes of transparent …

The event served as a vibrant platform for industry leaders, hotel owners, restaurateurs and professionals from across the western region to collaborate, share insights and recognize excellence in hospitality leadership. The event commenced with an inaugural session graced by Chief Guest – Shri Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western Region), India Tourism Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The conclave also featured thought provoking sessions led by prominent voices in policy, sustainability, food safety and operations. “The 5th edition of the Empowering Hospitality Conclave and Awards is not just a celebration of achievement; it is a reaffirmation of our industry’s resilience and commitment to progress. The hospitality sector has demonstrated remarkable grit during the pandemic and is now embracing a new era of growth powered by innovation, collaboration and forward-looking policies. This platform is a testament to the incredible talent, dedication and dynamism that define our fraternity. Today, we not only honour excellence but also strengthen the dialogue that will shape the future of Indian hospitality,” says Mr Chetan Mehta, Vice President, HRAWI. Opening the conclave on a congratulatory note, Shri Mohamed Farouk underscored the sector’s role in nation building. “It is a privilege to be part of the 5th edition of HRAWI’s ‘Empowering Hospitality’ Conclave, a platform that brings together some of the most visionary minds in the western region’s hospitality sector. The hospitality industry is not just a key driver of tourism; it is the first impression of India for many visitors. This industry’s services reflect the warmth, culture and professionalism of our nation. As India charts its course on the global tourism map, I urge the industry to focus on inclusive growth, accessible tourism, technological innovation and …

IHCL has announced the signing of a new hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Fuelled by major infrastructure developments, Jaipur has rapidly evolved as key regional hub, significantly boosting demand from business and MICE segments apart from the long established leisure segment  This signing aligns with IHCL’s strategy to expand presence in such high-growth micro markets of metros an state capitals across India. We are delighted to collaborate with Dinesh Choudhary, Vivek Choudhary and Rajat Choudhary for this project.” The 160-key Vivanta Jaipur in Jagatpura is the closest hotel to the newly renovated Terminal 1 of Jaipur International Airport. The hotel features an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, health club, specialty roof top restaurant and state-of-the-art conference facilities, catering to both leisure and business guests. Vivek Choudhary, Director, Wonder Build Developers Private Ltd, said, “We are proud to partner with IHCL to bring the Vivanta brand to Jaipur. This collaboration will contribute to the city’s growing hospitality landscape and offer a world-class experience to travelers. With IHCL’s expertise and the strong brand recognition of Vivanta, we are confident that the hotel will emerge as a preferred destination for travellers.” With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 31 hotels in Rajasthan including 8 under development.

Ventive Hospitality along with its Promoter Group Companies, announced the expansion of their strategic partnership with Marriott International, by signing management contracts for seven luxury, upper upscale and upscale hotels comprising of 1,548 rooms across India and Sri Lanka. This partnership marks multiple brand debuts in key locations including Sri Lanka, Varanasi, Mundra, Pune, and Navi Mumbai. Further, Ventive Hospitality also announced its plans to develop a hotel on its existing leasehold land in Mundra, India. Of the seven hotels, three hotels are being developed by Ventive Hospitality and its subsidiaries – the Ritz-Carlton Reserve (73 villas along with 80 branded residences for sale) at Pottuvil, near Yala East National Park in Sri Lanka; Varanasi Marriott Hotel (161 rooms) at Varanasi, India and Courtyard by Marriott (200 rooms) at Mundra, India. The remaining four hotels – the proposed JW Marriott Navi Mumbai (450 rooms), Moxy Navi Mumbai (200 rooms), Moxy Pune Wakad (264 rooms) and Moxy Pune Kharadi (200 rooms), are being developed by the Promoter Group companies on Right Of First Offer (ROFO) or alternative structure basis for the Ventive Hospitality and will be transferred to the Company under a suitable arrangement that maximizes value for all stakeholders equitably. This partnership, one of India’s largest in the luxury and upper-upscale hotel sector, leverages the strength of Ventive Hospitality’s project execution capabilities along with Marriott International’s renowned brands and hotel management expertise. Both companies are poised to unlock significant growth opportunities by capitalizing on a favorable demand-supply dynamics. This strategic partnership was formally announced by Atul Chordia, Chairman and Executive Director of Ventive Hospitality Ltd, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. Also present at the event were Ranju …

Maitland & Knox Heritage Hotels, the homegrown luxury boutique chain behind Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala, and The Warden’s House, has officially rebranded as Island Life – Sri Lanka. This is among the biggest rebranding exercises carried out by a Sri Lankan group in recent years. This new name and identity reflect a new, experience-led approach to homegrown hospitality. The specialised boutique hotel chain now pegs itself as ‘the custodians of the perfect Sri Lankan experience.’ The new brand logo of Island Life – Sri Lanka captures the soul of the island—where a wave echoes coastal calm and a peak evokes the wild highlands. Together, they reflect the rhythm of serenity and adventure, inviting guests to experience Sri Lanka’s story through every stay. With Island Life – Sri Lanka, the group begins a new chapter rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and soul. At its core is a promise: to our guests more than just a stay—an opportunity to feel Sri Lanka, move with its rhythm, embrace its culture, and connect with its people. Guided by a philosophy of fulfilment through action, every stay is thoughtfully designed to go beyond comfort — shaped in curated experiences, personalisation, and authentic connection. From cultural encounters and locally inspired design to meaningful moments through art, heritage and service, we ensure each guest feels fully immersed in the essence of the island. Island Life – Sri Lanka now includes three iconic properties Thotalagala (Haputale): A restored 19th-century tea planter’s bungalow nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, offering heritage charm, quiet luxury, and meaningful interactions. Thotalagala features 7 suites complementing gourmet experiences, guided walks, an Insta-viral infinity pool and Sri Lanka’s best high tea. Galle Fort Hotel (Galle): …

Bintan Resorts, in partnership with Travstarz Global Group, held B2B workshops in Jaipur, Lucknow and Indore recently. Aimed at promoting Bintan among Indian travellers, the sessions showcased luxury resorts, wellness, and connectivity via Singapore. Over 35 key agents per city participated, targeting families, honeymooners, leisure travellers, and MICE groups.