Category Archives: Hotels

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is coming up with another exciting project named ‘Cinnamon Life‘ in Colombo. Sharing more details, Radhey S Tawar, Chief Commercial Officer, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, said, “The entertainment complex comprises 687 rooms and includes a shopping mall. In addition to two office towers and two apartment complexes, there will also be a gaming complex opening next year, managed by an international gaming operator.” Cinnamon Life is set to transform the landscape of Colombo and attract new tourists to Sri Lanka. As India remains one of the top markets for the island nation, hopes are high that this new property by Cinnamon will further attract more tourists from India, especially youth.  

FHRAI reiterated one of its key requests in the pre-budget meeting conducted by the Finance Ministry to grant infrastructure status for hotels across all categories and convention centres built at a project cost of ₹10 crore and above to give a fillip to the budget segment in the industry, along with 12 per cent GST rate across all hotels.

Lords Hotels & Resorts is making significant strides in its 2024 expansion strategy with the recent acquisition of a new property in Purulia, West Bengal. The upcoming Lords Eco Inn Purulia will open in early 2025 and feature elegantly designed rooms. Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of enticing amenities including a restaurant and rooftop lounge, Additionally, the hotel will proudly offer two opulent banquet halls designed to accommodate conferences & weddings making it a versatile destination for business, celebrations, and leisure travellers. Lords Eco Inn Purulia is conveniently located and well connected by road and rail. The nearest airport to Lords Eco Inn Purulia is Ranchi, located 140 km away, while Kolkata is 250 km and Jamshedpur is just 90 km away​ from the property Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture. We thank our new partners for their trust in us, as we seek to affiliate with more such owners to offer Lord’s exhilarating hospitality to business and leisure travellers. Vikas Suri, Vice President Operations & Development, commented on the new acquisition stating “To maximize further growth and expansion opportunities, we are delighted to consolidate our presence in West Bengal with the opening of our second property in this region. The Hotel will offer top-class accommodation and the finest services at competitive rates. Suri also expressed his enthusiasm for the new collaboration: “This partnership marks a significant milestone for us, and we are excited to work together to bring exceptional hospitality services to Purulia.” Roushan Kumar , General Manager Development stated, Our commitment is to deliver warm hospitality to travellers exploring this city as we strive to expand our presence …

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, along with Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Zahara Tours, and SalamAir, invites the Indian travel trade to attend a webinar on the destination and the product offerings. Get valuable insights and updates for your clients today at 3pm IST. Join the webinar and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Ahsan Shervani, Vice President, Star Hotels, shared insights into the company’s growth, expansion plans, and strategic focus on the domestic travel market. Shervani Hotels, the brand operated by Star Hotels., currently boasts four properties, with ambitious plans for further expansion. Shervani, an integral part of Star Hotels, oversees the operations of Shervani Hotels. The brand, which currently includes four distinct properties, aims to cater to both business and leisure travellers. With a strong presence in Uttarakhand and recent expansions into other regions, Shervani Hotels is poised for significant growth in the Indian hospitality sector. “Currently, we have four hotels under our portfolio,” Shervani explained during an exclusive interview at their Hotel in New Delhi. “This is a boutique 30-room business hotel, primarily catering to business travellers, with facilities like a conference room, a boardroom, and a banquet hall.” Shervani Hotels’ flagship property, Shervani Hilltop in Nainital, features 48 rooms, an in-house restaurant, and a unique specialty cafe called the Nursery Cafe. “The Nursery Cafe is a greenhouse setup where we serve food and beverages as well as sell plants,” Shervani added. “It’s a big part of our charm, offering little souvenirs that our guests can take home.” The two newest additions to the Shervani portfolio are in Jim Corbett National Park and Mukteshwar. “Our Jim Corbett property has 48 rooms and a large banquet hall accommodating up to 300 people. In Mukteshwar, we have Te Aroha by Shervani, Mukteshwar, a boutique 18-room property with additional cottages for larger groups.” Focusing on the travel trade, Shervani emphasized the importance of both offline and online partnerships. “We participate in various trade shows and have strong relationships with travel agents. About 40-45% of …

Clarks Safari announces the opening of its flagship property, Clarks Safari Haridwar, strategically located in the heart of the city. This luxury property features 22 well-appointed rooms, designed to cater to spiritual travelers, corporates, and families seeking a comfortable stay at competitive rates. Spread over more than 9000 sqmt Clarks Safari Haridwar offers a range of amenities and facilities, ensuring a comprehensive and enjoyable stay for all guests. The property boasts four banquet halls with a combined seating capacity of 500 pax, making it an ideal venue for conferences, product launches, and corporate events.

Courtyard by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Goa Colva, marking the debut of the Courtyard by Marriott brand in the state. Strategically located in one of the most popular parts of Goa, known for its white sand beaches, susegad lifestyle and Indo-Portuguese architecture, this 91-room hotel is an embodiment of the all things Goan. “We are thrilled to introduce the exceptional hospitality and top-tier facilities of Courtyard by Marriott brand to one of the most idyllic locations in India,” said Ranju Alex, Area Vice President South Asia, Marriott International. “Goa, especially the Southern region, is a well-known paradise for vacationers with its white sand beaches, stunning sunsets, and relaxed ambience. The opening of Courtyard by Marriott Goa Colva, marks Marriott International’s 10th property in Goa, and further compliments our commitment to growth in the region, bringing a diversified portfolio for different types of travellers to this popular leisure destination.”

Dimitris Manikis, President, EMEA, Wyndham Resorts and Hotels, said, “India wants to be one of the fastest-growing hospitality countries in the world. Its growth in infrastructure means that it will need brands like Wyndham. Thus, we plan to have 150 properties by the end of 2025 as India is the market with the biggest potential for us.”

Expanding upon its renowned commitment to offer guests an extensive selection of diverse destinations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed a major hotel management agreement with PT Yetosa Pratama Sukses (Puri Group) for Cross Batam Antapura, a 340-key tropical island paradise. Developed under the ‘Luxury by Design’ concept and set amid stunning natural beauty, the resort is scheduled to welcome its first guests in 2027. Forging a new partnership with Puri Group, one of the bigger property developers on Batam Island, Indonesia, this is Cross Hotels & Resorts’ inaugural property on the booming island. Cross Batam Antapura is a hybrid resort, offering guests a choice of 250 contemporary hotel rooms and 90 luxury pool villas, all centered around a low-rise Water Courtyard. Seamlessly blending traditional Indonesian designs with modern refinement, the striking resort provides a serene setting that invokes personal wellbeing. Located only 13 minutes from Hang Nadim International Airport, a short drive from the international ferry terminal and close to three international golf courses, Cross Batam Antapura is sure to appeal to holidaymakers, day-trippers and event planners alike. The integrated resort offers a harmonious blend of tranquility and excitement, from secluded retreats to exceptional dining experiences. Adults can relax with rejuvenating spa services while juniors are presented with a vibrant recreational and entertainment scene. “It has been an honour working with Puri Group and to present our aspirational goal of being APAC’s hotel management operator of choice for owners seeking an innovative alternative to those offered by larger chains. While Cross Batam Antapura is our first resort on Batam Island, it becomes our eighth property in Indonesia. Batam Island is a gateway to the rest …

RateGain report revealed that 40 per cent of the bookings of mid-size hotel chains happen through Online Travel Agency (OTAs). In contrast, for large-scale hotels 32 per cent of bookings come through OTAs, concluding that large-scale hotels mostly use their brand name for bookings, while mid-size hotels take a balanced approach worldwide.