Category Archives: Hotels

Sarova Hotels is a brand woven into the very fabric of the nation’s tourism industry and Kenya’s vibrant heart beats anew in celebration, as this beacon of homegrown hospitality commemorated its 50th anniversary in April 2024. More than just a milestone, this golden jubilee is a testament to a rich legacy of service and deep values that have shaped the journey. The vision for this indigenous hotel brand was born in 1974 when its founding patriarchs, G.S. Vohra, Mohinder Singh Vohra and John Ngata Kariuki demonstrated their love for family in an interesting yet befitting act. The name SAROVA was coined, an acronym derived from their wives’ first names; SA- Swaran Vohra (Mohinder’s wife) RO- Rose Kariuki (John’s wife) VA- Varsha Vohra (G.S’s wife) Soon after, their first venture in the hotel industry took place with the acquisition of the Ambassadeur Hotel on Moi Avenue, owned by the family until 1998. Leisurely Delights, Each Location an Experience Over the years through bold and spontaneous moves, Sarova has expanded its footprint across Kenya with a portfolio of 9 properties, each proof of a firm commitment to quality and innovation. These properties include Sarova Stanley & Sarova Panafric in Nairobi, Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa, Sarova Woodlands Hotel & Spa and Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in Nakuru, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge in Samburu, Sarova Mara Game Camp in Masai Mara, Sarova Imperial Hotel in Kisumu and Sarova Maiyan in Nanyuki. This evolution has continued with the launch of the first standalone speciality restaurant, Thai Chi by Sarova launched in 2023 in Nairobi, an extension of Thai Chi Restaurant at Sarova Stanley. Each hotel is a microcosm of Kenyan …

Highlighting key trends in the Indian hospitality industry, the HVS ANAROCK Hotels & Hospitality Overview – May 2024, states that Goa witnessed the largest year-on-year decline in occupancy rate, while Kolkata registered the highest growth during the month. After a long hiatus, Mumbai recorded higher average rates than Goa, exceeding INR 10,000 and INR 9,500 respectively.”

MRG Group, the Bengaluru-based hospitality and real estate company that spearheads the lifestyle hotel brand Goldfinch Hotels & Resorts, announces the debut of Navi Mumbai Marriott Hotel, set in Navi Mumbai. Strategically positioned along the Thane Belapur Road, the Navi Mumbai Marriott Hotel stands as a beacon of convenience and accessibility. With a 26 km distance from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, it ensures a seamless journey for both domestic and international guests. Additionally, its close proximity, just 12 km, to the upcoming DB Patil International Airport positions it as a frontrunner in future connectivity.

ITC Hotels recently signed a management agreement with Jaipur based Dangayach Group, for a property under brand Storii, in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Storii by ITC Hotels, Jaisalmer is set to be a 119-key resort located towards the east of the city on Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Road. The resort will feature a restaurant, bar, approximately 7000 sqft of banquet and meeting space. Jaisalmer is one of the largest tourism districts in Rajasthan and is featured as a “must-visit” destination in most Rajasthan desert circuits. The city offers a perfect blend of art, architecture, hospitality, scenic beauty, and cuisine. Jaisalmer is renowned for its unconventional desert safari with camel rides, cultural performances, and adventure activities. The city’s yellow sandstone is known to glow during sunset, making it a high point in every tourist’s itinerary. The resort’s yellow-stone fort architecture is inspired by the regions landscape. The plush interiors and elegant décor shall provide an ambiance be-fitting the cultural significance of the city and showcase the very essence of brand Storii. Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, said “This project is a tremendous leap permitting a quick entry into a high visibility and popular leisure market with our cherished brand Storii. We are already present with over 800 keys across our various brands in Rajasthan. These include hotels in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Khimsar, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Storii Jaisalmer will enable us to offer yet another unique destination experience in the Rajasthan desert circuit”. Harimohan Dangayach, Chairman & Founder and Atul Dangayach, Managing Director of Dangayach Group, expressed happiness at the signing ceremony and said, “We are delighted to sign Storii for our latest resort project in Jaisalmer. The resort’s positioning in a strong leisure market aligns well …

The Imperial New Delhi joins The Leading Hotels of the World, becoming the only Grand Dame in India to enter this exclusive network of independent, luxury hotels. The hotel will also be part of the Leading Hotels’ exclusive loyalty program, Leaders Club which amplifies relationships curated by Leading Hotels between like-minded curious travelers and independent hoteliers. The Imperial stands as an icon of luxury, nestled in the heart of India’s bustling capital. Spanning an eight-acre estate on Janpath, formerly Queensway, it holds court as the sole oasis amidst a sea of 32 million people. Since its inception in 1936, The Imperial has been a beacon of glamour, drawing Hollywood celebrities, Bollywood luminaries, and global royalty to its distinguished embrace. Its historic grounds witnessed the grandeur of 85 Maharajas and Maharanis convened in regal splendour during the Royal Durbar. Today, The Imperial continues to enchant with a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. Each of its 235 elegantly appointed rooms and lavish suites exudes illustrious elegance, seamlessly blending heritage with cutting-edge technology. Hundreds of hand-knotted carpets weave tales of artisanal mastery, while the world’s largest private collection of 5,500 Indo-European artworks from 17th & 18th century, offer a captivating glimpse into the region’s rich cultural tapestry of a bygone era. One can embark on the finest epicurean journey through an array of world class restaurants. From the intricate flavors of Italian cuisine to the bold spices of Asia, each dish at The Imperial reflects a dedication to culinary mastery and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Whether indulging in a light Indian lunch or dinner at the hotel’s Indo-European Brasserie 1911 or exploring the culinary delights of San Gimignano and Spice …

India’s fastest-growing hospitality chain, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, recently held its 7th annual GM Conclave in Cygnett Style Jaipur under the theme ‘Aggrandize Hospitality Cygnett Horizons 2024.’ The event provided a platform for discussing the company’s strategic expansion plans and key insights into transformational changes in the hospitality industry. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder and Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, shared that Cygnett is on track to open 15 new hotels and 1200 keys over the next year, with ten currently under project & pre-opening stage. This expansion aligns with the company’s vision of innovation and cultural transformation. The new properties opening in June, July and August, such as Cozzet Deera in Sonipat (41 keys), Cozzet Mahad (Mahad Maharashtra industrial area) (60 keys), and Cygnett Inn Airport in Jaipur (45 keys), represent the company’s commitment to meeting growing demands and maintaining high hospitality standards. Cygnett also plans to hire over 1,000 hospitality professionals and establish the Cygnett Learning Academy to address the current talent shortage and train new aspirants. Cygnett Hotel and Resort was ranked second in new hotel signings in 2023, according to a report released by HVS. At the event, Sarkar emphasised the importance of cultural transformation and innovation as the driving forces behind the company’s expansion. He noted that the rapid growth of domestic tourism and rising ADRs provide a promising outlook for the hospitality sector. He reiterated the company’s optimism about India’s hospitality prospects as it leverages increased government focus on infrastructure to bolster its growth. The conclave also highlighted Cygnett’s strong focus on sustainability. Their Sustainable Plan 2025 includes eco-friendly initiatives such as energy-efficient technologies, water conservation, waste management, and upgraded transportation facilities. These efforts aim …

Bengaluru Airport City unveils investment plans for a 2 million sq. ft. business park and a 775 keys hotel. Rao Munukkutla, CEO, BACL, said, “This investment will propel our vision of transforming the airport city into a bustling hub for businesses, knowledge-intensive zones, R&D centres and Global Capability Centres.”

The World Economic Forum published its 2024 edition of its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) which measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of the tourism sector. It offers insights into tourism economies’ strengths and areas for improvement, and the interconnected nature of tourism development, as well as facilitating strategic planning and multistakeholder dialogue to encourage sustainable growth.     United States The United States is the top scorer in the TTDI and the largest contributor to T&T GDP, both within the Americas region and globally. While the recent increase in sector wages has helped contribute to climbing operation costs, it has also helped partially bridge the T&T sector’s historically low wages in countries such as the United States. Thanks to typical advantages ranging from favourable business environments and open travel policies to well-developed transport, tourism and ICT infrastructure and natural, cultural and non-leisure attractions, United States ranked highest.   Portugal The growth in ‘bleisure’ travel and digital nomads has created new opportunities for businesses and destinations that can offer favourable conditions for business travel and leisure activities. In particular, economies that combine strong ICT infrastructure and healthcare standards, relatively reasonable cost of living, favourable visa policies and rich tourism attractions rank among the most attractive for digital nomads, with countries like Portugal and Spain ranking among the top for attractiveness for this new market.   Uzbekistan Newly ranked developing country of Uzbekistan experienced the greatest growth in TTDI scores between 2019 and 2024. While most high-income economies have experienced slight changes in their TTDI scores, the performance of Uzbekistan (+7.8%, 94th to 78th) has shown the most improvement in both score and rank compared to …

Radisson Hotel Sector 29, Gurugram, proudly announces the promotion of Parul Trehan to the position of Learning and Development Manager; and Bhupendra Tomar to the position of Food and Beverage Manager, effective April 1, 2024. Parul Trehan, an English Honors graduate from Jaipur,  started her remarkable career at the Heritage Hotel, owned by the Jaipur royal family. She has since refined her skills in prestigious establishments such as The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Driven by her love for providing exceptional service and hospitality, Parul joined Radisson in 2023 and eventually made the shift into learning and development. Parul’s key priorities will be team building and improving hotel quality. Alongside Anuj Soin, she will strive to uphold and surpass Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram’s high standards for service excellence. Anuj Soin, General Manager at Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram said, The selection of Parul as Learning & Development Manager is a reflection of her unrelenting commitment, ceaseless efforts, and steadfast quest of excellence. Bhupendra Tomar, an IHTM, Ghaziabad graduate in hotel management; joined Radisson Hotel Group in 2014. He was formerly connected to prestigious companies like Hilton and The Leela. Bhupendra has improved the food and beverage experience at Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram, across his whole stay. He will put a lot of effort into creating distinctive dining experiences in his new capacity. Increasing team productivity, integrating the newest F&B trends into menu items, and guaranteeing that F&B operations and hotel operations are seamlessly integrated are some of his duties. “Bhupendra’s promotion demonstrates our dedication to developing internal talent and elevating from within, said Anuj Soin, General Manager at Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram. Parul will carry out our training …

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with NILE Hospitality for growing its mid-scale brand Park Inn & Suites by Radisson in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This move comes as part of the Group’s robust expansion strategy, driven by the growing demand for quality hospitality experiences in tier 2 to tier 5 cities of India. Under this partnership, NILE Hospitality will be responsible for growing the Park Inn and Suites by Radisson brand in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Gujarat boasts higher industrial activities along with tourist and pilgrimage destinations such as Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Dharoi, and Kutch, presenting an excellent business opportunity while helping the tourism boost in the region. Rajasthan being a culturally rich, heritage destination with historical forts, palaces, art, and culture makes it an interesting tourism destination for travelers. Park Inn and Suites by Radisson brand positions itself as a smart hotel investment opportunity, with a clear focus on value maximization for its stakeholders. By offering a conversion-friendly model tailored for the Indian market, the brand adds to the diversity of Radisson Hotel Group’s offerings in the country. On the consumer front, the essence of Park Inn & Suites by Radisson is centered around “Inviting Modern Comfort” ensuring that guests feel welcome, valued, and well-cared for. With an average size of 50 to 70 keys, hotels under the brand will be equipped with inviting social spaces, a welcome corner, a fitness center, services like free WiFi, and signature breakfast options for delivering a holistic experience to guests. “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with NILE Hospitality to strengthen our presence in western and northwestern India. Tailored for the Indian market, Park Inn & Suites …