Category Archives: Hotels

The 125-key hotel will be a standout addition to IHG’s portfolio and strengthen presence in key spiritual destinations in India.  IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement to develop a Holiday Inn Express hotel in the city of Ayodhya. Scheduled to open by mid-2028, the signing aligns with IHG’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in high-growth markets in India, including key spiritual destinations that are attracting large volume of travelers. With over 3,100 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing hotel brand. Renowned for its accessible, comfortable accommodations and streamlined services, the brand is a preferred choice for travelers seeking rest, recharge, and productivity. Once open, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will embody these core principles, catering to both spiritual, leisure and MICE travelers. Ayodhya rose to prominence as India’s most visited tourist place in 2024, with over 110 million visitors in first half of 2024. Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and just minutes from both the main temple complex and the Railway Station, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will be easily accessible, making it an ideal choice for travellers. The hotel will feature 125 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining, a fitness centre, business center, parking space, laundry room and a spacious meeting room. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya. Ayodhya has become one of India’s most preferred tourist destinations in 2024. With Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya’s strategic location, the hotel will benefit predominantly from spiritual tourism year-round. The hotel is poised to offer …

Al Habib Emporio, a hotel and development company based out of Srinagar, has announced the opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Srinagar Rajbagh in Jammu & Kashmir under franchise with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts which is the world’s largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,200 hotels in 95+ countries. This Ramada Encore by Wyndham is located in Rajbagh, posh locality of Srinagar on Jhelum River, just 2.5 km away from Dal Lake and 12.5 Km from Srinagar Airport. The hotel is conveniently located close to key tourist attractions such as Shankaracharya Temple, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Tulip Garden, Jama Masjid, etc as well as to the key commercial centre of Kashmir. The hotel has 48 modern rooms and a host of amenities including a lobby lounge, an All-Day Dining, swimming pool, fitness centre, event space and a business centre. The city other than being the summer capital, is also known for its natural environment, various gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. “Opening Ramada Encore by Wyndham Srinagar Rajbagh represents a strategic milestone in strengthening our footprint in high-potential markets like India. Srinagar, with its growing tourism appeal and rich cultural heritage, offers an ideal setting to meet the rising demand for quality accommodations. This hotel, featuring a prime location and modern amenities, is perfectly positioned to cater to the evolving needs of business and leisure travellers while reinforcing Wyndham’s commitment to driving growth in key regions. Partnering with Al Habib Emporio, we are proud to bring trusted hospitality to this iconic destination,” said Dimitris Manikis, President, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA. “We are excited to unveil our hotel affiliated to the internationally recognised “Ramada Encore by Wyndham” brand. The tourists are …

Sofitel Mumbai BKC won the ‘Best Luxury Business Hotel – West India’ at ITA 2024. Manish Dayya, GM said, “Our industry is all about innovation, creativity, and curating memorable experiences. It is a pleasure to see everyone learn from each other’s experiences, whether it is to do with stay, F&B or even sustainability practices.”

Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts, Goa-based leading boutique hospitality company, has unveiled its ambitious plans to expand its portfolio to 50 properties across India within the next five years. Known for delivering value-for-money vacation experiences, the group currently operates 16 boutique hotels and resorts and plans to add 5 to 6 properties annually. This growth strategy will encompass a mix of management contracts, lease agreements, and owned properties, catering to a wide spectrum of travellers while maintaining its hallmark of affordable luxury. The expansion strategy focuses on creating a balanced portfolio that appeals to both leisure and business travellers. For owned properties, Stone Wood is targeting serene, nature rich destinations such as Kabini, Coorg, Jawai, and Ranthambore, ideal for guests seeking tranquil escapes. Simultaneously, the group is establishing a presence in Tier 1 cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar, and Chandigarh through lease and revenue-sharing models to tap into urban demand. To cater to the diverse preferences of travellers, Stone Wood has also introduced a refreshed branding strategy with three distinct sub-categories: Stone Wood Hotels, Stone Wood Premier, and Stone Wood Comfort. This segmentation allows the group to tailor its offerings to various customer segments, ranging from premium travellers to those seeking mid-scale options. While Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts focuses on quality and comfort in leisure, business, pilgrimage, and wellness settings, Stone Wood Premier offers enhanced amenities such as spacious rooms, multiple F&B outlets, and upgraded facilities. Stone Wood Comfort, on the other hand, targets value-conscious travellers with affordable yet well-appointed accommodations. “Our vision is to redefine boutique hospitality by offering guests unique experiences that combine premium services with exceptional value,” said Shikhar Kumar, Managing Director, Stone Wood …

Patanjali G. Keswani, Chairperson, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “We are all set to capitalise on rising demand in India, focusing on premium pricing. We plan to list our subsidiary, Fleur Hotels, within the next 24 months, and eyeing alliances with international hotel chains for co- branding or shared loyalty programmes in the next five years.”

Highlighting the crucial role of the private sector in India and globally as a driving force for tourism growth, MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, urged the government to frame suitable structures for effective PPP. He said HAI’s two main demands—providing industry benefits and allowing infrastructure status—would bring in more revenue to the government, create millions of direct and indirect jobs, and promote inclusive growth.

Jungle Camps has set the stage for IPO, aims to raise ₹29.42 crores fund to be utilised for strategic expansion plans and upcoming four properties across India, namely Sanjay Dubri National Park, Sheopur Fort, Kukru Jungle Camp near Melghat Tiger Reserve, and 4-star hotel in Mathura. They are going to offer special schemes to travel agents bringing around 1000 room nights to the upcoming properties, while their current offerings include US$130-US$200 rates depending on rooms per night to inbound travel agents for their existing properties.

A select group was invited to experience the exceptional dining offerings at both Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal. The carefully curated itinerary showcased Atlantis as an exceptional culinary centre in Dubai, offering a diverse range of world-class dining experiences. Guests had the opportunity to explore the resort’s renowned culinary scene, with highlights including Ariana’s Persian Kitchen by Ariana Bundy, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Nobu, and many other distinguished restaurants, each presenting unique flavours and unforgettable experiences. Atlantis, Dubai stands out as a global gastronomic hub, home to 35 extraordinary restaurants, including Michelin-starred venues like Ossiano, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and Hakkasan, as well as celebrity chef-led dining experiences such as Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Estiatorio Milos by Chef Costas Spiliadis, and Jaleo by José Andrés. These renowned restaurants cater to every taste, from cutting-edge culinary concepts to iconic international chefs, offering an unparalleled dining experience in Dubai. The familiarisation trip was a resounding success, introducing guests to a deeper understanding of the resort’s culinary excellence and reinforcing its position as a top-tier destination for food lovers from around the world. Since its pre-opening, Indiva Marketing has built a strong partnership with Atlantis, Dubai focusing on PR, marketing, and sales in the Indian market. The collaboration has contributed to the resort’s growing presence and success in attracting Indian visitors, and it has continued to go from strength to strength.  

Join an exclusive webinar of Impiana Private Villas, Seminyak, Bali on 28 November at 3 pm and get insights about its authentic Indian restaurant Frangipaani and Impiana Private Pool Villas, presented by a three-member team. For more information, contact Jaspreet Kaur at +91 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI, said, “Delinking F&B rates from accommodation tariffs will empower the industry to adjust pricing based on market dynamics and customer demand, fostering growth across all segments. It will also streamline tax compliance, ensuring a win-win for both the industry and government revenues.”