Category Archives: Hotels & Resorts

Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand signs a new hotel in Ambala, G.T Road

M/s Country Woods Hospitality, a hotel and development company based out of Ambala, today announces the signing of a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for a new hotel development under the trendy, lifestyle Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand.

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Ambala G.T Road is situated on G.T Road connecting Delhi

Being situated on the main G.T Road connecting Delhi to other destinations like Chandigarh, Amritsar and Shimla, with Delhi 200 km north and Chandigarh 47 km south. The hotel will have a modern facade and will feature 46 contemporary rooms and a host of amenities including a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant and bar, as well as meeting rooms, event space and a business centre.

“We are pleased to partner with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts under their lifestyle brand Ramada Encore by Wyndham and become part of its expanding hotel portfolio in North India. We are working closely with Wyndham to build the hotel to high international standards and look forward to welcoming guests to our hotel by 2023,” said Mr. Rajiv Goyal, Partner, M/s Country Woods Hospitality.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Ramada Encore by Wyndham in Ambala, Haryana, further strengthening our mid-scale presence. Ramada Encore by Wyndham is one of our most popular brands in the country and this signing reaffirms our commitment to continued growth in the mid-market lifestyle segment. We look forward to our partnership with M/s Country Woods Hospitality and to providing another truly international standard hotel to the city of Ambala, said Nikhil Sharma, Regional Director Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts announces limited-time offers for its diamond anniversary

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has become synonymous with bold exploration, travel and cultural discovery, having pioneered luxury travel in emerging and well-loved destinations for the past 75 years. This year, as the brand toasts its diamond anniversary, it invites guests to celebrate the joy of travel and rediscover InterContinental hotels and resorts around the world. From now until April 2022, guests can enjoy an exciting line up of limited-time offers ranging from sparkling anniversary celebrations to exhilarating stay experiences. As part of the 75th anniversary initiative and IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow commitment, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will also donate US$75,000 to Water.org, supporting 15,000 people to gain access to clean water through sustainable, locally owned and run projects.

Guests can recognise personal milestones with a range of anniversary packages. The 75th Anniversary Package will be available at select hotels and includes a personalized refreshment experience for two; for those looking for incomparable experiences, the InterContinental Diamond Stay Packages offer varied and carefully curated once-in-a-lifetime luxury moments across hand-picked InterContinental hotels.

InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort has curated an exclusive ‘Romantic Sea-break’ with extraordinary experiences for a couple getaway. Designed for two nights, the tailor-made package comes with inclusions of in-room celebration amenities for the couple on arrival, chef’s crafted 5-course private dinner on the water’s edge at KoKoMMo Tiki Shack with a bottle of wine, in a special dine by design arrangement, once during the stay. The couple can enjoy a hearty royal breakfast in the room and special offers on all therapies and treatments at Amrtam Spa. As a part of this celebratory package, the hotel has also crafted four unique experiences including hands-on culinary master class with the chef, mixology lessons at KoKoMMo beach shack, pranic healing and meditation with the in-house wellness practitioner and access to cultural performances at Dakshin Chitra. The diamond anniversary package ‘Romantic Sea-break’ is attractively priced at INR 35,000 plus taxes for two nights and is valid only for stays until 30th April 2022.

“We’re delighted to raise a toast with our guests, owners, partners and colleagues to celebrate InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and everything this brand stands for – the joy of travel and the worldliness that comes from discovering cultures around the world. During a challenging period, it’s important to take time to celebrate milestones and begin to enjoy new adventures again wherever we can. The InterContinental brand has been part of many special moments throughout its storied 75-year history and continues to be a place for celebration, connection and indulgence,” says Jane Mackie, IHG’s Senior Vice President, Global Marketing for Luxury and Premium Brands. “The next chapter of InterContinental, as we continue to open new doors from Rome to Riyadh, will encompass a fresh 360 degree approach to the guest experience with new partnerships and innovations.”

“We are grateful to be part of the 75th anniversary of the InterContinental brand and their goal to shape the future of responsible travel,” says Michael Mayernik, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Water.org. “They are committed to changing lives with access to safe water as part of this initiative, giving women hope, children health and communities around the world a bright future.”

The InterContinental brand was established by Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan American Airways, in 1946 with a bold vision to bring luxurious accommodation to every corner of the globe. Its 75th anniversary is not only a moment to look forward to its bright future but also recognise the brand’s rich heritage: InterContinental became the first international hotel chain in the Middle East with the opening of the Phoenicia in Beirut in 1961; Martin Luther King finished his iconic “I Have A Dream” at InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C. in 1963; InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland took on the title of architectural marvel and the world’s first quarry hotel in 2018 and InterContinental New York Barclay served as the official hotel of the 2021 U.S. Open Tennis tournament.

With 206 hotels and over 70 set to open in the coming years, the vision of bringing luxury travel to emerging and established destinations continues. In the coming months, the brand will be opening new doors in inspiring locations like Barcelona in Spain, Sorrento in Australia, Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Appi Kogen in Japan.

Naladhu Private Island Maldives Opens with a Contemporary Redesign

Naladhu Private Island, an exclusive luxury island in the Maldives, has reopened this November with a sleek new look following a complete redesign by New York based designer Yuji Yamazaki. Home to just 20 ‘Houses’, Naladhu offers the ultimate in privacy and seclusion and ensures an unrivalled level of service to meet the needs of the most discerning traveller.

The public areas and all 20 ‘Houses’ in this intimate resort have been renovated during a six-month closure. The resort’s top suite, the Two Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, now boasts a 20-metre private beach and the resort interiors throughout have a contemporary feel using Indonesian teak furniture, and high-quality materials such as Indonesian white stone for a lighter colour palette, creating a modern colonial style.

Yamazaki has focused on maximising the number of spaces around the Houses where guests can claim a moment of pause, ranging from ocean-side seating for breakfast to pre-dinner cocktails on the chaise longue overlooking the pool. The island’s restaurant, bar, wine cellar and gym have been transformed and the new Coconut Grove offers a secluded area for private experiences such as cinema under the stars or private yoga and fitness classes.

The resort’s two categories of Houses, each with 300 sqm of living space, are surrounded by tropical vegetation and invite a total immersion in nature. The Beach House with Pool has direct access to the white sands and lagoon, whilst the Ocean House with Pool and Private Beach Cabana has a large terrace with panoramic ocean view, in addition to its own dedicated cabana, where guests can relax on their oversized day bed attended by their butler, known as a Kuwaanu. Each House is named after an indigenous Maldivian flower or plant that grows on the island, with the chosen flora featuring in the House’s garden. For example, Dhigga or Sea Hibiscus, famed for flowers that deepen to orange and finally to red before they fall in the course of a single day, and Finifenma or Pink Rose, the national flower of the Maldives, which the top suite is named after.

The 600 sqm Two Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, sleeping up to six guests, is a vast space guaranteeing peace and privacy. The Residence benefits from both sunrise and sunset views, with its pool and large deck facing the ocean, along with loungers, al fresco dining area and swing. Its new private beach, also with a beach cabana, offers direct access to the turquoise lagoon.

The guest experience at Naladhu is enhanced by the personal Kuwaanu. Deriving from the Dhivehi word for storyteller in the Maldivian language, the Kuwaanu offers a refined and seamless service for guests 24 hours a day. Before guests have even departed for their holiday, the Kuwaanu ensures the in-House wine fridge is stocked with their choice of wine and Champagne, whilst dive and snorkelling equipment is ready to wear in their exact sizes. As butler and guide, the Kuwaanu takes care of everything from unpacking and serving early morning coffee to organising a private island picnic and discussing each day’s dining requests for the chef.

Dining is completely bespoke with guests curating a daily menu and choosing their favourite dishes and locations around the clock, whether it’s an all-day breakfast taken barefoot on the beach, or a ‘journey around the world’ dinner. Favourite dining spots include The Living Room with views over the lagoon, a Champagne floating breakfast in the pool and moonlight midnight snacks on the beach. Led by Executive Chef Philippe Wagenfuhrer, the resort’s culinary team is experienced in cuisines from around the globe ranging from Arabic to Italian, French to Sri Lankan and Japanese to Indonesian, in addition to local Maldivian flavours.

Educating guests about the ecosystem of the Maldives’ and locale is a high priority. The resort has introduced some new experiences including a snorkelling trail with in-house marine biologist and sustainability manager, Emilia Fulgido, to observe some of the 2,000 species of tropical fish and corals and to understand more about the resort’s reef restoration programme. Guests can become involved in a coral adoption programme and learn more about coral planting, fish identification and marine life alongside the recycling of micro plastics and a soon-to-launch workshop will study plankton under a microscope lens. Guided walks also teach guests about the flora and fauna on the island.

As part of its sustainability commitment, Naladhu is working with Parley Air to reduce marine plastic pollution and recycle plastic waste and has eliminated all single use plastic on the island. Bathroom amenities are in natural packaging, with toiletries in luxury refillable dispensers. Water and waste management programmes are in place and the resort has its own water desalination and bottling plant. The resort’s pre-renovation furniture has been donated to the Maldives’ only hospital for mental health.

Naladhu Private Island has renewed its focus on wellness with a new dedicated spa treatment area including a double treatment room with private bathing and changing area. A Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist is also in residence and guests can arrange a consultation to focus on their nutrition to help overcome specific issues including stress, sleep and unhealthy eating patterns as well as their digestion, immunity, weight management, hormones, skin and blood sugar balance. A new health programme RESET focuses on the crucial role the gut plays in health and overall wellbeing. The five or seven-night personalised programme is tailored to the individual and examines the way the gut affects everything from moods to sleep and energy combined with detoxifying treatments such as colon hydrotherapy and IV therapy to yoga and core exercises.

Located on the edge of a pristine lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu Private Island is 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé. Lead in rates at Naladhu Private Island during low season are USD 1,900 per night on a bed and breakfast basis for two persons sharing an Ocean House.

ITC Grand Chola accorded with USGBC LEED Zero Carbon status

ITC Hotels, the world’s largest chain of hotels with the maximum number of LEED Platinum Certified Properties has been accorded yet another distinction by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), making ITC Grand Chola, Chennai the largest hotel in the world and commercial building to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.
Earlier, in March 2021, ITC Windsor, Bengaluru became the first hotel in the world to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.
LEED Zero encourages a holistic approach for buildings and places, which will contribute to a regenerative future. Sharing the same vision, ITC Hotels decade strong ‘Responsible Luxury’ initiative seeks to adopt the highest standards of planet positive experiences in its operations.

ITC Grand Chola has demonstrated extraordinary sustainability leadership over a decade by consistently enhancing its energy efficiency with world class energy efficient and climate friendly technologies. It has further invested in building the renewable energy footprint through self-owned wind farm and solar energy.

The LEED Zero carbon certification demonstrates a deep commitment to implementing building and design strategies that assure an enhanced quality of life. It includes creating an environment where any human-produced carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere through technological or natural means.

Zubin Songadwala, Area Manager – South, ITC Hotels & General Manager, ITC Grand Chola, affirmed, “ITC Hotels has been at the helm of exemplary sustainability leadership with its innovative energy efficiency, renewable energy and mitigation of greenhouse gases emission initiatives. The LEED Zero carbon certification for ITC Grand Chola and ITC Windsor is one step closer to creating a better world for all of us where buildings are actually generating more energy than they consume and removing more carbon than they create.”

ITC Hotels has pioneered several ground-breaking initiatives on environment, hotel ecosystem, health, and well-being. These include achieving LEED platinum rating, being one of the first chains to eliminate single use plastic free products, deployment of radiation harmonisers across the chain, farm to fork low carbon footprint cuisine, clean air among others.

For more than two decades, LEED has provided a framework for creating high
performance green buildings and spaces and is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence. Supplementing this framework, the U.S. Green Building Council has developed LEED Zero, a complement to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals. LEED Zero represents a new level of achievement in green building that is the goal of LEED certified projects around the world.

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Udaipur Roop Nagar opens Udaipur, Rajasthan

Bhavgeet Hotel and Motel Private Limited, a hotel and real estate development company based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, today announced the opening of Howard Johnson by Wyndham Udaipur Roop Nagar with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for conversion of Venetia Hotel in Udaipur under the Howard Johnson by Wyndham brand. This property will be managed by NILE Hospitality, India’s leading Hotel Management Company.

Udaipur is one of the most popular leisure destinations in India particularly with luxury-seeking international guests. It is also known as the “City of Lakes”, in the state of Rajasthan, India. The hotel is situated within a short drive to the World Heritage Site of Udaipur Palace, Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake with the Aravalli Mountain Ranges as the backdrop. The property will provide connectivity and accessibility to many of the region’s popular tourist spots.

The hotel features 94 contemporary rooms with a host of amenities including a welcoming lobby lounge, a modern all-day dining restaurant and trendy bar, meeting rooms and banquet halls of more than 4900 SQ. FT. The property also offers a business centre, a wellness spa facility, an outdoor rooftop infinity pool overlooking beautiful views and on-site parking.

“We are extremely happy to partner with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts under the fast-expanding Howard Johnson by Wyndham brand. Being the first internationally branded hotel in the City, we look forward to setting high international service standards in the state of Rajasthan in line with the expectation of domestic and international guests” said Mr. Jitesh Kumawat, Director – Bhavgeet Hotel and Motel Private Limited.

“We are pleased to accelerate our relationship as third party operator with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for this hotel and look forward to further strengthening this partnership. We also thank Kumawat family of Bhavgeet Hotel and Motel Private Limited on showing their trust in us and bringing us on board to manage this hotel on their behalf. We will strive to make Howard Johnson by Wyndham Udaipur a universally appealing destination and our guests to be comfortable and curious in the city of Udaipur. We are delighted that NILE’s expansion into Rajasthan begins with Howard Johnson and are looking forward to steering hotel to its full operational, commercial and brand potential,” said Mr. Vikram Singh Chauhan, Founder & CEO– Nile Hospitality LLP.

“Udaipur is an important leisure destination in North India and we are excited to open our second hotel in the city of lakes and ninth in the state of Rajasthan with our popular Howard Johnson by Wyndham brand. This hotel will further strengthen our presence in North India and support our growth momentum across North India,” added Mr. Nikhil Sharma, Regional Director Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA.

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Udaipur Roop Nagar will provide more than 100 jobs to the Udaipur city.

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts successfully launches Colors of OBLU in India

Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, hospitality group from the Maldives enters India to launch their sub brand COLORS OF OBLU. With a strong portfolio in the archipelago destination, the group’s Chief Commercial Officer Stephane Laguette and Vice President of Communications Sarah Walker Kerr ecstatically indulged in a series of road shows in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai recently.

Stephane and Sarah were in the country to launch the upcoming two new resorts under the sub-brand ‘COLOURS OF OBLU’ that promises a holistic experience par excellence to the guests. Their odyssey through the metro cities echoed with promises of more to come. The group’s intuitive expanse currently indulges in their ‘Joy of Giving’ philosophy through six resorts within Maldives and is now extending their hospitality in the azure waters with the launch of two new resorts – OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OBLU Xperience Ailafushi in February and March 2022 respectively.

This Indian Ocean hospitality brand comes with a vision to embody the true essence of hospitality through their human centric approach. On spreading their horizons to the Indian market, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts will soon be announcing their India development plans that further strengthens the inbound tourism from India.