Category Archives: Hotels

ibis New Delhi Aerocity has announced the addition of 129 brand new guest rooms at the property, including a 775 sq. ft. gymnasium facility for guests’ recreation and fitness needs. The inventory of the property has now reached 445 rooms, which is amongst the largest in the hospitality precinct. As a part of the extension, ibis New Delhi Aerocity’s meetings space is now complemented with enhanced areas. This includes the addition of four new meeting rooms with two dedicated board rooms, to its current portfolio of three meeting rooms. Together, the seven meeting rooms can accommodate up to 185 attendees giving the ibis New Delhi Aerocity the ability to meet a broad range of meeting event requirements. Combined with expansive MICE facilities at Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, the other two co-located AccorHotels’ properties located in the hospitality precinct, guests now have the flexibility to choose from a range of venues and services depending on the nature and scale of their event. The three locations offer an unrivalled 2,406 square feet of combined MICE space to MICE guests. The introduction of an all-new exclusive crew lounge for the hotel’s airline crew guests completes the expansion. Speaking about the new addition, Pierre-Etienne de Montgrand- Director of Operation ibis & ibis Styles said, “The extension significantly increases the number of hotel rooms at ibis New Delhi Aerocity and enhances the accommodation choices for guests. The added capacity also allows us to cater to an increasing number of travellers to the city and a growing number of airline crews. The hotel’s strategic location and seamless connectivity to the Delhi Airport perfectly caters to transiting passengers, while its proximity to the commercial hubs …

Asia Pacific region’s highly anticipated hotel exhibition, the AccorHotels Showcase 2017 will take place in India on March 22 at Sofitel Mumbai BKC and March 24 at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity. Joined by AccorHotels’ executives from across 95 countries representing more than 4,100 hotels and resorts worldwide, the event will offer attendees an insight into the group’s new developments, products and services. Entering its 14th year touring the region, AccorHotels Showcase is designed to provide travel agents, wholesalers, corporate clients, tourism partners and MICE organisers an exclusive opportunity to discover AccorHotels accommodation trends, news and stunning hotels & resorts from around the world. In 2016, over 1,200 AccorHotels delegates representing nearly 4,100 hotels and resorts worldwide attended the showcase with more than 7,000 clients in attendance. The event in 2016 capped a milestone year for AccorHotels in which the Group acquired the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissotel brands; invested in the private rental space through One Fine Stay, Oasis Collections and Squarebreak; and announced innovative new lifestyle brands including Jo&Joe, John Paul and 25Hours Hotels. This year, AccorHotels commences its 12-destination series as it moves through vibrant and cultural cities, visiting landmark AccorHotels across Asia Pacific. In India, exhibitors from globally sought after destinations such as France, Spain, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE and Singapore will be present at the event, representing celebrated hotels like Fairmont Ajman, SO Sofitel Singapore & Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower, Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul, Novotel Madrid Center and more. Over 400 guests comprising top corporates from India, Travel Management Companies, Travel Agents and Tour Operators, PCOs and Wedding Planner are set to attend the event in each city. “The AccorHotels Showcase is …

Royal Orchid Hotels Limited has approved an interim dividend of 10 per cent. The dividend will result in payout of Rs 3.19 crore (including dividend distribution tax). The record date for dividend payment is March 1, 2017. Commenting on the dividend results Chander Baljee, Chairman & Managing Director said, “After a gap of six years, the company has decided to declare a dividend to its shareholders. The dividend payout shows improved financial performance in the current financial year and we are optimistic of improved financial performance in the last quarter and the next financial year.” The company had reported net profit of Rs 4.23 crore for the third quarter ended December 2016 compared to net profit of Rs 2.01 crore in December 2015. In the first nine months of the current financial year, Royal Orchid Hotels has reported net profit of Rs 6.47 crore.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc. announced the highly-anticipated opening of The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa in Rajasthan. India’s seventh Westin property, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is surrounded by the picturesque Aravalli Hills and spread across 11 acres. The property, Pushkar’s first internationally-branded hotel, offers 98 contemporary guestrooms, of which 44 feature private pools. Owned by Paradise Properties, the newly-built resort aims to bring the Westin brand’s innovative wellness initiatives to the renowned spiritual destination. “With more travellers looking to maintain their wellness routines while on the road, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is thrilled to offer guests the brand’s signature amenities and programs, designed to evoke renewal and well-being,” said Jagdeep Nambiar, General Manager, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa will offer over 19,000 square feet of versatile function space, including a ballroom and meeting rooms, as well as a beautiful garden for corporate events and weddings.

Choice Group of Hotels inaugurated its new property in Jaipur-Hotel Clarion Inn with 90 rooms. The hotel is located in Kukas, Jaipur. Suresh Kumar Gupta, Managing Director, Hotel Clarion Inn, informed that the hotel offers 10 suites, 20 deluxe and 60 superior rooms. There are two banquet halls, multi cuisine restaurant, open lawn to organise parties and weddings. He said, “The hotel is spread in 3000 Sq. Ft. Work is under progress for an international spa and gym which is expected to open soon. With all of this in future we are planning to start Thai food and other facilities like bar and café as well.” Radha Raman Rawat, Chairman, Hotel Clarion Inn, said “We hope that our guests who stay with us will get unique cognition by all the facilities provided to them.”

Hotelbeds Group, a global bedbank and business-to-business provider of services to the travel industry, has announced plans for Tourico Holidays to merge with its Bedbank business unit. Joan Vilà, Executive Chairman of Hotelbeds Group said: “With the backing of Cinven and CPPIB we are entering the next phase of our development since becoming an independent company back in September. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Tourico Holidays will join Hotelbeds Group. Tourico Holidays has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and innovation that I have respected for many years. I look forward to working with its experienced leadership team. The proposed deal will enable us to enhance our footprint, especially in Tourico Holidays’ home market of North America whilst they will benefit from belonging to Hotelbeds Group’s global network. Together we will combine our best in class technology and distribution expertise for the benefit of both our hotel partners and clients. For the time being, both businesses will continue as usual, focusing on our top priority: providing the best possible service to our hotel partners and clients.”  Tourico Holidays’ CEO, Uri Argov added, “We´re very excited about what this deal can mean to the B2B travel industry. Tourico Holidays’ management team looks forward to bringing together these two great businesses in order to better serve our combined supplier and client base. At a cultural level, this deal is strong because our two organisations are both entrepreneurial, dynamic and high energy – and just like Hotelbeds Group, we´re passionate about what we do and focus hard on execution.”

Yatra.com has forged a strategic alliance with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to promote homestays and enhance tourism in the state through their holiday packages. As a part of this partnership, Yatra will list over 200 properties on its website and encourage the growth of homestays in Andhra Pradesh. The MoU was signed during the Partnership Summit at Vishakhapatnam in presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu. Through the partnership, Yatra will promote all the state tourism approved homestays, wherein guests can rent a room in the home of a local family (host) or the entire house. This partnership will give the tourists a chance to experience the hospitality of various families throughout Andhra Pradesh and enjoy wonderful home cooked food. Speaking on the partnership, Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com said, “Homestays as a trend is rapidly gaining popularity in India. As new age travellers seek out unique experiences in the course of their travels, we believe that this kind of non-hotel accommodation has tremendous growth potential in the country. Also, the partnership with Andhra Pradesh Government will provide an alternate source of income for the local population and enhance their livelihoods without straining their existing resources, thereby creating sustainable livelihood and creating large scale employment.”

Consolidating leadership in the luxury private rental market, AccorHotels has initiated exclusive negotiations for the acquisition of 100 per cent of Travel Keys, one of the leading players in the private vacation rental market. Founded in 1991, Travel Keys represents a luxury collection of over 5,000 highly curated villas across more than 100 destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii & the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.  A pioneer in the industry, the Atlanta-based company focuses on guest satisfaction, offering professional vacation planning and 24/7 concierge services. The combination of Travel Keys with onefinestay and Squarebreak will provide AccorHotels with a unique offering of about 8,500 addresses in the luxury private rental market, with highly curated properties in both the vacation & urban segments. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2017 after customary due diligence.

G6 Hospitality, known for its economy lodging brands, Motel 6, and Studio 6 in the U.S., Canada and Hotel 6, Estudio 6 in Latin America, announced its global portfolio expansion by signing an area development agreement with Auromatrix Holdings. This new partnership will introduce Motel 6, Studio 6 and Hotel 6 brands to India, marking G6 Hospitality’s first venture into the market. “Our mission is to build on the iconic heritage of our brands to become the universally recognised leader in economy lodging, and expanding our portfolio to such an important market like India marks a significant milestone for G6 Hospitality,” said Jim Amorosia, President and CEO of G6 Hospitality. “Motel 6, Studio 6 and Hotel 6 operations in India are designed to suit the specific needs of travellers in the area. Combined with the expertise of our partners at Auromatrix, we are uniquely positioned to successfully launch a compelling new lodging option to both leisure and business travellers,” he adds. The new properties will showcase elements of the “Phoenix” room design featured at Motel 6 and Studio 6 properties in the U.S. and Canada. Unique room features planned for the properties may include wood-effect flooring, platform beds and flat screen TVs, offering areas that are highly functional, space-efficient and with a modern décor that provides extra comfort for budget-conscious travelers. Motel 6, Studio 6 and Hotel 6 rooms will also offer unique amenities to respond to the needs of the diverse market.

Sarovar Hotels has recently signed an agreement for a new hotel, KST Sarovar Portico, a 48 keys hotel located in Chattarpur. Ideally located in the major wedding hub of the city, KST Sarovar Portico features 45 rooms and 3 suites. Each room is well-appointed with modern amenities and elegant furnishings. Ensuring guests a seamless service and memorable occasion, the hotel offers remarkable and personalised service starting from 24 hours concierge and personal assistant service to a round the clock in room dining service offering traditional Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. KST Sarovar Portico is ideally located at convenient distance to main shopping & entertainment centers, religious spots as well as accessible to corporate hubs in South Delhi and Gurgaon. Nido, the bar and lounge facility, takes guests on an incredible gastronomic journey with its innovative food offerings.