Category Archives: Hotels

Country Inn & Suites by CarlsonSM Kota opened its first hotel in Kota, making it the first-ever international brand to have presence in the city. Located within the proximity to corporate zones and educational service institutes, the hotel offers 85 rooms and suites which is suited for both business and family guests. “I am delighted to welcome Country Inn & Suites by CarlsonSM Kota to our growing portfolio in India. With 557 properties in operation and under development globally, Country Inns & Suites by CarlsonSM is a leader in the upper midscale hotel segment. We are glad to partner with Prem Singh Bajor and Priyavrat Singh, to pioneer the first international brand in the city and extend its hallmark, Be Our Guest service philosophy to our guests,” said Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer-South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The hotel offers a host of modern amenities and an expansive 20,000 square feet outdoor garden and flexible banquet hall and meeting space of over 10,200 square feet for all types of corporate and social events. “I am proud to inaugurate Country Inn & Suites by CarlsonSM Kota. I am confident that guests will find this hotel a great place to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. I am also thankful for this partnership with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group that ushers in an exciting new beginning for travelers headed to Kota,” said Prem Singh Bajor, Chairman, Bajor Group of Companies.

Ravneet Kaur, has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Before this, Kaur was Joint Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. She is from the 1988 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre and has now been promoted to Additional Secretary level.

Ginger Hotels, the dominant budget hotel chain from the house of TATA continues its growth in the country with the opening of Ginger Mumbai, Andheri East. This is their second hotel in Mumbai. Strategically located off the Western Express highway, 3.5 kms from the airport, Ginger Mumbai, Andheri East is in close proximity to the Bombay Exhibition Center as well as the railway station. The hotel also provides convenient access to the city’s thriving corporate hub on the Andheri Kurla Road. With 142 rooms, this hotel offers a unique check-in experience of Coffee and Keys, an interactive social lobby, seamless high speed free Wi-Fi, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, a pan Asian eatery, a state-of-art fitness center, RFID access control and efficient meeting facilities. Ginger is a great choice for today’s value conscious and discerning travelers. Sharing his thoughts on the opening, Rahul Pandit, MD & CEO, Ginger Hotels said, “We are proud to expand our presence in the commercial capital of India with the opening of Ginger Mumbai – Andheri East, our second hotel in Mumbai. This Ginger hotel gives our customers a small insight into the refreshed Ginger experience. Ginger Hotels is the pioneer and the largest chain of branded budget hotels in India with a resilient promise of safety, cleanliness, a relaxing sleep experience, an invigorating shower experience, a hearty breakfast and seamless Wi-Fi. We assure travelers of a consistently pleasant experience across our 42 properties in 30 locations around the nation.”

The Tree of Life Resort & Spa, Varanasi is the newest luxury addition to Tree of Life Resorts & Hotels’ chain of hotels and resorts. Slated to open on September 4, 2017, The Tree of Life Resort & Spa, Varanasi is conveniently located halfway between the airport and the city, the resort is also conveniently connected to Sarnath via the new Ring Road. The 18 junior suites each with a private area of around 650 sq.ft. include high ceiling, teak wood carved furniture, hand-painted Shiva on the wall, a separate living area with a sofa and a large flat screen television; well en suite 150 sq.ft bathroom, a large private sit-out overlooking the gardens, and the ‘Ganga Kund’ (religious pond) Situated in rural surroundings, 11 kms from the airport and just 12 kms from the city centre (Cantt area) , the new expressway connecting the airport and the city makes it a convenient 20-25 minutes drive to either location. The new Ring Road to Sarnath starts just a few kilometers from us and once operational, will make it a pleasurable 25 minutes drive. Tree of Life Resorts & Hotels is a collection of boutique experiences and each of our properties are set in calm and serene handpicked locations, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Space and privacy, coupled with personalized service is what the Tree of Life is known for.

Absolute Hotel Services Group (AHS) has announced a cooperation between AHS and Vienna House, Austria’s largest hotel group, to expand their related brands in Asia and Europe. Vienna House currently owns and/or managed 36 properties throughout Europe. AHS India plans to introduce this new brand in India soon. The new corporation between AHS and Vienna House will be beneficial for both hotel groups with the expansion of AHS’ U Hotels and Resorts brand into the European market via AHS Europe office in Vienna, Austria while also expanding the Vienna House brand in Asia under the auspices of Vienna House Asia. Jonathan Wigley, CEO, AHS, says, “In Vienna House I can think of no better a partner to introduce our U properties into Europe as their reputation precedes them for an unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction and authentic hospitality, which is exactly what we at AHS are looking for to spearhead our expansion westwards.” CEO of Vienna House, Rupert Simoner adds, “Having Absolute Hotel Services as our partner in Asia is a genuinely exciting time for us as now we have the strong background and unwavering support of an already well-established and respected company to bring the Vienna House experience to a whole new market in Asia

After close to two weeks of relative uncertainty, many misconceptions, and quite a few incorrect assumptions, hotel and restaurants in Mumbai will have an opportunity to clear the cloud over GST and receive clarity on any doubts regarding the new tax law. For this, the Hotel and Restaurant Association Of Western India (HRAWI) has organised a seminar on ‘GST Law – 2017’ on July 13, 2017, at the Trident, Nariman Point. The seminar, open to both its members and non-members, will be addressed by eminent experts who also will help resolve any queries with regards to the new tax and billing systems. “The GST is a big change to the taxation system for our country and to get familiarized with any change takes time. Over the last one week the association has been trying to identify the most common issues and queries posed by hoteliers and restaurateurs and also by customers. Through this seminar we intend to put to rest any ambiguities and address any grey areas with respect to GST. We have brought on board the best minds and experts on matters of taxation and who would be happy to help us bridge any gaps in our understanding of the GST. We are positive that participating hotels and restaurants will greatly benefit from this seminar,” says Dilip Datwani, President, HRAWI.  

Ashmiholdings Private Limited announced taking over the charge of their first venture, The Bristol Hotel, Gurugram. Speaking on the successful transfer of The Bristol’s operations, hospitality industry veteran Dr. Amit Modi, Managing Director of Ashmiholdings Private Limited and CEO of The Bristol Hotel said, “We are happy to be taking over the operations and re-launching The Bristol Hotel. We believe that the property has great potential to grow beyond its former glory. With the new renovations and the soon-to-be-announced F&B outlet launches we are positive that we will be able to create a new benchmark in the hospitality sector. We believe, we can bring about a structure and organisation to the day-to-day operations of the hotel which in turn will add to the growth and success of The Bristol Hotel.” He further added, “Our vision is to re-establish The Bristol as a professionally managed hotel which is known for its delectable choice of F&B and the availability of its spacious one-of-a-kind banqueting space which will be bringing back the charm of The Bristol as a new wedding destination in Gurugram. We are gearing up for the re-launch of the newly refurbished rooms including the ritzy Presidential Suite, and the coffee shop – Palmyra, soon-to-be Gurugram’s exclusive new hang out spot.”

Prince Hotels, a consolidated subsidiary of Japan-based Seibu Holdings Inc., has acquired StayWell Hospitality Group including all the business operations of StayWell Group which operates and develops 30 hotels globally. Prince Hotels will establish the 100% fully owned Australian subsidiary StayWell Holdings and this new company will acquire all shares of SWHG’s 22 operating subsidiary companies from SWHG. Proceedings are expected to be completed within the next three months. This business acquisition will further strengthen the globalization of the Seibu Group’s hotel and leisure businesses which serve as a driving force for continued and stronger growth for the Seibu Group. This acquisition will add the 30 hotels operated and developed by SWHG in 7 countries and 21 cities to the existing Prince Hotels network which serves as the core of the Seibu Group’s hotel and leisure businesses. The new properties will serve as further global development and operation platforms, which will allow the Seibu Group to expand the profit earning opportunities of its international hotel business and carry out faster development of hotels in Southeast Asia, Asia and Oceania, the Middle East, and Europe. Seibu Group plans to deploy 100 hotels in 10 years. Shigeyoshi Akasaka, President and Representative Director, Prince Hotels, said, “Prince Hotels is enjoying good performance with the recent growth of tourism within Japan. During these favorable conditions, we are looking toward the year 2020 and beyond and focusing on international expansion.”

Fern Hotels & Resorts has recently announced the opening of its 31st hotel, namely, Amanora The Fern in Magarpatta, Pune, Maharashtra. Suhail Kannampilly, COO, Concept Hospitality, says, “Amanora is the second property we are opening under the Fern brand. We already have a property at MIDC Pune and we have got a very good response from the market. People have realized how committed we are to responsible luxury. This will also give them a chance to participate in their little way to the cause of environment.” The 26-key property, which is spread over 4.5 acres with a capacity to cater 3000 people, is owned by City Corporation Limited. It also has a squash court, a tennis court, a gym, a spa, a library and a huge indoor swimming pool. It also has an amphitheatre.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) for hotels will be charged on the rack rates, or declared rates of hotels, which will have a considerable impact on the hotel industry. According to the notification number 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate) New Delhi, dated June 28, 2017, “For accommodation in hotels, inns, guest houses, clubs, campsites or other commercial places meant for residential or lodging purposes, the ‘declared tariff’ will be the basis of tax to be levied.” Declared tariff has been explained as to  include charges for all the amenities provided in a unit of accommodation (given on rent for stay), like furniture, air conditioner, refrigerator or any other amenities, but without excluding any discount offered on the published charges leading to some ambiguity. However, Rashmi Verma, Secretary Tourism, Government of India, had announced in an interactive meeting in Mumbai that the GST rates are on actual invoiced rate and not on published tariff. She also assured to look into any discrepancy or anomaly in the language or wordings of the same.