Category Archives: Hotels

Cross Hotels & Resorts designated Andrew Hartley as the Vice President of Commercial. With a wealth of 20 years of experience in sales & marketing and commercial operations, Andrew has served in Thailand, Singapore, Australia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Oman within the luxury hotel industry. At Cross, he will be engaged in business growth in the commercial direction at the Bangkok Corporate Office. Before taking on Commercial, Cross Hotels & Resorts, Andrew was the Assistant VP – Strategic Sales & Marketing for Raffles Hotels and Resorts in Cambodia. His previous roles include esteemed positions at prominent hospitality establishments, including Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts in the Asia Pacific, Sofitel in Australia, New Zealand & Fiji, and Intercontinental in China.

The forthcoming budget offers a vital chance for the hospitality sector as we believe this is the Golden period for Indian Tourism Industry in case we are able to make the Best use of this opportunity. We request the government to announce industry status for hotels and lower the GST rate from 18% to 12%, bringing it in line with international standards for the tourism industry. This combined advantage will stimulate investments, enhance tourism, and generate job opportunities. The much needed industry status will enable much easier access to cheaper loans for expansion and development. There should be a provision for single window clearance for approvals, a long standing demand from the hotel industry. Government can also lease old properties such as Havelis and hotels for long term, to benefit tourism industry through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.  Given the industry’s substantial contribution to India’s GDP and foreign exchange earnings, we believe these steps will drive economic growth and position India as a more competitive tourism destination.

Sitara Himalaya, a boutique hotel in Manali represented by Gaia Escapes, has recently earned a prestigious spot under the Relais & Châteaux banner. This exquisite 10-bedroom garden retreat captures the grandeur, beauty, and spirituality of the Himalayas. Perched at 8,200 feet, just 13 km from Manali on the road to the ancient Buddhist valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, Sitara Himalaya embodies the essence of Good Earth, the iconic lifestyle brand founded by Anita Lal. Surrounded by multiple tourist hotspots, it offers an idyllic escape from the hustle of metro cities, inviting guests to immerse themselves in Vedic tranquillity. Its inclusion under the Relais & Châteaux brand stands as a testament to its unparalleled services and serene ambiance.

Union government has revised the annual ground rent for land leased to several prominent five-star hotels in New Delhi from thousands/lakhs of rupees a year to crores each. In March 2024, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued notices for ₹177.29 crore for The Imperial and ₹69.37 crore for Claridges as revised ground rent from 2002 and 2006, respectively, until now.

Sofitel Mumbai BKC was delighted to commemorate the Sofitel brand’s Diamond Jubilee in June 2024, celebrating 60 years of the global hotel brand. The elegant hotel situated in the heart of BKC hosted a delightful Moulin Rouge-themed celebratory soiree. The event brought together loyal guests, prominent media figures, and leading influencers. In collaboration with Travel + Leisure India and Lifestyle Asia India, the evening welcomed notable personalities including Kritika Kamra, Kusha Kapila, Miss Malini, Gurfateh Pirzada, Pallavi Singh, and Tanuj Garg. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Sofitel Mumbai BKC commenced the evening with a heartfelt speech, acknowledging the brand’s 60-year milestone and reflecting on Sofitel’s presence in India through its flagship Mumbai hotel over the past 12 years. Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Consul General of France in Mumbai, graced the event as the Chief Guest, adding to the evening’s significance. Rahul Gangwani, Editor, Lifestyle Asia, and Simon Clays, Editorial Director, Travel + Leisure, also shared their thoughts, highlighting the longstanding partnership between the publications and Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The intimate yet captivating event transformed Sofitel Mumbai BKC with vibrant red décor, adorned with pearls, feathers, and crystal accents, complemented by glamorous red lighting. Guests enjoyed live music by a violinist, saxophonist, and cello player performing instrumental renditions of popular tunes, along with captivating Cabaret dance performances evoking the true spirit of the Moulin Rouge. Enhancing the sensory experience, a perfume bar by Scentido offered guests a unique olfactory journey. The evening’s culinary highlight featured a selection of exquisite French cuisine, showcasing the culinary expertise of the Sofitel Mumbai BKC team. This spectacular celebration marks the conclusion of a successful first half of the year for Sofitel Mumbai BKC, with anticipation building for an …

KB Kachru, President, HAI, said, “The forthcoming Union Budget offers an opportunity to unleash the potential of India hospitality in its contribution to India Vision 2047. We request the government to make key policy shifts in the sector by giving infrastructure status to hotels rather than categorising them as luxury, elite or even ‘sin’ goods”.

Strategic expansion strategy, including world-class hotels in Thailand, Japan and the Maldives, propel company to the top of Brand Finance’s “Thailand 50” report Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is thrilled to announce that it has been recognised as the strongest brand in Brand Finance’s prestigious “Thailand 50” report for 2024. This marks the second consecutive year that “Centara Hotels & Resorts” has topped this distinguished list, after its flagship five-star concept, Centara Grand, was named as Thailand’s best brand last year, reaffirming the group’s position at the pinnacle of customer satisfaction and service excellence. Brand Finance’s Thailand 50 report evaluates brands based on a range of criteria, including brand equity, trust, and financial performance. Centara’s achievement (as a corporate brand, rather than its popular Centara upscale hotel concept), reflects the significant strides this proud Thai company has taken towards becoming a top 100 global hotel operator by 2027. The success of Centara Hotels & Resorts in the last 12 months was demonstrated by the realisation of several major projects including the launch of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, a spectacular 33-storey urban icon which marked the group’s debut in Japan. This important opening reflects how Centara is continuing to introduce its industry-leading brands to key global destinations. Whilst in Thailand, the launch of Centara Ayutthaya underscored the company’s commitment to bringing world-class hospitality to all parts of the kingdom, and the recent opening of COSI Vientiane Nam Phu, Laos, marked the international debut of COSI, the innovative and affordable lifestyle brand. Now, Centara will continue to strengthen its domestic and international portfolio with a series of key openings and upgrades in 2024 and beyond. In Thailand, Centara Life …

CSN Developers Pvt Ltd is thrilled to announce signing with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for an upper midscale hotel project in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. CSN Developers Pvt Ltd, a renowned developer in Jamshedpur, is pleased to announce its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to open a world-class Wyndham Garden Hotel at Adityapur in Jamshedpur. The signing of this franchise agreement emphasizes upon CSN Developers Pvt Ltd.’s commitment and dedication to elevate the hospitality experience in India’s first industrial city and major manufacturing hub. CSN Developers Pvt Ltd, Director – Mr. Dhirendra Prasad is an icon in the field of real estate in the city exclusively supported by the prestigious customers for its quality and design. This affiliation with the internationally recognized Wyndham brand further reiterates our endeavor to enhance world class standards in the city.”. Wyndham Garden Jamshedpur, Adityapur will have about 55 rooms. Other facilities would include All Day Dining & Bar Lounge, Meeting Rooms, Business Centre, Fitness Centre, Swimming Pool. The hotel is currently in the advanced stage of construction and is expected to open by February 2025. Jamshedpur is the largest city in Jharkhand and the first planned industrial city of India. Beyond its industrial business significance, the city is also well known for its royal palaces, ancient temples and forests attracting tourism travelers alike. Our hotel is strategically located in the micro-market of Adityapur industrial area that has varied and powerful industrial base. Expressing his excitement, Mr. Dhirendra Prasad, at CSN Developers Pvt Ltd, stated, “We are pleased to join hands with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, World’s largest hotel franchising company to bring the ‘Wyndham Grand’ brand to Jamshedpur.” Mr. Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham …

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is coming up with another exciting project named ‘Cinnamon Life‘ in Colombo. Sharing more details, Radhey S Tawar, Chief Commercial Officer, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, said, “The entertainment complex comprises 687 rooms and includes a shopping mall. In addition to two office towers and two apartment complexes, there will also be a gaming complex opening next year, managed by an international gaming operator.” Cinnamon Life is set to transform the landscape of Colombo and attract new tourists to Sri Lanka. As India remains one of the top markets for the island nation, hopes are high that this new property by Cinnamon will further attract more tourists from India, especially youth.  

FHRAI reiterated one of its key requests in the pre-budget meeting conducted by the Finance Ministry to grant infrastructure status for hotels across all categories and convention centres built at a project cost of ₹10 crore and above to give a fillip to the budget segment in the industry, along with 12 per cent GST rate across all hotels.