Category Archives: Hotels

OYO has come up with another offering and has launched OYO Townhouse, positioned as a friendly neighbourhood hotel. The new category will operate under the OYO Townhouse brand and aims for a footprint of 250 properties with 10,000+ rooms across 12 cities in India by end of 2017. OYO Townhouse offers a combination of a hotel, home, merchandise store and lounge and is targeted at Millennials, for whom price, convenience and a differentiated experience play an important role in determining choices. Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, OYO, said, “OYO Townhouse represents our ongoing commitment to continue innovating and creating world-class hotel experiences from India. Townhouse will operate as a hotel, community hotspot, cafe and merchandise store – to deliver an all-encompassing experience to guests. This launch marks a milestone in our journey towards the next level of Hospitality, consolidating our position as a category innovator and leader.”

Australian accommodation provider Oaks Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Oaks Bodhgaya, marking the brand’s debut in India. Part of Minor Hotels portfolio of brands, the group has partnered with GP Group and Top Travel & Tours to open the new hotel, which represents an overall investment of $6.7m. The 78-room hotel includes 74 deluxe rooms offer 30 square metres of space and feature twin beds, a walk-in shower and some have a bathtub. Three suites, each offering 66 square metres of space, feature a king size bed, two bathrooms with a bathtub, a lounge and dining area. Designed specifically with disabled access, a deluxe suite of 40 square metres is equipped with two bathrooms featuring walk-in showers, along with well-planned living and dining areas. Business and event guests can take advantage of the banquet hall. “We are very excited to announce the opening of Oaks Bodhgaya which represents Minor Hotels’ debut in India,” said Thomas Meier, Minor Hotels Senior Vice President Operations – Asia. “Minor Hotels has been looking for the right opportunity to expand its footprint into India and we are pleased to have partnered with GP Group and Top Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd to launch our Oaks brand in this new market which has huge potential.” Sanjog Modgil, Vice President Hospitality, of GP Group, commented, “The GP Group has long recognised the potential of the Indian Buddhist Circuit and we are delighted to partner with Minor Hotels and Top Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd to launch Oaks Bodhgaya, which marks the first step in establishing our presence on this world famous circuit in India.” Home to Mahabodhi Temple, where Buddha is said to have …

Niraamaya Retreats has completed the enhancements of its Thekkady property, and the revamped Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is now open for guests. Complementing the existing plantation-style cottages, the newly added rooms are built on stilts to maximise the majestic mountain views. The rooms have cleverly positioned floor-to-ceiling windows, so guests can wake up to stunning views of nature. The interiors, a play of muted tones with pops of colour feature minimal decoration and vibrant art. All rooms will have air-conditioning, a feature exclusive to only a few properties in the region; and amenities such as minibar, Wi-Fi, and luxurious bath amenities.

124-room Radisson Blu Faridabad opens in the north Indian state of Haryana, one of India’s largest business and industrial hubs in the National Capital Region (NCR). The hotel offers spacious meeting facilities with state-of-the-art technology and a pillar-less grand ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 guests. Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said, “We are honoured to be partnering with Eros Group to bring this iconic hotel to Faridabad. We are confident the hotel will have a strong appeal to business and leisure travellers and redefine expectations. We welcome this stylish addition to our growing portfolio of 140 hotels in operation and development. This reinforces Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s position as one of the leading and fastest-growing international hotel companies in India.” Akshay Sood, director, Eros Group added, “In the last 70 years, Eros Group has built a legacy, diversifying our business into real estate development and hospitality. We are confident and delighted to be working with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Their proven experience and marketing expertise in this region will benefit the hotel. The team is proud to be the first to introduce an international upper-upscale brand into the market.”

Golden Tulip Hospitality group, South Asia has announced the opening of its first 5-star luxury hotel Royal Tulip Kufri, Shimla. This will be the group’s first property in the Himalayas. Royal Tulip Kufri features 54 guest rooms and suites, offering panoramic views overlooking the beautiful Kufri valley. Located at 8,600 feet above sea level in the charming town of Kufri, Royal Tulip Kufri offers the majestic views of the Himalayas exquisitely spread over acres of Cedar forest range. Vimal Singh, Managing Director, South Asia-Golden Tulip Hotels & Resorts/Louvre Hotels Group, said “We are excited to present Royal Tulip Kufri, the first international luxury hotel in Kufri that will offer the highest standards of luxury, comfort and world class services to its customers.” Singh further added, “The opening of the hotel is significant for us. Royal Tulip will be the perfect destination hotel for leisure travelers and family holidays. In keeping with the Group’s motto Royal Tulip, Kufri brings an ethos of International Standards with local flavors. The company is looking to expand aggressively in the next few year across South Asia thereby adding significant value to the hospitality sector.”

Ayana Hospitality, promoted by the ICS Group (India) has launched its flagship property ‘Ayana Fort Kochi,’ a luxury boutique hotel in Kochi, Kerala. The hotel is a 200-year-old courthouse that has been restored. Akhil Behl, Chief Executive Officer, Ayana Hospitality, said, “It has been designed and renovated in perfect harmony with the legacy of the property, the environs and culture of the region. Our efforts towards guest’s experiences are not limited to the hotel premises only, but are far more rounded and encompassing. Going forward we will add more unique properties to our portfolio and will strive to raise the bar in personalized tailored luxury.”

AccorHotels brought its international economy brand, ibis, in the capital of Kerala with the opening of ibis Kochi City Centre. ibis Kochi City Centre is also the first AccorHotels’ property to open in Kerala. The property features 115 guest rooms furnished with the signature ‘Sweet Bed’ by ibis, in-room amenities and Wi-Fi access. The hotels has two meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology that can accommodate up to 70 guests for meetings and private events. Fitness enthusiasts can sweat it out at the hotel’s Cardio Centre. Located on Ernakulam’s commercial hub – MG Road, the hotel is a few steps away from the upcoming Kochi Metro station and a short drive from the Ernakulam Railway Station. Jean-Michel Cassé, Senior Vice President, Operations, AccorHotels India said, “We are pleased to open our first AccorHotels’ property, ibis Kochi City Centre in Kerala.  Kochi is an upcoming smart city and commercial hub and we are proud to open its first international economy hotel. With a sharp focus on today’s connected business traveller, the hotel promises to be a sophisticated stay destination with a host of innovative facilities, all at an attractive price point. We are proud to introduce the ibis brand to the city and look forward to fortifying our commitment to the picturesque state of Kerala.” Speaking on the opening, Ajit Jose, General Manager, ibis Kochi City Centre, said, “We are delighted to launch our very first ibis in Kochi. The property is reflective of the growing needs of corporate travellers while catering to the needs of leisure travellers to this fast-emerging metropolis. Guests can look forward to the innovative brand concept with welcoming, designer common areas and the modern food and beverage …

V.M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turismo de Portugal. The MoU was signed by Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, Chairman of VMSIIHE, and Luis Araújo, President of Turismo de Portugal, in the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa who is presently in Goa on a state visit. The knowledge exchange programme between the two countries will see a collaborative effort in the fields of research, trainings, teaching-learning methods and other aspects in the near future. The MOU valid for 2 years, mutually agrees to conduct student training and teacher mentoring modules in addition to institutional support. The MoU focuses on a shared vision, to encourage and develop the training and qualification of human resource personnel working in the field of tourism, as well as to coordinate and execute professional training for students and faculty. Professor Irfan Mirza, Director, V.M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education, said, “Together we can collaborate and enhance the quality of education we offer to our students. At our institute we offer a unique curriculum, internationally trained faculty and world class infrastructure to prepare the students for the ever changing needs of the hospitality industry. Our goal is to make this institute the center of excellence for the hospitality industry in India and we believe we have come one step closer to that goal with the signing of this MoU.”

Sarovar Hotels has sold majority of its stakes to Louvre Hotels, the second largest hotel group in Europe. The acquisition deal was formally announced in New Delhi by Ajay K. Bakaya, Executive Director, Sarovar Hotels, in the presence of Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels; Pierre-Frederic Roulot, CEO, Louvre Hotels Group and Saurabh Chawla, Head of Group Development, Louvre Hotels Group. According to Bakaya, there will not be any change in the management of Sarovar Hotels after the acquisition and they will continue to run the hotels the way they used to. He added that the new development would only help the company to expand its reach.

Marriott International has appointed Anuraag Bhatnagar as Multi-Property Vice President, Luxury, India. He will be part of the Luxury APEC Market leadership team led by Victor Clavell. Bhatnagar has been with Legacy Starwood for 16 years now. He previously served as the Area General Manager of India and concurrently the General Manager of The St. Regis Mumbai. In the role, he successfully handled 12 hotels in six different cities of all Legacy Starwood brands including the core responsibility of leading the first St. Regis property launched in South Asia in 2015, as General Manager. A doyen of the hospitality industry with an innate understanding of the luxury landscape, Bhatnagar will now be at the helm of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio for the Indian market. He was also the Legacy Starwood Security Champion for South Asia and a member of OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council), United States Department of States Bureau of Diplomatic Security. He is an avid spiritualist and seeker. His fitness regime is a must and he enjoys his leisure time watching movies and listening to music.