Author: HBI Staff | Hyderabad

Aspri Spirits, India’s largest alco-beverage distribution company has announced the acquisition of U’Luvka Vodka, making the company the global owner of the iconic Polish vodka brand. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Aspri Spirits’ growth strategy as it continues to build a portfolio of premium and super-premium spirits with strong international appeal and long-term global potential. Recognised for its exceptional quality, distinctive identity and rich Polish heritage, U’Luvka joins Aspri Spirits’ expanding proprietary brand portfolio alongside Dos Flamos Tequila, A.Baronet Brandy, Wines like Born West, Bush Ballad, Golden Sparrow, Monte Pacifico and What The Fox. U’Luvka is one of…

Sterling Holiday Resorts has strengthened its Kumaon presence with the launch of Sterling Lake View Sattal, a 24-room resort located near Sattal Lake in Uttarakhand. The launch marks another step in the company’s strategy of building connected destination circuits rather than expanding through standalone properties. Sterling’s Uttarakhand portfolio now spans destinations across mountains, lakes, forests, wildlife, pilgrimage, wellness and adventure. Sattal, known for its cluster of seven freshwater lakes surrounded by forested hills, adds a lake-and-forest destination to Sterling’s existing Kumaon network. The resort also provides access to Bhimtal, Nainital, Kainchi Dham and Naukuchiatal, allowing the company to connect multiple…

The Delhi High Court has passed an ex-parte interim order restraining a hotel in Goa from using the ‘Holiday Inn’ trademark in a suit filed by Six Continents Hotels, which owns the Holiday Inn chain in India. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, in an order dated August 17, restrained Jerome Fernandes and his hotel from using the marks ‘Hotel Jerome’s Holiday Inn’ and ‘Holiday Inn’. The Court also directed Fernandes to remove advertisements and online listings of the Goa-based hotel from travel platforms, including Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, TripAdvisor and Trivago. The suit was filed by Six Continents Hotels, a subsidiary of US-based…

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the launch of Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas in Lonavala, Maharashtra, marking Taj’s entry into the luxury branded villa segment. Developed in partnership with Amavi, India’s hospitality-backed real estate brand, the project combines a 100-key Taj resort with 32 branded villas spread across a 34-acre estate in the Western Ghats. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “For over a century, Taj has defined luxury hospitality through its grand palaces, landmark city hotels, safaris and residences. Recognised as the World’s Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand and India’s…

Lemon Tree Hotels has opened Lemon Tree Premier, Vadodara, marking its 13th operational property in Gujarat. The upscale hotel features 94 rooms and suites, a multi-cuisine restaurant, banquet hall, meeting room, swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. The property is managed by Carnation Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels. The opening further strengthens the group’s presence in Vadodara, where it already operates three properties under the Lemon Tree Hotel, Keys Lite and Keys Select brands. With the addition of Lemon Tree Premier, the group is expanding its offering across corporate, leisure and social travel segments. The launch…

GRT Hotels & Resorts joined Tamil Nadu Tourism’s Madras Week celebrations with a curated heritage walk to St. Patrick’s Church, marking 387 years of Madras’ history, culture and heritage. The morning experience brought together hotel staff, select guests, media representatives and digital influencers, offering participants an immersive journey into the city’s historical roots. The walk was led by GRT Hotels’ in-house storytellers, or Sutradhars, who narrated lesser-known stories, architectural details and historical anecdotes associated with the landmark. Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said, “Madras is not just a city; it is an emotion – woven from a tapestry…

Tamara Leisure Experiences (TLE) has secured five honours at the FHRAI 56th Annual Convention, with recognition spanning hospitality leadership, culinary excellence, people practices, property performance and wellness. The awards acknowledge the strength of both its teams and its diverse portfolio, reinforcing an approach to hospitality where meaningful experiences are shaped by people, place and purpose. The honours encompass multiple dimensions of hospitality excellence across TLE’s portfolio. At The Tamara Coorg, Mohd Jafar was recognised as Hotel Front Office Manager of the Year – Luxury Hotels (Male), while Chef Baranidharan M of O by Tamara Coimbatore was named Executive Chef of…

Grandeur, legacy and impeccable service continue to shape a timeless definition of luxury. In an era when luxury hospitality is constantly evolving, some hotels remain remarkably untouched by the pressure to follow trends. Their appeal lies not merely in historic architecture, but in the sense of continuity they offer—where heritage lives through grand interiors, enduring rituals, generations of returning guests and a deeply rooted culture of service. From the Alpine glamour of St. Moritz and the sophistication of Zurich to the French Riviera, Paris, Hong Kong and the Tuscan countryside, these iconic properties demonstrate that the most enduring form of…

Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) is rolling out a series of measures to improve accommodation, food quality, hygiene and service standards across its Haritha hotels, with an aim to bring the properties closer to the standards of leading hospitality establishments. TGTDC Managing Director P. Gouthami has been conducting surprise inspections of Haritha hotels across the State, reviewing guest rooms, restaurants, kitchens, food quality, hygiene, staff performance, maintenance and overall service delivery. Officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance with food safety and kitchen hygiene standards. The Corporation has also initiated disciplinary action against personnel found negligent. On August 23,…

English proficiency requirements in India’s hospitality sector are driven more by job responsibilities than seniority, according to a new study by ETS (TOEIC programme) and the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI). Launched at the 56th FHRAI Annual Convention in Varanasi, the report, Job-Relevant English Communication Needs for Hospitality Roles in India, establishes role-specific English proficiency benchmarks for six positions across Front Office, Food & Beverage and Housekeeping. The study found that some junior, guest-facing employees require stronger English skills than senior colleagues in more internally focused roles. Junior housekeepers, for instance, require higher Listening, Reading and…