Author: HBI Staff | Mumbai
Top hoteliers from across Andhra Pradesh have formed the Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association (ASHA) to elevate the state as a premier travel destination, promote excellence in hospitality, and foster collaborations with top-tier hotels. The association aims to work together to drive growth and development in the hospitality sector. The leadership team includes R.V. Swamy, President and Joint Managing Director of Hyatt Place Vijayawada; S. Murthy Chittoory, General Secretary and Managing Director of Venky Residency Kakinada; and Gudisa Shivakumar, Treasurer and Managing Director of SVN Lake Palace, Vizianagaram. Other key members include Bala Krishna Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Taj…
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels announced that Ran Baas, The Palace, in Patiala, has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels 2025 by the esteemed Prix Versailles at the 11th edition of the World Architecture and Design Award. This global honor, supported by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, is a testament to the hotel’s celebration of Punjab’s architectural and royal heritage. The 35-suite luxury palace, a Relais & Châteaux property, blends the old with the new, merging late Mughal, Rajput, Sikh, and Colonial styles while preserving the architectural integrity of Punjab’s rich heritage. The hotel features…
ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru, a pioneer in sustainable luxury, has inaugurated a 6.3 MW solar farm in Jagalur, Karnataka as the world prepares to celebrate World Environment Day 2025. The solar farm will cater to the energy requirements of all ITC Hotels in Bengaluru, supporting the global initiative to combat climate change. This move is part of ITC Gardenia’s Responsible Luxury journey, which began with its USGBC LEED Platinum rating in 2009. ITC Gardenia has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, including the USGBC LEED Zero Carbon Certification, making it one of the first hotels in the world to achieve…
Constellation Brands has completed the sale of six wine brands, including Woodbridge, Meiomi, and Robert Mondavi Private Selection, to The Wine Group for an undisclosed sum. The deal, announced earlier this year, also included the transfer of three California facilities and nearly 3,000 hectares of vineyard. The Wine Group, which owns brands like Love Noir, The Dreaming Tree, and Franzia, will welcome 500 new team members as part of the acquisition. John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, said, “We’re thrilled to close this exciting acquisition and welcome 500 new team members to our incredible team.” Constellation Brands will focus…
Ramee Group of Hotels has announced the launch of a premium hotel in Solapur, set to open in Q3 2025. The hotel will feature 50 thoughtfully designed rooms that balance comfort and elegance. Guests can enjoy a delightful culinary journey across three restaurants, relax with stunning city skyline views at the rooftop bar, or unwind in the stylish coffee shop. The hotel will also host multiple banquet halls for social and corporate events, a well-equipped fitness centre, a tranquil spa, and a swimming pool. Additionally, Mumbai’s favorite Café Muttuswami will make its debut in Solapur at this property, offering a…
The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in India has impacted hotel bookings in Rajasthan, despite the latest strain being considered milder. According to industry experts, the tourism industry in Rajasthan, which contributes around 12-14% to the state’s economy and employs over 7.5 million people, is likely to be severely affected. Gaurav Khandelwal, a travel agent, said, “The return of coronavirus is reducing the number of tourists in Rajasthan. There is a continuous decline in hotel bookings. In such a situation, the tourism industry could see the monsoon tourism season from July to September going underutilised.” The next week will be…
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Kevit Retreats Private Limited to develop a 150-key Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028, this project reflects IHG’s strategic focus on growing in high-demand markets and bridging the gap for quality branded hospitality in secondary markets in India. The hotel will cater to the growing demand from the region’s thriving industrial and automotive sectors, particularly in Pithampur, which has emerged as a key industrial powerhouse in Madhya Pradesh. Located in the rapidly expanding Indore Metropolitan Region, the hotel…
Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. (MHRIL) appointed Asha Kharga as Chief Customer Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Kharga, who also serves as Group Chief Customer Officer, will lead the hospitality arm’s transformation as it targets 10,000 resort keys by 2030. With over 28 years of experience in building customer-focused brands, Kharga will enhance Mahindra Holidays’ brand equity, guest engagement, and overall customer experience as per a press release. “Asha’s strategic mindset and deep understanding of consumer behavior will be vital as we scale Mahindra Holidays into a future-ready, experience-led hospitality brand,” said Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, …
SK Hospitality, a fast-growing sales and marketing firm serving select hotels and resorts, has reported a strong start to 2025, marked by strategic partnerships and focused expansion into key European markets. The company kicked off the year with a presence at IMM UK in London, where it met with travel media representatives and influencers, and announced a new partnership with SKY Express. The collaboration aims to facilitate press and influencer visits to SK Hospitality’s partner hotels in Greece, improving direct exposure for its portfolio. SK Hospitality also reinforced its development efforts in the DACH region by appointing Dominique Liggins as…
SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting, a leading hotel advisory firm, has announced the successful signing and rebranding of Hotel Solitaire, a 65-room resort-style property in Dehradun, under the Pride Premier banner by Pride Group of Hotels. Operations are set to begin in June 2025, marking another strategic win in SeaHorse’s expanding portfolio of hotel brand partnerships across India. Dehradun is quickly rising as one of India’s most attractive mid-size markets for hospitality expansion, blending spiritual tourism, corporate transit, wellness travel, and educational traffic. The city’s proximity to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, combined with the upcoming Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, positions it as a high-growth…
