Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa Rebrands to ALDOVIA Resort & Convention

Marks Strategic Shift to Independent Hospitality Brand

Bengaluru, April 2026: Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa has rebranded as ALDOVIA Resort & Convention, marking a strategic shift towards building an independent, owner-led hospitality brand. The move comes in the wake of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) acquiring a majority stake in Clarks Hotels & Resorts, prompting a transition from brand affiliation to full brand ownership and creative control.

The transition comes in the wake of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) acquiring a majority stake in Clarks Hotels & Resorts, prompting a natural pivot for the property from brand affiliation to full ownership and creative control. While the brand association evolves, the ownership of the property remains unchanged and continues under the stewardship of the Colaco family, led by Dr. Ronald Colaco, along with Executive Directors Mr. Nigel Colaco and Mr. Randal Colaco.

For nearly two decades, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa has built a strong reputation for service excellence, scale, and trust. That foundation remains firmly intact. Strategic direction continues under Mr. Vivek Kumar, with business development led by Mr. Balaji, whose 19-year association with the property has played a pivotal role in shaping its identity and market presence.

The transition to ALDOVIA is not merely a rebranding, but a strategic transformation. It marks a shift from affiliation-led growth to full brand ownership, allowing the leadership to shape a more personal, values-driven, and future-focused hospitality experience.

Derived from “Aldo,” meaning wisdom, and “Via,” meaning journey, ALDOVIA represents a journey guided by experience, strengthened by legacy, and driven by purpose. The swan, its chosen emblem, reflects the brand’s philosophy—the “Spirit of Tranquillity”—symbolising grace, calm, and quiet confidence.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Balaji M, CEO, Aldovia, said, “Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa has been more than a workplace: it has been a journey of passion, people, and purpose. ALDOVIA is a natural evolution of that journey. While the name changes, the heart of what we have built remains the same. This transition gives us the opportunity to craft a brand that is truly our own, one that reflects our values, our learnings, and our long-term vision for hospitality.”

The rebranding marks a broader transformation and repositioning strategy. With full ownership of the brand, the leadership now has the flexibility to shape product, experience, and growth on its own terms, laying the foundation for a long-term, values-driven hospitality brand.

Adding to this, Ms. Nilisha Ghuliani, Vice President, Aldovia, With ALDOVIA, we are gently refining the experience to feel more intuitive, more personal, and truly meaningful, always keeping people at the heart of everything we do. It’s about how every guest is welcomed, understood, and remembered; how every interaction carries warmth, care, and a sense of belonging.

Our approach is rooted in grace in the way we shape our spaces, in the sincerity of our service and most importantly, in how people feel when they are with us. Because beyond the place, it is the people who create the experience, turning moments into memories. ALDOVIA is a place where Grace find you and our people embody the philosophy “Be the Grace”

This journey is not about changing what we are, but about elevating what already exists together. 

Guests can expect the same warmth, team, and commitment to service that defined Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa. Under the continued guidance of Vivek Kumar and Balaji, the resort’s core strengths remain unchanged. What evolves is the experience, becoming more refined, personalised, and aligned with a clear philosophy.

Under the leadership of Vice President, Nilisha Ghuliani and General Manager Varun Sharma, ALDOVIA will introduce a more cohesive and experience-led approach to hospitality. Enhancements will be thoughtful and phased, designed to elevate rather than disrupt.

As part of this evolution, select areas of the property will undergo curated upgrades. The poolside will be reimagined into a vibrant Swiss Town Square, envisioned as a dynamic social hub. The resort will also introduce distinctive culinary destinations, including Mirage (Pool Café), Shogun (Pan Asian Restaurant), and Ember (Grills Restaurant), each designed to offer immersive and concept-driven dining experiences.

Culinary direction will continue to be led by Executive Chef Suresh Babu and Associate Director F&B Senthil Kumar, with a focus on making dining at ALDOVIA not just a service, but a memorable experience.

Positioned near Bengaluru’s airport, ALDOVIA differentiates itself through a philosophy that goes beyond conventional luxury. Anchored in the belief, “Where Grace Finds You,” the brand is built on emotional intelligence, authenticity, and a deeply personalised approach to hospitality.

With this transformation, ALDOVIA Resort & Convention sets out on a long-term journey, to build a brand that stands independently, carries forward a proud legacy, and aspires to be recognised among the finest in global hospitality.

New safety rules announced for UAE hotels

Key Take Away

Hotels across the UAE have new guidelines to follow to ensure they operate safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Guidelines were issued by The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and apply to all hotels across the emirates, according to state news agency Wam

There are 21 main points covered in the hotel guidelines, which advice on policies for physical distancing measures, cleaning and sanitizing of guest rooms, health checks for staff and guests, as well as hygiene protocols for restaurants, cafes, swimming pools, beaches, and health clubs.

Under the new guidelines, hotels must test staff for COVID-19 before reopening. Tests must then be repeated every 15 days.

For More Information

www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/new-safety-rules-announced-for-uae-hotels-1.1029270

SG Clean Quality Mark Extended to Tourism and Lifestyle Businesses as part of Nationwide Efforts to Uplift Sanitation and Hygiene

 In light of the on-going Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have rolled out the SG Clean quality mark to the tourism and lifestyle sectors. Among the first to be certified are those along the popular Orchard Road shopping belt, which include food and retail businesses in malls such as Plaza Singapura and ION Orchard; Grand Hyatt Singapore; and the Singapore Visitor Centre 

 Establishments like Charles & Keith, Golden Village, Jean Yip Hub, Jumbo Seafood, McDonald’s and TungLok are on board SG Clean

Two other hotels outside of Orchard Road have also been certified – Village Hotel Sentosa and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa.

Grand Hyatt Singapore and several businesses at Plaza Singapura received their SG Clean quality mark from Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Education – following a visit to the premises.

ESG and STB will encourage more than 37,000 businesses within the tourism and lifestyle sectors to sign up for the SG Clean certification programme.  

To be certified, businesses have to go through a seven-point checklist tailored to the requirements and operations in the various sectors

ESG and STB have appointed qualified, independent assessment organisations to certify that participating establishments have met these requirements, and continue to maintain these practices. Businesses assessed to have met the criteria will be awarded the SG Clean quality mark. Assessment and certification are complimentary for businesses.

For further details :

(Refer to Annex A: List of certified establishments to-date)

How Should Hotels Set Room Rates Now and After the Coronavirus Crisis?

It may seem off-topic to ask experts for advice on how hotels should be setting their room rates right now. Thousands of hotels are closing in Europe and the U.S., and the goal for many properties is to survive

Yet most hotels will re-open someday. Most hotels will also continue to accept reservations for stays many months from now. So it’s urgent to price those future stays smartly.

TAKE HEART FROM ASIA

“Asia-Pacific learned a lot by going through the SARS experience, and as a result, most had a plan for facing some of the same challenges”

Westerners have been more quick, on average, to cut rates to stimulate demand, while operators in Asia-Pacific have favored other measures.

A case in point: About half of Asia-Pacific hoteliers tried “value-adds,” compared with only a third in Europe. An example of a “value-add” could be offering any guest who stays a voucher for, say, a substantial credit if they rebook a future stay within a year, or it could be offering a free airport transport in a well-sanitized vehicle.

Asia-Pacific hoteliers were significantly more likely than ones elsewhere in this crisis to emphasize promotions targeted to new segments of customers than their hotels typically have sought. They also have more been more likely to take steps to try to reward loyal, or potentially repeat, customers.

MAINTAIN PRICING POWER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE

“Studies have shown that hotels that are the fastest to drop their rates and who drop their rates the deepest can be the last ones to recover when demand comes back,” said Dan Skodol, a hospitality and travel industry revenue management, pricing, and analytics expert at Cendyn

Yet despite being hard advice to swallow, rate-cutting has long-term consequences.

“One reason is that the pricing structure of many hotels is based on a ‘best available retail rate,’ meaning that all the other rates, such as for business, group, and so on, are tied to it,” Isaac said. “When demand comes back, the more lucrative customers like business travelers and event or wedding planners will be reticent to accept price hikes.”

“But discounts are useless if people aren’t traveling for safety concerns,” Schultz said. “We want to make sure that when demand does come back, we’re sure not to be missing any dollar by having gone too low.”

THINK BEYOND THE RATES

“Guests will remember their cancellation experience more so than the rate they paid,” said Mike Chuma, vice president, global marketing, enablement and engagement at IDeaS, a software maker. “When circumstances permit, offer flexible policies to cancellations, such as offer hassle-free credits or complimentary amenities for future stays.”

The pace of recovery is something to keep in mind when figuring out who to spend your scarce marketing dollars on targeting.

Marketers will need to adapt relevant pitches as social distancing remains an on-again-off-again issue for the next year or longer.

“Showing a big group of people hugging and high-fiving is likely not the best image in these times,” Lugli said.

Looking at new segments to target with marketing might mean a hotel that usually caters to leisure travelers pitching their rooms on platforms for business travelers seeking extended stay and corporate relocation

If you need hope, look to China, where occupancy has begun to rebound. China saw hotel occupancy nearly vanish during the worst of the crisis, but a recovery is beginning to emerge, according to new data from tech vendor Shiji Distribution. Occupancy levels vary, but in some cities have recovered from low single digit percentages to around 30 percent.

Outside of China, Asia-Pacific hotels are also seeing the green shoots of recovery, according to data from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and tech vendor RateGain.

.For more information visit : https://twitter.com/MarriottIntl/status/1240639160148529160

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Announces 2019 I Prefer Member's Choice Award Winners

About Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 750 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program.

For more information, visit PreferredHotels.com.

The world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 750 distinctive hotels, resorts, and residences across 85 countries – unveiled the winners of its second annual I Prefer Members’ Choice Awards. For 2019, 40 hotels in 23 countries were selected as winners across four regional categories with Discovery Shores Boracay on Boracay Island in Aklan, Philippines declared the overall winner, and other top honors given to Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana; Pulitzer Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Distinctly unique in their approach to hospitality, each of the award-winning hotels are connected by their dedication to delivering exemplary service and memorable experiences. The full list of 2019 I Prefer Members’ Choice Awards winners includes: 

Top Hotels in Europe: 

• Pulitzer Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands   

• Grand Hotel Excelsior – Valletta, Malta 

• Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa – St Andrews, United Kingdom 

• The Grand, York – York, United Kingdom 

  Top Hotels in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa:  

  • Discovery Shores Boracay – Boracay Island Malay, Aklan, Philippines 

  • Discovery Primea, Manila – Manila, Philippines 

  • Royal Plaza on Scotts – Singapore    

  • Discovery Suites Manila Philippines – Manila, Philippines

    Top Hotels in Caribbean, Central, and South America:  

    • Condado Vanderbilt Hotel – San Juan, Puerto Rico   

    • Half Moon – Montego Bay, Jamaica   

    • Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa – Sandys, Bermuda   

    • West Bay Club – Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Island

      To celebrate the winners, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is launching a limited-time Bonus Points Promotion. This value-add incentive gifts I Prefer members with 5,000 bonus points when they book a stay at any of the 40 winning hotels by March 10, 2020 for travel through December 31, 2020

    For more information on the I Prefer Members’ Choice Awards, visit www.IPrefer.com/MembersChoice.